Malta
Republic of Malta
Population
521.8K
Area
316 km²
GDP
$24.32B
GDP Per Capita
$60,500
Pop. Density
1,651/km²
Quick Facts
Currency
€euro(EUR)
Calling Code
+356
Timezone
UTC+01:00
Languages
English, Maltese
Driving Side
left
Demonym
Maltese
Background
Historical Trends
GDP (USD)
↑270.0% since 2006Population
↑40.3% since 2006Life Expectancy at Birth
Latest: 83.5 yearsData source: World Bank Open Data
Geography17
Location
Southern Europe, islands in the Mediterranean Sea, south of Sicily (Italy)
Geographic coordinates
35 50 N, 14 35 E
Map references
Europe
Area
land: 316 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative
slightly less than twice the size of Washington, D.C.
Land boundaries
Coastline
196.8 km (excludes 56 km for the island of Gozo)
Maritime claims
contiguous zone: 24 nm
continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
exclusive fishing zone: 25 nm
Climate
Mediterranean; mild, rainy winters; hot, dry summers
Terrain
mostly low, rocky, flat to dissected plains; many coastal cliffs
Elevation
lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m
Natural resources
limestone, salt, arable land
Land use
agricultural land
agricultural land: arable land
agricultural land: permanent crops
agricultural land: permanent pasture
forest
other
Irrigated land
39 sq km (2022)
Population distribution
most of the population lives on the eastern half of Malta, the largest of the three inhabited islands
Natural hazards
occasional droughts
Geography - note
the country is an archipelago, with only the three largest islands (Malta, Ghawdex or Gozo, and Kemmuna or Comino) inhabited; numerous bays provide good harbors
People & Society34
Population
male: 271,180
female: 250,648
Nationality
adjective: Maltese
Ethnic groups
Maltese (descendants of ancient Carthaginians and Phoenicians with strong elements of Italian and other Mediterranean stock)
Languages
Maltese (official) 90.1%, English (official) 6%, multilingual 3%, other 0.9% (2005 est.)
Religions
Roman Catholic (official) more than 90% (2006 est.)
Age structure
15-64 years: 62.4% (male 151,836/female 141,248)
65 years and over: 23.1% (2024 est.) (male 50,153/female 58,278)
Dependency ratios
youth dependency ratio: 21.2 (2025 est.)
elderly dependency ratio: 32.9 (2025 est.)
potential support ratio: 3 (2025 est.)
Median age
male: 42.4 years
female: 44.7 years
Population growth rate
0.65% (2025 est.)
Birth rate
7.67 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Death rate
8.65 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Net migration rate
7.5 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Population distribution
most of the population lives on the eastern half of Malta, the largest of the three inhabited islands
Urbanization
rate of urbanization: 0.28% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Major urban areas - population
213,000 VALLETTA (capital) (2018)
Sex ratio
0-14 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.07 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.86 male(s)/female
total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
Mother's mean age at first birth
29.3 years (2020 est.)
Maternal mortality ratio
8 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)
Infant mortality rate
male: 4.3 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 4.5 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth
male: 81.5 years
female: 85.8 years
Total fertility rate
1.18 children born/woman (2025 est.)
Gross reproduction rate
0.57 (2025 est.)
Drinking water source
improved: urban
improved: rural
improved: total
unimproved: urban
unimproved: rural
unimproved: total
Health expenditure
Health expenditure (as % of national budget): 16.2% of national budget (2022 est.)
Physician density
7.86 physicians/1,000 population (2022)
Hospital bed density
4.4 beds/1,000 population (2020 est.)
Sanitation facility access
improved: urban
improved: rural
improved: total
unimproved: urban
unimproved: rural
unimproved: total
Obesity - adult prevalence rate
28.9% (2016)
Alcohol consumption per capita
beer: 2.8 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
wine: 2.34 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
spirits: 2.51 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
other alcohols: 0.42 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Tobacco use
male: 23.9% (2025 est.)
female: 20.2% (2025 est.)
Children under the age of 5 years underweight
0.7% (2022 est.)
Currently married women (ages 15-49)
52% (2021 est.)
Education expenditure
Education expenditure (% national budget): 12.5% national budget (2022 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)
male: 15 years (2023 est.)
female: 17 years (2023 est.)
Government24
Country name
conventional short form: Malta
local long form: Repubblika ta' Malta
local short form: Malta
etymology: the origin is unclear; the name may come from the ancient term mel, meaning "high" and probably referring to the island's rocks; the ancient Greeks called the island "Melite," possibly from the Greek word meli, meaning "honey" and referring to the island's honey production
Government type
parliamentary republic
Capital
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 Parizot de la VALETTE, the Grand Master of the Order of Saint John (crusader knights), who founded the city in 1566
Administrative divisions
Legal system
mixed system of English common law and civil law based on the Roman and Napoleonic civil codes; subject to European Union law
Constitution
amendment process: 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
International law organization participation
accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
Citizenship
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Malta
dual citizenship recognized: no
residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years
Suffrage
18 years of age (16 in local council elections); universal
Executive branch
chief of state
head of government
cabinet
election/appointment process
most recent election date
election results
2024: Myriam Spiteri DEBONO (PL) elected president; House of Representatives vote - unanimous
2019: George VELLA (PL) elected president; House of Representatives vote - unanimous
expected date of next election
Legislative branch
legislature name
legislative structure
number of seats
electoral system
scope of elections
term in office
most recent election date
parties elected and seats per party
percentage of women in chamber
expected date of next election
Judicial branch
judge selection and term of office: Court of Appeal and Constitutional Court judges appointed by the president, usually on 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)
Political parties
Labor Party (Partit Laburista) or PL
Nationalist Party (Partit Nazzjonalista) or PN
Diplomatic representation in the US
chancery: 2017 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (771) 213-4050
FAX: [1] (202) 530-9753
email address and website:
maltaembassy.washington@gov.mt
The Embassy (gov.mt)
Diplomatic representation from the US
embassy: Ta' Qali National Park, Attard, ATD 4000
mailing address: 5800 Valletta Place, Washington DC 20521-5800
telephone: [356] 2561-4000
email address and website:
ACSMalta@state.gov
https://mt.usembassy.gov/
International organization participation
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, NATO (partner), NSG, OAS (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, Schengen Convention, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, Union Latina (observer), UNWTO, UPU, Wassenaar Arrangement, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Independence
21 September 1964 (from the UK)
National holiday
Independence Day, 21 September (1964); Republic Day, 13 December (1974)
Flag
history: according to legend, the colors come from the red-and-white checkered banner of Count Roger of Sicily, who removed a bicolored corner and granted it to Malta in 1091, but the colors more likely come from the Knights of Saint John, who ruled Malta from 1530 to 1798; in 1942, Britain's King George VI awarded the George Cross to the islanders for their exceptional bravery and gallantry in World War II, and the George Cross bordered in red was added to the flag after independence in 1964
National symbol(s)
Maltese eight-pointed cross
National color(s)
red, white
National coat of arms
Adopted in 1988, Malta’s coat of arms has a shield displaying the national flag, with olive and palm branches on each side symbolizing peace. On top of the shield is a golden crown in the shape of a fortification with five turrets, representing Malta's forts. The white ribbon below the shield displays the name Repubblika ta' Malta (Republic of Malta).
National anthem(s)
lyrics/music: Dun Karm PSAILA/Robert SAMMUT
history: adopted 1945; written in the form of a prayer to bind together the political parties and the country
National heritage
selected World Heritage Site locales: City of Valletta; Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum; Megalithic Temples of Malta
Economy30
Economic overview
high-income, EU-member European economy; diversified portfolio; euro user; dependent on food and energy imports; strong tourism, trade, and manufacturing sectors; high North African immigration; large welfare system; educated workforce
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2023: $32.774 billion (2023 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022: $30.689 billion (2022 est.)
Real GDP growth rate
Real GDP growth rate 2023: 6.8% (2023 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2022: 4.3% (2022 est.)
Real GDP per capita
Real GDP per capita 2023: $59,300 (2023 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2022: $57,800 (2022 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate)
$24.322 billion (2024 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2023: 5.1% (2023 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2022: 6.2% (2022 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin
industry: 11.4% (2024 est.)
services: 80.8% (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use
household consumption
government consumption
investment in fixed capital
investment in inventories
exports of goods and services
imports of goods and services
Agricultural products
milk, tomatoes, onions, potatoes, chicken, cauliflower/broccoli, cabbages, pork, pumpkins/squash, watermelons (2023)
Industries
tourism, electronics, ship building and repair, construction, food and beverages, pharmaceuticals, footwear, clothing, tobacco, aviation services, financial services, information technology services
Industrial production growth rate
5.6% (2024 est.)
Labor force
318,200 (2024 est.)
Unemployment rate
Unemployment rate 2023: 3.2% (2023 est.)
Unemployment rate 2022: 3% (2022 est.)
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)
male: 9.6% (2024 est.)
female: 5.7% (2024 est.)
Population below poverty line
16.7% (2021 est.)
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income
Household income or consumption by percentage share
highest 10%: 27.7% (2022 est.)
Remittances
Remittances 2023: 0.1% of GDP (2023 est.)
Remittances 2022: 0.1% of GDP (2022 est.)
Budget
expenditures: $7.966 billion (2023 est.)
Public debt
Taxes and other revenues
21.9% (of GDP) (2023 est.)
Current account balance
Current account balance 2023: $1.425 billion (2023 est.)
Current account balance 2022: -$167.611 million (2022 est.)
Exports
Exports 2023: $26.647 billion (2023 est.)
Exports 2022: $23.566 billion (2022 est.)
Exports - partners
Nigeria 28%, Germany 10%, China 6%, Singapore 5%, Hong Kong 4% (2023)
Exports - commodities
refined petroleum, integrated circuits, packaged medicine, ships, postage stamps/documents (2023)
Imports
Imports 2023: $22.637 billion (2023 est.)
Imports 2022: $21.406 billion (2022 est.)
Imports - partners
Italy 18%, China 10%, Germany 8%, France 7%, Turkey 7% (2023)
Imports - commodities
ships, refined petroleum, integrated circuits, aircraft, packaged medicine (2023)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2023: $1.223 billion (2023 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2022: $1.199 billion (2022 est.)
Exchange rates
Currency
Exchange rates 2024
Exchange rates 2023
Exchange rates 2022
Exchange rates 2021
Exchange rates 2020
Energy7
Electricity access
Electricity
consumption: 2.766 billion kWh (2023 est.)
exports: 28 million kWh (2023 est.)
imports: 648 million kWh (2023 est.)
transmission/distribution losses: 199.086 million kWh (2023 est.)
Electricity generation sources
solar: 13.2% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
biomass and waste: 0.4% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Coal
imports: 3.9 metric tons (2022 est.)
Petroleum
Natural gas
imports: 444.715 million cubic meters (2023 est.)
Energy consumption per capita
Communications6
Telephones - fixed lines
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 49 (2023 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 142 (2024 est.)
Broadcast media
2 publicly owned TV stations, Television Malta and 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)
Internet country code
.mt
Internet users
Broadband - fixed subscriptions
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 44 (2023 est.)
Transportation5
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
9H
Airports
1 (2025)
Heliports
2 (2025)
Merchant marine
by type: bulk carrier 490, container ship 348, general cargo 152, oil tanker 354, other 613
Ports
total ports
large
medium
small
very small
ports with oil terminals
key ports
Military & Security6
Military and security forces
the Armed Forces of Malta (AFM): Land Component (combat, combat support, and combat service support divided into three regiments), Maritime Squadron, Air Wing; Volunteer Reserve Force (2025)
Military expenditures
Military Expenditures 2023: 0.5% of GDP (2023 est.)
Military Expenditures 2022: 0.7% of GDP (2022 est.)
Military Expenditures 2021: 0.5% of GDP (2021 est.)
Military Expenditures 2020: 0.6% of GDP (2020 est.)
Military and security service personnel strengths
approximately 2,000 active Armed Forces of Malta (2025)
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions
the military has a small inventory of armaments from a mix of European countries, particularly Italy, and the US (2025)
Military service age and obligation
18-30 years of age for men and women for voluntary military service; no conscription (2026)
Military - note
Malta maintains a security policy of neutrality but contributes to EU, Organization for the Security and Cooperation (OSCE), and UN military missions and joined NATO’s Partnership for Peace program in 1995 (suspended in 1996, but reactivated in 2008); it also participates in various bilateral and multinational military exercises; Malta cooperates closely with Italy on defense matters; in 1973, Italy established a military mission in Malta to provide advice, training, and search and rescue assistance (2025)
Transnational Issues1
Refugees and internally displaced persons
stateless persons: 171 (2024 est.)