Malta

World Book Index

Introduction

Background
With a civilization that dates back thousands of years, Malta boasts some of the oldest megalithic sites in the world. A British colony since 1814, Malta gained its independence in 1964 and declared itself a republic 10 years later. Since the mid-1980s, the island has transformed itself into a freight transshipment point, a financial center, and a tourist destination.

Geography

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

Climate
Mediterranean; mild, rainy winters; hot, dry summers

Natural resources
limestone, salt, arable land

People and Society

Population
total: 469,730 (2024 est.)

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

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

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

Population growth rate
0.51% (2024 est.)

Government

Government type
parliamentary republic

Capital
name: Valletta

Executive branch
chief of state: President Myriam Spiteri DEBONO (since 4 April 2024)
head of government: Prime Minister Robert ABELA (since 13 January 2020)

Diplomatic representation in the US
chief of mission: Ambassador Godfrey C. XUEREB (since 19 April 2023)

Diplomatic representation from the US
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d'Affaires Ken TOKO (since 20 January 2025)

Economy

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

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$34.731 billion (2024 est.)
$32.774 billion (2023 est.)
$30.689 billion (2022 est.)

Real GDP per capita
$60,500 (2024 est.)
$59,300 (2023 est.)
$57,800 (2022 est.)

Exports
$29.245 billion (2024 est.)
$26.647 billion (2023 est.)
$23.566 billion (2022 est.)

Exports - partners
Nigeria 28%, Germany 10%, China 6%, Singapore 5%, Hong Kong 4% (2023)

Exports - commodities
refined petroleum, integrated circuits, packaged medicine, ships, postage stamps/documents (2023)

Imports
$24.505 billion (2024 est.)
$22.637 billion (2023 est.)
$21.406 billion (2022 est.)

Imports - partners
Italy 18%, China 10%, Germany 8%, France 7%, Turkey 7% (2023)

Imports - commodities
ships, refined petroleum, integrated circuits, aircraft, packaged medicine (2023)

Human Development Index

The country's Human Development Index (HDI) is 0.924, ranking it 24th out of 193 countries tested. (more information)

World Happiness Report

The World Happiness Report ranked the country 59th out of 158 countries tested with a score of 6.017. (more information)