2011 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

316 sq km 316 sq km 0 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

Mediterranean Sea 0 m Ta'Dmejrek 253 m (near Dingli)

highest point

Ta'Dmejrek 253 m (near Dingli)

lowest point

Mediterranean Sea 0 m

Environment - current issues

limited natural freshwater resources; increasing reliance on desalination

Environment - international agreements

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 none of the selected 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)

0.02 cu km/yr (74%/1%/25%) 50 cu m/yr (2000)

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

32 sq km (2008)

Land boundaries

0 km

Land use

31.25% 3.13% 65.62% (2005)

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

12 nm 24 nm 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation 25 nm

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

15.7% (male 32,829/female 31,198) 68.5% (male 142,006/female 137,803) 15.8% (male 28,305/female 36,192) (2011 est.)

0-14 years

15.7% (male 32,829/female 31,198)

15-64 years

68.5% (male 142,006/female 137,803)

65 years and over

15.8% (male 28,305/female 36,192) (2011 est.)

Birth rate

10.35 births/1,000 population (2011 est.)

Death rate

8.6 deaths/1,000 population (July 2011 est.)

Drinking water source

urban: 100% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population (2008)

rural

100% of population

total

100% of population (2008)

urban

100% of population

Education expenditures

6.4% of GDP (2007)

Ethnic groups

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

Health expenditures

16.5% of GDP (2009)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.1% (2009 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

fewer than 100 (2009 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

fewer than 500 (2009 est.)

Hospital bed density

4.88 beds/1,000 population (2009)

Infant mortality rate

3.69 deaths/1,000 live births 4.12 deaths/1,000 live births 3.22 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)

female

3.22 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)

total

3.69 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

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

Life expectancy at birth

79.72 years 77.45 years 82.12 years (2011 est.)

female

82.12 years (2011 est.)

total population

79.72 years

Literacy

age 10 and over can read and write 92.8% 91.7% 93.9% (2005 Census)

definition

age 10 and over can read and write

female

93.9% (2005 Census)

male

91.7%

total population

92.8%

Major cities - population

VALLETTA (capital) 199,000 (2009)

Maternal mortality rate

8 deaths/100,000 live births (2008)

Median age

40 years 38.8 years 41.4 years (2011 est.)

female

41.4 years (2011 est.)

male

38.8 years

total

40 years

Nationality

Maltese (singular and plural) Maltese

adjective

Maltese

noun

Maltese (singular and plural)

Net migration rate

2.01 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2011 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

20.7% (2007)

Physicians density

3.073 physicians/1,000 population (2009)

Population

408,333 (July 2011 est.)

Population growth rate

0.375% (2011 est.)

Religions

Roman Catholic (official) 98%

Sanitation facility access

urban: 100% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population (2008)

rural

100% of population

total

100% of population (2008)

urban

100% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

14 years 14 years 15 years (2008)

female

15 years (2008)

male

14 years

total

14 years

Sex ratio

1.058 male(s)/female 1.05 male(s)/female 1.03 male(s)/female 0.77 male(s)/female 0.99 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

15-64 years

1.03 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.77 male(s)/female

at birth

1.058 male(s)/female

total population

0.99 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

under 15 years

1.05 male(s)/female

Total fertility rate

1.52 children born/woman (2011 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

13.3% 17.7% 15.4% (2009)

female

15.4% (2009)

total

13.3%

Urbanization

95% of total population (2010) 0.5% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

rate of urbanization

0.5% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

95% of total population (2010)

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

Valletta 35 53 N, 14 30 E UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October

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

Republic of Malta Malta Repubblika ta' Malta Malta

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

Ambassador Douglas W. KMIEC 3rd Floor, Development House, Saint Anne Street, Floriana, FRN 9010 P. O. Box 535, Valletta, VLT1000 [356] 2561 4000 [356] 2124 3229

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

Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Dennis GRECH 2017 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 462-3611 through 3612 [1] (202) 387-5470 New York

chancery

2017 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

chief of mission

Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Dennis GRECH

consulate(s)

New York

FAX

[1] (202) 387-5470

telephone

[1] (202) 462-3611 through 3612

Executive branch

President George ABELA (since 4 April 2009) Prime Minister Lawrence GONZI (since 23 March 2004) Cabinet appointed by the president on the advice of the prime minister president elected by a resolution of the House of Representatives for a five-year 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 George ABELA elected president by the House of Representatives

cabinet

Cabinet appointed by the president on the advice of the prime minister

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; 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 law organization participation

accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

International organization participation

Australia Group, C, CE, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EMU, EU, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NSG, OAS (observer), 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 magistrates and judges for the courts are appointed by the president on the advice of the prime minister

Legal system

mixed legal system of English common law and civil law (based on the Roman and Napoleonic civil codes)

Legislative branch

unicameral House of Representatives (normally 65 seats; members are elected by popular vote on the basis of proportional representation by the Single Transferrable Vote (STV) to serve five-year terms; note - the parliament elected in 2008 is composed of 69 seats; when the political party winning an absolute majority of first-count votes (or a plurality of first-count votes in an election where only two parties are represented in parliament) does not win an absolute majority of seats, the constitution provides for the winning party to be awarded additional number of seats in parliament to guarantee it an absolute majority; in the event that more than two parties are repressented in parliament, with none acquiring the absolute majority of votes, the party winning the majority of seats prevails last held on 8 March 2008 (next to be held by March 2013) percent of vote by party - PN 49.3%, PL 48.8%, other 1.9%; seats by party - PN 35, PL 34

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

"L-Innu Malti" (The Maltese Anthem) Dun Karm PSAILA/Robert SAMMUT adopted 1945; the anthem is written in the form of a prayer

lyrics/music

Dun Karm PSAILA/Robert SAMMUT

name

"L-Innu Malti" (The Maltese Anthem)

National holiday

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

National symbol(s)

Maltese cross

Political parties and leaders

Alternativa Demokratika/Alliance for Social Justice or AD [Michael BRIGUGLIO]; Labor Party or PL [Joseph MUSCAT]; Nationalist Party or PN [Lawrence GONZI]; The Malta Communist Party [Victor DEGIOVANNI]

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); Flimkien Ghal-Ambjent Ahjar (pro-environment); Ghazda tal-Konsumaturi (consumer rights) environmentalists

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

Budget

$3.207 billion $3.507 billion (2010 est.)

expenditures

$3.507 billion (2010 est.)

revenues

$3.207 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-3.6% of GDP (2010 est.)

Central bank discount rate

1.75% (31 December 2010 est.) 1.75% (31 December 2009) 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

4.617% (31 December 2010 est.) 4.492% (31 December 2009 est.)

Current account balance

-$361.5 million (2010 est.) -$601 million (2009 est.)

Debt - external

$48.79 billion (30 June 2011) $5.978 billion (31 December 2010)

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. In early 2011, the EU ended excessive deficit procedures against Malta, after Malta had taken measures to correct an excessive deficit in 2010 and appeared likely to reach its deficit target of 2.8% of GDP in 2011.

Electricity - consumption

1.991 billion kWh (2010)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity - production

2.113 billion kWh (2010)

Exchange rates

euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.755 (2010) 0.72 (2009) 0.6827 (2008) on 1 January 2008 Malta adopted the euro as legal tender

Exports

$3.088 billion (2010) $2.427 billion (2009)

Exports - commodities

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

Exports - partners

Germany 18.4%, France 15.7%, UK 9.1%, Italy 6.6%, Libya 6%, US 5.7% (2010)

GDP - composition by sector

1.9% 17.2% 80.9% (2010 est.)

agriculture

1.9%

industry

17.2%

services

80.9% (2010 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$25,600 (2010 est.) $24,800 (2009 est.) $25,800 (2008 est.) data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

3.7% (2010 est.) -3.4% (2009 est.) 5.3% (2008 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$8.288 billion (2010 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$10.41 billion (2010 est.) $10.04 billion (2009 est.) $10.39 billion (2008 est.) data are in 2010 US dollars

Household income or consumption by percentage share

NA% NA%

highest 10%

NA%

lowest 10%

NA%

Imports

$4.317 billion (2010 est.) $3.798 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 24.1%, UK 8.6%, Germany 8.5%, France 8.2%, Singapore 4.1% (2010)

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)

1.5% (2010 est.) 2.1% (2009 est.)

Investment (gross fixed)

16.2% of GDP (2010 est.)

Labor force

265,200 (2010 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

1.3% 24.8% 73.9% (2010)

agriculture

1.3%

industry

24.8%

services

73.9% (2010)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$2.399 billion (31 December 2010) $1.982 billion (31 December 2009) $3.572 billion (31 December 2008)

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 2011 est.)

Oil - consumption

19,000 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Oil - imports

18,420 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Oil - production

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2011 est.)

Population below poverty line

NA%

Public debt

67.8% of GDP (2010 est.) 67% of GDP (2009 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$540.2 million (31 December 2010 est.) $538.6 million (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of broad money

$12.5 billion (31 December 2010) $12.94 billion (31 December 2009)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$1.213 billion (2010 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$16.63 billion (31 December 2010) $8.24 billion (31 December 2009)

Stock of domestic credit

$18.66 billion (31 December 2010) $20.4 billion (31 December 2009)

Stock of narrow money

$5.109 billion (31 December 2010) $5.283 billion (31 December 2009) see entry for the European Union for money supply in the euro area; the European Central Bank (ECB) controls monetary policy for the 17 members of the EMU; individual members of the EMU do not control the quantity of money circulating within their own borders

Taxes and other revenues

38.7% of GDP (2010 est.)

Unemployment rate

6.9% (2010 est.) 7% (2009 est.)

Broadcast media

2 publicly-owned television stations, Television Malta (TVM) broadcasting nationally and an educational channel; several privately-owned 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 1 station; roughly 20 commercial radio stations operating (2011)

Internet country code

.mt

Internet hosts

24,941 (2010)

Internet users

240,600 (2009)

Telephone system

automatic system featuring submarine cable and microwave radio relay between islands combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular subscribership exceeds 165 per 100 persons country code - 356; submarine cable connects to Italy; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2008)

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

247,300 (2010)

Telephones - mobile cellular

455,400 (2010)

Airports

1 (2010)

Airports - with paved runways

1 (2010)

over 3,047 m

1 (2010)

total

1

Merchant marine

1,571 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 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) this country allows large numbers of ships owned by foreign entities to be registered in its national shipping registry and to fly its flag; these ships operate under the laws of the flag state 2 (Panama 2) (2010)

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

3,096 km 2,710 km 386 km (2008)

total

3,096 km

unpaved

386 km (2008)

Manpower available for military service

95,499 90,919 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

90,919 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

95,499

Manpower fit for military service

79,645 75,684 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

75,684 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

79,645

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

2,554 2,385 (2010 est.)

female

2,385 (2010 est.)

male

2,554

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

Trafficking in persons

Malta is a source and destination country for European women and children subjected to sex trafficking; Malta is likely a destination country for men and women subjected to forced labor, including in restaurants, private households, and in unskilled or semi-skilled labor; Malta may be a transit country for African women subjected to sex trafficking in continental Europe Tier 2 Watch List - the government demonstrated greater commitment to combat trafficking through national coordination by appointing the country's first anti-trafficking coordinator and anti-trafficking monitoring board; these measures, however, have not yet resulted in concrete improvements to victim identification procedures, victim care systems, effective investigations and prosecutions of trafficking offenders, or targeted prevention activities; victims of trafficking were punished for acts committed during the course of trafficking or deported without proper victim identification (2011)

current situation

Malta is a source and destination country for European women and children subjected to sex trafficking; Malta is likely a destination country for men and women subjected to forced labor, including in restaurants, private households, and in unskilled or semi-skilled labor; Malta may be a transit country for African women subjected to sex trafficking in continental Europe

tier rating

Tier 2 Watch List - the government demonstrated greater commitment to combat trafficking through national coordination by appointing the country's first anti-trafficking coordinator and anti-trafficking monitoring board; these measures, however, have not yet resulted in concrete improvements to victim identification procedures, victim care systems, effective investigations and prosecutions of trafficking offenders, or targeted prevention activities; victims of trafficking were punished for acts committed during the course of trafficking or deported without proper victim identification (2011)