The island of Gozo, which constitutes less than 8% of the Maltese population, accounts for 15% of all those who are currently receiving an invalidity pension, statistics released in parliament show.
In numbers, it means that 1,053 from 6,969 recipients of the pension awarded to so called “boarded out” workers, who are certified to be invalid for work by a government medical board, are from Gozo.
And 10 Gozitan localities also top the list of towns with the highest percentage of their population receiving an invalidity pension.
A MaltaToday analysis of the figures presented by Social Policy Minister John Dalli in reply to a question by Labour MP Chris Agius, has revealed that the island of Gozo accounts for 15% of all those receiving an invalidity pension – despite the island representing just 8% of the Maltese population.
Anyone certified by a medical panel as being incapable for suitable full-time or regular part-time employment due to a serious disease or bodily or mental impairment, can be eligible for an invalidity pension.
But the over-representation of Gozitans among the ranks of the invalid raises doubts on whether health is the sole factor determining who is receiving this benefit.
With 5% of its total population receiving this pension, the Gozitan village of Ghasri is the locality with the highest proportion of recipients in both Malta and Gozo.
In fact, all Gozitan villages have an invalidity rate that is higher than 2% of population, while 10 have rates higher than 3%.
On the other hand, in Malta only Zejtun and Xghajra have an invalidity rate higher than 2.4%.
The localities with the lowest number of people receiving an invalidity pension are affluent middle class localities like Swieqi and Attard.
And although working class people are more prone to accidents which could leave them disabled, traditionally working class localities like Birgu, Bormla, Isla and Fgura also boast very low rates of invalidity. Less than 1.5% of the population in these localities are receiving an invalidity pension.
Zejtun emerges as the Maltese locality with the highest percentage of invalid people.

jdebono@mediatoday.com.mt