Updated 1145
Malta’s Registered Unemployment Rises Year-on-Year in July: Malta recorded 1,319 registered unemployed people in July 2026, an increase of 307 compared with July 2025, according to the National Statistics Office (NSO). The figure was broadly stable month-on-month, falling by just three from June. Men accounted for 61.7% of those unemployed, compared with 38.3% women. Registered unemployment increased across all age groups year-on-year, while the number of people with disabilities registered as seeking work fell by 16. Clerical support roles remained the most sought-after employment category, representing 31.5% of registrations. (Newsbook)
Private Sector Competition Challenges AFM Recruitment: Competition from the private sector is the main long-term recruitment challenge for Malta’s Armed Forces, according to a EUROMIL survey. The General Workers’ Union, which represents Malta in the organisation, reported that AFM recruitment has increased somewhat while personnel retention has improved significantly over the past decade. Technical specialists face the greatest shortages, despite financial incentives, salary increases and other measures. Personnel commonly leave near retirement due to work-life balance and family considerations. The survey found private-sector salaries and working conditions are the main recruitment barriers across Europe. Malta’s AFM received 65 new recruits in June after 191 applicants applied. (Maltatoday)
STI Notifications Surge Nearly Fivefold as Clinic Demand Grows: Malta recorded 1,307 STI notifications in 2025, nearly five times the 262 reported in 2015, while genitourinary clinic visits almost doubled to 7,461. Chlamydia, gonorrhoea and syphilis were the most common infections, while Mycoplasma genitalium cases rose tenfold since 2022. Growing demand has led to reported waits of up to nine weeks for routine screening, although authorities say urgent symptomatic cases are typically seen within one to two days. Health officials cited diagnostic window periods, missed appointments and capacity constraints, while considering measures including expanded services and teleconsultations. (The Times of Malta)
Morning Briefing
Employers reject twice-yearly COLA proposal
Malta’s main employer organisations have rejected calls for the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) to be paid twice a year, warning that more frequent increases could make business costs harder to predict and potentially add to inflationary pressures. The proposal would replace the current annual adjustment with two payments, aimed at responding more quickly to changes in the cost of living. However, the Malta Chamber, Malta Employers’ Association and Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association have all expressed opposition. MEA director general Kevin J. Borg said an interim adjustment would create additional uncertainty for companies planning annual budgets. He also highlighted difficulties if inflation fell, as a lower second-half adjustment could require a reduction in salaries where COLA had already been incorporated. The organisations are nevertheless more open to discussing other reforms, including whether the basket of goods used to calculate inflation still accurately reflects household spending. (The Malta Independent)
Government triples fund for vulnerable students to €30,000
The Government will triple an annual fund available to schools to support vulnerable students, increasing the allocation from €10,000 to €30,000 from the next scholastic year. The additional €20,000 is intended to give school heads greater resources to assist children and families facing financial difficulties. The fund can be used for basic school-related expenses, including uniforms, clothing, lunches, educational outings, books and other learning materials. Students eligible for support are identified by schools in collaboration with college psychosocial teams, with the process intended to remain confidential and based on the individual circumstances of students and their families.In certain cases, the fund may also be used to finance specialised services required for a student’s development, wellbeing or inclusion. (TVM News)
Alex Borg says economic growth should translate in better quality of life
Nationalist Party leader Alex Borg has questioned whether major investment in Malta’s electricity infrastructure is delivering sufficient results, following power disruptions affecting several localities, particularly Gozo. Borg said the Government could point to €140 million in investment, but argued that the key issue was whether households and businesses were seeing tangible improvements in the reliability of electricity supplies. He said recent outages had exposed the impact infrastructure failures can have on families, vulnerable people, tourism operators and other businesses, particularly during the peak summer period. Borg argued that economic growth should translate into improved quality of life and more reliable public services. He also criticised the Government’s handling of the energy disruptions, questioning its response during the crisis. The Opposition leader said the PN had continued consulting stakeholders over the summer, including social partners on the energy situation, while also launching consultation processes on planning appeals and equality legislation. (Newsbook)
