It is a known statistical fact that the population of Valletta has decreased drastically and dramatically. Although I do not have the relevant figures in hand, it seems there are under 5,000 residents – when, according to some experts in demographic matters, the optimal population should stand between 10,000 to 15,000.

Why is this beautiful gem of a city being abandoned by its sons and daughters, and why is it slowly turning into a ghost city? The residents are certainly not indifferent to their place of residence. They love Valletta.

Besides the ageing population, which is a major factor in this decline, (with some 150 deaths since January), there is another major factor: the young people who move out of Valletta.

There is but one reason for this abandonment: the hard life Valletta residents are made to lead, completely deprived of modem-day commodities and amenities that young people rightly expect when setting up a new family.

In my humble opinion, young couples do not leave Valletta seeking a modern home with a swimming pool, garage, drive-in and a nearby supermarket. These are amenities Valletta couples would be ready to do without, if only life in the capital were not so difficult.

Besides parking, it is impossible to touch on all the deficiencies which work against a decent, modem lifestyle in Valletta, but I shall try to mention a few.

• The current lack of inter-city transport for residents living in the north, east and west parts of Valletta (geographically low areas) would be able to reach the city centre without too much hassle. It is no joke for a 70 to 80-year-old to go up to the city centre for his or her daily shopping (or perhaps for Mass), and then have to trudge back home, carrying heavy shopping bags.

• The lack of diversification in retail business is also a major problem for residents. It is no longer the case that one can find whatever one wants in Valletta. The shops around our main streets sell clothes, shoes, bags, tourist souveneirs and jewellery. That’s about it.

But what about the other necessities which are a part and parcel of normal family needs? To mention a few: crafts/wool shops; carpet/curtain centres; drapery shops; white goods outlets, fish and meat shops and a one-stop-late-night shop.

• The lack of a polyclinic in Valletta is a real hardship – especially for families with ageing parents or young children. Just as difficult is the location of the Valletta Berġa at Evans Laboratory. It should be moved to a more accessible site.

• The delay in setting up of the Pharmacy of Your Choice in Valletta is also causing hardship.

• The transfer of public service offices, such as the ID card office, to a more centrally convenient area would ease the strain.

• Air pollution in Valletta is severe – even though we are told little or nothing about the real situation. Besides the excessive traffic entering Valletta, there is also the problem of heavy vehicles making deliveries, especially refrigerated trucks, which are big polluters. An effective way of controlling these delivery trucks is to block excess to the city at certain times of day.

• Although there are many abandoned palazzos, large houses and other ex-residential buildings, few of them are being refurbished. Some young couples who can afford the outlay cost and the additional costs for refurbishment and restoration works have been lucky enough to live their dream of setting up house in Valletta.

But many others were put off by prices that were hiked up as soon as estate agents smelt the wind of change, which was set to restore the old-time beauty and fascination of our old capital city.

Our young Valletta couples need help, though another problem has emerged of late which also keeps them away; this is that the socially depressed areas seem to be creeping towards the city centre and into previously ‘respectable’ areas.

This is primarily due to the fact that some ‘undesirables’ are coming (back) into Valletta and taking up offers to occupy sub-standard housing, with the aim of boosting their bid for better accommodation later on.

The points system thus works in their favour. They find themselves re-housed in areas which were previously occupied only by respectable and law-abiding citizens. Consequently, the standard of these areas has dropped. Some find it hard to live with these changed circumstances and reluctantly move out of Valletta.

It is only repopulation that can start to breathe life back into our capital city. The above-mentioned measures are but a few of those that I feel can get us there.

Ms Muscat is secretary of the Valletta Residents Pressure Group.