When Malta joined the European Union in 2004, it ceased to be considered a developing country and was categorised as a developed country.

In reality, Malta has the characteristics of a developed country in terms of various factors, including its income per capita and its economic governance. However, in many ways Malta remained a backward country.

I will select just three indicators of backwardness that one finds in many ‘underdeveloped’ countries, which are also found in Malta.

These are: public amenities that are not regularly and well-maintained, or do not work (such as public clocks) or are carelessly managed (as is the case of the large amount of electricity and telephone cables and wires, some of which are dead, left hanging against buildings, some criss-crossing main thoroughfares); a lack of proper control over groups of abusers with a strong voice (such as some building contractors and fireworks enthusiasts, who are often allowed to disregard the law and to disturb entire neighbourhoods); and a lack of proper control of air and noise pollution.

So when I am asked whether Malta is really a developed country my answer is “in some respects yes, and in others, no”. Is this a case of schizophrenic economic development?