Revolution delayed… Maltese millennials among least to protest in Europe

Forget FOMO… Maltese youths will simply not give two f***s about politically-minded choices

Putting their money where his mouth is... activists from Kamp Emergenza Ambjent and Graffitti shower Konrad Mizzi with fake money in protest at the way public land is granted to private developers
Putting their money where his mouth is... activists from Kamp Emergenza Ambjent and Graffitti shower Konrad Mizzi with fake money in protest at the way public land is granted to private developers

Despite being among the first to be granted the vote at the age of 16, Maltese millennials are still among the least likely in Europe to protest, make politically motivated consumer choices or volunteer in local community projects.

A European-wide survey published by Eurobarometer conducted among young people aged between 15 and 30 years of age throws a light on local apathy which contrasts with the activism of young people on issues like climate change in the rest of the continent.

The survey among 259 Maltese young people in this age bracket reveals that the Maltese are the second least likely among the 28 European member states to participate in strikes, street protests and campaigns.

Only 10% of Maltese young people have participated in such activities in contrast to 57% of Spanish and 53% of Italians.  

Camping out... Moviment Graffitti protests the fuel stations policy rules outside the Planning Authority
Camping out... Moviment Graffitti protests the fuel stations policy rules outside the Planning Authority

In all 28 EU member states, 35% of young people have participated in strikes, protests or campaigns. The least likely to participate in such activities were young people in Lithuania (8%) followed by those in Malta (10%) and Estonia (11%).  

Only 6% of Maltese young people say they have made politically motivated consumer choices.

The proportion of respondents who have made politically motivated consumer choices varies considerably, from 51% in Sweden and the Netherlands and 44% in Finland to 5% in Romania and Croatia and 6% in Cyprus, the Czech Republic and Malta.

The kids in America... feel the Bern. Millennial socialism has garnered momentum in liberal nations hit by austerity economics and the growing income inequality between rich and poor
The kids in America... feel the Bern. Millennial socialism has garnered momentum in liberal nations hit by austerity economics and the growing income inequality between rich and poor

The survey shows that apart from voting (68%), the most popular civic-minded activity among Maltese youths was volunteering in local community projects. But even in this sphere participation was low by European standards.

Respondents in Ireland (74%), Denmark (71%) and the United Kingdom (66%) were the most likely to say they have taken part in volunteering activities or local community projects, while those in Croatia (37%), Sweden (38%) and Malta (39%) were the least likely to have done so.

The survey shows that more than a fifth of Maltese young people (21%) post their opinions on current issues in contrast to 38% of young people in all 28 member states.  Nearly a third of Maltese young people (32%) have participated in student or youth organisation in contrast to 41% of young people in the EU 28.

Surprisingly only 8% of Maltese young people have participated in political parties, political movements and trade unions. Participation in political movements, parties or unions, ranged from 31% in Sweden and 23% in Ireland and Germany to 5% in Hungary and Estonia.
When asked what prevents them from participating in such activities 57% of Maltese young people replied that they “don’t have the time” while 35% replied that they have “no interest”.

Only 26% of Maltese respondents confirmed participating in organised voluntary activities in the past year, in contrast with 34% of young people in all EU countries.

Joy of missing out

  Malta EU
Participate in protests, strikes and campaigns 10% 35%
Post opinions on current issues 21% 38%
Participate in political parties/trade unions 8% 15%
Make politically motivated consumer choices 6% 25%
Participate in students/youth organisations 32% 41%
Have voted in European, local national elections 68% 72%
Volunteered in local communitiy projects 39% 58%