Growing concern among the Maltese over their future economic prospects is having an effect on the usual generosity associated with the island.
Almost four out of every 10 Maltese respondents taking part in an EU-wide survey on the bloc’s development aid policy said that Malta and the EU should reduce their commitments to help the poor in view of the current economic situation.
The EU and its member states are considered the biggest development aid donors in the world and the 27 EU leaders have committed themselves to increase aid in the coming years. However, many Maltese are starting to have their doubts about this policy, preferring instead the “charity begins at home” principle.
Although 88 per cent of the 500 Maltese questioned in the Eurobarometer survey agreed that helping the world’s poor, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, should be a high priority, the current economic state of affairs created some doubts. Asked whether EU member states should keep with their policy of increasing development aid, 45 per cent still agreed the country should stick to its commitments. However, a whopping 38 per cent said aid should not be increased with 18 per cent even suggesting a reduction.
The same negativity resulted when respondents were asked whether they were prepared to buy products from developing countries at a higher price in order to help the poor.
The majority of Maltese, 52 per cent, said that they were not prepared to pay more to help the poor and only 32 per cent agreed with such a suggestion.
On an EU level, the survey showed that 62 per cent of European citizens are in favour of increasing development aid.