Only eight per cent of respondents to MaltaToday’s Christmas survey think that they have more money to spend on presents than last year.
The rest are almost equally divided between those who feel they have less money to spend, and those who have the same amount as last year.
This could be a reflection that last year’s budget has only benefited a relatively small sector of society – mostly ABs and C1s – and has barely touched the rest of the population. The effects of the more generous 2008 budget will only be felt after January.
The highest number of people who have more money to spend on Christmas presents is found among the highest social and economic group (ABs) while the higest number of those who have less money to spend is found among the lowest group (DEs).
While only 63.5% of DEs have less money to spend on presents than last year only 23.5% of ABs are in the same position.
Skilled workers (C2) have fared marginally better than DEs, with 42% having the same money as last year.
Among the middle income group – C1s – the majority of respondents have the same amount of money to spend as last year. 66% of this category have either the same amount of money as last year or more – an indication that this category is less affected by cost of living increases than working class respondents.
Significantly, none of the self-employed interviewed in the survey have more money to spend on presents – a clear indication that this crucial electoral category has not seen any improvement in purchasing power over the past year.
The majority of pensioners also have less money to spend than last year.

jdebono@mediatoday.com.mt