2012 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 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 (2003)

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

15.4% (male 32,402/ female 30,866) 68.1% (male 141,719/ female 137,222) 16.5% (male 29,830/ female 37,797) (2012 est.)

0-14 years

15.4% (male 32,402/ female 30,866)

15-64 years

68.1% (male 141,719/ female 137,222)

65 years and over

16.5% (male 29,830/ female 37,797) (2012 est.)

Birth rate

10.31 births/1,000 population (2012 est.)

Death rate

8.72 deaths/1,000 population (July 2012 est.)

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

3.65 deaths/1,000 live births 4.08 deaths/1,000 live births 3.2 deaths/1,000 live births (2012 est.)

female

3.2 deaths/1,000 live births (2012 est.)

total

3.65 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

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

Life expectancy at birth

79.85 years 77.57 years 82.26 years (2012 est.)

female

82.26 years (2012 est.)

total population

79.85 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 (2010)

Median age

40.3 years 39.1 years 41.7 years (2012 est.)

female

41.7 years (2012 est.)

male

39.1 years

total

40.3 years

Nationality

Maltese (singular and plural) Maltese

adjective

Maltese

noun

Maltese (singular and plural)

Net migration rate

2 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2012 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

20.7% (2007)

Physicians density

3.073 physicians/1,000 population (2009)

Population

409,836 (July 2012 est.)

Population growth rate

0.359% (2012 est.)

Religions

Roman Catholic (official) 98%

Sanitation facility access

urban: 100% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population

rural

100% of population

total

100% of population

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

1.06 male(s)/female 1.05 male(s)/female 1.03 male(s)/female 0.79 male(s)/female 0.99 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

15-64 years

1.03 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.79 male(s)/female

at birth

1.06 male(s)/female

total population

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

under 15 years

1.05 male(s)/female

Total fertility rate

1.53 children born/woman (2012 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

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

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 Gina ABERCROMBIE-WINSTANLEY New Embassy Ta' Qali National Park, Attard, ATD 4000 [356] 2561 4000 [356] 2124 3229

chief of mission

Ambassador Gina ABERCROMBIE-WINSTANLEY

embassy

New Embassy

FAX

[356] 2124 3229

mailing address

Ta' Qali National Park, Attard, ATD 4000

telephone

[356] 2561 4000

Diplomatic representation in the US

Ambassador Joseph COLE 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 Joseph COLE

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) note - Prime Minister GONZI lost a key budget vote on 10 December 2012, paving the way for a general election on 9 March 2013; the GONZI government will continue in a caretaker capacity until the election 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) note - Prime Minister GONZI lost a key budget vote on 10 December 2012, paving the way for a general election on 9 March 2013; the GONZI government will continue in a caretaker capacity until the election

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, CD, CE, EAPC, EBRD, ECB, EIB, EMU, EU, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), 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

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 represented 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

Alliance of Liberal Democrats Malta (Alleanza Liberali-Demokratika Malta) or ALDM (for divorce, abortion, gay marriage, women's rights); Democratic Alternative (Alternattiva Demokratika) (pro-environment); Together for a Better Environment (Flimkien Ghal-Ambjent Ahjar) or FAA (pro-environment) 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

$3.526 billion $3.854 billion (2012 est.)

expenditures

$3.854 billion (2012 est.)

revenues

$3.526 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-3.9% of GDP (2012 est.)

Central bank discount rate

1.75% (31 December 2011) 1.75% (31 December 2010) 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

4.6% (31 December 2012 est.) 4.76% (31 December 2011 est.)

Current account balance

-$221.2 million (2012 est.) -$268.8 million (2011 est.)

Debt - external

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

Distribution of family income - Gini index

27.4 (2011) 26 (2007)

Economy - overview

Malta - the smallest economy in the euro zone - produces only about 20% of its food needs, has limited fresh water supplies, and has few domestic energy sources. Malta's geographic position between Europe and North Africa makes it a target for illegal immigration, which has strained Malta's political and economic resources. Malta's fertility rate is below the EU average, and population growth in recent years has largely been from immigration, putting increasing pressure on the pension system. Malta adopted the euro on 1 January 2008. Malta's economy is dependent on foreign trade, manufacturing, and tourism, and was hurt by the global economic downturn. Malta has low unemployment relative to other European countries, and growth has recovered since the 2009 recession. Malta's financial services industry has grown in recent years and it has avoided contagion from the European financial crisis, largely because its debt is mostly held domestically and its banks have low exposure to the sovereign debt of peripheral European countries. Malta reduced its deficit below 3 percent of GDP, leading the EU to dismiss its official excessive deficit procedure against Malta in 2012.

Exchange rates

euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.7838 (2012 est.) 0.7185 (2011 est.) 755 (2010 est.) 0.7198 (2009 est.) 0.6827 (2008 est.)

Exports

$3.67 billion (2012 est.) $3.635 billion (2011 est.)

Exports - commodities

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

Exports - partners

Germany 14%, France 10.5%, Greece 7.7%, Italy 7.4%, UK 6.4% (2011)

Fiscal year

calendar year

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)

$26,100 (2012 est.) $26,000 (2011 est.) $25,700 (2010 est.) data are in 2012 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

1.2% (2012 est.) 2.1% (2011 est.) 2.5% (2010 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$8.415 billion (2012 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$11.14 billion (2012 est.) $11.01 billion (2011 est.) $10.78 billion (2010 est.) data are in 2012 US dollars

Household income or consumption by percentage share

NA% NA%

highest 10%

NA%

lowest 10%

NA%

Imports

$4.648 billion (2012 est.) $4.856 billion (2011 est.)

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 thereof

Imports - partners

Italy 32%, France 8.4%, UK 8%, Germany 6.9% (2011)

Industrial production growth rate

NA%

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

2.5% (2012 est.) 2.7% (2011 est.)

Investment (gross fixed)

15.8% of GDP (2012 est.)

Labor force

180,200 (2011 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

1.5% 24.7% 73.9% (2011)

agriculture

1.5%

industry

24.7%

services

73.9% (2011)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$3.424 billion (31 December 2011) $2.399 billion (31 December 2010) $1.982 billion (31 December 2009)

Population below poverty line

(2011)

Public debt

77% of GDP (2012 est.) 71.9% of GDP (2011 est.) 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 government, state government, local government and social security funds

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 E

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 government, state government, local government and social security funds

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$498.4 million (31 December 2012 est.) $515.5 million (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of broad money

$12.66 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $12.53 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$1.213 billion (2010 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$17.25 billion (31 December 2010) $9.019 billion (31 December 2009)

Stock of domestic credit

$13.01 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $12.95 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$5.146 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $5.1 billion (31 December 2011 est.) 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

41.9% of GDP (2012 est.)

Unemployment rate

6.1% (2012 est.) 6.4% (2011 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

3.114 million Mt (2010 est.)

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2011 est.)

Crude oil - imports

0 bbl/day (2011 est.)

Crude oil - production

0 bbl/day (2011 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2012 est.)

Electricity - consumption

1.991 billion kWh (2010)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2011 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

99.7% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

0.3% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2011 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

573,000 kW (2010 est.)

Electricity - production

2.168 billion kWh (2011)

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2012 est.)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

19,520 bbl/day (2011 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

(2010 est.) (2010 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

47,050 bbl/day (2008 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

0 bbl/day (2008 est.)

Broadcast media

2 publicly-owned TV stations, Television Malta (TVM) broadcasting nationally plus 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 available; publicly-owned radio broadcaster operates 1 station; roughly 20 commercial radio stations (2011)

Internet country code

.mt

Internet hosts

14,754 (2012)

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 180 per 100 persons country code - 356; submarine cable connects to Italy; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)

domestic

combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular subscribership exceeds 180 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)

Telephones - main lines in use

232,300 (2011)

Telephones - mobile cellular

521,700 (2011)

Airports

1 (2012)

Airports - with paved runways

1 (2012)

over 3,047 m

1 (2012)

total

1

Heliports

2 (2012)

Merchant marine

1,650 bulk carrier 544, cargo 351, carrier 1, chemical tanker 324, container 117, liquefied gas 36, passenger 50, passenger/cargo 18, petroleum tanker 160, refrigerated cargo 7, roll on/roll off 22, specialized tanker 2, vehicle carrier 18 1,437 (Angola 7, Azerbaijan 1, Belgium 7, Bermuda 15, Bulgaria 8, Canada 5, China 6, Croatia 6, Cyprus 32, Denmark 34, Egypt 1, Estonia 16, Finland 3, France 8, Germany 135, Greece 469, Hong Kong 4, India 3, Iran 48, Ireland 4, Israel 3, Italy 45, Japan 5, Kuwait 3, Latvia 8, Lebanon 6, Libya 5, Luxembourg 3, Malaysia 1, Monaco 3, Netherlands 3, Norway 96, Oman 5, Poland 21, Portugal 3, Romania 7, Russia 45, Saudi Arabia 2, Singapore 4, Slovenia 4, South Korea 2, Spain 8, Sweden 1, Switzerland 20, Syria 4, Turkey 233, UAE 1, UK 21, Ukraine 29, US 34) 2 (Panama 2) (2010)

foreign-owned

1,437 (Angola 7, Azerbaijan 1, Belgium 7, Bermuda 15, Bulgaria 8, Canada 5, China 6, Croatia 6, Cyprus 32, Denmark 34, Egypt 1, Estonia 16, Finland 3, France 8, Germany 135, Greece 469, Hong Kong 4, India 3, Iran 48, Ireland 4, Israel 3, Italy 45, Japan 5, Kuwait 3, Latvia 8, Lebanon 6, Libya 5, Luxembourg 3, Malaysia 1, Monaco 3, Netherlands 3, Norway 96, Oman 5, Poland 21, Portugal 3, Romania 7, Russia 45, Saudi Arabia 2, Singapore 4, Slovenia 4, South Korea 2, Spain 8, Sweden 1, Switzerland 20, Syria 4, Turkey 233, UAE 1, UK 21, Ukraine 29, US 34)

registered in other countries

2 (Panama 2) (2010)

total

1,650

Ports and terminals

Marsaxlokk (Malta Freeport), Valletta

Roadways

3,096 km 2,710 km 386 km (2005)

total

3,096 km

unpaved

386 km (2005)

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 (2011)

Disputes - international

none

Illicit drugs

minor transshipment point for hashish from North Africa to Western Europe