Malta :: Europe
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: 208
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:
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:
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:
457,267
(July 2020 est.)
country comparison to the world: 174
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%
(male 44,644/female 52,775)
(2020 est.)
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.)
country comparison to the world: 35
Population growth rate:
0.87%
(2020 est.)
country comparison to the world: 118
Birth rate:
9.9 births/1,000 population
(2020 est.)
country comparison to the world: 191
Death rate:
8.3 deaths/1,000 population
(2020 est.)
country comparison to the world: 79
Net migration rate:
6.6 migrant(s)/1,000 population
(2020 est.)
country comparison to the world: 16
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
(2020)
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:
1.07 male(s)/female
25-54 years:
1.08 male(s)/female
55-64 years:
1.01 male(s)/female
65 years and over:
0.85 male(s)/female
total population:
1.01 male(s)/female
(2020 est.)
Mother's mean age at first birth:
28.9 years
(2017 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:
4.6 deaths/1,000 live births
male:
4.5 deaths/1,000 live births
female:
4.7 deaths/1,000 live births
(2020 est.)
country comparison to the world: 180
Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
82.8 years
male:
80.7 years
female:
85 years
(2020 est.)
country comparison to the world: 12
Total fertility rate:
1.49 children born/woman
(2020 est.)
country comparison to the world: 204
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
(2017 est.)
Current Health Expenditure:
9.3%
(2017)
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
(2017 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:
4.8% of GDP
(2017)
country comparison to the world: 66
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
(2018)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24:
total:
9.1%
male:
11.2%
female:
6.8%
(2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 133
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
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; 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:
chief of mission:
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 Gwendolyn "Wendy" GREEN (since August 2020)
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
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.
GDP real growth rate:
4.94%
(2019 est.)
5.17%
(2018 est.)
8.03%
(2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 49
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
1.6%
(2019 est.)
1.1%
(2018 est.)
1.3%
(2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 94
Credit ratings:
Fitch rating:
A+
(2017)
Moody's rating:
A2
(2019)
Standard & Poors rating:
A-
(2016)
GDP (purchasing power parity) - real:
$21.639 billion
(2019 est.)
$20.624 billion
(2018 est.)
$19.609 billion
(2017 est.)
note: data are in 2010 dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$14.986 billion
(2019 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$37,300
(2019 est.)
$35,642
(2018 est.)
$33,989
(2017 est.)
note: data are in 2010 dollars
country comparison to the world: 46
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 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.)
Ease of Doing Business Index scores:
88.2
(2020)
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:
223,000
(2019 est.)
country comparison to the world: 166
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.)
country comparison to the world: 5
Population below poverty line:
16.3%
(2015 est.)
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.)
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
Current account balance:
$1.561 billion
(2019 est.)
$1.55 billion
(2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 46
Exports:
$23.868 billion
(2019 est.)
$22.475 billion
(2018 est.)
$22.607 billion
(2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 75
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:
$21.94 billion
(2019 est.)
$20.335 billion
(2018 est.)
$20.257 billion
(2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 79
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
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.)
Energy
Electricity access:
electrification - total population:
100%
(2020)
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: 79
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:
264,557
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants:
58.36
(2019 est.)
country comparison to the world: 115
Telephones - mobile cellular:
total subscriptions:
653,414
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants:
144.14
(2019 est.)
country comparison to the world: 166
Telecommunication systems:
general assessment:
one of the most advanced telecoms in Europe, high penetration of mobile and broadband, and a way forward to expand e-commerce opportunities; stimulated by regulator measures to reduce consumer prices; extensive FttP network and investment in LTE and fiber thru 2023; launches 5G ready network
(2020)
domestic:
fixed-line 58 per 100 persons and mobile-cellular subscribership 144 per 100 persons; automatic system featuring submarine cable and microwave radio relay between islands
(2019)
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 outbreak is negatively impacting telecommunications production and supply chains globally; consumer spending on telecom devices and services has also slowed due to the pandemic's effect on economies worldwide; overall progress towards improvements in all facets of the telecom industry - mobile, fixed-line, broadband, submarine cable and satellite - has moderated
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:
365,521
percent of population:
81.4%
(July 2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 161
Broadband - fixed subscriptions:
total:
191,833
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants:
43
(2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 110
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
mt-km
(2018)
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix:
9H
(2016)
Airports:
1
(2013)
country comparison to the world: 227
Airports - with paved runways:
total:
1
(2019)
over 3,047 m:
1
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: 169
Merchant marine:
total:
2,172
by type:
bulk carrier 637, container ship 268, general cargo 253, oil tanker 412, other 602
(2019)
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)
Military and Security
Military and security forces:
Armed Forces of Malta (AFM, includes land, maritime, and air elements, plus a Volunteer Reserve Force)
(2020)
Military expenditures:
0.6% of GDP
(2019)
0.5% of GDP
(2018)
0.5% of GDP
(2017)
0.5% of GDP
(2016)
0.5% of GDP
(2015)
country comparison to the world: 144
Military and security service personnel strengths:
the Armed Forces of Malta have approximately 2,000 active duty personnel
(2019 est.)
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; since 2010, Italy and the US are the only providers of military equipment to Malta
(2019 est.)
Military service age and obligation:
18-30 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription
(2019)
Transnational Issues
Disputes - international:
none
Refugees and internally displaced persons:
stateless persons:
11 (2018)
note: 7,281 estimated refugee and migrant arrivals by sea (January 2015-November 2020)
Illicit drugs:
minor transshipment point for hashish from North Africa to Western Europe
