Eurobarometer results showed that the Maltese had the greatest confidence in their national government when compared to all EU citizens, the government said in a statement.

It noted that while in 2012 34 per cent of the Maltese said they trusted the government and 52 per cent said they did not, the latest survey showed that 55 per cent now trusted the government, while 32 per cent did not.

The government said the survey confirmed the optimism that existed among Maltese families regarding the economy. The number of Maltese who believed that the country was heading in the right direction was also the highest from among all EU countries.

The government noted that 80 per cent of the Maltese believed that the economy was doing well. This was double the level in the rest of the EU and also double the rate achieved in the survey carried out towards the end of the previous administration.

Three fourths of the Maltese also believed that the employment sector was doing well - this was three times the Eurozone average.

In 2012, 50 per cent of the Maltese had said they believed the job sector was doing badly. Then, only 18 per cent had forecast that the Maltese economy would improve. This figure had now reached 42 per cent.

In 2012, a third of Maltese families were worried about the economy and 40 per cent about inflation. These figures had now gone down to nine and 19 per cent respectively.

And while in 2012 24 per cent were worried about the national debt, the number had now gone down to six per cent.

These results, the government said, confirmed the optimism and confidence in the current administration.

The government, it said, was committed to continue with its positive work to continue generating wealth and improving the situation of Maltese families.