Main Content

Europe :: Malta

Page last updated on December 17, 2020

ONE-PAGE
SUMMARY

View 7 photos of
MALTA

TRAVEL
FACTS

Introduction :: Malta
With a civilization that dates back thousands of years, Malta boasts some of the oldest megalithic sites in the world. Situated in the center of the Mediterranean, Malta’s islands have long served as a strategic military asset, with the islands at various times having come under control of the Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Moors, Normans, Sicilians, Spanish, Knights of St. John, and the French. Most recently a British colony (since 1814), Malta gained its independence in 1964 and declared itself a republic ten years later. While under British rule, the island staunchly supported the UK through both world wars. Since about the mid-1980s, the island has transformed itself into a freight transshipment point, a financial center, and a tourist destination while its key industries moved toward more service-oriented activities. Malta became an EU member in May 2004 and began using the euro as currency in 2008.
Geography :: Malta
Southern Europe, islands in the Mediterranean Sea, south of Sicily (Italy)

35 50 N, 14 35 E

Europe

total: 316 sq km

land: 316 sq km

water: 0 sq km

country comparison to the world: 208

slightly less than twice the size of Washington, DC

Area comparison map:

The World Factbook Field Image Modal

Europe :: Malta Print

Image Description

slightly less than twice the size of Washington, DC

0 km

196.8 km (excludes 56 km for the island of Gozo)

territorial sea: 12 nm

contiguous zone: 24 nm

continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation

exclusive fishing zone: 25 nm

Mediterranean; mild, rainy winters; hot, dry summers

mostly low, rocky, flat to dissected plains; many coastal cliffs

lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m

highest point: Ta'Dmejrek on Dingli Cliffs 253 m

limestone, salt, arable land

agricultural land: 32.3% (2011 est.)

arable land: 28.4% (2011 est.) / permanent crops: 3.9% (2011 est.) / permanent pasture: 0% (2011 est.)

forest: 0.9% (2011 est.)

other: 66.8% (2011 est.)

35 sq km (2012)

most of the population lives on the eastern half of Malta, the largest of the three inhabited islands

occasional droughts

limited natural freshwater resources; increasing reliance on desalination; deforestation; wildlife preservation

party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

the country comprises an archipelago, with only the three largest islands (Malta, Ghawdex or Gozo, and Kemmuna or Comino) inhabited; numerous bays provide good harbors; Malta and Tunisia are discussing oil exploration on the continental shelf between their countries, although no commercially viable reserves have been found as of 2017
People and Society :: Malta
457,267 (July 2020 est.)

country comparison to the world: 174

noun: Maltese (singular and plural)

adjective: Maltese

Maltese (descendants of ancient Carthaginians and Phoenicians with strong elements of Italian and other Mediterranean stock)

Maltese (official) 90.1%, English (official) 6%, multilingual 3%, other 0.9% (2005 est.)

Roman Catholic (official) more than 90% (2006 est.)

0-14 years: 14.38% (male 33,934/female 31,823)

15-24 years: 10.33% (male 24,445/female 22,811)

25-54 years: 41.1% (male 97,685/female 90,264)

55-64 years: 12.88% (male 29,533/female 29,353)

65 years and over: 21.3% (male 44,644/female 52,775) (2020 est.)

population pyramid:

The World Factbook Field Image Modal

Europe :: Malta Print

Image Description

This is the population pyramid for Malta. A population pyramid illustrates the age and sex structure of a country's population and may provide insights about political and social stability, as well as economic development. The population is distributed along the horizontal axis, with males shown on the left and females on the right. The male and female populations are broken down into 5-year age groups represented as horizontal bars along the vertical axis, with the youngest age groups at the bottom and the oldest at the top. The shape of the population pyramid gradually evolves over time based on fertility, mortality, and international migration trends.

For additional information, please see the entry for Population pyramid on the Definitions and Notes page under the References tab.

total dependency ratio: 55.5

youth dependency ratio: 22.4

elderly dependency ratio: 33.2

potential support ratio: 3 (2020 est.)

total: 42.3 years

male: 41.2 years

female: 43.5 years (2020 est.)

country comparison to the world: 35

0.87% (2020 est.)

country comparison to the world: 118

9.9 births/1,000 population (2020 est.)

country comparison to the world: 191

8.3 deaths/1,000 population (2020 est.)

country comparison to the world: 79

6.6 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2020 est.)

country comparison to the world: 16

most of the population lives on the eastern half of Malta, the largest of the three inhabited islands

urban population: 94.7% of total population (2020)

rate of urbanization: 0.38% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

total population growth rate v. urban population growth rate, 2000-2030: PDF

213,000 VALLETTA (capital) (2018)

at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female

0-14 years: 1.07 male(s)/female

15-24 years: 1.07 male(s)/female

25-54 years: 1.08 male(s)/female

55-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.85 male(s)/female

total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2020 est.)

28.9 years (2017 est.)

note: data refer to the average of the different childbearing ages of first-order births

6 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.)

country comparison to the world: 161

total: 4.6 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 4.5 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 4.7 deaths/1,000 live births (2020 est.)

country comparison to the world: 180

total population: 82.8 years

male: 80.7 years

female: 85 years (2020 est.)

country comparison to the world: 12

1.49 children born/woman (2020 est.)

country comparison to the world: 204

improved: urban: 100% of population

rural: 100% of population

total: 100% of population

unimproved: urban: 0% of population

rural: 0% of population

total: 0% of population (2017 est.)

9.3% (2017)

2.86 physicians/1,000 population (2015)

4.5 beds/1,000 population (2017)

improved: urban: 100% of population

rural: 100% of population

total: 100% of population

unimproved: urban: 0% of population

rural: 0% of population

total: 0% of population (2017 est.)

0.1% (2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 126

<500 (2016 est.)

<100 (2016 est.)

28.9% (2016)

country comparison to the world: 28

4.8% of GDP (2017)

country comparison to the world: 66

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 94.5%

male: 93%

female: 96% (2018)

total: 17 years

male: 16 years

female: 17 years (2018)

total: 9.1%

male: 11.2%

female: 6.8% (2018 est.)

country comparison to the world: 133
Government :: Malta
conventional long form: Republic of Malta

conventional short form: Malta

local long form: Repubblika ta' Malta

local short form: Malta

etymology: the ancient Greeks called the island "Melite" meaning "honey-sweet" from the Greek word "meli" meaning "honey" and referring to the island's honey production

parliamentary republic

name: Valletta

geographic coordinates: 35 53 N, 14 30 E

time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October

etymology: named in honor of Jean de Valette, the Grand Master of the Order of Saint John (crusader knights), who successfully led a defense of the island from an Ottoman invasion in 1565

68 localities (Il-lokalita); Attard, Balzan, Birgu, Birkirkara, Birzebbuga, Bormla, Dingli, Fgura, Floriana, Fontana, Ghajnsielem, Gharb, Gharghur, Ghasri, Ghaxaq, Gudja, Gzira, Hamrun, Iklin, Imdina, Imgarr, Imqabba, Imsida, Imtarfa, Isla, Kalkara, Kercem, Kirkop, Lija, Luqa, Marsa, Marsaskala, Marsaxlokk, Mellieha, Mosta, Munxar, Nadur, Naxxar, Paola, Pembroke, Pieta, Qala, Qormi, Qrendi, Rabat, Rabat (Ghawdex), Safi, San Giljan/Saint Julian, San Gwann/Saint John, San Lawrenz/Saint Lawrence, Sannat, San Pawl il-Bahar/Saint Paul's Bay, Santa Lucija/Saint Lucia, Santa Venera/Saint Venera, Siggiewi, Sliema, Swieqi, Tarxien, Ta' Xbiex, Valletta, Xaghra, Xewkija, Xghajra, Zabbar, Zebbug, Zebbug (Ghawdex), Zejtun, Zurrieq

21 September 1964 (from the UK)

Independence Day, 21 September (1964); Republic Day, 13 December (1974)

history: many previous; latest adopted 21 September 1964

amendments: proposals (Acts of Parliament) require at least two-thirds majority vote by the House of Representatives; passage of Acts requires majority vote by referendum, followed by final majority vote by the House and assent of the president of the republic; amended many times, last in 2016

mixed legal system of English common law and civil law based on the Roman and Napoleonic civil codes; subject to European Union law

accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

citizenship by birth: no

citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Malta

dual citizenship recognized: no

residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years

18 years of age (16 in local council elections); universal

chief of state: President George VELLA (since 4 April 2019)

head of government: Prime Minister Robert ABELA (13 January 2020)

cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president on the advice of the prime minister

elections/appointments: president indirectly elected by the House of Representatives for a single 5-year term; election last held on 2 April 2019 (next to be held by April 2024); following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or majority coalition usually appointed prime minister by the president for a 5-year term; deputy prime minister appointed by the president on the advice of the prime minister

election results: George VELLA (PL) elected president; House of Representatives vote - unanimous; Joseph MUSCAT (PL) reappointed prime minister

description: unicameral House of Representatives or Il-Kamra Tad-Deputati, a component of the Parliament of Malta (normally 65 seats but can include at-large members; members directly elected in 5 multi-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote; members serve 5-year terms); note - the parliament elected in 2013 had 69 seats; an additional two seats were added in 2016 by the Constitutional Court to correct for mistakes made in the 2013 vote-counting process

elections: last held on 3 June 2017 (next to be held in 2022); note - Prime Minister MUSCAT called for early elections amid corruption allegations

election results: percent of vote by party - PL 55%, PN 43.7%, other 1.3%; seats by party - PL 37 PN 30; note - PN was awarded two additional seats for a total of 30 in accordance with the proportionality provisions specified in the constitution; PD candidates ran under the PN list; composition - men 57, women 10, percent of women 14.9%

highest courts: Court of Appeal (consists of either 1 or 3 judges); Constitutional Court (consists of 3 judges); Court of Criminal Appeal (consists of either 1 or 3 judges)

judge selection and term of office: Court of Appeal and Constitutional Court judges appointed by the president, usually upon the advice of the prime minister; judges of both courts serve until age 65

subordinate courts: Civil Court (divided into the General Jurisdiction Section, Family Section, and Voluntary Section); Criminal Court; Court of Magistrates; Gozo Courts (for the islands of Gozo and Comino)

Democratic Party (Partit Demokratiku) or PD [Godfrey FARRUGIA]
Labor Party (Partit Laburista) or PL [Joseph MUSCAT]
Nationalist Party (Partit Nazzjonalista) or PN [Adrian DELIA]

Australia Group, C, CD, CE, EAPC, EBRD, ECB, EIB, EMU, EU, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NSG, OAS (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, Schengen Convention, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, Union Latina (observer), UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

chief of mission: Ambassador Keith AZZOPARDI (since 17 September 2018)

chancery: 2017 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 462-3611 through 3612

FAX: [1] (202) 387-5470

chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Gwendolyn "Wendy" GREEN (since August 2020)

telephone: [356] 2561-4000

embassy: Ta' Qali National Park, Attard, ATD 4000

mailing address: 5800 Valletta Place, Dulles, VA 20189

FAX: [356] 2561-4183

two equal vertical bands of white (hoist side) and red; in the upper hoist-side corner is a representation of the George Cross, edged in red; according to legend, the colors are taken from the red and white checkered banner of Count Roger of Sicily who removed a bi-colored corner and granted it to Malta in 1091; an uncontested explanation is that the colors are those of the Knights of Saint John who ruled Malta from 1530 to 1798; in 1942, King George VI of the UK awarded the George Cross to the islanders for their exceptional bravery and gallantry in World War II; since independence in 1964, the George Cross bordered in red has appeared directly on the white field

Maltese eight-pointed cross; national colors: red, white

name: "L-Innu Malti" (The Maltese Anthem)

lyrics/music: Dun Karm PSAILA/Robert SAMMUT

note: adopted 1945; written in the form of a prayer
Economy :: Malta
Malta’s free market economy – the smallest economy in the euro-zone – relies heavily on trade in both goods and services, principally with Europe. Malta produces less than a quarter of its food needs, has limited fresh water supplies, and has few domestic energy sources. Malta's economy is dependent on foreign trade, manufacturing, and tourism. Malta joined the EU in 2004 and adopted the euro on 1 January 2008.
Malta has weathered the euro-zone crisis better than most EU member states due to a low debt-to-GDP ratio and financially sound banking sector. It maintains one of the lowest unemployment rates in Europe, and growth has fully recovered since the 2009 recession. In 2014 through 2016, Malta led the euro zone in growth, expanding more than 4.5% per year.
Malta’s services sector continues to grow, with sustained growth in the financial services and online gaming sectors. Advantageous tax schemes remained attractive to foreign investors, though EU discussions of anti-tax avoidance measures have raised concerns among Malta’s financial services and insurance providers, as the measures could have a significant impact on those sectors. The tourism sector also continued to grow, with 2016 showing record-breaking numbers of both air and cruise passenger arrivals.
Malta’s GDP growth remains strong and is supported by a strong labor market. The government has implemented new programs, including free childcare, to encourage increased labor participation. The high cost of borrowing and small labor market remain potential constraints to future economic growth. Increasingly, other EU and European migrants are relocating to Malta for employment, though wages have remained low compared to other European countries. Inflation remains low.

4.94% (2019 est.)

5.17% (2018 est.)

8.03% (2017 est.)

country comparison to the world: 49

1.6% (2019 est.)

1.1% (2018 est.)

1.3% (2017 est.)

country comparison to the world: 94

Fitch rating: A+ (2017)

Moody's rating: A2 (2019)

Standard & Poors rating: A- (2016)

$21.639 billion (2019 est.)

$20.624 billion (2018 est.)

$19.609 billion (2017 est.)

note: data are in 2010 dollars

$14.986 billion (2019 est.)

$37,300 (2019 est.)

$35,642 (2018 est.)

$33,989 (2017 est.)

note: data are in 2010 dollars

country comparison to the world: 46

33.5% of GDP (2017 est.)

31.8% of GDP (2016 est.)

31.2% of GDP (2015 est.)

country comparison to the world: 22

agriculture: 1.1% (2017 est.)

industry: 10.2% (2017 est.)

services: 88.7% (2017 est.)

household consumption: 45.2% (2017 est.)

government consumption: 15.3% (2017 est.)

investment in fixed capital: 21.1% (2017 est.)

investment in inventories: 0.3% (2017 est.)

exports of goods and services: 136.1% (2017 est.)

imports of goods and services: -117.9% (2017 est.)

88.2 (2020)

potatoes, cauliflower, grapes, wheat, barley, tomatoes, citrus, cut flowers, green peppers; pork, milk, poultry, eggs

tourism, electronics, ship building and repair, construction, food and beverages, pharmaceuticals, footwear, clothing, tobacco, aviation services, financial services, information technology services

-3.3% (2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 189

223,000 (2019 est.)

country comparison to the world: 166

agriculture: 1.6%

industry: 20.7%

services: 77.7% (2016 est.)

0.78% (2019 est.)

0.89% (2018 est.)

country comparison to the world: 5

16.3% (2015 est.)

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

revenues: 5.076 billion (2017 est.)

expenditures: 4.583 billion (2017 est.)

40.4% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

country comparison to the world: 38

3.9% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

country comparison to the world: 9

50.7% of GDP (2017 est.)

56.3% of GDP (2016 est.)

note: Malta reports public debt at nominal value outstanding at the end of the year, according to guidelines set out in the Maastricht Treaty for general government gross debt; the data include the following categories of government liabilities (as defined in ESA95): currency and deposits (AF.2), securities other than shares excluding financial derivatives (AF.3, excluding AF.34), and loans (AF.4); general government comprises the central, state, and local governments, and social security funds

country comparison to the world: 99

calendar year

$1.561 billion (2019 est.)

$1.55 billion (2018 est.)

country comparison to the world: 46

$23.868 billion (2019 est.)

$22.475 billion (2018 est.)

$22.607 billion (2017 est.)

country comparison to the world: 75

Germany 17.3%, France 10.2%, Italy 9.4%, Singapore 5.9%, Hong Kong 5.8%, US 5.7%, Japan 4.9%, Libya 4.5% (2017)

machinery and mechanical appliances; mineral fuels, oils and petroleum products; pharmaceutical products; books and newspapers; aircraft/spacecraft and parts; toys, games, and sports equipment

$21.94 billion (2019 est.)

$20.335 billion (2018 est.)

$20.257 billion (2017 est.)

country comparison to the world: 79

mineral fuels, oils and products; electrical machinery; aircraft/spacecraft and parts thereof; machinery and mechanical appliances; plastic and other semi-manufactured goods; vehicles and parts

Italy 23%, Germany 7.9%, UK 7.7%, Spain 5%, Canada 4.5%, US 4.3%, France 4.2% (2017)

$833 million (31 December 2017 est.)

$677.1 million (31 December 2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 139

$90.98 billion (September 2016 est.)

$99.02 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

country comparison to the world: 53

euros (EUR) per US dollar -

0.82771 (2020 est.)

0.90338 (2019 est.)

0.87789 (2018 est.)

0.885 (2014 est.)

0.7634 (2013 est.)
Energy :: Malta
electrification - total population: 100% (2020)

813 million kWh (2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 156

2.122 billion kWh (2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 142

0 kWh (2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 167

1.525 billion kWh (2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 61

575,100 kW (2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 142

81% of total installed capacity (2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 79

0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)

country comparison to the world: 139

0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)

country comparison to the world: 186

19% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)

country comparison to the world: 43

0 bbl/day (2018 est.)

country comparison to the world: 171

0 bbl/day (2015 est.)

country comparison to the world: 162

0 bbl/day (2015 est.)

country comparison to the world: 162

0 bbl (1 January 2018 est.)

country comparison to the world: 166

0 bbl/day (2017 est.)

country comparison to the world: 174

45,000 bbl/day (2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 110

10,400 bbl/day (2015 est.)

country comparison to the world: 81

52,290 bbl/day (2015 est.)

country comparison to the world: 79

0 cu m (2017 est.)

country comparison to the world: 167

283.2 million cu m (2017 est.)

country comparison to the world: 102

0 cu m (2017 est.)

country comparison to the world: 148

311.5 million cu m (2017 est.)

country comparison to the world: 69

0 cu m (1 January 2014 est.)

country comparison to the world: 168

8.141 million Mt (2017 est.)

country comparison to the world: 116
Communications :: Malta
total subscriptions: 264,557

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 58.36 (2019 est.)

country comparison to the world: 115

total subscriptions: 653,414

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 144.14 (2019 est.)

country comparison to the world: 166

general assessment: one of the most advanced telecoms in Europe, high penetration of mobile and broadband, and a way forward to expand e-commerce opportunities; stimulated by regulator measures to reduce consumer prices; extensive FttP network and investment in LTE and fiber thru 2023; launches 5G ready network (2020)

domestic: fixed-line 58 per 100 persons and mobile-cellular subscribership 144 per 100 persons; automatic system featuring submarine cable and microwave radio relay between islands (2019)

international: country code - 356; landing points for the Malta-Gozo Cable, VMSCS, GO-1 Mediterranean Cable System, Malta Italy Interconnector, Melita-1, and the Italy-Malta submarine cable connections to Italy; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2019)

note: the COVID-19 outbreak is negatively impacting telecommunications production and supply chains globally; consumer spending on telecom devices and services has also slowed due to the pandemic's effect on economies worldwide; overall progress towards improvements in all facets of the telecom industry - mobile, fixed-line, broadband, submarine cable and satellite - has moderated

2 publicly owned TV stations, Television Malta broadcasting nationally plus an educational channel; several privately owned national television stations, 2 of which are owned by political parties; Italian and British broadcast programs are available; multi-channel cable and satellite TV services are available; publicly owned radio broadcaster operates 3 stations; roughly 20 commercial radio stations (2019)

.mt

total: 365,521

percent of population: 81.4% (July 2018 est.)

country comparison to the world: 161

total: 191,833

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 43 (2018 est.)

country comparison to the world: 110
Transportation :: Malta
number of registered air carriers: 13 (2020)

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 180

annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 2,576,898 (2018)

annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 5.14 million mt-km (2018)

9H (2016)

1 (2013)

country comparison to the world: 227

total: 1 (2019)

over 3,047 m: 1

2 (2013)

total: 2,254 km (2001)

paved: 1,973 km (2001)

unpaved: 281 km (2001)

urban: 1,422 km (2001)

non-urban: 832 km (2001)

country comparison to the world: 169

total: 2,172

by type: bulk carrier 637, container ship 268, general cargo 253, oil tanker 412, other 602 (2019)

country comparison to the world: 11

major seaport(s): Marsaxlokk (Malta Freeport), Valletta

container port(s) (TEUs): Marsaxlokk (3,150,000) (2017)
Military and Security :: Malta
Armed Forces of Malta (AFM, includes land, maritime, and air elements, plus a Volunteer Reserve Force) (2020)

0.6% of GDP (2019)

0.5% of GDP (2018)

0.5% of GDP (2017)

0.5% of GDP (2016)

0.5% of GDP (2015)

country comparison to the world: 144

the Armed Forces of Malta have approximately 2,000 active duty personnel (2019 est.)

the small inventory of the Armed Forces of Malta consists of equipment from a mix of European countries, particularly Italy, and the US; since 2010, Italy and the US are the only providers of military equipment to Malta (2019 est.)

18-30 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2019)
Transnational Issues :: Malta
none

stateless persons: 11 (2018)

note: 7,281 estimated refugee and migrant arrivals by sea (January 2015-November 2020)

minor transshipment point for hashish from North Africa to Western Europe