Internal migration of the Maltese population : an application of a mathematical model

This paper is an attempt at statistical modeling, based on the Rogers and Castro migration model. The data used which are derived from the 1995 Census of Population and Housing regarding internal migration provided a basis for analysis of parity of migration, computation of respective gross migraproduction rates as well as compilation of reports on the outcomes of statistical modeling. Seven parameters of the double exponential equation are estimated by means of non-linear regression analysis. The author demonstrates that internal migration needs to be further examined and the research findings need to be applied, since internal migration directly contributes to the processes of: (a) depopulation (the Inner Harbour Region), (b) aging (Gozo and Comino and the Inner Harbour Region) and (c) concentration and population increase (the Northern and the Western Region).peer-reviewe

EUROMOD update : feasibility study : Malta (Tax-Benefit Systems 2007-2010)

The purpose of this study is to examine the technical feasibility of micro-simulation model application for the analysis of impact of policy on social integration from the national as well as from the EU perspective. This is the first time that Malta’s tax-benefit system has been analysed from the angle of the main elements of this system implying the policy rules that are underlying the entitlement criteria defining them. This was an opportunity for the main players in this field to work in synergy on this vital issue: the Ministry for the Family and Social Solidarity, in charge of social benefits, Ministry of Finance responsible for the fiscal policy and income tax system in particular, and the National Statistics Office tasked with income data collection based on the EU-SILC methodology. This Feasibility Study describes the situation as it was in year 2007 and the major changes that have taken place in 2008 and 2009 and 2010. Firstly, the study describes the main elements of the tax-benefit system namely: income, income tax brackets, capital resources and Social Security contributions. The second section of the study illustrates the main sources of data to be used for modelling purposes and also shows the examples of the calculation of income tax and social benefits. It has been agreed that the EU SILC 2008 data would be used, for income element since Malta has joined this system of data collection way back in 2005. The third section of the study firstly outlines the qualities and limitations of the input data set. This section also focuses on specificities of Malta’s data collection and possible difficulties regarding model application. The study points at the possible combinations of sample and population databases. Also, simulation possibilities have been specified for both systems separately. Finally, the non-take up of benefit and the issue of tax and benefit fraud illustrate the situation and the possible unknown element on both sides.peer-reviewe

EUROMOD I-CUE feasibility study : Malta 2006 Tax-Benefit System’ as part of a project that involves the European Centre and the Institute for Social and Economic Research (ISER)

The purpose of this study is to examine the technical feasibility of the microsimulation model application for the analysis of the impact of policy on social integration from the national as well as from the EU perspective. This is the first time that Malta’s tax-benefit system has been analysed from the angle of the main elements of this system implying the policy rules that are underlying the entitlement criteria defining them. This was an opportunity for the main players in this field to work in synergy on this vital issue: the Ministry for the Family and Social Solidarity, in charge of social benefits, the Ministry of Finance responsible for the fiscal policy and income tax system in particular, and the National Statistics Office tasked with income data collection based on the EU-SILC1 methodology. This Feasibility Study describes the situation as it was in the year 2006. Firstly, the study describes the main elements of the tax-benefit system, namely: income, income tax brackets, capital resources and Social Security contributions. The second section of the study illustrates the main sources of data to be used for modelling purposes and also shows the examples of the calculation of income tax and social benefits. It has been agreed that the EU SILC 2007 data would be used for the income element since Malta has joined this system of data collection way back in 2005. Regarding social benefits, the SABS2 database would be used, where all individual cases are available on daily, monthly or annual basis. The study also gives an overview of the auxiliary data sets that exist and can be used for checking and benchmarking purposes, once the modelling results become available. The third section of the study firstly outlines the qualities and limitations of the input data set. This section also focuses on specificities of Malta’s data collection and possible difficulties regarding model application. The study points at the possible combinations of sample and population databases. Also, simulation possibilities have been specified for both systems separately. Finally, the non-take up of benefits and the issue of tax and benefit fraud illustrate the situation and the possible unknown element on both sides.peer-reviewe

Demography topic paper : executive summary

This report presents demographic projections for the Maltese Islands for the period 1995 to 2020 and is a summary version of the study “Structure Plan for the Maltese Islands: Demographic Projections” commissioned by the Planning Authority as part of the Structure Plan Review. The 1995 Population and Housing Census data is used as a basis for this set of population projections. A twenty-five year projection period has been used. The methodology used for the purposes of the national projections in the Maltese Islands is the cohort component method. Regional population projections are based on the areas covered by the seven Local Plans, as defined by the Planning Authority.peer-reviewe