Malta

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 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.

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
country comparison to the world: 209

Area - comparative

slightly less than twice the size of Washington, DC

Land boundaries

0 km

Coastline

196.8 km(excludes 56 km for the island of Gozo)

Maritime claims

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

Climate

Mediterranean; mild, rainy winters; hot, dry summers

Terrain

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

Elevation

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

Natural resources

limestone, salt, arable land

Land use

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.)

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

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, 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

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

People and Society

Population

449,043 (July 2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 175

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: 14.29%(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:

Dependency ratios

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.)

Median age

total: 41.8 years (2018 est.)
male: 40.6 years
female: 43.1 years
country comparison to the world: 37

Population growth rate

0.99% (2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 110

Birth rate

10 births/1,000 population (2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 192

Death rate

7.9 deaths/1,000 population (2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 93

Net migration rate

7.8 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 12

Population distribution

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

Urbanization

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

Major urban areas - population

213,000 VALLETTA (capital) (2018)

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.07 male(s)/female
15-24 years: 1.08 male(s)/female
25-54 years: 1.07 male(s)/female
55-64 years: 1 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.83 male(s)/female
total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2018 est.)

Mother's mean age at first birth

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

Maternal mortality rate

6 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 161

Infant mortality rate

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
country comparison to the world: 178

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 82.7 years (2018 est.)
male: 80.6 years
female: 84.8 years
country comparison to the world: 11

Total fertility rate

1.48 children born/woman (2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 200

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 (2015 est.)

Current Health Expenditure

9.3% (2016)

Physicians density

3.83 physicians/1,000 population (2015)

Hospital bed density

4.7 beds/1,000 population (2014)

Sanitation facility access

improved: urban: 100% of population (2015 est.)
rural: 100% of population (2015 est.)
total: 100% of population (2015 est.)
unimproved: urban: 0% of population (2015 est.)
rural: 0% of population (2015 est.)
total: 0% of population (2015 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.1% (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 126

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

<500 (2016 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

<100 (2016 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

28.9% (2016)
country comparison to the world: 28

Education expenditures

5.3% of GDP (2015)
country comparison to the world: 50

Literacy

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

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

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

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

total: 11.3%
male: 12.2%
female: 10.2% (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 115

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 2016 (2017)

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 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

Legislative branch

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%

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 [Joseph MUSCAT]
Nationalist Party (Partit Nazzjonalista) or PN [Adrian DELIA]

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, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US

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

Diplomatic representation from the US

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

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

Economy

Economy - 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.

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$19.26 billion (2017 est.)
$18.05 billion (2016 est.)
$17.16 billion (2015 est.)
note: data are in 2017 dollars
country comparison to the world: 152

GDP (official exchange rate)

$12.58 billion (2017 est.)

GDP - real growth rate

6.7% (2017 est.)
5.2% (2016 est.)
9.5% (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 28

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$41,900 (2017 est.)
$40,100 (2016 est.)
$39,000 (2015 est.)
note: data are in 2017 dollars
country comparison to the world: 43

Gross national saving

33.5% of GDP (2017 est.)
31.8% of GDP (2016 est.)
31.2% of GDP (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 22

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.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

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

Agriculture - products

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

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.)
country comparison to the world: 189

Labor force

206,300 (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 169

Labor force - by occupation

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

Unemployment rate

4.6% (2017 est.)
5.3% (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 67

Population below poverty line

16.3% (2015 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: NA
highest 10%: NA

Distribution of family income - Gini index

28.1 (2015)
27.7 (2014)
country comparison to the world: 141

Budget

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

Taxes and other revenues

40.4% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 38

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

3.9% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 9

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
country comparison to the world: 99

Fiscal year

calendar year

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

1.3% (2017 est.)
0.9% (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 69

Central bank discount rate

-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
country comparison to the world: 162

Commercial bank prime lending rate

3.7% (31 December 2017 est.)
5.06% (31 December 2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 167

Stock of narrow money

$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
country comparison to the world: 71

Stock of broad money

$17.93 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$14.28 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 72

Stock of domestic credit

$13.97 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$11.99 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 101

Market value of publicly traded shares

$4.632 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
$4.468 billion (31 December 2015 est.)
$3.353 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
country comparison to the world: 84

Current account balance

$1.712 billion (2017 est.)
$788 million (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 44

Exports

$3.272 billion (2017 est.)
$2.493 billion (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 126

Exports - partners

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)

Exports - commodities

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

Imports

$4.996 billion (2017 est.)
$4.965 billion (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 129

Imports - commodities

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

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

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$833 million (31 December 2017 est.)
$677.1 million (31 December 2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 139

Debt - external

$90.98 billion (September 2016 est.)
$99.02 billion (31 December 2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 53

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$166.1 million (1 June 2016 est.)
$155.5 million (1 June 2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 134

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$65.49 million (June 2015 est.)
$64.77 million (31 June 2014 est.)
country comparison to the world: 112

Exchange rates

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.)

Energy

Electricity access

electrification - total population: 100% (2016)

Electricity - production

813 million kWh (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 156

Electricity - consumption

2.122 billion kWh (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 142

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 167

Electricity - imports

1.525 billion kWh (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 61

Electricity - installed generating capacity

575,100 kW (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 142

Electricity - from fossil fuels

81% of total installed capacity (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 80

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 139

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 186

Electricity - from other renewable sources

19% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 43

Crude oil - production

0 bbl/day (2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 171

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 162

Crude oil - imports

0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 162

Crude oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 166

Refined petroleum products - production

0 bbl/day (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 174

Refined petroleum products - consumption

45,000 bbl/day (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 110

Refined petroleum products - exports

10,400 bbl/day (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 81

Refined petroleum products - imports

52,290 bbl/day (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 79

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 167

Natural gas - consumption

283.2 million cu m (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 102

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 148

Natural gas - imports

311.5 million cu m (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 69

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2014 est.)
country comparison to the world: 168

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

8.141 million Mt (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 116

Communications

Telephones - fixed lines

total subscriptions: 240,280
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 58 (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 123

Telephones - mobile cellular

total subscriptions: 560,010
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 135 (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 169

Telephone system

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)

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: 320,902
percent of population: 77.3% (July 2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 157

Broadband - fixed subscriptions

total: 181,318
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 44 (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 110

Military and Security

Military expenditures

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)
country comparison to the world: 148

Military and security forces

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

Military service age and obligation

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

Transportation

National air transport system

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 millionmt-km (2015)

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

9H (2016)

Airports

1 (2013)
country comparison to the world: 228

Airports - with paved runways

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

Heliports

2 (2013)

Roadways

total: 2,254 km (2001)
paved: 1,973 km (2001)
unpaved: 281 km (2001)
urban: 1,422 km (2001)
non-urban: 832 km (2001)
country comparison to the world: 165

Merchant marine

total: 2,205
by type: bulk carrier 645, container ship 283, general cargo 288, oil tanker 391, other 598 (2018)
country comparison to the world: 11

Ports and terminals

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

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international

none

Refugees and internally displaced persons

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

Illicit drugs

minor transshipment point for hashish from North Africa to Western Europe

Flag of Malta