CapitalValletta
Population521,828
Area316 km²
GDP per capita$60,500
LanguagesMaltese, English, multilingual, other
Currencyeuros
Life Expectancy83.6 yr
Governmentparliamentary republic
Introduction
Background
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 falling under the control of the Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Moors, Normans, Sicilians, Spanish, Knights of St. John, and French. Most recently a British colony (since 1814), Malta gained its independence in 1964 and declared itself a republic 10 years later. While under British rule, the island staunchly supported the UK through both world wars. Since the mid-1980s, the island has transformed itself into a freight transshipment point, a financial center, and a tourist destination, as its key industries moved toward more service-oriented activities. Malta became an EU member in 2004 and joined the eurozone in 2008.
Geography
Area
land
316 sq km
water
0 sq km
total
316 sq km
Climate
Mediterranean climate characterized by mild, rainy winters and hot, dry summers
Terrain
predominantly low-lying, rocky terrain with flat to dissected plains; numerous coastal cliffs
Land use
other
66.4% (2023 est.)
forest
1.5% (2023 est.)
agricultural land
25.9% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: arable land
arable land: 22.8% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent crops
permanent crops: 3.2% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent pasture
permanent pasture: 0% (2022 est.)
Location
Located in Southern Europe, the islands in the Mediterranean Sea are situated south of Sicily (Italy)
Coastline
196.8 km (excludes 56 km for the island of Gozo)
Elevation
lowest point
Mediterranean Sea 0 m
highest point
Ta'Dmejrek on Dingli Cliffs 253 m
Irrigated land
39 sq km (2022)
Map references
Europe
Land boundaries
total
0 km
Maritime claims
contiguous zone
24 nm
territorial sea
12 nm
continental shelf
200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
exclusive fishing zone
25 nm
Natural hazards
periodic occurrences of drought
Geography - note
the nation is an archipelago, with only its three largest islands (Malta, Ghawdex or Gozo, and Kemmuna or Comino) being populated; many bays offer excellent harbors
Natural resources
consists of limestone, salt, and cultivable land
Area - comparative
approximately less than twice the area of Washington, D.C.
Geographic coordinates
35 50 N, 14 35 E
Population distribution
the majority of the population resides in the eastern part of Malta, the largest of the three inhabited islands
People & Society
Languages
Maltese (official) 90.1%, English (official) 6%, multilingual 3%, other 0.9% (2005 estimate)
Religions
Roman Catholic (official) over 90% (2006 estimate)
Sex ratio
at birth
1.04 male(s)/female
0-14 years
1.06 male(s)/female
15-64 years
1.07 male(s)/female
total population
1.02 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
65 years and over
0.86 male(s)/female
Birth rate
7.67 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Death rate
8.65 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Median age
male
42.4 years
total
42.1 years (2025 est.)
female
44.7 years
Population
male
271,180
total
521,828 (2025 est.)
female
250,648
Nationality
noun
Maltese (singular and plural)
adjective
Maltese
Tobacco use
male
23.9% (2025 est.)
total
22.1% (2025 est.)
female
20.2% (2025 est.)
Urbanization
urban population
94.9% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization
0.28% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Age structure
0-14 years
14.5% (male 35,034/female 33,181)
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)
Ethnic groups
Maltese (descendants of ancient Carthaginians and Phoenicians with strong elements of Italian and other Mediterranean stock)
Dependency ratios
total dependency ratio
54.1 (2025 est.)
youth dependency ratio
21.2 (2025 est.)
potential support ratio
3 (2025 est.)
elderly dependency ratio
32.9 (2025 est.)
Physician density
7.86 physicians/1,000 population (2022)
Health expenditure
Health expenditure (as % of GDP)
10.6% of GDP (2021)
Health expenditure (as % of national budget)
16.2% of national budget (2022 est.)
Net migration rate
7.5 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Hospital bed density
4.4 beds/1,000 population (2020 est.)
Total fertility rate
1.18 children born/woman (2025 est.)
Drinking water source
improved: rural
rural: 100% of population (2022 est.)
improved: total
total: 100% of population (2022 est.)
improved: urban
urban: 100% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: rural
rural: 0% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: total
total: 0% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: urban
urban: 0% of population (2022 est.)
Education expenditure
Education expenditure (% GDP)
4.7% of GDP (2022 est.)
Education expenditure (% national budget)
12.5% national budget (2022 est.)
Infant mortality rate
male
4.3 deaths/1,000 live births
total
4.6 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.)
female
4.5 deaths/1,000 live births
Population growth rate
0.65% (2025 est.)
Gross reproduction rate
0.57 (2025 est.)
Population distribution
the majority of the populace resides in the eastern portion of Malta, which is the largest among the three inhabited islands
Life expectancy at birth
male
81.5 years
female
85.8 years
total population
83.6 years (2024 est.)
Maternal mortality ratio
8 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)
Sanitation facility access
improved: rural
rural: 100% of population (2022 est.)
improved: total
total: 100% of population (2022 est.)
improved: urban
urban: 100% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: rural
rural: 0% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: total
total: 0% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: urban
urban: 0% of population (2022 est.)
Alcohol consumption per capita
beer
2.8 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
wine
2.34 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
total
8.07 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.)
Major urban areas - population
213,000 VALLETTA (capital) (2018)
Obesity - adult prevalence rate
28.9% (2016)
Mother's mean age at first birth
29.3 years (2020 est.)
Currently married women (ages 15-49)
52% (2021 est.)
Children under the age of 5 years underweight
0.7% (2022 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)
male
15 years (2023 est.)
total
16 years (2023 est.)
female
17 years (2023 est.)
Environment
Climate
Mediterranean climate characterized by mild, wet winters and hot, arid summers
Land use
other
66.4% (2023 est.)
forest
1.5% (2023 est.)
agricultural land
25.9% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: arable land
arable land: 22.8% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent crops
permanent crops: 3.2% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent pasture
permanent pasture: 0% (2022 est.)
Urbanization
urban population
94.9% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization
0.28% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Waste and recycling
municipal solid waste generated annually
348,800 tons (2024 est.)
percent of municipal solid waste recycled
10.5% (2022 est.)
Environmental issues
scarce natural freshwater supplies; loss of forest cover; conservation of wildlife
Total water withdrawal
municipal
39.497 million cubic meters (2022)
industrial
1 million cubic meters (2022)
agricultural
21.358 million cubic meters (2022)
Carbon dioxide emissions
total emissions
8.965 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
from consumed natural gas
852,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
from petroleum and other liquids
8.113 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
Particulate matter emissions
13.1 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)
Total renewable water resources
50.5 million cubic meters (2022 est.)
International environmental agreements
party to
Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping-London Convention, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 2006, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified
none of the selected agreements
Government
Flag
description: two vertical bands of equal size, white on the left and red on the right; the George Cross, bordered in red, is located in the upper-left corner
history: legend suggests that the colors are derived from the red-and-white checkered banner of Count Roger of Sicily, who, in 1091, granted a bicolored corner to Malta. However, it is more plausible that the colors originate from the Knights of Saint John, who governed Malta from 1530 until 1798. In 1942, King George VI of Britain awarded the George Cross to the Maltese people in recognition of their remarkable courage and valor during World War II, and the red-bordered George Cross was incorporated into the flag after Malta gained independence in 1964.
Capital
name
Valletta
etymology
named after Jean Parizot de la VALETTE, the Grand Master of the Order of Saint John (crusader knights), who established the city in 1566.
time difference
UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
daylight saving time
+1hr, commences on the last Sunday of March; concludes on the last Sunday of October
geographic coordinates
35 53 N, 14 30 E
Suffrage
18 years old (16 for local council elections); universal suffrage
Citizenship
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
Constitution
history
many previous; latest adopted 21 September 1964
amendment process
proposals (Acts of Parliament) necessitate a two-thirds majority vote in the House of Representatives; the enactment of Acts requires a majority vote by referendum, followed by a final majority vote in the House and the president's assent.
Country name
etymology
the origin of the name is uncertain; it may be derived from the ancient word mel, meaning "high," likely referring to the island's cliffs; the ancient Greeks referred to the island as "Melite," potentially from the Greek word meli, meaning "honey," which relates to the island's production of honey.
local long form
Repubblika ta' Malta
local short form
Malta
conventional long form
Republic of Malta
conventional short form
Malta
Independence
21 September 1964 (from the UK)
Legal system
a mixed legal system incorporating English common law and civil law influenced by Roman and Napoleonic civil codes; subject to European Union law.
Government type
parliamentary republic
Judicial branch
highest court(s)
Court of Appeal (comprising either 1 or 3 judges); Constitutional Court (comprising 3 judges); Court of Criminal Appeal (comprising either 1 or 3 judges)
subordinate courts
Civil Court (split into the General Jurisdiction Section, Family Section, and Voluntary Section); Criminal Court; Court of Magistrates; Gozo Courts (serving the islands of Gozo and Comino)
judge selection and term of office
Judges for the Court of Appeal and Constitutional Court are appointed by the president, typically upon the prime minister's recommendation; judges in both courts serve until the age of 65.
Executive branch
cabinet
Cabinet appointed by the president on the advice of the prime minister
chief of state
President Myriam Spiteri DEBONO (since 4 April 2024)
election results
2024: Myriam Spiteri DEBONO (PL) elected president; unanimous vote in the House of Representatives
2019: George VELLA (PL) elected president; unanimous vote in the House of Representatives
head of government
Prime Minister Robert ABELA (since 13 January 2020)
most recent election date
27 March 2024
election/appointment process
the president is indirectly elected by the House of Representatives for a single term of 5 years; typically, following legislative elections, the president appoints the leader of the majority party or coalition as prime minister for a 5-year term; the president also appoints the deputy prime minister based on the prime minister's advice.
expected date of next election
by March 2029
National holiday
Independence Day, 21 September (1964); Republic Day, 13 December (1974)
National color(s)
red, white
National heritage
total World Heritage Sites
3 (all cultural)
selected World Heritage Site locales
City of Valletta; Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum; Megalithic Temples of Malta
Political parties
AD+PD or ADPD (formed from the merger of Democratic Alternative or AD and Democratic Party (Partit Demokratiku) or PD)
Labor Party (Partit Laburista) or PL
Nationalist Party (Partit Nazzjonalista) or PN
Legislative branch
term in office
5 years
number of seats
65 (all directly elected)
electoral system
proportional representation
legislature name
House of Representatives (Il-Kamra Tad-Deputati)
scope of elections
full renewal
legislative structure
unicameral
most recent election date
3/26/2022
expected date of next election
March 2027
percentage of women in chamber
29.1%
parties elected and seats per party
Labour Party (LP) (44); Nationalist Party (PN) (35)
National anthem(s)
title
"L-Innu Malti" (The Hymn of Malta)
history
adopted in 1945; composed as a prayer aimed at uniting the political parties and the nation
lyrics/music
Dun Karm PSAILA/Robert SAMMUT
National symbol(s)
Maltese eight-pointed cross
National coat of arms
Established in 1988, Malta’s coat of arms features a shield displaying the national flag, flanked by olive and palm branches symbolizing peace. Atop the shield sits a golden crown shaped like a fortification with five turrets, symbolizing Malta's fortifications. Beneath the shield, a white ribbon bears the inscription Repubblika ta' Malta (Republic of Malta).
Administrative divisions
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
Diplomatic representation in the US
FAX
[1] (202) 530-9753
chancery
2017 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone
[1] (771) 213-4050
chief of mission
Ambassador Godfrey C. XUEREB (since 19 April 2023)
email address and website
[email protected]
The Embassy (gov.mt)
Diplomatic representation from the US
embassy
Ta' Qali National Park, Attard, ATD 4000
telephone
[356] 2561-4000
mailing address
5800 Valletta Place, Washington DC 20521-5800
chief of mission
Ambassador Somers FARKAS (since 26 November 2025)
email address and website
[email protected]
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
International law organization participation
accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
Economy
Budget
revenues
$6.95 billion (2023 est.)
expenditures
$7.966 billion (2023 est.)
Exports
Exports 2022
$23.566 billion (2022 est.)
Exports 2023
$26.647 billion (2023 est.)
Exports 2024
$29.245 billion (2024 est.)
Imports
Imports 2022
$21.406 billion (2022 est.)
Imports 2023
$22.637 billion (2023 est.)
Imports 2024
$24.505 billion (2024 est.)
Industries
tourism, electronics, shipbuilding and repair, construction, food and beverages, pharmaceuticals, footwear, apparel, tobacco, aviation services, financial services, information technology services
Labor force
318,200 (2024 est.)
Public debt
Public debt 2017
50.7% of GDP (2017 est.)
Remittances
Remittances 2022
0.1% of GDP (2022 est.)
Remittances 2023
0.1% of GDP (2023 est.)
Remittances 2024
0.1% of GDP (2024 est.)
Exchange rates
Currency
euros (EUR) per US dollar -
Exchange rates 2020
0.876 (2020 est.)
Exchange rates 2021
0.845 (2021 est.)
Exchange rates 2022
0.95 (2022 est.)
Exchange rates 2023
0.925 (2023 est.)
Exchange rates 2024
0.924 (2024 est.)
Economic overview
a high-income, EU-member European economy; possesses a diversified portfolio; utilizes the euro; reliant on imports for food and energy; features robust tourism, trade, and manufacturing sectors; experiences significant North African immigration; maintains a large welfare system; boasts an educated workforce
Unemployment rate
Unemployment rate 2022
3% (2022 est.)
Unemployment rate 2023
3.2% (2023 est.)
Unemployment rate 2024
2.8% (2024 est.)
Exports - partners
Nigeria 28%, Germany 10%, China 6%, Singapore 5%, Hong Kong 4% (2023)
Imports - partners
Italy 18%, China 10%, Germany 8%, France 7%, Turkey 7% (2023)
Real GDP per capita
Real GDP per capita 2022
$57,800 (2022 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2023
$59,300 (2023 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2024
$60,500 (2024 est.)
Real GDP growth rate
Real GDP growth rate 2022
4.3% (2022 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2023
6.8% (2023 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2024
6% (2024 est.)
Agricultural products
milk, tomatoes, onions, potatoes, chicken, cauliflower/broccoli, cabbages, pork, pumpkins/squash, watermelons (2023)
Exports - commodities
refined petroleum, integrated circuits, packaged medicine, ships, postage stamps/documents (2023)
Imports - commodities
ships, refined petroleum, integrated circuits, aircraft, packaged medicine (2023)
Current account balance
Current account balance 2022
-$167.611 million (2022 est.)
Current account balance 2023
$1.425 billion (2023 est.)
Current account balance 2024
$1.383 billion (2024 est.)
Taxes and other revenues
21.9% (of GDP) (2023 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate)
$24.322 billion (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use
household consumption
46.6% (2024 est.)
government consumption
17.2% (2024 est.)
investment in inventories
0.9% (2024 est.)
investment in fixed capital
17.9% (2024 est.)
exports of goods and services
123.5% (2024 est.)
imports of goods and services
-106.1% (2024 est.)
Population below poverty line
16.7% (2021 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2022
6.2% (2022 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2023
5.1% (2023 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2024
1.7% (2024 est.)
Industrial production growth rate
5.6% (2024 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022
$30.689 billion (2022 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2023
$32.774 billion (2023 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2024
$34.731 billion (2024 est.)
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)
male
9.6% (2024 est.)
total
7.8% (2024 est.)
female
5.7% (2024 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2022
$1.199 billion (2022 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2023
$1.223 billion (2023 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2024
$1.418 billion (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin
industry
11.4% (2024 est.)
services
80.8% (2024 est.)
agriculture
0.2% (2024 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share
lowest 10%
2.7% (2022 est.)
highest 10%
27.7% (2022 est.)
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income 2022
34.6 (2022 est.)
Energy
Coal
imports
3.9 metric tons (2022 est.)
consumption
8.4 metric tons (2021 est.)
Petroleum
refined petroleum consumption
50,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
Electricity
exports
28 million kWh (2023 est.)
imports
648 million kWh (2023 est.)
consumption
2.766 billion kWh (2023 est.)
installed generating capacity
829,000 kW (2023 est.)
transmission/distribution losses
199.086 million kWh (2023 est.)
Natural gas
imports
444.715 million cubic meters (2023 est.)
consumption
444.715 million cubic meters (2023 est.)
Electricity access
electrification - total population
100% (2022 est.)
Energy consumption per capita
Total energy consumption per capita 2023
234.698 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
Electricity generation sources
solar
13.2% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
fossil fuels
86.4% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
biomass and waste
0.4% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Communications
Internet users
percent of population
92% (2023 est.)
Broadcast media
Two state-owned television channels, namely Television Malta and an educational channel; numerous privately owned national television outlets, with two being affiliated with political parties; broadcasts from Italy and the UK are accessible; there are multi-channel cable and satellite television services available; a state-owned radio broadcaster runs three stations; approximately 20 commercial radio stations were operational in 2019.
Internet country code
.mt
Telephones - fixed lines
total subscriptions
259,000 (2023 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
49 (2023 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular
total subscriptions
767,000 (2024 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
142 (2024 est.)
Broadband - fixed subscriptions
total
236,000 (2023 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
44 (2023 est.)
Transportation
Ports
large
0
small
1
medium
1
key ports
Marsaxlokk, Valletta Harbors
very small
0
total ports
2 (2024)
ports with oil terminals
0
Airports
1 (2025)
Heliports
2 (2025)
Merchant marine
total
1,957 (2023)
by type
bulk carrier 490, container ship 348, general cargo 152, oil tanker 354, other 613
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
9H
Military & Security
Military - note
The Armed Forces of Malta (AFM) are tasked with ensuring external security while also handling certain domestic security duties; their main responsibilities encompass safeguarding the nation’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, overseeing and policing its territorial waters, engaging in international peacekeeping and stability missions, and offering search and rescue as well as explosive ordnance disposal services. Their secondary functions include aiding civil authorities during crises, supporting police and other security agencies, and fulfilling ceremonial and public assistance roles.
Malta upholds a policy of neutrality in security matters yet contributes to military missions under the EU, Organization for Security and Cooperation (OSCE), and United Nations, and became a part of NATO’s Partnership for Peace initiative in 1995 (which was suspended in 1996 but reinstated in 2008); it also engages in numerous bilateral and multinational military drills. Malta collaborates closely with Italy on defense issues; in 1973, Italy initiated a military mission in Malta to offer advice, training, and search and rescue support (2025).
Military expenditures
Military Expenditures 2020
0.6% of GDP (2020 est.)
Military Expenditures 2021
0.5% of GDP (2021 est.)
Military Expenditures 2022
0.7% of GDP (2022 est.)
Military Expenditures 2023
0.5% of GDP (2023 est.)
Military Expenditures 2024
0.5% of GDP (2024 est.)
Military and security forces
The Armed Forces of Malta (AFM) consist of a Land Component (which includes combat, combat support, and combat service support organized into three regiments), a Maritime Squadron, and an Air Wing; there is also a Volunteer Reserve Force (2025).
Military service age and obligation
For voluntary military service, individuals aged 18 to 30, regardless of gender, are eligible; there is no conscription (2026).
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions
The military possesses a modest array of weaponry sourced from various European nations, primarily Italy, as well as the United States (2025).
Military and security service personnel strengths
There are around 2,000 active personnel in the Armed Forces of Malta (2025).
Transnational Issues
Refugees and internally displaced persons
refugees
9,284 (2024 est.)
stateless persons
171 (2024 est.)
