Gozitan households are €2,000 poorer than the Maltese, according to a study focused on drawing out the differences between the two islands separated by a short, 20-minute boat ride.

The average Maltese household last year had a disposable income of €22,014 while that of a Gozitan household amounted to €20,414, according to Gozo In Figures, a new publication by the National Statistics Office.

This information about Gozitans tending to be poorer may come as a surprise to many because public perception is that Gozitans save more than the Maltese and are better off.

The figures also shows that, although the days when Gozitans left their front door key hanging in its lock are long gone, islanders remain less prone to house burglaries than their Maltese counterparts. The number of reported thefts per 1,000 households last year was 2.5 in Gozo against 5.3 in Malta.

The difference in car thefts was even more striking.

While on the larger island there were 1.3 car thefts per 1,000 vehicles in 2011, this fell to 0.2 thefts across the channel.

The publication, the first of its kind, dissects national statistics into regions, showing substantial differences between Malta and Gozo.

It forms part of a study commissioned by the government in a bid to make a formal request to the European Commission so that Gozo can benefit from extra EU funds due to its distinctive double insularity.

This is the first time the government is triggering this clause, negotiated prior to Malta’s accession to the EU in 2004.

Until now, both islands have been considered as one in terms of EU funds’ eligibility. However, this might change in the ongoing negotiations for the 2014-2020 budget as Malta’s GDP has increased considerably over recent years when compared to the EU average.

According to NSO director general Michael Pace Ross, although Gozo has similarities to Malta, the data shows that there are considerable diversities with Gozo developing a distinct character and identity over the years.

The size of Gozitan families is larger than Malta’s. While four-person households in Gozo were most common, in Malta the largest family cohort was made up of couples, particularly due to a high number of elderly families.

At 31,296, Gozo’s population last year was 7.7 per cent of Malta’s while the island’s contribution towards the national economy stood at 5.5 per cent of GDP.

With regard to employment, the publication shows that Gozo is managing to generate more jobs despite its small size. In 2011, 11,849 were considered to be gainfully occupied in Gozo, an increase of more than 1,200 jobs since 2007.

Unemployment increased by 97 in the last four years, reaching 974 in 2011. The majority of Gozitans are employed in the private sector.