World · permanent entity record · MT
Malta
Thirty-second orientation
Malta at a glance
- Nationality / demonym
- noun: Maltese (singular and plural); adjective: Maltese
- CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
- Government
- parliamentary republic
- CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
- Languages
- Maltese (official) 90.1%, English (official) 6%, multilingual 3%, other 0.9% (2005 est.)
- CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
Independently structured milestones · not a complete national history
Malta through time
Admitted to the United Nations
Malta became a member of the United Nations.
United Nations, Member States · source checked 2026-09-04
Source history · changed fields only
Changes since the final CIA profile
| Field | Maintained Almanac value | Final CIA profile |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 579,704World Bank, World Development Indicators · observation year 2025 | total: 521,828 (2025 est.) male: 271,180 female: 250,648CIA World Factbook · as of 2026-01-18 |
A difference may reflect a newer observation, a revised estimate, or a different source definition. This table reports the values and dates; it does not manufacture a trend.
World Development Indicators · latest available observation
People, economy, and access
Observation years vary by measure. Each row identifies the series and year instead of presenting unlike dates as one current snapshot.
- Gross domestic product
- $27.8 billion
- World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator NY.GDP.MKTP.CD · observation year 2025 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator NY.GDP.MKTP.CD. Underlying providers: National statistical authorities, central banks, OECD national accounts, and World Bank staff estimates. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
- Gross domestic product per person
- $47,907
- World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator NY.GDP.PCAP.CD · observation year 2025 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator NY.GDP.PCAP.CD. Underlying providers: National statistical authorities, central banks, OECD national accounts, and World Bank staff estimates. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
- Life expectancy at birth
- 83.0 years
- World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator SP.DYN.LE00.IN · observation year 2024 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2024; indicator SP.DYN.LE00.IN. Underlying providers: UN Population Division, national statistical offices, and Eurostat. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
- Urban population
- 95.7%
- World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator SP.URB.TOTL.IN.ZS · observation year 2025 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator SP.URB.TOTL.IN.ZS. Underlying providers: UN Population Division, World Urbanization Prospects. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
- Access to electricity
- 100.0%
- World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator EG.ELC.ACCS.ZS · observation year 2024 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2024; indicator EG.ELC.ACCS.ZS. Underlying providers: World Bank ESMAP, Tracking SDG 7. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
- People using the internet
- 93.9%
- World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator IT.NET.USER.ZS · observation year 2024 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2024; indicator IT.NET.USER.ZS. Underlying providers: International Telecommunication Union. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
World Development Indicators data are provided under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0). The linked indicator metadata identifies the underlying statistical providers.
Maintained profile
- Capital
- Valletta
- CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · The nation set and displayed federal short name follow the current State Department independent-states register, dated August 11, 2026.
- Area
- 316 sq km
- CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · Final CIA source data preserved by a community mirror after the Factbook was retired; the mirror is not the issuing authority.
- Population
- 579,704
- World Bank, World Development Indicators · World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator SP.POP.TOTL. Underlying providers: UN Population Division, national statistical offices, and Eurostat. Source footnote: Extrapolated assuming the same growth rate as previous 6 months. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
- Currency
- euros (EUR)
- CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · Currency label extracted from the Factbook exchange-rate field.
- Languages
- Maltese (official) 90.1%, English (official) 6%, multilingual 3%, other 0.9% (2005 est.)
- CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · Factbook language listing reproduced without inferring official status beyond the source wording.
- Nationality / demonym
- noun: Maltese (singular and plural); adjective: Maltese
- CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · The source’s noun and adjective forms are retained. These are language labels, not evidence of any individual person’s citizenship.
- Continent
- Europe
- CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Continental label standardized from the archived profile region “Europe.”
- Coastline
- 196.8 km (excludes 56 km for the island of Gozo)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
- Climate
- Mediterranean; mild, rainy winters; hot, dry summers
- CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
- Religions
- Roman Catholic (official) more than 90% (2006 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
- Flag colors
- white, red
- CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Colors extracted from the flag description in the preserved final CIA profile.
- National symbol
- Maltese eight-pointed cross
- CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
- Highest point
- Ta'Dmejrek on Dingli Cliffs · 830 ft (253 m)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
- Lowest point
- Mediterranean Sea · 0 ft (0 m)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
- NATO membership
- Not a member
- NATO, What is NATO? · Membership status is reported from the organization's current member list as of the stated date.
- BRICS membership
- Not a member
- BRICS Brazil, About the BRICS · Membership status is reported from the organization's current member list as of the stated date.
Preserved public-domain record · not maintained current data
Final CIA World Factbook profile
This is the preserved historical baseline from the Factbook’s final public snapshot. It is presented as the CIA stated it, not as a current Standard American Almanac finding. Current, independently maintained facts appear above when available.
CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · profile updated · pinned source record · commit d81154954b8b
Introduction1 fields
- 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.
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Geography17 fields
- Location
- Southern Europe, islands in the Mediterranean Sea, south of Sicily (Italy)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Area
- total : 316 sq km land: 316 sq km water: 0 sq km
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Area - comparative
- slightly less than twice the size of Washington, D.C.
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Coastline
- 196.8 km (excludes 56 km for the island of Gozo)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Maritime claims
- territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation exclusive fishing zone: 25 nm
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Climate
- Mediterranean; mild, rainy winters; hot, dry summers
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Terrain
- mostly low, rocky, flat to dissected plains; many coastal cliffs
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Elevation
- highest point: Ta'Dmejrek on Dingli Cliffs 253 m lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Land use
- agricultural land: 25.9% (2023 est.) arable land: 22.8% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 3.2% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 0% (2022 est.) forest: 1.5% (2023 est.) other: 66.4% (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Population distribution
- most of the population lives on the eastern half of Malta, the largest of the three inhabited islands
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- 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
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
People and Society34 fields
- Population
- total: 521,828 (2025 est.) male: 271,180 female: 250,648
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Nationality
- noun: Maltese (singular and plural) adjective: Maltese
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Ethnic groups
- Maltese (descendants of ancient Carthaginians and Phoenicians with strong elements of Italian and other Mediterranean stock)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Languages
- Maltese (official) 90.1%, English (official) 6%, multilingual 3%, other 0.9% (2005 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Religions
- Roman Catholic (official) more than 90% (2006 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- 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)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Dependency ratios
- total dependency ratio: 54.1 (2025 est.) youth dependency ratio: 21.2 (2025 est.) elderly dependency ratio: 32.9 (2025 est.) potential support ratio: 3 (2025 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Median age
- total: 42.1 years (2025 est.) male: 42.4 years female: 44.7 years
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Birth rate
- 7.67 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Death rate
- 8.65 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Net migration rate
- 7.5 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Population distribution
- most of the population lives on the eastern half of Malta, the largest of the three inhabited islands
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Urbanization
- urban population: 94.9% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 0.28% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Major urban areas - population
- 213,000 VALLETTA (capital) (2018)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- 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 65 years and over: 0.86 male(s)/female total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Mother's mean age at first birth
- 29.3 years (2020 est.) note: data refers to the average of the different childbearing ages of first-order births
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Maternal mortality ratio
- 8 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Infant mortality rate
- total: 4.6 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.) male: 4.3 deaths/1,000 live births female: 4.5 deaths/1,000 live births
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Life expectancy at birth
- total population: 83.6 years (2024 est.) male: 81.5 years female: 85.8 years
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Total fertility rate
- 1.18 children born/woman (2025 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Drinking water source
- urban: 100% of population (2022 est.) rural: 100% of population (2022 est.) total: 100% of population (2022 est.) urban: 0% of population (2022 est.) rural: 0% of population (2022 est.) total: 0% of population (2022 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Health expenditure
- 10.6% of GDP (2021) 16.2% of national budget (2022 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Physician density
- 7.86 physicians/1,000 population (2022)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Hospital bed density
- 4.4 beds/1,000 population (2020 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Sanitation facility access
- urban: 100% of population (2022 est.) rural: 100% of population (2022 est.) total: 100% of population (2022 est.) urban: 0% of population (2022 est.) rural: 0% of population (2022 est.) total: 0% of population (2022 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Alcohol consumption per capita
- total: 8.07 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) 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.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Tobacco use
- total: 22.1% (2025 est.) male: 23.9% (2025 est.) female: 20.2% (2025 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Children under the age of 5 years underweight
- 0.7% (2022 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Currently married women (ages 15-49)
- 52% (2021 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Education expenditure
- 4.7% of GDP (2022 est.) 12.5% national budget (2022 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)
- total: 16 years (2023 est.) male: 15 years (2023 est.) female: 17 years (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Environment10 fields
- Environmental issues
- limited natural freshwater resources; deforestation; wildlife preservation
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- 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
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Climate
- Mediterranean; mild, rainy winters; hot, dry summers
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Land use
- agricultural land: 25.9% (2023 est.) arable land: 22.8% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 3.2% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 0% (2022 est.) forest: 1.5% (2023 est.) other: 66.4% (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Urbanization
- urban population: 94.9% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 0.28% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Carbon dioxide emissions
- 8.965 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from petroleum and other liquids: 8.113 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from consumed natural gas: 852,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Particulate matter emissions
- 13.1 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Waste and recycling
- municipal solid waste generated annually: 348,800 tons (2024 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 10.5% (2022 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Total water withdrawal
- municipal: 39.497 million cubic meters (2022) industrial: 1 million cubic meters (2022) agricultural: 21.358 million cubic meters (2022)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Total renewable water resources
- 50.5 million cubic meters (2022 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Government24 fields
- Country name
- conventional long form: Republic of Malta 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
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Capital
- 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 Parizot de la VALETTE, the Grand Master of the Order of Saint John (crusader knights), who founded the city in 1566
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- 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
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Legal system
- mixed system of English common law and civil law based on the Roman and Napoleonic civil codes; subject to European Union law
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Constitution
- history: many previous; latest adopted 21 September 1964 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
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- International law organization participation
- accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- 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
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Suffrage
- 18 years of age (16 in local council elections); universal
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Executive branch
- chief of state: President Myriam Spiteri DEBONO (since 4 April 2024) head of government: Prime Minister Robert ABELA (since 13 January 2020) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president on the advice of the prime minister election/appointment process: president indirectly elected by the House of Representatives for a single 5-year term; following legislative elections, the president usually appoints the leader of the majority party or majority coalition as prime minister for a 5-year term; deputy prime minister appointed by the president on the advice of the prime minister most recent election date: 27 March 2024 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: by March 2029
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Legislative branch
- legislature name: House of Representatives (Il-Kamra Tad-Deputati) legislative structure: unicameral number of seats: 65 (all directly elected) electoral system: proportional representation scope of elections: full renewal term in office: 5 years most recent election date: 3/26/2022 parties elected and seats per party: Labour Party (LP) (44); Nationalist Party (PN) (35) percentage of women in chamber: 29.1% expected date of next election: March 2027
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Judicial branch
- highest court(s): 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 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)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- 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
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Diplomatic representation in the US
- chief of mission: Ambassador Godfrey C. XUEREB (since 19 April 2023) 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)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Diplomatic representation from the US
- chief of mission: Ambassador Somers FARKAS (since 26 November 2025) 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/
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- 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
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- National holiday
- Independence Day, 21 September (1964); Republic Day, 13 December (1974)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Flag
- description: two equal vertical bands of white (left side) and red; in the upper-left corner is the George Cross, edged in red 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
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- 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).
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- National anthem(s)
- title: "L-Innu Malti" (The Hymn of Malta) 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
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- National heritage
- total World Heritage Sites: 3 (all cultural) selected World Heritage Site locales: City of Valletta; Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum; Megalithic Temples of Malta
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Economy30 fields
- 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
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
- $34.731 billion (2024 est.) $32.774 billion (2023 est.) $30.689 billion (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Real GDP growth rate
- 6% (2024 est.) 6.8% (2023 est.) 4.3% (2022 est.) note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Real GDP per capita
- $60,500 (2024 est.) $59,300 (2023 est.) $57,800 (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- GDP (official exchange rate)
- $24.322 billion (2024 est.) note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Inflation rate (consumer prices)
- 1.7% (2024 est.) 5.1% (2023 est.) 6.2% (2022 est.) note: annual % change based on consumer prices
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- GDP - composition, by sector of origin
- agriculture: 0.2% (2024 est.) industry: 11.4% (2024 est.) services: 80.8% (2024 est.) note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- GDP - composition, by end use
- household consumption: 46.6% (2024 est.) government consumption: 17.2% (2024 est.) investment in fixed capital: 17.9% (2024 est.) investment in inventories: 0.9% (2024 est.) exports of goods and services: 123.5% (2024 est.) imports of goods and services: -106.1% (2024 est.) note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Agricultural products
- milk, tomatoes, onions, potatoes, chicken, cauliflower/broccoli, cabbages, pork, pumpkins/squash, watermelons (2023) note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Industries
- tourism, electronics, ship building and repair, construction, food and beverages, pharmaceuticals, footwear, clothing, tobacco, aviation services, financial services, information technology services
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Industrial production growth rate
- 5.6% (2024 est.) note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Labor force
- 318,200 (2024 est.) note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Unemployment rate
- 2.8% (2024 est.) 3.2% (2023 est.) 3% (2022 est.) note: % of labor force seeking employment
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)
- total: 7.8% (2024 est.) male: 9.6% (2024 est.) female: 5.7% (2024 est.) note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Population below poverty line
- 16.7% (2021 est.) note: % of population with income below national poverty line
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income
- 34.6 (2022 est.) note: index (0-100) of income distribution; higher values represent greater inequality
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Household income or consumption by percentage share
- lowest 10%: 2.7% (2022 est.) highest 10%: 27.7% (2022 est.) note: % share of income accruing to lowest and highest 10% of population
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Remittances
- 0.1% of GDP (2024 est.) 0.1% of GDP (2023 est.) 0.1% of GDP (2022 est.) note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Budget
- revenues: $6.95 billion (2023 est.) expenditures: $7.966 billion (2023 est.) note: central government revenues (excluding grants) and expenditures converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Public debt
- 50.7% of GDP (2017 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
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Taxes and other revenues
- 21.9% (of GDP) (2023 est.) note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Current account balance
- $1.383 billion (2024 est.) $1.425 billion (2023 est.) -$167.611 million (2022 est.) note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Exports
- $29.245 billion (2024 est.) $26.647 billion (2023 est.) $23.566 billion (2022 est.) note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Exports - partners
- Nigeria 28%, Germany 10%, China 6%, Singapore 5%, Hong Kong 4% (2023) note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Exports - commodities
- refined petroleum, integrated circuits, packaged medicine, ships, postage stamps/documents (2023) note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Imports
- $24.505 billion (2024 est.) $22.637 billion (2023 est.) $21.406 billion (2022 est.) note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Imports - partners
- Italy 18%, China 10%, Germany 8%, France 7%, Turkey 7% (2023) note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Imports - commodities
- ships, refined petroleum, integrated circuits, aircraft, packaged medicine (2023) note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Reserves of foreign exchange and gold
- $1.418 billion (2024 est.) $1.223 billion (2023 est.) $1.199 billion (2022 est.) note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Exchange rates
- euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.924 (2024 est.) 0.925 (2023 est.) 0.95 (2022 est.) 0.845 (2021 est.) 0.876 (2020 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Energy7 fields
- Electricity access
- electrification - total population: 100% (2022 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Electricity
- installed generating capacity: 829,000 kW (2023 est.) 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.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Electricity generation sources
- fossil fuels: 86.4% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) solar: 13.2% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) biomass and waste: 0.4% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Coal
- consumption: 8.4 metric tons (2021 est.) imports: 3.9 metric tons (2022 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Petroleum
- refined petroleum consumption: 50,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Natural gas
- consumption: 444.715 million cubic meters (2023 est.) imports: 444.715 million cubic meters (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Energy consumption per capita
- 234.698 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Communications6 fields
- Telephones - fixed lines
- total subscriptions: 259,000 (2023 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 49 (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Telephones - mobile cellular
- total subscriptions: 767,000 (2024 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 142 (2024 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- 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)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Internet users
- percent of population: 92% (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Broadband - fixed subscriptions
- total: 236,000 (2023 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 44 (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Transportation5 fields
- Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
- 9H
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Merchant marine
- total: 1,957 (2023) by type: bulk carrier 490, container ship 348, general cargo 152, oil tanker 354, other 613
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Ports
- total ports: 2 (2024) large: 0 medium: 1 small: 1 very small: 0 ports with oil terminals: 0 key ports: Marsaxlokk, Valletta Harbors
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Military and Security6 fields
- 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) note: the Malta Police Force maintains internal security; both the Police and the AFM report to the Ministry of Home Affairs, National Security, and Law Enforcement
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Military expenditures
- 0.5% of GDP (2024 est.) 0.5% of GDP (2023 est.) 0.7% of GDP (2022 est.) 0.5% of GDP (2021 est.) 0.6% of GDP (2020 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Military and security service personnel strengths
- approximately 2,000 active Armed Forces of Malta (2025)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- 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)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Military service age and obligation
- 18-30 years of age for men and women for voluntary military service; no conscription (2026)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Military - note
- the Armed Forces of Malta (AFM) are responsible for external security but also have some domestic security responsibilities; the AFM’s primary roles include maintaining the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, monitoring and policing its territorial waters, participating in overseas peacekeeping and stability operations, and providing search and rescue and explosive ordnance disposal capabilities; secondary missions include assisting civil authorities during emergencies, supporting the police and other security services, and providing ceremonial and other public support duties 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)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Transnational Issues1 fields
- Refugees and internally displaced persons
- refugees: 9,284 (2024 est.) stateless persons: 171 (2024 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
The underlying United States government material is public domain. The Almanac’s reuse terms do not change the legal status of this preserved source layer.