Malta Ranks As The European Union's Second Most Optimistic Country On The Economy

Malta has emerged as one of the European Union's most economically optimistic countries, according to the 2026 Flash Eurobarometer survey. At a time when nearly half of Europeans describe their national economic situation negatively, 76% of Maltese respondents say Malta's economy is in a good state.The findings point to remarkable resilience in Malta amid wider European concerns over the cost of living. Just 10% of Maltese respondents reported difficulty meeting everyday expenses such as housing, food, and transport, the lowest rate recorded across the EU and well below the bloc's average of 32%. Housing affordability also appears to weigh less heavily on Maltese households than on those in many other member states.

Financial security extends further still. Only 20% of Maltese households said they struggle to afford leisure activities, while just 18% reported difficulty setting aside money for emergencies, placing Malta among the least financially vulnerable countries in the Union.

Maltese respondents were also the most hopeful in Europe about the prospects of the next generation. While just under half  of Europeans expect children to enjoy a lower standard of living than their parents, 70% of Maltese respondents believe today's children will be better off than previous generations, the highest level of intergenerational optimism in the EU.

Confidence carries through to competitiveness. A strong majority  of Maltese respondents expressed confidence in Malta's ability to compete in the global economy, as well as backed the EU economy's capacity to remain globally competitive, the highest level of trust in the Union. An overwhelming 94% regarded EU membership as a net economic benefit, the highest proportion among all 27 member states, and Malta also topped the rankings for support for closer economic cooperation.

The survey drew on representative samples of residents aged 15 and over across all 27 member states, with 501 interviews completed in Malta between late March and early April 2026. Taken together, the results present a confident and forward-looking picture, reinforcing Malta's standing as a stable and competitive economy with strong faith in both its own future and the wider European project.