Inflation top issue Maltese want European Parliament to act on – Eurobarometer

The rising cost of living has emerged as the major issue that Maltese citizens want the European Parliament to address, according to the latest Eurobarometer survey published today.

The European-wide survey shows that around 40 per cent of respondents in Malta identified inflation and rising prices as a priority for action at European level, making it the most frequently cited concern. Inflation also tops the list across the EU, where just over four in ten respondents gave the same response, although the level of concern appears more pronounced among Maltese respondents.

The findings come against the backdrop of inflation remaining above the euro area average in Malta. In December 2025, the annual inflation rate as measured by the Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices (HICP) stood at 2.4 per cent, marginally down from 2.5 per cent in November. The largest contribution to inflation came from food and non-alcoholic beverages, which added 0.68 percentage points, largely driven by higher meat prices, according to the latest NSO data. This was followed by restaurants and hotels (0.48 percentage points) and transport (0.33 percentage points), reflecting higher prices for restaurant and air transport services.

The economy and job creation ranked as the second most important issue for Maltese respondents, cited by around one in four. At EU level, the proportion is higher, at around 35 per cent, suggesting that while economic concerns remain widespread, Maltese respondents place relatively greater emphasis on immediate cost-of-living pressures.

Public health emerged as the third most cited priority in Malta, identified by just under one in three respondents. This broadly mirrors the EU average, although in other member states issues such as defence, security and climate change tend to feature more prominently than in Malta.

Winter forecast shows inflation moderating

Looking ahead, inflationary pressures are expected to moderate. According to the European Commission’s Winter Economic Forecast, inflation in Malta is projected to slow to 2.4 per cent in 2025, before easing further to 2.1 per cent in 2026 and 2.0 per cent in 2027, with food and services inflation remaining the main drivers. Maltese authorities are expected to keep retail energy prices unchanged over the forecast horizon through continued state subsidies.

The Eurobarometer survey also showed that Maltese respondents place the highest priority on peace when considering the values the European Parliament should defend, with 45% naming it as their top concern, slightly below the EU average of 52%. Following peace, 29% of Maltese prioritised the rule of law and 28% highlighted democracy, suggesting that while these principles are important, they are secondary to maintaining stability.