Half of households in Malta last year could not afford to pay for a one-week holiday away from home, while more than a fifth could not warm up their houses in winter, according to national data.
Every year the National Statistics Office carries out the Statistics on Income and Living Conditions Survey among people in private households.
According to the latest survey, 22 per cent – 33,547 homes – were unable to keep their property adequately warm for winter, up from 17.7 per cent recorded for 2011.
Meanwhile, the results issued yesterday for 2012 show that nearly 20 per cent of the population was materially deprived – up from 16.5 per cent in 2011 – while more than nine per cent were severely deprived.
The NSO calculated material deprivation by asking households whether they can handle unexpected financial expenses, afford a week away from home, a meal with meat, chicken or fish every second day, keep their home warm, own a washing machine, a colour TV, a telephone or a car, or have arrears to pay.
Those who cannot afford at least three of these are considered as materially deprived, while people who cannot afford four are severely materially deprived.
According to the same survey, the at-risk-of-poverty rate stood at 15 per cent in 2012, while those at the poverty line or risk of exclusion made up 22.9 per cent.
The data showed that the most common type of residential private dwelling was apartments and just under a third contained five rooms.
Most households – or 28 per cent – had two people living in them, while those with at least five people accounted for nine per cent.
Over three-quarters of dwellings were owned, with 61 per cent of households having no mortgage. The survey also indicated that tenants were mainly households without dependent children (84 per cent).
Some 56 per cent of respondents perceived housing costs as a heavy burden compared to the eight per cent who considered this expense as immaterial. The average monthly housing cost recorded last year was €173.
Meanwhile, the same survey shows that nearly two fifths of households experience pollution, grime or other environmental problems in their area, while 31 per cent complained of noise pollution in the neighbourhood.
Over 95 per cent of households owned a telephone, a colour television and a washing machine. At the same time 28 per cent and 18 per cent respectively did not own a computer or a car, although the percentage of households who could not afford to do so was less than three per cent in both cases.
Some 87 per cent of households could afford to eat a meal with chicken, meat, fish or a vegetarian equivalent every second day, while three-quarters could face unexpected financial expenses and keep their home adequately warm in winter.
The share of households in arrears with mortgage, rent payments or utility bills was less than 10 per cent. Still, 40 per cent reported they were finding it difficult to make ends meet.