L-Istrina is one of Malta’s key national charity events. Since 2021, donations have stagnated despite strong economic growth, raising concerns about declining generosity. The evidence suggests otherwise. Donations track household sentiment, especially food inflation and consumer confidence. When living costs rise, people still give, but less.

Malta’s geostrategic location in the Mediterranean makes it ideal for transhipping. At the Malta Freeport in Birżebbuġa, roughly 96% of...