Country Profile: Malta

Malta is an archipelago located in the central Mediterranean, south of Sicily, comprising three inhabited islands: Malta, Gozo, and Comino. With a population of approximately 521,828 (2025 est.), Malta's diverse heritage includes influences from its long history, featuring civilizations like the Phoenicians, Romans, and Knights of St. John. The economy is high-income and is bolstered by strong sectors in tourism, trade, and manufacturing, while being heavily reliant on imports for food and energy. Malta operates as a parliamentary republic, with a legal system based on English common law and civil law.

Geography

Malta is situated in Southern Europe, in the Mediterranean Sea, characterized by low, rocky terrain with coastal cliffs and a mild climate. It covers a total area of 316 square kilometers and has a coastline stretching 196.8 kilometers.

316 sq km: Total area.
12 nm: Territorial sea claimed.
196.8 km: Length of coastline.
253 m: Highest point at Ta'Dmejrek on Dingli Cliffs.
25.9%: Percentage of agricultural land as of 2023.

People and Society

The population of Malta is approximately 521,828, with a significant urbanization rate of 94.9%. The majority of the population is Maltese, with the official languages being Maltese and English. The society is predominantly Roman Catholic, with life expectancy at birth around 83.6 years (2024 est.).

94.9%: Urban population as of 2023.
83.6 years: Life expectancy at birth (2024 est.).
7.67 births/1,000: Birth rate (2025 est.).
2.7%: Income share of the lowest 10% (2022 est.).
16.7%: Population below the poverty line (2021 est.).

Economy

Malta has a diversified, high-income economy with strong contributions from tourism, services, and manufacturing, reliant on food and energy imports. The real GDP per capita is projected to reach $60,500 in 2024, reflecting robust economic growth.

$34.731 billion: Real GDP (PPP) estimated for 2024.
6%: Projected real GDP growth rate for 2024.
2.8%: Unemployment rate projected for 2024.
80.8%: Services sector contribution to GDP (2024 est.).
$29.245 billion: Estimated exports for 2024.

Government

Malta operates as a parliamentary republic with an executive branch led by a Prime Minister. The country gained independence from the UK on September 21, 1964, and has a mixed legal system of English common law and civil law.

President: Myriam Spiteri DEBONO (since April 4, 2024).
Prime Minister: Robert ABELA (since January 13, 2020).
65: Seats in the unicameral House of Representatives.
18 years: Universal suffrage age.
3: Total World Heritage Sites recognized.

Military and Security

The Armed Forces of Malta (AFM) comprise land, maritime, and air components, operating under a policy of neutrality. Military expenditures are relatively modest at 0.5% of GDP.

2,000: Active personnel in the Armed Forces (2025).
0.5%: Military expenditure as a percentage of GDP (2024).
18-30 years: Age for voluntary military service.
490: Number of bulk carriers in the merchant marine (2023).
NATO: Partner since 2008.

Energy

Malta's energy sector is heavily reliant on fossil fuels, while achieving full electrification. Renewable energy sources are gradually being integrated into the electricity mix.

100%: Electrification rate of the total population (2022).
829,000 kW: Installed electricity generating capacity (2023).
86.4%: Share of fossil fuels in electricity generation capacity.
444.715 million cubic meters: Natural gas consumption (2023).
2.766 billion kWh: Total electricity consumption (2023).

Environment

Malta faces environmental challenges, including limited freshwater resources and deforestation, while participating in various international environmental agreements.

3: Total World Heritage Sites (all cultural).
10.5%: Percentage of municipal solid waste recycled (2022 est.).
348,800 tons: Annual municipal solid waste generated (2024 est.).
50.5 million cubic meters: Total renewable water resources (2022 est.).
8.965 million metric tonnes: CO2 emissions (2023 est.).

Transportation

Malta's transportation infrastructure includes a single airport, several heliports, and a developed merchant marine fleet.

1: Major airport (2025).
2: Heliports (2025).
1,957: Total vessels in the merchant marine (2023).
2: Major ports (2024).
767,000: Mobile cellular subscriptions (2024).

Communications

Malta boasts a high percentage of internet users and multiple service providers, ensuring robust telecommunication dynamics.

92%: Internet usage rate among the population (2023).
259,000: Fixed telephone subscriptions (2023).
236,000: Fixed broadband subscriptions (2023).
767,000: Mobile cellular subscriptions (2024).
49: Fixed-line subscriptions per 100 inhabitants (2023).

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	521,828	2025 estimate
Area	316 sq km	Total area
GDP (PPP)	$34.731 billion	2024 estimate
Energy Consumption	2.766 billion kWh	2023 estimate
Birth Rate	7.67 births/1,000 population	2025 estimate
Unemployment Rate	2.8%	2024 estimate
Life Expectancy	83.6 years	2024 estimate
Urban Population	94.9%	2023 estimate
Military Expenditure	0.5% of GDP	2024 estimate
Total Fertility Rate	1.18 children born/woman	2025 estimate