The Maltese are three times more concerned about migration than the rest of the EU, according to a Eurobarometer report.

The study, published today, gives an overview of Maltese perceptions of life as an EU Member State. It was carried out last November.

As has been the case with previous Eurobarometer studies, 57 per cent were preoccupied with the migration influx, compared to 18 per cent across the rest of the EU.

Maltese were mostly worried about migrants originating from outside the EU, with three quarters saying this evoked very negative feelings, some 20 per cent more than the EU average.

Asked what future policy was most important for the stability of the EU, 82 per cent of the 500 local respondents called for a common migration policy.

The survey also found that the Maltese trust the written press, radio and television less than other Europeans. However, they trusted social media and Internet more.

They are twice as likely to trust political parties, at 24 per cent, and twice as likely to trust the government than the EU average, with 56 per cent.

Overall the Maltese had a very positive outlook, with 90 per cent saying they were satisfied with life in general, the 6th highest rate in Europe. Furthermore, 40 per cent expected their life to get better in the next 12 months, the third highest in Europe.