Introduction
Background
With a civilization that dates back thousands of years, Malta boasts some of the oldest megalithic sites in the world. A British colony since 1814, Malta gained its independence in 1964 and declared itself a republic 10 years later. Since the mid-1980s, the island has transformed itself into a freight transshipment point, a financial center, and a tourist destination.
Geography
Area
total : 316 sq km
land: 316 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Climate
Mediterranean; mild, rainy winters; hot, dry summers
Natural resources
limestone, salt, arable land
People and Society
Population
total: 469,730
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.)
Population growth rate
0.51% (2024 est.)
Government
Government type
parliamentary republic
Capital
name: Valletta
Executive branch
chief of state: President Myriam Spiteri DEBONO (since 4 April 2024)
head of government: Prime Minister Robert ABELA (13 January 2020)
Legislative branch
summary: unicameral House of Representatives (65 seats)
Diplomatic representation in the US
chief of mission: Ambassador Godfrey C. XUEREB (since 19 April 2023)
Diplomatic representation from the US
chief of mission: Ambassador Constance J. MILSTEIN (since October 27, 2022)
Economy
Economic overview
high-income, EU-member European economy; diversified portfolio; euro user; dependent on food and energy imports; strong tourism, trade, and manufacturing sectors; high North African immigration; large welfare system; educated workforce
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$31.661 billion (2023 est.)
$29.978 billion (2022 est.)
$27.738 billion (2021 est.)
Real GDP per capita
$57,200 (2023 est.)
$56,400 (2022 est.)
$53,500 (2021 est.)
Exports
$25.417 billion (2022 est.)
$25.533 billion (2021 est.)
$22.735 billion (2020 est.)
Exports - partners
Germany 12%, Italy 6%, France 6%, Japan 5%, Singapore 5% (2022)
Exports - commodities
integrated circuits, packaged medicine, refined petroleum, fish, postage stamps/documents (2022)
Imports
$23.883 billion (2022 est.)
$22.958 billion (2021 est.)
$20.164 billion (2020 est.)
Imports - partners
Italy 14%, China 11%, South Korea 11%, Germany 10%, Canada 5% (2022)
Imports - commodities
ships, refined petroleum, aircraft, integrated circuits, packaged medicine (2022)
Page last updated: Monday, September 09, 2024
