Factors Influencing Maltese International Sports Performance in the Pan-European and Microstate Contexts: An Empirical Study

Abstract

Little scholarly attention has so far been given to discerning macro-level factors influencing Maltese underperformance in international sport. Degrees of financial investment, as well as national socio-economic metrics like Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) have previously been linked with international sports performance outcomes in larger countries, so we carried out a three-stage study to explore if and how such relationships scale down from the pan-European to small-state contexts, and what implications they might have for Maltese sport. We used a post-positivist quantitative approach, with statistical analysis of secondary data using ordinary least squares regression and basic comparison of proportions. GDP and population were the strongest predictors of Olympic success at the pan-European level, more so than actual total financial investment. At the small-state level, however, GDP per capita was more predictive than GDP alone, while CPI was the strongest predictor of all. A more fine-grained comparative analysis between Malta and other small states supported the notion that a Maltese underperformance problem does indeed exist. The findings clearly show a disconnect between competitive sports and non-competitive physically active recreation in Maltese policy-making, where a more holistic approach appears warranted. While Malta, like any small state, would meanwhile do well to maximise its GDP per capita and lower systemic corruption in pursuit of better international sports performance, more empirical research is needed to fully understand and eventually control the underperformance problem.