

Topic: Photos of Malta

Topic: Introduction
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 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 10 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.Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic.

Topic: Geography
Location: Southern Europe, islands in the Mediterranean Sea, south of Sicily (Italy)
Geographic coordinates: 35 50 N, 14 35 E
Map references: Europe
Area: total: 316 sq km

land: 316 sq km

water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative: slightly less than twice the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: total: 0 km
Coastline: 196.8 km (excludes 56 km for the island of Gozo)
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
Climate: Mediterranean; mild, rainy winters; hot, dry summers
Terrain: mostly low, rocky, flat to dissected plains; many coastal cliffs
Elevation: highest point: Ta'Dmejrek on Dingli Cliffs 253 m

lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m
Natural resources: limestone, salt, arable land
Land use: agricultural land: 32.3% (2018 est.)

arable land: 28.4% (2018 est.)

permanent crops: 3.9% (2018 est.)

permanent pasture: 0% (2018 est.)

forest: 0.9% (2018 est.)

other: 66.8% (2018 est.)
Irrigated land: 35 sq km (2012)
Population distribution: most of the population lives on the eastern half of Malta, the largest of the three inhabited islands
Natural hazards: occasional droughts
Geography - note: 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
Map description: Malta map showing the major population centers of this archipelagic country in the Mediterranean Sea.Malta map showing the major population centers of this archipelagic country in the Mediterranean Sea.

Topic: People and Society
Population: 464,186 (2022 est.)
Nationality: noun: Maltese (singular and plural)

adjective: Maltese
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.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 14.38% (male 33,934/female 31,823)

15-24 years: 10.33% (male 24,445/female 22,811)

25-54 years: 41.1% (male 97,685/female 90,264)

55-64 years: 12.88% (male 29,533/female 29,353)

65 years and over: 21.3% (2020 est.) (male 44,644/female 52,775)
Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 55.5

youth dependency ratio: 22.4

elderly dependency ratio: 33.2

potential support ratio: 3 (2020 est.)
Median age: total: 42.3 years

male: 41.2 years

female: 43.5 years (2020 est.)
Population growth rate: 0.67% (2022 est.)
Birth rate: 9.73 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Death rate: 8.48 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Net migration rate: 5.49 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Population distribution: most of the population lives on the eastern half of Malta, the largest of the three inhabited islands
Urbanization: urban population: 94.9% of total population (2022)

rate of urbanization: 0.28% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Major urban areas - population: 213,000 VALLETTA (capital) (2018)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female

0-14 years: 1.06 male(s)/female

15-24 years: 1.07 male(s)/female

25-54 years: 1.09 male(s)/female

55-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female

total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2022 est.)
Mother's mean age at first birth: 29.3 years (2020 est.)

note: data refer to the average of the different childbearing ages of first-order births
Maternal mortality ratio: 6 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.)
Infant mortality rate: total: 4.53 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 4.43 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 4.64 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 83.2 years

male: 81.11 years

female: 85.38 years (2022 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.5 children born/woman (2022 est.)
Contraceptive prevalence rate: NA
Drinking water source: improved: urban: 100% of population

rural: 100% of population

total: 100% of population

unimproved: urban: 0% of population

rural: 0% of population

total: 0% of population (2020 est.)
Current Health Expenditure: 8.2% (2019)
Physicians density: 2.86 physicians/1,000 population (2015)
Hospital bed density: 4.5 beds/1,000 population (2017)
Sanitation facility access: improved: urban: 100% of population

rural: 100% of population

total: 100% of population

unimproved: urban: 0% of population

rural: 0% of population

total: 0% of population (2020 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.1% (2016 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: (2016 est.) <500
HIV/AIDS - deaths: (2016 est.) <100
Obesity - adult prevalence rate: 28.9% (2016)
Tobacco use: total: 24% (2020 est.)

male: 26.4% (2020 est.)

female: 21.6% (2020 est.)
Children under the age of 5 years underweight: NA
Education expenditures: 4.7% of GDP (2017 est.)
Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 94.5%

male: 93%

female: 96% (2018)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 17 years

male: 16 years

female: 17 years (2019)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 10.7%

male: 13.1%

female: 8% (2020 est.)

Topic: Environment
Environment - current issues: limited natural freshwater resources; increasing reliance on desalination; deforestation; wildlife preservation
Environment - international 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
Air pollutants: particulate matter emissions: 13.97 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.)

carbon dioxide emissions: 1.34 megatons (2016 est.)

methane emissions: 0.2 megatons (2020 est.)
Climate: Mediterranean; mild, rainy winters; hot, dry summers
Land use: agricultural land: 32.3% (2018 est.)

arable land: 28.4% (2018 est.)

permanent crops: 3.9% (2018 est.)

permanent pasture: 0% (2018 est.)

forest: 0.9% (2018 est.)

other: 66.8% (2018 est.)
Urbanization: urban population: 94.9% of total population (2022)

rate of urbanization: 0.28% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Revenue from forest resources: forest revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)
Revenue from coal: coal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)
Waste and recycling: municipal solid waste generated annually: 269,000 tons (2015 est.)

municipal solid waste recycled annually: 17,996 tons (2015 est.)

percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 6.7% (2015 est.)
Total water withdrawal: municipal: 37.4 million cubic meters (2017 est.)

industrial: 1 million cubic meters (2017 est.)

agricultural: 25.4 million cubic meters (2017 est.)
Total renewable water resources: 50.5 million cubic meters (2017 est.)

Topic: Government
Country name: 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
Government type: parliamentary republic
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 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
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
Independence: 21 September 1964 (from the UK)
National holiday: Independence Day, 21 September (1964); Republic Day, 13 December (1974)
Constitution: 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 2020
Legal system: mixed legal system of English common law and civil law based on the Roman and Napoleonic civil codes; subject to European Union law
International law organization participation: accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
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
Suffrage: 18 years of age (16 in local council elections); universal
Executive branch: chief of state: President George VELLA (since 4 April 2019)

head of government: Prime Minister Robert ABELA (13 January 2020)

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; Robert ABELA (PL) appointed prime minister
Legislative branch: description: unicameral House of Representatives or Il-Kamra Tad-Deputati, a component of the Parliament of Malta (65 seats statutory, 79 for 2022-2027 term; members directly elected in 5 multi-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote; members serve 5-year terms)

elections: last held on 26 March 2022 (next to be held in 2027)

election results: percent of vote by party - PL 55.1%, PN 41.7%, other 3.2%; seats by party - PL 38, PN 29; composition - men 57, women 22, percent of women 27.8%; note - due to underrepresentation by women in the combined general on 26 March and two casual elections on 7 and 12 April (10 seats or 14.9%), an additional 12 seats were awarded because their percentage did not meet the 40% threshold required by the Malta Constitution or the General Elections Amendment Act 2021
Judicial branch: 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)
Political parties and leaders: Democratic Party (Partit Demokratiku) or PD [Godfrey FARRUGIA]
Labor Party (Partit Laburista) or PL [Robert ABELA]
Nationalist Party (Partit Nazzjonalista) or PN [Bernard GRECH]
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, 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
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Keith AZZOPARDI (since 17 September 2018)

chancery: 2017 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 462-3611; [1] (202) 462-3612

FAX: [1] (202) 387-5470

email address and website: 
maltaembassy.washington@gov.mt

https://foreignandeu.gov.mt/en/Embassies/ME_United_States/Pages/ME_United_States.aspx
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Gwendolyn "Wendy" GREEN (since August 2020)

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/
Flag description: 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
National symbol(s): Maltese eight-pointed cross; national colors: red, white
National anthem: 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 heritage: total World Heritage Sites: 3 (all cultural)

selected World Heritage Site locales: City of Valletta; Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum; Megalithic Temples of Malta

Topic: Economy
Economic overview: 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.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.
Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $20.6 billion (2020 est.)

$22.15 billion (2019 est.)

$20.99 billion (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars
Real GDP growth rate: 4.94% (2019 est.)

5.17% (2018 est.)

8.03% (2017 est.)
Real GDP per capita: $39,200 (2020 est.)

$44,000 (2019 est.)

$43,300 (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars
GDP (official exchange rate): $14.986 billion (2019 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.6% (2019 est.)

1.1% (2018 est.)

1.3% (2017 est.)
Credit ratings: Fitch rating: A+ (2017)

Moody's rating: A2 (2019)

Standard & Poors rating: A- (2016)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 1.1% (2017 est.)

industry: 10.2% (2017 est.)

services: 88.7% (2017 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use: 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.)
Agricultural products: milk, tomatoes, potatoes, onions, cauliflowers, broccoli, eggplants, pork, cabbages, poultry
Industries: tourism, electronics, ship building and repair, construction, food and beverages, pharmaceuticals, footwear, clothing, tobacco, aviation services, financial services, information technology services
Industrial production growth rate: -3.3% (2016 est.)
Labor force: 223,000 (2019 est.)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 1.6%

industry: 20.7%

services: 77.7% (2016 est.)
Unemployment rate: 0.78% (2019 est.)

0.89% (2018 est.)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 10.7%

male: 13.1%

female: 8% (2020 est.)
Population below poverty line: 17.1% (2018 est.)
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income: 29.2 (2017 est.)

27.7 (2014)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA
Budget: revenues: 5.076 billion (2017 est.)

expenditures: 4.583 billion (2017 est.)
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): 3.9% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Public debt: 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
Taxes and other revenues: 40.4% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Current account balance: $1.561 billion (2019 est.)

$1.55 billion (2018 est.)
Exports: $19.04 billion (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars

$20.76 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars

$20.19 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
Exports - partners: Germany 12%, France 9%, Italy 9% (2019)
Exports - commodities: integrated circuits, refined petroleum, packaged medicines, children's toys and stuffed animals, postage stamps  (2019)
Imports: $18.01 billion (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars

$18.45 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars

$17.87 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
Imports - partners: Russia 22%, Italy 12%, United Kingdom 11%, Germany 6%, Turkey 5%, France 5%, China 5%, South Korea 5% (2019)
Imports - commodities: refined petroleum, recreational boats, ships, aircraft, coal tar oil (2019)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $833 million (31 December 2017 est.)

$677.1 million (31 December 2016 est.)
Debt - external: $98.179 billion (2019 est.)

$104.467 billion (2018 est.)
Exchange rates: euros (EUR) per US dollar -

0.82771 (2020 est.)

0.90338 (2019 est.)

0.87789 (2018 est.)

0.885 (2014 est.)

0.7634 (2013 est.)

Topic: Energy
Electricity access: electrification - total population: 100% (2020)
Electricity: Installed generating capacity: 784,000 kW (2020 est.)

Consumption: 2,497,143,000 kWh (2019 est.)

Exports: 4 million kWh (2020 est.)

Imports: 420 million kWh (2020 est.)

Transmission/distribution losses: 158 million kWh (2019 est.)
Electricity generation sources: Fossil fuels: 88.5% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

Nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

Solar: 11.2% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

Wind: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

Hydroelectricity: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

Tide and wave: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

Geothermal: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

Biomass and waste: 0.3% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
Coal: Production: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)

Consumption: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)

Exports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)

Imports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)

Proven reserves: 0 metric tons (2019 est.)
Petroleum: Total petroleum production: 0 bbl/day (2021 est.)

Refined petroleum consumption: 54,000 bbl/day (2019 est.)

Crude oil and lease condensate exports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.)

Crude oil and lease condensate imports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.)

Crude oil estimated reserves: 0 barrels (2021 est.)
Refined petroleum products - production: 0 bbl/day (2017 est.)
Refined petroleum products - exports: 10,400 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Refined petroleum products - imports: 52,290 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Natural gas: Production: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.)

Consumption: 415.606 million cubic meters (2020 est.)

Exports: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.)

Imports: 415.606 million cubic meters (2020 est.)

Proven reserves: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions: 9.576 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)

From coal and metallurgical coke: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)

From petroleum and other liquids: 8.831 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)

From consumed natural gas: 745,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
Energy consumption per capita: 267.739 million Btu/person (2019 est.)

Topic: Communications
Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 259,456 (2020 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 59 (2020 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 633,123 (2020 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 143 (2020 est.)
Telecommunication systems: general assessment: Malta’s small telecom sector is among the most advanced in Europe; this has been helped by the topography, which has made it relatively easy for operators to expand the reach of their fiber infrastructure; with high mobile and broadband penetration rates, the government and regulator have effective strategies in place to capitalize on these infrastructure developments to ensure that the population has among the fastest data rates in Europe, and is well positioned to take advantage of emerging e-commerce opportunities; the sector has also been stimulated by regulatory measures designed to reduce consumer prices; Melita having been sold to EQT in late 2019 and Vodafone Malta having been sold to Monaco Telecom, and rebranded as Epic; the incumbent telco GO is investing in a sub sea cable to connect the islands to France and Egypt; expected to be ready for service in 2022, the cable will further enhance Malta’s internet bandwidth and lead to reduced prices for end-users; there has also been some encouragement to increase market competition; this led to the VULA agreement between GO and Epic Malta, by which Epic was able to enter the fixed broadband market using GO’s fibre infrastructure; in April 2021 Epic began offering FttP services directly, over its own fiber network; Melita provides a national gigabit service via its fiber and DOCSIS3.1 networks, while GO’s extensive FttP network covered about 150,000 premises by early 2021; the company is investing €100 million to develop LTE and fiber through to 2023. (2021)

domestic: fixed-line approximately 59 per 100  persons and mobile-cellular subscribership 143 per 100 persons; automatic system featuring submarine cable and microwave radio relay between islands (2020)

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)

note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced a downturn, particularly in mobile device production; progress towards 5G implementation has resumed, as well as upgrades to infrastructure; consumer spending on telecom services has increased due to the surge in demand for capacity and bandwidth; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home is still evident, and the spike in this area has seen growth opportunities for development of new tools and increased services
Broadcast media: 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: .mt
Internet users: total: 448,339 (2020 est.)

percent of population: 87% (2020 est.)
Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 213,419 (2020 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 48 (2020 est.)

Topic: Transportation
National air transport system: number of registered air carriers: 13 (2020)

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 180

annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 2,576,898 (2018)

annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 5.14 million (2018) mt-km
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: 9H
Airports: total: 1 (2021)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 1

over 3,047 m: 1 (2021)
Heliports: 2 (2021)
Roadways: total: 3,096 km (2008)

paved: 2,704 km (2008)

unpaved: 392 km (2008)

urban: 1,422 km (2001)

non-urban: 832 km (2001)
Merchant marine: total: 2,137

by type: bulk carrier 601, container ship 310, general cargo 218, oil tanker 412, other 596 (2021)
Ports and terminals: major seaport(s): Marsaxlokk (Malta Freeport), Valletta

container port(s) (TEUs): Marsaxlokk (2,722,889) (2019)

LNG terminal(s) (import): Delimara

Topic: Military and Security
Military and security forces: Armed Forces of Malta (AFM, includes land, maritime, and air elements, plus a Volunteer Reserve Force) (2022)
Military expenditures: 0.5% of GDP (2021 est.)

0.6% of GDP (2020)

0.5% of GDP (2019) (approximately $110 million)

0.5% of GDP (2018) (approximately $110 million)

0.5% of GDP (2017) (approximately $110 million)
Military and security service personnel strengths: approximately 2,000 active duty personnel (2021)
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions: the small inventory of the Armed Forces of Malta consists of equipment from a mix of European countries, particularly Italy, and the US (2021)
Military service age and obligation: 18-30 years of age for voluntary military service (men and women); no conscription (2021)
Military - note: Malta maintains a security policy of neutrality, but contributes to EU 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  Malta maintains a security policy of neutrality, but contributes to EU 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 

Topic: Transnational Issues
Disputes - international: none identifiednone identified
Refugees and internally displaced persons: stateless persons: 11 (mid-year 2021)

note: 8,153 estimated refugee and migrant arrivals by sea (January 2015-June 2022)
Illicit drugs: minor transshipment point for hashish from North Africa to Western Europe