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Communications

Internet country code [time series]

.mt

Internet users (Internet hosts) [time series]

25,139 (2009) country comparison to the world: 94

Internet users [time series]

198,800 (2008) country comparison to the world: 137

Broadcast media (Radio broadcast stations) [time series]

AM 1, FM 18, shortwave 6 (1999)

Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]

general assessment: automatic system is adequate; combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular subscribership exceeds 150 per 100 persons domestic: submarine cable and microwave radio relay between islands international: country code - 356; submarine cable connects to Italy; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2008)

Telephones - fixed lines (Telephones - main lines in use) [time series]

241,100 (2008) country comparison to the world: 120

Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]

385,600 (2008) country comparison to the world: 161

Broadcast media (Television broadcast stations) [time series]

5 (2006)

Economy

Agricultural products (Agriculture - products) [time series]

potatoes, cauliflower, grapes, wheat, barley, tomatoes, citrus, cut flowers, green peppers; pork, milk, poultry, eggs

Budget [time series]

revenues: $3.378 billion expenditures: $3.77 billion (2008 est.)

Central bank discount rate [time series]

3% (31 December 2008) note: this is the European Central Bank's rate on the marginal lending facility, which offers overnight credit to banks in the euro area

Commercial bank prime lending rate [time series]

5.89% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 130 6.24% (31 December 2007)

Current account balance [time series]

-$445 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 103 -$468 million (2007 est.)

Debt - external [time series]

$188.8 million (2005) country comparison to the world: 181

Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income (Distribution of family income - Gini index) [time series]

26 (2007) country comparison to the world: 127

Economic overview (Economy - overview) [time series]

Malta produces only about 20% of its food needs, has limited fresh water supplies, and has few domestic energy sources. Malta's geographic position between the EU and Africa makes it a recipient of illegal immigration, which has strained Malta's political and economic resources. The financial services industry has grown in recent years, but is not fully modernized. Malta's economy is dependent on foreign trade, manufacturing - especially electronics and pharmaceuticals - and tourism all of which have been negatively affected by the global economic downturn. Malta adopted the euro on 1 January 2008. The Maltese government in 2009 will be challenged to contain the budget deficit, which ballooned in 2008 to about 4.1% of GDP, placing it above the euro zone's 3% maximum.

Electricity - consumption [time series]

1.832 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 136

Electricity - exports [time series]

0 kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - imports [time series]

0 kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - production [time series]

2.146 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 133

Exchange rates [time series]

euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.6827 (2008 est.), Maltese liri per US dollar - 0.3106 (2007), 0.37 (2006), 0.34578 (2005), 0.34466 (2004), 0.37723 (2003)

Exports [time series]

$3.06 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 122 $3.305 billion (2007 est.)

Exports - commodities [time series]

machinery and transport equipment, manufactures

Exports - partners [time series]

Germany 13.5%, Singapore 13%, France 12.2%, US 9.6%, UK 8.2%, Hong Kong 6.7%, Japan 6.4%, Italy 4.7% (2008)

GDP (official exchange rate) [time series]

$8.37 billion (2008 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) (GDP (purchasing power parity)) [time series]

$9.933 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 149 $9.707 billion (2007 est.) $9.317 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars

GDP - composition, by sector of origin (GDP - composition by sector) [time series]

agriculture: 1.4% industry: 18% services: 80.6% (2007 est.)

Real GDP per capita (GDP - per capita (PPP)) [time series]

$24,600 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 52 $24,200 (2007 est.) $23,300 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars

Real GDP growth rate (GDP - real growth rate) [time series]

2.3% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 152 4.2% (2007 est.) 3.5% (2006 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%

Imports [time series]

$4.792 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 118 $4.655 billion (2007 est.)

Imports - commodities [time series]

machinery and transport equipment, manufactured and semi-manufactured goods; food, drink, tobacco

Imports - partners [time series]

Italy 28.1%, UK 13.5%, France 8.2%, Germany 7.4%, Singapore 6.4% (2008)

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

NA%

Industries [time series]

tourism, electronics, ship building and repair, construction, food and beverages, pharmaceuticals, footwear, clothing, tobacco

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

4.3% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 72 1.3% (2007 est.)

Investment (gross fixed) [time series]

16.2% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 135

Labor force [time series]

173,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 170

Labor force - by occupation [time series]

agriculture: 2.3% industry: 29.6% services: 68% (2005 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares [time series]

$NA (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 84 $5.633 billion (31 December 2007) $4.504 billion (31 December 2006)

Natural gas - consumption [time series]

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 155

Natural gas - exports [time series]

0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 148

Natural gas - imports [time series]

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 91

Natural gas - production [time series]

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 151

Natural gas - proved reserves [time series]

0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 158

Oil - consumption [time series]

19,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 127

Oil - exports [time series]

0 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 181

Oil - imports [time series]

17,910 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 115

Oil - production [time series]

0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 161

Oil - proved reserves [time series]

0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 156

Population below poverty line [time series]

NA%

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold [time series]

$373.4 million (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 139 $3.798 billion (31 December 2007 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad [time series]

$NA

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home [time series]

$NA

Stock of domestic credit [time series]

$16.17 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 64 $10.99 billion (31 December 2007)

Stock of narrow money (Stock of money) [time series]

$4.639 billion (31 January 2008) country comparison to the world: 56 $4.603 billion (31 December 2007) note: this figure represents the US dollar value of Maltese liri in circulation prior to Malta joining the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU); see entry for the European Union for money supply in the euro area; the European Central Bank (ECB) controls monetary policy for the 16 members of the EMU; individual members of the EMU do not control the quantity of money and quasi money circulating within their own borders

Stock of narrow money (Stock of quasi money) [time series]

$8.771 billion (31 January 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 56 $7.645 billion (31 December 2007)

Unemployment rate [time series]

6% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 74

Geography

Area [time series]

total: 316 sq km country comparison to the world: 207 land: 316 sq km water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative [time series]

slightly less than twice the size of Washington, DC

Climate [time series]

Mediterranean; mild, rainy winters; hot, dry summers

Coastline [time series]

196.8 km (excludes 56.01 km for the island of Gozo)

Elevation (Elevation extremes) [time series]

lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m highest point: Ta'Dmejrek 253 m (near Dingli)

Environment - current issues [time series]

limited natural fresh water resources; increasing reliance on desalination

International environmental agreements (Environment - international agreements) [time series]

party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Total water withdrawal (Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)) [time series]

total: 0.02 cu km/yr (74%/1%/25%) per capita: 50 cu m/yr (2000)

Geographic coordinates [time series]

35 50 N, 14 35 E

Geography - note [time series]

the country comprises an archipelago, with only the three largest islands (Malta, Ghawdex or Gozo, and Kemmuna or Comino) being inhabited; numerous bays provide good harbors; Malta and Tunisia are discussing the commercial exploitation of the continental shelf between their countries, particularly for oil exploration

Irrigated land [time series]

20 sq km (2003)

Land boundaries [time series]

0 km

Land use [time series]

arable land: 31.25% permanent crops: 3.13% other: 65.62% (2005)

Location [time series]

Southern Europe, islands in the Mediterranean Sea, south of Sicily (Italy)

Map references [time series]

Europe

Maritime claims [time series]

territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm continental shelf: 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation exclusive fishing zone: 25 nm

Natural hazards [time series]

Natural resources [time series]

limestone, salt, arable land

Terrain [time series]

mostly low, rocky, flat to dissected plains; many coastal cliffs

Total renewable water resources [time series]

0.07 cu km (2005)

Government

Administrative divisions [time series]

none (administered directly from Valletta); note - local councils carry out administrative orders

Capital [time series]

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

Constitution [time series]

1964; amended many times

Country name [time series]

conventional long form: Republic of Malta conventional short form: Malta local long form: Repubblika ta' Malta local short form: Malta

Diplomatic representation from the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Jason DAVIS embassy: 3rd Floor, Development House, Saint Anne Street, Floriana, VLT 01 mailing address: P. O. Box 535, Valletta, CMR01 telephone: [356] 2561 4000 FAX: [356] 21 243229

Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Mark MICELI-FARRUGIA chancery: 2017 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 462-3611 through 3612 FAX: [1] (202) 387-5470 consulate(s): New York

Executive branch [time series]

chief of state: President George ABELA (since 4 April 2009) head of government: Prime Minister Lawrence GONZI (since 23 March 2004) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president on the advice of the prime minister elections: president elected by the House of Representatives for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 12 January 2009 (next to be held by April 2014); following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or leader of a majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the president for a five-year term; the deputy prime minister is appointed by the president on the advice of the prime minister election results: George ABELA elected president by the House of Representatives

Flag (Flag description) [time series]

two equal vertical bands of white (hoist side) and red; in the upper hoist-side corner is a representation of the George Cross, edged in red

Government type [time series]

republic

Independence [time series]

21 September 1964 (from the UK)

International organization participation [time series]

Australia Group, C, CE, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EMU, EU, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NSG, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, Schengen Convention, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Judicial branch [time series]

Constitutional Court; Court of Appeal; judges for both courts are appointed by the president on the advice of the prime minister

Legal system [time series]

based on English common law and Roman civil law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations

Legislative branch [time series]

unicameral House of Representatives (normally 65 seats; members are elected by popular vote on the basis of proportional representation to serve five-year terms; note - the current Parliament is composed of 69 seats; when the political party winning the plurality of votes does not win a majority of seats, the constitution provides that a sufficient number of seats will be added to Parliament to ensure that the party that won the elections has a majority in Parliament) elections: last held on 8 March 2008 (next to be held by March 2013) election results: percent of vote by party - PN 49.3%, MLP 48.9%, other 1.8%; seats by party - PN 35, MLP 34

National holiday [time series]

Independence Day, 21 September (1964)

Political parties (Political parties and leaders) [time series]

Alternativa Demokratika/Alliance for Social Justice or AD [Arnold CASSOLA]; Azzjoni Nazzjonaili or AN [Josi MUSCAT]; Malta Labor Party or MLP [Joseph MUSCAT]; Nationalist Party or PN [Lawrence GONZI]

Political parties (Political pressure groups and leaders) [time series]

Alleanza Liberal-Demokratika Maltra or ALDM (for divorce, abortion, gay marriage, the rights existent in other EU member states); Alleanza Nazzionali Repubblikana or ANR (for traditional values, anti-immigration); Alternattiva Demokratika (pro-environment); Azzjoni Nazzjonali or AN (freedom to participate in democratic government); Flimkien Ghal-Ambjent Ahjar (pro-environment); Ghazdatal-Konsumaturi (consumer rights) other: environmentalists

Suffrage [time series]

18 years of age; universal

Introduction

Background [time series]

Great Britain formally acquired possession of Malta in 1814. The island staunchly supported the UK through both World Wars and remained in the Commonwealth when it became independent in 1964. A decade later Malta became a republic. Since about the mid-1980s, the island has transformed itself into a freight transshipment point, a financial center, and a tourist destination. Malta became an EU member in May 2004 and began using the euro as currency in 2008.

Military

Manpower available for military service [time series]

males age 16-49: 96,309 females age 16-49: 92,242 (2008 est.)

Manpower fit for military service [time series]

males age 16-49: 80,186 females age 16-49: 76,426 (2009 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually [time series]

male: 2,695 female: 2,533 (2009 est.)

Military and security forces (Military branches) [time series]

Armed Forces of Malta (AFM; includes air and maritime elements) (2007)

Military expenditures [time series]

0.7% of GDP (2006 est.) country comparison to the world: 153

Military service age and obligation [time series]

17 years 6 months of age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2008)

People

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 16.1% (male 33,526/female 31,780) 15-64 years: 69.4% (male 142,491/female 138,769) 65 years and over: 14.5% (male 25,406/female 33,193) (2009 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

10.36 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 189

Death rate [time series]

8.38 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 100

Education expenditure (Education expenditures) [time series]

5.1% of GDP (2004) country comparison to the world: 65

Ethnic groups [time series]

Maltese (descendants of ancient Carthaginians and Phoenicians with strong elements of Italian and other Mediterranean stock)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate [time series]

0.1% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 131

HIV/AIDS - deaths [time series]

fewer than 100 (2003 est.) country comparison to the world: 136

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS [time series]

fewer than 500 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 150

Infant mortality rate [time series]

total: 3.75 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 213 male: 4.2 deaths/1,000 live births female: 3.27 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)

Languages [time series]

Maltese (official) 90.2%, English (official) 6%, multilingual 3%, other 0.8% (2005 census)

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 79.44 years country comparison to the world: 29 male: 77.21 years female: 81.8 years (2009 est.)

Literacy [time series]

definition: age 10 and over can read and write total population: 92.8% male: 92% female: 93.6% (2003 est.)

Median age [time series]

total: 39.5 years male: 38.1 years female: 40.9 years (2009 est.)

Nationality [time series]

noun: Maltese (singular and plural) adjective: Maltese

Net migration rate [time series]

2.02 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 44

Population [time series]

405,165 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 173

Population growth rate [time series]

0.4% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 163

Religions [time series]

Roman Catholic 98%

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education) [time series]

total: 15 years male: 15 years female: 15 years (2005)

Sex ratio [time series]

at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.76 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2009 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

1.51 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 186

Urbanization [time series]

urban population: 94% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 0.6% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international [time series]

none

Illicit drugs [time series]

minor transshipment point for hashish from North Africa to Western Europe

Transportation

Airports [time series]

1 (2009) country comparison to the world: 219

Airports - with paved runways [time series]

total: 1 over 3,047 m: 1 (2009)

Merchant marine [time series]

total: 1,438 country comparison to the world: 4 by type: bulk carrier 459, cargo 411, carrier 2, chemical tanker 171, container 80, liquefied gas 25, passenger 29, passenger/cargo 15, petroleum tanker 159, refrigerated cargo 32, roll on/roll off 37, specialized tanker 1, vehicle carrier 17 foreign-owned: 1,343 (Austria 1, Azerbaijan 2, Bangladesh 2, Belgium 15, Bulgaria 5, Canada 1, China 12, Croatia 9, Cyprus 31, Denmark 30, Egypt 1, Estonia 11, France 5, Germany 91, Greece 452, Hong Kong 1, Iceland 5, India 2, Iran 79, Israel 18, Italy 50, Japan 8, South Korea 2, Latvia 19, Lebanon 11, Libya 3, Lithuania 1, Norway 93, Pakistan 2, Poland 24, Portugal 3, Romania 8, Russia 58, Slovenia 4, Spain 3, Sweden 2, Switzerland 20, Syria 6, Turkey 176, Ukraine 30, UAE 5, UK 19, US 23) registered in other countries: 3 (Panama 3) (2008)

Ports (Ports and terminals) [time series]

Marsaxlokk (Malta Freeport), Valletta

Roadways [time series]

total: 2,227 km country comparison to the world: 171 paved: 2,014 km unpaved: 213 km (2005)