Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/444527
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 11 JANUARY 2015 14 JAMES DEBONO THE percentage of households suffering severe material depri- vation increased from 6% to 10% between 2011 and 2013, figures released by the National Statistics Office show. Poverty has worsened mostly in single parent households where the percentage of those suffering severe deprivation has increased by five points over 2011. Poverty has also increased by nine points among tenants (people who rent and do not own a house). This suggests that nearly 40,000 people in Malta are experiencing severe deprivation. The survey, based on an exten- sive sample of 4,992 households, shows that although the percent- age of households at risk of pov- erty has increased only slightly, by 0.3% since 2011 and by 0.7% since 2009, this segment now includes a greater number of households suffering from more severe pov- erty. The survey, conducted before the decrease in utility bills in 2014, shows that 15,459 house- holds were in arrears in utility bills, with the percentage of those in arrear rising to 10% from 7.4% in 2011. Moreover the percentage of people who cannot afford to keep their house warm has shot up from 18% in 2011 to 23.4% in 2013. Accord- ing to the survey, 33,457 households could not keep their homes warm in winter. Also increasing is the number of people who cannot afford eating meat every second day, up from 14,714 (10,2%) in 2011 to 22,473 (14.4%) now. In 2009 only 11% could not afford to eat meat every second day. A majority of Maltese (53%) cannot afford a one- week holiday away from home, up from 51.4% in 2011. Although material dep- rivation is increasing, 2013 saw a slight decline in the percentage of those who cannot make ends meet and those who cannot afford an unexpected €450 expense. Still nearly one in every four households cannot afford an unexpected expense of €450. Housing costs for tenants increase While housing costs for owners have decreased from a monthly cost of €181 in 2011 to €176 in 2013, housing costs for tenants have in- creased from €157 in 2011 to €172 now. The survey shows that pover- ty among tenants is on the increase. Overall the percentage of those who consider housing costs to be a heavy burden have increased from 51% in 2011 to 57% now. Apart from costs, a minority of respondents still live in sub-stand- ard housing. A small minority, consisting of approximately 1,164 households, lacks a shower while 20,730 house- holds (up from 17,540 in 2011) have a leaking roof, damp walls or rot. Are the poor to blame for their plight? While statistics indicate an in- crease in poverty, people still find it hard to empathise with the plight of the poor. Anti poverty alliance chairper- son and social activist Charles Miceli expressed concern at how affluent people tend to minimize these statistics by blaming poverty on the lifestyles of those living in poverty. "I am hurt by those who blame the poor for their poverty by claiming that these people spend their money on drugs and gam- bling while their children are left without food." Miceli recognised that some people have wrong priorities or are themselves addicts. "But these constitute a small mi- nority. Most of those who fall be- hind are responsible people who are either pensioners or work in precarious conditions or on the minimum wage. Others fall behind because they are victims of disease or other personal tragedies…" According to Miceli people who are in direct contact with the poor, like parish priests and even the President of the Republic, are aware of this reality. Miceli referred to the need of a strong lobby for this category of the population aimed at improv- ing wages and social benefits. He expressed concern that 57% consider housing costs a "heavy burden", which in itself throws a light on the insufficiency of social benefits and the minimum wage. Miceli referred to the finding that 35% are finding it difficult to make ends meet, saying this should be an eye opener for politi- cians to address poverty. "We are talking of a third of the population which is at risk of pov- erty and exclusion," he said. jdebono@mediatoday.com.mt News 40,000 Maltese are 'severely deprived' NSO figures indicate a sharp increase in the 'severely deprived' category between 2011 and 2013 2011 2012 2013 % of persons At risk of poverty rate 15.4 15 15.7 Experience material deprivation 16.5 20 19.4 Facing severe material deprivation 6.3 9 9.5 % of households Great difficulty in making ends meet 13.8 15.9 14.1 Could not afford one week holiday 51.4 51.9 53.1 Could not afford to eat meal with meat/fish/ 10.2 12.6 14.4 chicken or vegetarian equivalent every two days Keep home warm in winter 17.7 22 23.4 Unable to meet unexpected €450 26.7 24.8 23.7 expense In arrears of utility bills 7.4 8.5 9.9 What does being 'severely materially deprived' mean? It means: Persons living in households who were not able to afford at least four of the nine essential items mentioned in the survey. Persons who were not able to afford at least three of these nine items were listed as materially deprived. The nine items were: ability to meet an unexpected financial expense, ability to pay for a week's holiday away from home, having arrears in the payment of utility bills or mortgage, ability to eat meat, chicken, fish or vegetarian equivalent every second day, ability to keep house warm in winter, own a washing machine, own a colour TV, own a telephone or mobile and own a car. Who is at most risk of poverty and material deprivation? Single parents are the most at risk of poverty and are the most likely to suffer severe material deprivation. 41.9% of people living in single parent households were at risk of poverty in 2013. Among this category 28.1% experienced severe material deprivation. Within this category the percentage of those who are suffering severe deprivation has increased by five points since 2011. Only 5% of households composed of two adults and one dependent child experienced severe material deprivation. This rises to 12.4% among households composed of two adults and more than three children. Among households consisting of a single adult 12.6% experienced severe material deprivation. Younger people are more likely to suffer from material deprivation. While 11.8% of under-18 year olds are severely deprived, 9.5% of those aged between 18 and 64 and 7.1% of those aged over 65 are in the same situation. Severe deprivation is highest among those who do not work. Among those with lowest work intensity 33.5% are severely deprived. People who rent are also poorer than those who own a house. Among tenants 23% suffer from severe material deprivation, an increase of nine points on 2011. What does being 'at risk of poverty' mean? This means that the household in question earns less than 60% of the national average income. The income reference year for the SILC survey is one calendar year prior to the survey. Therefore the at risk of poverty rate is based on 2012 incomes.