North-south divide confirmed in NSO study

If there was ever need to confirm that Gozo topped the list for boarded out employees, this was provided by an official study published today.

According to the National Statistics’ Office “Social Security Benefits: A Locality Perspective – 2009”, the top five localities receiving invalidity pensions were all Gozitan. They are Ghasri (51.2 per 1,000 population), Xewkija (49.8), Fontana (43.4), Xaghra (39.7) and Kercem (39.4).

The publication also confirms a north/south economic and social divide with the localities around the Grand Harbour having high rates of welfare dependency.

The highest rates of single, unmarried parents on welfare benefits are to be found in Cospicua (24.2 per 1,000 population), Senglea (21), Xghajra (20.7), Valletta (20.1) and Floriana (13.5).

The same five localities also topped the list for social assistance allowances.

On the other hand, the least number of single unmarried parents on welfare benefits, can be found in the Gozitan localities of Xewkija (one per 1,000 population), Qala (1.2), Xaghra (1.5) and San Lawrenz (1.7) and Mgarr, Malta (1.6).

The number of people on social assistance is the lowest in San Lawrenz, Dingli, Kercem, Gharb and Swieqi.

An analysis of long-term unemployment assistance also indicates a north/south divide in terms of employment prospects.

Valletta, Cospicua, Zebbug (Gozo), Xghajra and Floriana top the list for the number of unemployment beneficiaries while the more affluent Attard, Swieqi, Mosta, Lija and Mgarr are the least affected by unemployment.

A breakdown of children’s allowance beneficiaries shows a disparity between the income of people in different regions.

Low income earners, receiving the allowance after a means test, are predominantly found in the south with Xghajra, Cospicua, Senglea and Kalkara topping the list. Pembroke also features among the top five due to its relatively young population.

The figures show that following the 2008 introduction of a flat rate children’s allowance to all families who previously did not qualify for the benefit, the top five recipients were families living in Pembroke, Attard, Mtarfa, Marsascala and Swieqi.

The study also showed that the highest number of retirement pension beneficiaries lived in Mdina, Sliema, Floriana, Luqa (including St Vincent de Paul hospital) and Hamrun while Mtarfa, Iklin, Marsascala, Xghajra and Swieqi had relatively younger populations.