Country Profile: Malta

Malta is a vibrant Mediterranean archipelago located south of Sicily, with a rich history and strategic importance in European and global contexts. The population of approximately 521,000 is predominantly Maltese, with English and Maltese as the official languages, reflecting the country's colonial heritage. Malta has transitioned to a high-income economy, mainly driven by tourism, trade, and services, while maintaining a parliamentary republic form of governance. Since gaining independence from the UK in 1964, Malta has embraced its role in the European Union, which it joined in 2004.

Geography

Malta consists of three inhabited islands: Malta, Gozo, and Comino, covering a total area of 316 square kilometers. The terrain is characterized by low, rocky plains and steep coastal cliffs. With a Mediterranean climate, Malta experiences mild, rainy winters and hot, dry summers, making it an attractive destination for tourists.

316 sq km: Total area of Malta.
196.8 km: Length of the coastline.
25.9%: Agricultural land utilization estimated for 2023.
0 km: Land boundaries, being an island nation.
253 m: Highest point at Ta'Dmejrek on Dingli Cliffs.

People and Society

Malta has an estimated population of 521,828 in 2025, with a high urbanization rate of nearly 95%. The society is predominantly Roman Catholic and the Maltese language is spoken by around 90% of the population, with English as a secondary language. The country has a median age of 42.1 years, indicating an aging population profile.

83.6 years: Life expectancy at birth (2024).
14.5%: Population aged 0-14 years.
62.4%: Population aged 15-64 years.
23.1%: Population aged 65 years and over (2024).
7.67 births/1,000: Birth rate (2025).

Economy

Malta's economy is classified as high-income, with a strong emphasis on services, especially tourism, which constitutes a significant part of its GDP. The country is also a member of the eurozone, using the euro as its currency, and relies heavily on imports for food and energy.

$34.731 billion: Real GDP (PPP) estimated for 2024.
6%: Real GDP growth rate projected for 2024.
$60,500: Real GDP per capita estimated for 2024.
2.8%: Unemployment rate projected for 2024.
80.8%: Services sector contribution to GDP (2024).

Government

Malta is a parliamentary republic with a unicameral legislature and a mixed legal system of English common law and civil law. The President acts as the head of state, while the Prime Minister is the head of government. The country is divided into 68 localities, with its capital, Valletta, serving as a key administrative and cultural center.

Myriam Spiteri DEBONO: Current President since April 2024.
Robert ABELA: Current Prime Minister since January 2020.
65: Number of seats in the House of Representatives.
Universal suffrage: Voting age set at 18 years.

Military and Security

The Armed Forces of Malta (AFM) include land, maritime, and air components, with a total personnel strength of around 2,000. The country allocates a small percentage of its GDP for military expenditures and maintains a policy of neutrality while participating in various international security cooperations.

0.5%: Military expenditures as a percentage of GDP (2024).
18-30 years: Age range eligible for voluntary military service.
2,000: Active personnel in the Armed Forces of Malta (2025).
1996: Year when Malta suspended its NATO partnership, reactivating it in 2008.

Energy

Malta has achieved 100% electrification for its population, relying predominantly on fossil fuels for electricity generation. Renewable sources such as solar energy are gradually increasing, contributing to the country’s energy mix.

86.4%: Share of fossil fuels in installed electricity generation capacity (2023).
829,000 kW: Total installed electricity generating capacity (2023).
444.715 million cubic meters: Natural gas consumption (2023).
2.766 billion kWh: Total electricity consumption (2023).

Transportation

Malta has a compact transportation system including an airport, heliports, and a merchant fleet. The main ports serve as key points for maritime logistics, supporting both trade and tourism.

1 airport: The only international airport serves Malta (2025).
2 ports: Main ports include Marsaxlokk and Valletta Harbors.
1,957: Total merchant vessels in operation (2023).
259,000: Fixed-line telephone subscriptions (2023).

Communications

The country boasts a high level of internet penetration with 92% of the population being internet users. Communication infrastructure supports both fixed and mobile services, highlighting Malta's connectivity.

767,000: Mobile cellular subscriptions (2024).
236,000: Fixed broadband subscriptions (2023).
92%: Percentage of the population with internet access (2023).

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	521,828 (2025 est.)
Area	316 sq km
GDP	$34.731 billion (2024)	Real GDP (PPP)
Unemployment Rate	2.8% (2024 est.)
Birth Rate	7.67 births/1,000	(2025 est.)
Life Expectancy	83.6 years	(2024 est.)
Total Energy Consumption	234.698 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
Military Expenditure	0.5% of GDP (2024 est.)
Internet Users	92%	(2023 est.)