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Communications

Broadband - fixed subscriptions [time series]

total: 181,318 | subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 44 (2017 est.)

Broadcast media [time series]

2 publicly owned TV stations, Television Malta broadcasting nationally plus 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)

Internet country code [time series]

.mt

Internet users [time series]

total: 320,902 | percent of population: 77.3% (July 2016 est.)

Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]

general assessment: automatic system featuring submarine cable and microwave radio relay between islands; one of the most advanced telecoms in Europe, high penetration of mobile and broadband, and a way forward to expand e-commerce opportunities; '5G ready' and LTE network; regulatory system that encourages investors (2018) | domestic: fixed-line 58 per 100 persons and mobile-cellular subscribership 135 per 100 persons (2018) | international: country code - 356; landing points for the Malta-Gozo Cable, VMSCS, GO-1 Mediterranean Cable System, Malta Italy Interconnector, Melita-1, and the Italy-Malta submarine cable connections to Italy; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2019)

Telephones - fixed lines [time series]

total subscriptions: 240,280 | subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 58 (2017 est.)

Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]

total subscriptions: 560,010 | subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 135 (2017 est.)

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: 5.076 billion (2017 est.) | expenditures: 4.583 billion (2017 est.)

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-) [time series]

3.9% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Central bank discount rate [time series]

-0.35% (31 December 2016 est.) | -0.2% (31 December 2015) | 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]

3.7% (31 December 2017 est.) | 5.06% (31 December 2016 est.)

Current account balance [time series]

$1.712 billion (2017 est.) | $788 million (2016 est.)

Debt - external [time series]

$90.98 billion (September 2016 est.) | $99.02 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

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

28.1 (2015) | 27.7 (2014)

Economic overview (Economy - overview) [time series]

Malta’s free market economy – the smallest economy in the euro-zone – relies heavily on trade in both goods and services, principally with Europe. Malta produces less than a quarter of its food needs, has limited fresh water supplies, and has few domestic energy sources. Malta's economy is dependent on foreign trade, manufacturing, and tourism. Malta joined the EU in 2004 and adopted the euro on 1 January 2008. Malta has weathered the euro-zone crisis better than most EU member states due to a low debt-to-GDP ratio and financially sound banking sector. It maintains one of the lowest unemployment rates in Europe, and growth has fully recovered since the 2009 recession. In 2014 through 2016, Malta led the euro zone in growth, expanding more than 4.5% per year. Malta’s services sector continues to grow, with sustained growth in the financial services and online gaming sectors. Advantageous tax schemes remained attractive to foreign investors, though EU discussions of anti-tax avoidance measures have raised concerns among Malta’s financial services and insurance providers, as the measures could have a significant impact on those sectors. The tourism sector also continued to grow, with 2016 showing record-breaking numbers of both air and cruise passenger arrivals. Malta’s GDP growth remains strong and is supported by a strong labor market. The government has implemented new programs, including free childcare, to encourage increased labor participation. The high cost of borrowing and small labor market remain potential constraints to future economic growth. Increasingly, other EU and European migrants are relocating to Malta for employment, though wages have remained low compared to other European countries. Inflation remains low.

Exchange rates [time series]

euros (EUR) per US dollar - | 0.885 (2017 est.) | 0.903 (2016 est.) | 0.9214 (2015 est.) | 0.885 (2014 est.) | 0.7634 (2013 est.)

Exports [time series]

$3.272 billion (2017 est.) | $2.493 billion (2016 est.)

Exports - commodities [time series]

machinery and mechanical appliances; mineral fuels, oils and petroleum products; pharmaceutical products; books and newspapers; aircraft/spacecraft and parts; toys, games, and sports equipment

Exports - partners [time series]

Germany 17.3%, France 10.2%, Italy 9.4%, Singapore 5.9%, Hong Kong 5.8%, US 5.7%, Japan 4.9%, Libya 4.5% (2017)

Fiscal year [time series]

calendar year

GDP (official exchange rate) [time series]

$12.58 billion (2017 est.)

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

$19.26 billion (2017 est.) | $18.05 billion (2016 est.) | $17.16 billion (2015 est.) | note: data are in 2017 dollars

GDP - composition, by end use [time series]

household consumption: 45.2% (2017 est.) | government consumption: 15.3% (2017 est.) | investment in fixed capital: 21.1% (2017 est.) | investment in inventories: 0.3% (2017 est.) | exports of goods and services: 136.1% (2017 est.) | imports of goods and services: -117.9% (2017 est.)

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

agriculture: 1.1% (2017 est.) | industry: 10.2% (2017 est.) | services: 88.7% (2017 est.)

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

$41,900 (2017 est.) | $40,100 (2016 est.) | $39,000 (2015 est.) | note: data are in 2017 dollars

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

6.7% (2017 est.) | 5.2% (2016 est.) | 9.5% (2015 est.)

Gross national saving [time series]

33.5% of GDP (2017 est.) | 31.8% of GDP (2016 est.) | 31.2% of GDP (2015 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

lowest 10%: NA | highest 10%: NA

Imports [time series]

$4.996 billion (2017 est.) | $4.965 billion (2016 est.)

Imports - commodities [time series]

mineral fuels, oils and products; electrical machinery; aircraft/spacecraft and parts thereof; machinery and mechanical appliances; plastic and other semi-manufactured goods; vehicles and parts

Imports - partners [time series]

Italy 23%, Germany 7.9%, UK 7.7%, Spain 5%, Canada 4.5%, US 4.3%, France 4.2% (2017)

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

-3.3% (2016 est.)

Industries [time series]

tourism, electronics, ship building and repair, construction, food and beverages, pharmaceuticals, footwear, clothing, tobacco, aviation services, financial services, information technology services

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

1.3% (2017 est.) | 0.9% (2016 est.)

Labor force [time series]

206,300 (2017 est.)

Labor force - by occupation [time series]

agriculture: 1.6% | industry: 20.7% | services: 77.7% (2016 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares [time series]

$4.632 billion (31 December 2016 est.) | $4.468 billion (31 December 2015 est.) | $3.353 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

Population below poverty line [time series]

16.3% (2015 est.)

Public debt [time series]

50.7% of GDP (2017 est.) | 56.3% of GDP (2016 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

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold [time series]

$833 million (31 December 2017 est.) | $677.1 million (31 December 2016 est.)

Stock of broad money [time series]

$17.93 billion (31 December 2017 est.) | $14.28 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad [time series]

$65.49 million (June 2015 est.) | $64.77 million (31 June 2014 est.)

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

$166.1 million (1 June 2016 est.) | $155.5 million (1 June 2015 est.)

Stock of domestic credit [time series]

$13.97 billion (31 December 2017 est.) | $11.99 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

Stock of narrow money [time series]

$17.93 billion (31 December 2017 est.) | $14.28 billion (31 December 2016 est.) | note: see entry for the EU for money supply for the entire euro area; the European Central Bank controls monetary policy for the 18 members of the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU); individual members of the EMU do not control the quantity of money circulating within their own borders

Taxes and other revenues [time series]

40.4% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Unemployment rate [time series]

4.6% (2017 est.) | 5.3% (2016 est.)

Energy

Carbon dioxide emissions (Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy) [time series]

8.141 million Mt (2017 est.)

Crude oil - exports [time series]

0 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Crude oil - imports [time series]

0 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Crude oil - production [time series]

0 bbl/day (2018 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves [time series]

0 bbl (1 January 2018 est.)

Electricity - consumption [time series]

2.122 billion kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity - exports [time series]

0 kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels [time series]

81% of total installed capacity (2016 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants [time series]

0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels [time series]

0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources [time series]

19% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)

Electricity - imports [time series]

1.525 billion kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity [time series]

575,100 kW (2016 est.)

Electricity - production [time series]

813 million kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity access [time series]

electrification - total population: 100% (2016)

Natural gas - consumption [time series]

283.2 million cu m (2017 est.)

Natural gas - exports [time series]

0 cu m (2017 est.)

Natural gas - imports [time series]

311.5 million cu m (2017 est.)

Natural gas - production [time series]

0 cu m (2017 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves [time series]

0 cu m (1 January 2014 est.)

Refined petroleum products - consumption [time series]

45,000 bbl/day (2016 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports [time series]

10,400 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports [time series]

52,290 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production [time series]

0 bbl/day (2017 est.)

Geography

Area [time series]

total: 316 sq km | land: 316 sq km | water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative [time series]

slightly less than twice the size of Washington, DC | Area comparison map: The World Factbook Field Image Modal × Europe :: Malta Print Image Description 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 km for the island of Gozo)

Elevation [time series]

lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m | highest point: Ta'Dmejrek on Dingli Cliffs 253 m

Environment - current issues [time series]

limited natural freshwater resources; increasing reliance on desalination; deforestation; wildlife preservation

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

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) inhabited; numerous bays provide good harbors; Malta and Tunisia are discussing oil exploration on the continental shelf between their countries, although no commercially viable reserves have been found as of 2017

Irrigated land [time series]

35 sq km (2012)

Land boundaries [time series]

0 km

Land use [time series]

agricultural land: 32.3% (2011 est.) | arable land: 28.4% (2011 est.) / permanent crops: 3.9% (2011 est.) / permanent pasture: 0% (2011 est.) | forest: 0.9% (2011 est.) | other: 66.8% (2011 est.)

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]

occasional droughts

Natural resources [time series]

limestone, salt, arable land

Population distribution [time series]

most of the population lives on the eastern half of Malta, the largest of the three inhabited islands

Terrain [time series]

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

Government

Administrative divisions [time series]

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

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 | etymology: named in honor of Jean de Valette, the Grand Master of the Order of Saint John (crusader knights), who successfully led a defense of the island from an Ottoman invasion in 1565

Citizenship [time series]

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 [time series]

history: many previous; latest adopted 21 September 1964 | amendments: 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; amended many times, last in 2016 (2017)

Country name [time series]

conventional long form: Republic of Malta | conventional short form: Malta | local long form: Repubblika ta' Malta | local short form: Malta | etymology: the ancient Greeks called the island "Melite" meaning "honey-sweet" from the Greek word "meli" meaning "honey" and referring to the island's honey production

Diplomatic representation from the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Mark A. SCHAPIRO (since 29 September 2018) | telephone: [356] 2561-4000 | embassy: Ta' Qali National Park, Attard, ATD 4000 | mailing address: 5800 Valletta Place, Dulles, VA 20189 | FAX: [356] 2561-4183

Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]

Ambassador Keith AZZOPARDI (since 17 September 2018) | chancery: 2017 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 | telephone: [1] (202) 462-3611 through 3612 | FAX: [1] (202) 387-5470

Executive branch [time series]

chief of state: President George VELLA (since 4 April 2019) | head of government: Prime Minister Joseph MUSCAT (since 11 March 2013) | cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president on the advice of the prime minister | elections/appointments: president indirectly elected by the House of Representatives for a single 5-year term; election last held on 2 April 2019 (next to be held by April 2024); following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or majority coalition usually appointed prime minister by the president for a 5-year term; deputy prime minister appointed by the president on the advice of the prime minister | election results: George VELLA (PL) elected president; House of Representatives vote - unanimous; Joseph MUSCAT (PL) reappointed prime minister

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; according to legend, the colors are taken from the red and white checkered banner of Count Roger of Sicily who removed a bi-colored corner and granted it to Malta in 1091; an uncontested explanation is that the colors are those of the Knights of Saint John who ruled Malta from 1530 to 1798; in 1942, King George VI of the UK awarded the George Cross to the islanders for their exceptional bravery and gallantry in World War II; since independence in 1964, the George Cross bordered in red has appeared directly on the white field

Government type [time series]

parliamentary republic

Independence [time series]

21 September 1964 (from the UK)

International law organization participation [time series]

accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

International organization participation [time series]

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, NSG, OAS (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, Schengen Convention, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, Union Latina (observer), UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Judicial branch [time series]

highest courts: 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 upon 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)

Legal system [time series]

mixed legal system of English common law and civil law based on the Roman and Napoleonic civil codes; subject to European Union law

Legislative branch [time series]

description: unicameral House of Representatives or Il-Kamra Tad-Deputati, a component of the Parliament of Malta (normally 65 seats but can include at-large members; members directly elected in 5 multi-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote; members serve 5-year terms); note - the parliament elected in 2013 had 69 seats; an additional two seats were added in 2016 by the Constitutional Court to correct for mistakes made in the 2013 vote-counting process | elections: last held on 3 June 2017 (next to be held in 2022); note - Prime Minister MUSCAT called for early elections amid corruption allegations | election results: percent of vote by party - PL 55%, PN 43.7%, other 1.3%; seats by party - PL 37 PN 30; note - PN was awarded two additional seats for a total of 30 in accordance with the proportionality provisions specified in the constitution; PD candidates ran under the PN list; composition - men 57, women 10, percent of women 14.9%

National anthem(s) (National anthem) [time series]

name: "L-Innu Malti" (The Maltese Anthem) | lyrics/music: Dun Karm PSAILA/Robert SAMMUT | note: adopted 1945; written in the form of a prayer

National holiday [time series]

Independence Day, 21 September (1964); Republic Day, 13 December (1974)

National symbol(s) [time series]

Maltese eight-pointed cross; national colors: red, white

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

Democratic Party (Partit Demokratiku) or PD [Godfrey FARRUGIA] Labor Party (Partit Laburista) or PL [Joseph MUSCAT] Nationalist Party (Partit Nazzjonalista) or PN [Adrian DELIA]

Suffrage [time series]

18 years of age (16 in local council elections); universal

Introduction

Background [time series]

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 having come under control of the Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Moors, Normans, Sicilians, Spanish, Knights of St. John, and the French. Most recently a British colony (since 1814), Malta gained its independence in 1964 and declared itself a republic ten years later. While under British rule, the island staunchly supported the UK through both world wars. Since about the mid-1980s, the island has transformed itself into a freight transshipment point, a financial center, and a tourist destination while its key industries moved toward more service-oriented activities. Malta became an EU member in May 2004 and began using the euro as currency in 2008.

Military and Security

Military and security forces [time series]

Armed Forces of Malta (AFM, includes land, maritime, and air elements, plus a Volunteer Reserve Force) (2019)

Military expenditures [time series]

0.49% of GDP (2018) | 0.51% of GDP (2017) | 0.54% of GDP (2016) | 0.5% of GDP (2015) | 0.5% of GDP (2014)

Military service age and obligation [time series]

18-30 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2019)

People and Society

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 14.29% (male 33,156 /female 31,012) | 15-24 years: 11.03% (male 25,713 /female 23,815) | 25-54 years: 40.92% (male 95,162 /female 88,602) | 55-64 years: 13.25% (male 29,787 /female 29,703) | 65 years and over: 20.51% (male 41,900 /female 50,193) (2018 est.) | population pyramid: The World Factbook Field Image Modal × Europe :: Malta Print Image Description This is the population pyramid for Malta. A population pyramid illustrates the age and sex structure of a country's population and may provide insights about political and social stability, as well as economic development. The population is distributed along the horizontal axis, with males shown on the left and females on the right. The male and female populations are broken down into 5-year age groups represented as horizontal bars along the vertical axis, with the youngest age groups at the bottom and the oldest at the top. The shape of the population pyramid gradually evolves over time based on fertility, mortality, and international migration trends. For additional information, please see the entry for Population pyramid on the Definitions and Notes page under the References tab.

Birth rate [time series]

10 births/1,000 population (2018 est.)

Current health expenditure (Current Health Expenditure) [time series]

9.3% (2016)

Death rate [time series]

7.9 deaths/1,000 population (2018 est.)

Dependency ratios [time series]

total dependency ratio: 48.8 (2015 est.) | youth dependency ratio: 21.4 (2015 est.) | elderly dependency ratio: 27.3 (2015 est.) | potential support ratio: 3.7 (2015 est.)

Drinking water source [time series]

Education expenditure (Education expenditures) [time series]

5.3% of GDP (2015)

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% (2016 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths [time series]

<100 (2016 est.)

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

<500 (2016 est.)

Hospital bed density [time series]

4.7 beds/1,000 population (2014)

Infant mortality rate [time series]

total: 4.7 deaths/1,000 live births (2018 est.) | male: 4.6 deaths/1,000 live births | female: 4.9 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages [time series]

Maltese (official) 90.1%, English (official) 6%, multilingual 3%, other 0.9% (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 82.7 years (2018 est.) | male: 80.6 years | female: 84.8 years

Literacy [time series]

definition: age 15 and over can read and write | total population: 94.4% | male: 93.1% | female: 95.8% (2015)

Major urban areas - population [time series]

213,000 VALLETTA (capital) (2018)

Maternal mortality ratio (Maternal mortality rate) [time series]

6 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.)

Median age [time series]

total: 41.8 years (2018 est.) | male: 40.6 years | female: 43.1 years

Mother's mean age at first birth [time series]

26.9 years (2010 est.) | note: data refer to the average of the different childbearing ages of first-order births

Nationality [time series]

noun: Maltese (singular and plural) | adjective: Maltese

Net migration rate [time series]

7.8 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2018 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate [time series]

28.9% (2016)

Physician density (Physicians density) [time series]

3.83 physicians/1,000 population (2015)

Population [time series]

449,043 (July 2018 est.)

Population distribution [time series]

most of the population lives on the eastern half of Malta, the largest of the three inhabited islands

Population growth rate [time series]

0.99% (2018 est.)

Religions [time series]

Roman Catholic (official) more than 90% (2006 est.)

Sanitation facility access [time series]

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

total: 16 years | male: 15 years | female: 16 years (2016)

Sex ratio [time series]

Total fertility rate [time series]

1.48 children born/woman (2018 est.)

Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24) (Unemployment, youth ages 15-24) [time series]

total: 11.3% | male: 12.2% | female: 10.2% (2017 est.)

Urbanization [time series]

urban population: 94.7% of total population (2019) | rate of urbanization: 0.38% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international [time series]

none

Illicit drugs [time series]

minor transshipment point for hashish from North Africa to Western Europe

Refugees and internally displaced persons [time series]

stateless persons: 11 (2018) | note: 5,000 estimated refugee and migrant arrivals by sea (January 2015-December 2019)

Transportation

Airports [time series]

1 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways [time series]

total: 1 (2017) | over 3,047 m: 1 (2017)

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix [time series]

9H (2016)

Heliports [time series]

2 (2013)

Merchant marine [time series]

total: 2,205 | by type: bulk carrier 645, container ship 283, general cargo 288, oil tanker 391, other 598 (2018)

National air transport system [time series]

number of registered air carriers: 9 (2015) | inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 28 (2015) | annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 1,583,046 (2015) | annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 3.352 million mt-km (2015)

Ports (Ports and terminals) [time series]

major seaport(s): Marsaxlokk (Malta Freeport), Valletta | container port(s) (TEUs): Marsaxlokk (3,150,000) (2017)

Roadways [time series]

total: 2,254 km (2001) | paved: 1,973 km (2001) | unpaved: 281 km (2001) | urban: 1,422 km (2001) | non-urban: 832 km (2001)