Single mothers living on state relief barely constitute 1.3% of women aged over 14 years of age.
Statistics presented in parliament last month show that only 2,160 single mothers are dependent on welfare, contrasting with Azzjoni Nazzjonali’s claims of massive welfare abuse by this vulnerable category.
These statistics also show a prevalence of single parents in Cottonera and the harbour area – the core of the “south” championed by Josie Muscat’s party.
One in every 10 single mothers living on state relief hails from the three cities of L-Isla, Bormla and Birgu.
Nearly 20% hail from the inner harbour area which includes Valletta, Cottonera and surrounding towns.
L-Isla emerges as the locality with the highest concentration of welfare-dependent single mothers: 4% of all women living in this locality.
Senglea is followed by Bormla and Valletta, where 3.5% of all women living in these two localities depend on state relief.
Gozitan localities have the least number of welfare-dependent single mothers. Only 56 welfare dependent mothers hail from Gozo.

jdebono@mediatoday.com.mt