NGOs helped 76,000 people in need last year

A total of 76,101 people benefitted from of services provided by non-governmental organisations last year, according to the National Statistics Office.

The survey, carried out among 330 NGOs in Malta and Gozo, found they had 86,125 members, 81 per cent of who were paying members.

Membership and religious organisations comprised the largest group of NGOs, reaching 46 per cent of the NGOs surveyed - the majority of non-paying members (77 per cent) were involved in this category. Those who benefitted from the services of NGOs included 75 per cent who were women, with more than half aged 65 and over, and 42 per cent aged 25-64.

Most of the NGOs operated with the help of voluntary workers and the study showed there were 5,674 voluntary workers, with an additional 1,097 employed full-time and 762 part-time.

The NSO said an estimated €31 million was spent by the NGOs surveyed. Approximately half the sum was spent on staff wages and salaries, while operational costs and donations was the second largest expense for most NGOs, accounting for 16 per cent and 12 per cent of costs respectively.

Social work activities with accommodation incurred the largest expense, accounting for nearly half the total expenditure of NGOs.

A total income of €37 million was reported by the NGOs with donations accounting for 44 per cent of this.

Organisations performing social work activities with accommodation generated 46 per cent of the total income that was earned by all NGOs, while services provided generated 22 per cent of the total income.