Development aid: Maltese a bit more stingy than other Europeans

22% of the Maltese, compared to 17% of EU citizens, believe that the EU should not increase aid to developing countries even though it has promised to do so while a further 20% compared to 18% of EU citizens believe that the EU should reduce aid to developing aid "as we can no longer afford it".

Only 8% of the Maltese compared to 12% of other European believe that development aid should be increased in view of the economic situation while 46% would like the EU to keep its promises.

The most stingy in Europe where the Bulgarians - 38% of whom believe that aid should be reduced while the most generous where the Austrians and Romanians 20% of which believe that aid should be increased over and above what has been promised.

Significantly, the second most likely to agree with an increase in aid towards developing countries were the Greeks, 16% of whom wish for EU to increase the aid.

But 30% of the Greeks express the contrary view that the EU should decrease its aid package.

Overall, six out of 10 Europeans think that aid to developing countries should be increased to some degree.

Half of the respondents (49%) are of the opinion that the EU should keep its promise to increase aid to developing countries, and a further 12% think that aid should be increased beyond what has been promised. In contrast, almost one in five think that aid should be reduced as it is no longer affordable (18%).

Respondents were also asked whether they would be prepared to pay more for groceries or other products from developing countries to support people living in these countries (for instance, for fair trade products).

60% of Maltese respondents compared to an EU average of 52% replied an outright no.

Only 27% would be ready to pay 5% more while 3% would be ready to pay up 10% more.

The Dutch and the Swedes were the most likely to pay a fair price, with only 22% saying no to any price mark up. On the other hand 76% would be ready to pay a mark up of either 5% or 10%.