Malta’s Mr and Mrs Average enjoyed an annual household income rise of €1,151 over the previous year, according to the results of the latest National Statistics Office survey on income and living conditions.

Taking account of income tax, social contributions and regular inter-household cash transfers, the survey released on Friday found the average household had an income of €20,569 in 2009, up from €19,418 the previous year.

Data collection for the survey of 3,646 households was carried out between July and October 2009, meaning the income reference for the survey was calendar year 2008.

Households in the Western and Northern districts had the highest average income. Next came the Northern Harbour district, South Eastern district, Gozo and Comino and the Southern Harbour district.

Housing costs, including interest payments on mortgage, electricity, gas, house insurance, maintenance and rent added up to an average monthly spend of €157 when the survey was conducted.

The survey showed Malta had an at-risk-of-poverty rate of 15 per cent, which was similar to the previous year. Worryingly, it was the most vulnerable age groups who were most at risk of poverty – 21 per cent of children (aged 0-17) fell below the threshold, while the elderly (aged 65 and over) had an at-risk-of-poverty rate of 19 per cent.

In material terms, the survey showed that while almost all households had a telephone, colour television and washing machine, 31 per cent did not have a computer and 17 per cent did not have a car. Just over a third of households said they did not have internet at home, with four per cent saying they could not afford it, and a notable 45 per cent of households saying they could not afford to replace worn out furniture.

If you yearned for a foreign holiday around the time the survey was being conducted but you could not afford it then you were in the majority – 63 per cent of households said that they could not afford to pay for a one-week annual holiday away from home, and 31 per cent reported they would not be in a position to face unexpected financial expenses of €450 and over.

Although the majority of households did not complain about the state of their neighbourhoods, 35 per cent said they had problems with noise from neighbours or from the street and 19 per cent said that they often found litter on the streets.

In those heady days before Arriva, nearly a third of households using public transport said they had difficulties accessing the services.

With Malta having one of the the worst child obesity rates in Europe, it is significant that nearly 20 per cent of households said their children did not eat fresh fruit or vegetables every day, and 36 per cent said not all their children participated in regular leisure or sport activities. A quarter said their children did not eat three meals a day.

On a positive note, the absolute majority of households said they could always consult a GP, specialist or dentist for their children when needed.