2010 Edition

Background

Great Britain formally acquired possession of Malta in 1814. The island staunchly supported the UK through both world wars and remained in the Commonwealth when it became independent in 1964. A decade later Malta became a republic. Since about the mid-1980s, the island has transformed itself into a freight transshipment point, a financial center, and a tourist destination. Malta became an EU member in May 2004 and began using the euro as currency in 2008.

Area

land

316 sq km

total

316 sq km

water

0 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly less than twice the size of Washington, DC

Climate

Mediterranean; mild, rainy winters; hot, dry summers

Coastline

196.8 km (excludes 56.01 km for the island of Gozo)

Elevation extremes

highest point

Ta'Dmejrek 253 m (near Dingli)

lowest point

Mediterranean Sea 0 m

Environment - current issues

limited natural fresh water resources; increasing reliance on desalination

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

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

per capita

50 cu m/yr (2000)

total

0.02 cu km/yr (74%/1%/25%)

Geographic coordinates

35 50 N, 14 35 E

Geography - note

the country comprises an archipelago, with only the three largest islands (Malta, Ghawdex or Gozo, and Kemmuna or Comino) being inhabited; numerous bays provide good harbors; Malta and Tunisia are discussing the commercial exploitation of the continental shelf between their countries, particularly for oil exploration

Irrigated land

20 sq km (2003)

Land boundaries

0 km

Land use

arable land

31.25%

other

65.62% (2005)

permanent crops

3.13%

Location

Southern Europe, islands in the Mediterranean Sea, south of Sicily (Italy)

Map references

Europe

Maritime claims

contiguous zone

24 nm

continental shelf

200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation

exclusive fishing zone

25 nm

territorial sea

12 nm

Natural hazards

NA

Natural resources

limestone, salt, arable land

Terrain

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

Total renewable water resources

0.07 cu km (2005)

Age structure

0-14 years: 16.1% (male 33,526/female 31,780) 15-64 years: 69.4% (male 142,491/female 138,769) 65 years and over: 14.5% (male 25,406/female 33,193) (2010 est.)

Birth rate

10.38 births/1,000 population (2010 est.)

Death rate

8.49 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.)

Education expenditures

4.8% of GDP (2004)

Ethnic groups

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

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.1% (2007 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

fewer than 100 (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

fewer than 500 (2007 est.)

Infant mortality rate

female

3.25 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)

male

4.16 deaths/1,000 live births

total

3.72 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

Maltese (official) 90.2%, English (official) 6%, multilingual 3%, other 0.8% (2005 census)

Life expectancy at birth

female

81.97 years (2010 est.)

male

77.34 years

total population

79.59 years

Literacy

definition: age 10 and over can read and write

female

93.9% (2005 Census)

male

91.7%

total population

92.8%

Median age

female

41.1 years (2010 est.)

male

38.5 years

total

39.7 years

Nationality

adjective

Maltese

noun

Maltese (singular and plural)

Net migration rate

2.02 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2010 est.)

Population

406,771 (July 2010 est.)

Population growth rate

0.391% (2010 est.)

Religions

Roman Catholic 98%

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

female

15 years (2007)

male

14 years

total

14 years

Sex ratio

at birth

1.058 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.77 male(s)/female

total population

0.99 male(s)/female (2010 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.52 children born/woman (2010 est.)

Urbanization

rate of urbanization

0.6% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)

urban population

94% of total population (2008)

Administrative divisions

none (administered directly from Valletta); note - local councils carry out administrative orders and have some responsibility for local road and other public maintenance

Capital

daylight saving time

+1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October

geographic coordinates

35 53 N, 14 30 E

name

Valletta

time difference

UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Constitution

1964; amended many times

Country name

conventional long form

Republic of Malta

conventional short form

Malta

local long form

Repubblika ta' Malta

local short form

Malta

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission

Ambassador Douglas W. KMIEC

embassy

3rd Floor, Development House, Saint Anne Street, Floriana, FRN 9010

FAX

[356] 2124 3229

mailing address

P. O. Box 535, Valletta, VLT1000

telephone

[356] 2561 4000

Diplomatic representation in the US

chancery

2017 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

chief of mission

Ambassador Mark MICELI-FARRUGIA

consulate(s)

New York

FAX

[1] (202) 387-5470

telephone

[1] (202) 462-3611 through 3612

Executive branch

cabinet

Cabinet appointed by the president on the advice of the prime minister (For more information visit the World Leaders website )

chief of state

President George ABELA (since 4 April 2009)

election results

George ABELA elected president by the House of Representatives

elections

president elected by a resolution of the House of Representatives for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 12 January 2009 (next to be held by April 2014); following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or leader of a majority coalition usually appointed prime minister by the president for a five-year term; the deputy prime minister appointed by the president on the advice of the prime minister

head of government

Prime Minister Lawrence GONZI (since 23 March 2004)

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 United Kingdom 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

republic

Independence

21 September 1964 (from the UK)

International organization participation

Australia Group, C, CE, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EMU, EU, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NSG, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, Schengen Convention, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, Union Latina (observer), UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Judicial branch

Constitutional Court; Court of First Instance; Court of Appeal note: magistrates and judges for the courts are appointed by the president on the advice of the prime minister

Legal system

based on English common law and Roman civil law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations

Legislative branch

unicameral House of Representatives (normally 65 seats; members are elected by popular vote on the basis of proportional representation to serve five-year terms; note - the Parliament elected in 2008 is composed of 69 seats; when the political party winning the plurality of votes does not win a majority of seats, the constitution provides that a sufficient number of seats will be added to Parliament to ensure that the party that won the elections has a majority in Parliament)

election results

percent of vote by party - PN 49.3%, PL 48.8%, other 1.9%; seats by party - PN 35, PL 34

elections

last held on 8 March 2008 (next to be held by March 2013)

National anthem

lyrics/music

Dun Karm PSAILA/Robert SAMMUT note: adopted 1945; the anthem is written in the form of a prayer

name

"L-Innu Malti" (The Hymn of Malta)

National holiday

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

Political parties and leaders

Alternativa Demokratika/Alliance for Social Justice or AD [Michael BRIGUGLIO]; Azzjoni Nazzjonaili or AN [Josi MUSCAT]; Malta Labor Party or PL [Joseph MUSCAT]; Nationalist Party or PN [Lawrence GONZI]

Political pressure groups and leaders

Alleanza Liberal-Demokratika Maltra or ALDM (for divorce, abortion, gay marriage, the rights existent in other EU member states); Alleanza Nazzionali Repubblikana or ANR (for traditional values, anti-immigration); Alternattiva Demokratika (pro-environment); Azzjoni Nazzjonali or AN (freedom to participate in democratic government); Flimkien Ghal-Ambjent Ahjar (pro-environment); Ghazda tal-Konsumaturi (consumer rights)

other

environmentalists

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

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

Central bank discount rate

1.75% (31 December 2009) 3% (31 December 2008) 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

4.47% (31 December 2009 est.) 5.89% (31 December 2008 est.)

Current account balance

-$403 million (2010 est.) -$491 million (2009 est.)

Debt - external

$41.02 billion (30 June 2010) $3.75 billion (2008)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

26 (2007)

Economy - overview

Malta produces only about 20% of its food needs, has limited fresh water supplies, and has few domestic energy sources. Malta's geographic position between the EU and Africa makes it a target for illegal immigration, which has strained Malta's political and economic resources. Malta adopted the euro on 1 January 2008. Malta's financial services industry has grown in recent years and in 2008-09 it escaped significant damage from the international financial crisis, largely because the sector is centered on the indigenous real estate market and is not highly leveraged. Locally, the restricted damage from the financial crisis has been attributed to the stability of the Maltese banking system and to its prudent risk-management practices. The global economic downturn and high electricity and water prices hurt Malta's real economy, which is dependent on foreign trade, manufacturing - especially electronics and pharmaceuticals - and tourism, but growth bounced back as the global economy recovered in 2010. Following a 1.2% contraction in 2009, GDP grew 2% in 2010.

Electricity - consumption

1.832 billion kWh (2007 est.)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity - production

2.146 billion kWh (2007 est.)

Exchange rates

euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.7732 (2010), 0.7179 (2009), 0.6827 (2008), Maltese liri per US dollar - 0.3106 (2007), 0.37 (2006)

Exports

$2.954 billion (2010 est.) $2.383 billion (2009 est.)

Exports - commodities

electrical machinery, mechanical appliances, fish and crustaceans, pharmaceutical products, printed material

Exports - partners

Germany 13.3%, Singapore 12.5%, France 11.4%, US 9.4%, Hong Kong 6.5%, UK 5.9%, Italy 4.8% (2009)

GDP - composition by sector

agriculture

1.7%

industry

17.4%

services

80.9% (2007 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$25,100 (2010 est.) $24,700 (2009 est.) $25,100 (2008 est.) note: data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

2% (2010 est.) -1.2% (2009 est.) 1.5% (2008 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$7.801 billion (2010 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$10.21 billion (2010 est.) $10.01 billion (2009 est.) $10.13 billion (2008 est.) note: data are in 2010 US dollars

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%

Imports

$4.074 billion (2010 est.) $3.595 billion (2009 est.)

Imports - commodities

mineral fuels and oils, electrical machinery, non-electrical machinery, aircraft and other transport equipment, plastic and other semi-manufactured goods; food, drink, tobacco

Imports - partners

Italy 24.4%, UK 11.7%, Germany 9.3%, France 7.6%, China 4.2%, Singapore 4.11%, Switzerland 4.05% (2009)

Industrial production growth rate

NA%

Industries

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)

1.7% (2010 est.) 2.1% (2009 est.)

Investment (gross fixed)

14.1% of GDP (2010 est.)

Labor force

174,000 (2009 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture

1.6%

industry

22.8%

services

75.6% (2009 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$1.982 billion (31 December 2009) $3.572 billion (31 December 2008) $5.633 billion (31 December 2007)

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2009 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2009 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2009 est.)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2009 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2010 est.)

Oil - consumption

19,000 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Oil - imports

17,910 bbl/day (2007 est.)

Oil - production

0 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2010 est.)

Population below poverty line

NA%

Public debt

72.6% of GDP (2010 est.) 69% of GDP (2009 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$522 million (31 December 2010 est.) $538.6 million (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of broad money

$14.3 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $13.74 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$NA

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$8.24 billion (31 December 2009)

Stock of domestic credit

$13.69 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $12.91 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$5.195 billion (31 December 2010 est) $4.956 billion (31 December 2009 est) note: this figure represents the US dollar value of Maltese liri in circulation prior to Malta joining the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU); see entry for the European Union for money supply in the euro area; the European Central Bank (ECB) controls monetary policy for the 16 members of the EMU; individual members of the EMU do not control the quantity of money circulating within their own borders

Unemployment rate

7% (2009 est.) 6% (2008 est.)

Broadcast media

1 publicly-owned television station, Television Malta (TVM); several national television stations, two of which are owned by political parties; Italian and British broadcast programs are available; multi-channel cable and satellite TV services are obtainable; publicly-owned radio broadcaster operates 2 stations; roughly 50 commercial radio stations functioning (2008)

Internet country code

.mt

Internet hosts

24,941 (2010)

Internet users

240,600 (2009)

Telephone system

domestic

combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular subscribership exceeds 165 per 100 persons

general assessment

automatic system featuring submarine cable and microwave radio relay between islands

international

country code - 356; submarine cable connects to Italy; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2008)

Telephones - main lines in use

252,700 (2009)

Telephones - mobile cellular

422,100 (2009)

Airports

1 (2010)

Airports - with paved runways

total

1 over 3,047 m: 1 (2010)

Merchant marine

by type

bulk carrier 522, cargo 377, carrier 1, chemical tanker 280, container 91, liquefied gas 31, passenger 45, passenger/cargo 22, petroleum tanker 141, refrigerated cargo 14, roll on/roll off 30, specialized tanker 2, vehicle carrier 15

foreign-owned

1,401 (Angola 7, Austria 1, Azerbaijan 1, Bahamas 1, Bangladesh 1, Belgium 14, Bermuda 8, Bulgaria 7, Canada 1, China 11, Croatia 7, Cyprus 29, Denmark 41, Egypt 1, Estonia 16, Finland 2, France 13, Germany 127, Greece 458, Hong Kong 2, India 4, Iran 56, Ireland 1, Israel 5, Italy 52, Japan 5, Kuwait 2, Latvia 11, Lebanon 7, Libya 4, Luxembourg 3, Malaysia 1, Netherlands 2, Nigeria 1, Norway 84, Poland 22, Portugal 3, Romania 8, Russia 47, Singapore 3, Slovenia 4, South Korea 3, Spain 10, Sweden 3, Switzerland 14, Syria 5, Turkey 211, UAE 1, UK 16, Ukraine 30, US 35)

registered in other countries

2 (Panama 2) (2010)

total

1,571

Ports and terminals

Marsaxlokk (Malta Freeport), Valletta

Roadways

paved

2,014 km

total

2,227 km

unpaved

213 km (2005)

Manpower available for military service

males age 16-49: 95,899 females age 16-49: 91,412 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service

males age 16-49: 79,961 females age 16-49: 76,067 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

female

2,410 (2010 est.)

male

2,570

Military branches

Armed Forces of Malta (AFM; includes air and maritime elements) (2010)

Military expenditures

0.7% of GDP (2006 est.)

Military service age and obligation

17 years 6 months of age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2010)

Disputes - international

none

Illicit drugs

minor transshipment point for hashish from North Africa to Western Europe page last updated on January 12, 2011 ======================================================================