Nearly a fourth of Malta’s population are aged 60 or over, according to the National Statistics Office.
In a statement issued on the occasion of the United Nations International Day of Older Persons, being celebrated tomorrow on the theme “Leaving No One Behind: Promoting a Society for All”, the NSO said women accounted for 54.3 per cent of this population segment.
There were 73 grooms and 32 brides aged 60 and over who tied the knot last year. Those marrying for the first time amounted to 18.1 per cent, while 58.1 per cent were previously divorced.
Out of 3,236 persons who passed away during 2013, 83.3 were aged 65 and over.
At 43.3 per cent, diseases of the circulatory system were the main cause of these deaths, followed by neoplasms, accounting for 24.1 per cent.
Last year, total government expenditure on retirement and old-age pensions amounted to €433 million, up by four per cent when compared to 2012.
Figures derived from the 2013 Statistics on Income and Living Conditions Survey show that persons over 59 years of age had an at-risk-of-poverty rate of 15.1 per cent and an at-risk-of-poverty or social exclusion rate of 21.7 per cent.
Survey results also revealed that 52.2 per cent of the elderly aged 65 and over could not afford to pay for a one-week annual holiday away from home, while 21.3 per cent could not afford to face unexpected financial expenses of at least €450.
Furthermore, 23.5 per cent said that they were not able to keep their home adequately warm in winter.
The NSO said that past Labour Force Surveys revealed an increasing trend in the participation of persons aged 60 and over in employment, rising from 4.7 per cent in 2003 to 8.8 per cent in 2013.
Fifty-four people aged 60 and over were reading for a degree at the University of Malta during the academic year 2013-2014.
Around 51.9 per cent of these students were attending a course leading to a second degree or postgraduate certificate, while 5.6 per cent were undertaking a course at doctorate level. Nearly two-thirds of the attendees were males.
A rise in outbound tourists aged 65 and over was recorded over the past four years, increasing from 19,598 in 2010 to 33,016 in 2013.
At 88.9 per cent, most of these outbound tourists travelled to EU countries, while 63.1 per cent opted for non-package travel. The most two popular destinations were Italy and the United Kingdom, with shares of 29.4 and 28.8 per cent of the total, respectively.