Maltese keener on charity than shopping ‘ethically’, EU data shows

More than two in every three Maltese citizens will give a financial contribution to NGOs, charities and projects in developing counties, a Eurobarometer survey conducted in all EU member states shows.

But the survey shows that the Maltese are more likely than other Europeans to give money either in donations to NGOs and charities (50%) or directly to projects (17%), and they are less likely to make ethical choices when buying products and consumer goods.

Ethical shopping usually involves buying products that are fair trade, organic or cruelty-free, and in general will ensure a fair deal for small farmers and cooperatives in developing countries, instead of multinationals that use their strength to drive down producer prices and make profits as the product moves along the distribution chain.

The survey shows that there are only three countries where at least half of those surveyed give money to an organisation: the Netherlands (57%), Sweden (54%) and Malta (50%). This compares to just 2% of respondents in Bulgaria and Romania and 3% in Latvia.

While 21% of EU members make ethical choices when shopping the percentage drops to just 10% in Malta. In Europe the most likely to make ethical choices when shopping are the Swedes (49%), the Dutch (38%) and the Austrians (36%).

The Maltese are among the most favourable to an increase in expenditure by the EU and its member states on aid to developing countries.

Proportions range from 46% in Malta and 44% in Cyprus and Spain, to 11% in Estonia, 12% in the Czech Republic and 14% in Lithuania.

In all but one country, the majority of respondents agree with providing financial assistance to developing countries is an effective way to address irregular migration. Respondents in Cyprus (89%), Spain (86%), and Portugal and Malta (both 80%) are the most likely to agree, compared to 37% in Estonia, 52% in the Czech Republic and 54% in Latvia.

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