2017 Edition

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,

Area

316 sq km 316 sq km 0 sq km

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 km for the island of Gozo)

Elevation

NA lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m highest point: Ta'Dmejrek on Dingli Cliffs 253 m

elevation extremes

lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m

highest point

Ta'Dmejrek on Dingli Cliffs 253 m

mean elevation

NA

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

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) 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

35 sq km (2012)

Land boundaries

0 km

Land use

32.3% arable land 28.4%; permanent crops 3.9%; permanent pasture 0% 0.9% 66.8% (2011 est.)

agricultural land

32.3%

forest

0.9%

other

66.8% (2011 est.)

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

occasional droughts

Natural resources

limestone, salt, arable land

Population - distribution

most of the population lives on the eastern half of Malta, the largest of the three inhabited islands

Terrain

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

Age structure

15.04% (male 32,128/female 30,490) 11.44% (male 24,471/female 23,142) 39.98% (male 85,158/female 81,303) 13.98% (male 28,919/female 29,298) 19.56% (male 36,743/female 44,686) (2017 est.)

0-14 years

15.04% (male 32,128/female 30,490)

15-24 years

11.44% (male 24,471/female 23,142)

25-54 years

39.98% (male 85,158/female 81,303)

55-64 years

13.98% (male 28,919/female 29,298)

65 years and over

19.56% (male 36,743/female 44,686) (2017 est.)

Birth rate

10.1 births/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Death rate

9.4 deaths/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Dependency ratios

48.8 21.4 27.3 3.7 (2015 est.)

elderly dependency ratio

27.3

potential support ratio

3.7 (2015 est.)

total dependency ratio

48.8

youth dependency ratio

21.4

Drinking water source

urban: 100% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population urban: 0% of population rural: 0% of population total: 0% of population (2015 est.)

rural

0% of population

total

0% of population (2015 est.)

urban

0% of population

Education expenditures

8.3% of GDP (2013)

Ethnic groups

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

Health expenditures

9.7% of GDP (2014)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.1% (2016 est.)

Hospital bed density

4.8 beds/1,000 population (2012)

Infant mortality rate

3.5 deaths/1,000 live births 3.9 deaths/1,000 live births 3.1 deaths/1,000 live births (2017 est.)

female

3.1 deaths/1,000 live births (2017 est.)

male

3.9 deaths/1,000 live births

total

3.5 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

Maltese (official) 90.1%, English (official) 6%, multilingual 3%, other 0.9% (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth

80.5 years 78.1 years 83 years (2017 est.)

female

83 years (2017 est.)

male

78.1 years

total population

80.5 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 94.4% 93.1% 95.8% (2015 est.)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

95.8% (2015 est.)

male

93.1%

total population

94.4%

Major urban areas - population

VALLETTA (capital) 197,000 (2014)

Maternal mortality rate

9 deaths/100,000 live births (2015 est.)

Median age

41.8 years 40.8 years 43 years (2017 est.)

female

43 years (2017 est.)

male

40.8 years

total

41.8 years

Mother's mean age at first birth

26.9 years data refer to the average of the different childbearing ages of first-order births (2010 est.)

note

data refer to the average of the different childbearing ages of first-order births (2010 est.)

Nationality

Maltese (singular and plural) Maltese

adjective

Maltese

noun

Maltese (singular and plural)

Net migration rate

2 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

28.9% (2016)

Physicians density

3.91 physicians/1,000 population (2015)

Population

416,338 (July 2017 est.)

Population distribution

most of the population lives on the eastern half of Malta, the largest of the three inhabited islands

Population growth rate

0.26% (2017 est.)

Religions

Roman Catholic (official) more than 90% (2006 est.)

Sanitation facility access

urban: 100% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population urban: 0% of population rural: 0% of population total: 0% of population (2015 est.)

rural

0% of population

total

0% of population (2015 est.)

urban

0% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

15 years 15 years 15 years (2015)

female

15 years (2015)

male

15 years

total

15 years

Sex ratio

1.06 male(s)/female 1.05 male(s)/female 1.06 male(s)/female 1.05 male(s)/female 0.98 male(s)/female 0.81 male(s)/female 0.99 male(s)/female (2016 est.)

0-14 years

1.05 male(s)/female

15-24 years

1.06 male(s)/female

25-54 years

1.05 male(s)/female

55-64 years

0.98 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.81 male(s)/female

at birth

1.06 male(s)/female

total population

0.99 male(s)/female (2016 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.55 children born/woman (2017 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

11.8% 13.9% 9.4% (2015 est.)

female

9.4% (2015 est.)

male

13.9%

total

11.8%

Urbanization

95.6% of total population (2017) 0.32% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

rate of urbanization

0.32% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

urban population

95.6% of total population (2017)

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)

Citizenship

no at least one parent must be a citizen of Malta no 5 years

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

Constitution

many previous; latest adopted 21 September 1964 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 by the president of the republic; amended many times, last in 2016 (2017)

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 by the president of the republic; amended many times, last in 2016 (2017)

history

many previous; latest adopted 21 September 1964

Country name

Republic of Malta Malta Repubblika ta' Malta Malta 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

conventional long form

Republic of Malta

conventional 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

local long form

Repubblika ta' Malta

local short form

Malta

Diplomatic representation from the US

Ambassador G. Kathleen HILL (since 25 February 2016) Ta' Qali National Park, Attard, ATD 4000 5800 Valletta Place, Dulles, VA 20189 [356] 2561 4000 [356] 2124 3229

chief of mission

Ambassador G. Kathleen HILL (since 25 February 2016)

embassy

Ta' Qali National Park, Attard, ATD 4000

FAX

[356] 2124 3229

mailing address

5800 Valletta Place, Dulles, VA 20189

telephone

[356] 2561 4000

Diplomatic representation in the US

Ambassador Pierre Clive AGIUS (since 2 March 2016) 2017 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 462-3611 through 3612 [1] (202) 387-5470

chancery

2017 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

chief of mission

Ambassador Pierre Clive AGIUS (since 2 March 2016)

FAX

[1] (202) 387-5470

telephone

[1] (202) 462-3611 through 3612

Executive branch

President Marie-Louise Coleiro PRECA (since 4 April 2014) Prime Minister Joseph MUSCAT (since 11 March 2013) Cabinet appointed by the president on the advice of the prime minister president indirectly elected by the House of Representatives for a 5-year term (1-term limit); election last held on 4 April 2014 (next to be held by April 2019); 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 Marie-Louise Coleiro PRECA (PL) elected president; House of Representatives vote - unanimous; Joseph MUSCAT (PL) reappointed prime minister

cabinet

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

chief of state

President Marie-Louise Coleiro PRECA (since 4 April 2014)

election results

Marie-Louise Coleiro PRECA (PL) elected president; House of Representatives vote - unanimous; Joseph MUSCAT (PL) reappointed prime minister

elections/appointments

president indirectly elected by the House of Representatives for a 5-year term (1-term limit); election last held on 4 April 2014 (next to be held by April 2019); 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

head of government

Prime Minister Joseph MUSCAT (since 11 March 2013)

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

Government type

parliamentary 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), 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

Judicial branch

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) 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 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}

highest court(s)

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}

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 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 last held on 3 June 2017 (next to be held in 2022); note - Prime Minister MUSCAT called for early elections amid corruption allegations percent of vote by party - PL 55.0%, 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

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

election results

percent of vote by party - PL 55.0%, 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

elections

last held on 3 June 2017 (next to be held in 2022); note - Prime Minister MUSCAT called for early elections amid corruption allegations

National anthem

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

lyrics/music

Dun Karm PSAILA/Robert SAMMUT

name

"L-Innu Malti" (The Maltese Anthem)

note

adopted 1945; written in the form of a prayer

National holiday

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

National symbol(s)

Maltese eight-pointed cross; national colors: red, white

Maltese eight-pointed cross; national colors

red, white

Political parties and leaders

Democratic Party or PD [Anthony BUTTIGIEG] Labor Party or PL [Joseph MUSCAT] Nationalist Party or PN [Adrian DELIA]

Political pressure groups and leaders

Alliance of Liberal Democrats Malta (Alleanza Liberali-Demokratika Malta) or ALDM (for divorce, abortion, gay marriage, women's rights) Alliance for Change (Alleanza Bidla) (Euro-skeptic) Together for a Better Environment (Flimkien Ghal-Ambjent Ahjar) or FAA environmental groups

other

environmental groups

Suffrage

18 years of age (16 in local council elections); universal

Agriculture - products

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

Budget

$4.272 billion $4.34 billion (2016 est.)

expenditures

$4.34 billion (2016 est.)

revenues

$4.272 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-0.6% of GDP (2016 est.)

Central bank discount rate

-0.35% (31 December 2016 est.) -0.2% (31 December 2015) this is the European Central Bank's rate on the marginal lending facility, which offers overnight credit to banks in the euro area

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

3.1% (31 December 2016 est.) 3.4% (31 December 2015 est.)

Current account balance

$867 million (2016 est.) $539 million (2015 est.)

Debt - external

$90.98 billion (September 2016 est.) $99.02 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

28.1 (2015) 27.7 (2014)

Economy - 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.

Exchange rates

euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.9214 (2016 est.) 0.885 (2015 est.) 0.885 (2014 est.) 0.7634 (2013 est.) 0.7752 (2012 est.)

Exports

$2.493 billion (2016 est.) $3.003 billion (2015 est.)

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

Exports - partners

US 27.3%, Germany 13.9%, France 8.3%, Singapore 5.6%, Japan 5.2%, Hong Kong 4.3%, Italy 4.2% (2016)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP - composition, by end use

49% 16.8% 23.3% -1% 141.4% -129.5% (2016 est.)

exports of goods and services

141.4%

government consumption

16.8%

household consumption

49%

imports of goods and services

-129.5% (2016 est.)

investment in fixed capital

23.3%

investment in inventories

-1%

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

1.3% 10.6% 88.1% (2016 est.)

agriculture

1.3%

industry

10.6%

services

88.1% (2016 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$39,900 (2016 est.) $38,300 (2015 est.) $36,100 (2014 est.) data are in 2016 dollars

note

data are in 2016 dollars

GDP - real growth rate

5.5% (2016 est.) 7.1% (2015 est.) 8.2% (2014 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$11 billion (2016 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$17.32 billion (2016 est.) $16.21 billion (2015 est.) $14.98 billion (2014 est.) data are in 2016 dollars

note

data are in 2016 dollars

Gross national saving

31.6% of GDP (2016 est.) 29.9% of GDP (2015 est.) 27.3% of GDP (2014 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

NA% NA%

highest 10%

NA%

lowest 10%

NA%

Imports

$4.643 billion (2016 est.) $5.057 billion (2015 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

Imports - partners

Italy 20.9%, Canada 10.4%, Germany 6.3%, UK 5.9%, France 4.4% (2016)

Industrial production growth rate

-3.3% (2016 est.)

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)

0.9% (2016 est.) 1.1% (2015 est.)

Labor force

201,300 (2016 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

1.6% 20.7% 77.7% (2016 est.)

agriculture

1.6%

industry

20.7%

services

77.7% (2016 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$4.632 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $4.468 billion (31 December 2015 est.) $3.353 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

Population below poverty line

16.3% (2015 est.)

Public debt

56% of GDP (2016 est.) 60.6% of GDP (2015 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

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 government, state government, local government and social security funds

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$677.1 million (31 December 2016 est.) $571.7 million (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of broad money

$19.2 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $18.09 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$65.49 million (June 2015 est.) $64.77 million (June 2014 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$166.1 million (1 June 2016 est.) $155.5 million (1 June 2015 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$19.19 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $18.33 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$14.56 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $13.4 billion (31 December 2015 est.) see entry for the EU for money supply for the entire euro area; the European Central Bank controls monetary policy for the 18 members of the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU); individual members of the EMU do not control the quantity of money circulating within their own borders

note

see entry for the EU for money supply for the entire euro area; the European Central Bank controls monetary policy for the 18 members of the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU); individual members of the EMU do not control the quantity of money circulating within their own borders

Taxes and other revenues

39% of GDP (2016 est.)

Unemployment rate

4.7% (2016 est.) 5.4% (2015 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

887,700 Mt (2014 est.)

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Crude oil - imports

0 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Crude oil - production

0 bbl/day (2016 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2017 es)

Electricity - consumption

2.103 billion kWh (2015 est.)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

88.5% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

0% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

12.7% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - imports

1.054 billion kWh (2015 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

670,000 kW (2015 est.)

Electricity - production

1.228 billion kWh (2015 est.)

Electricity access

100% (2016)

electrification - total population

100% (2016)

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2014 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2014 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2013 est.)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2016 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2014 es)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

42,000 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

4,031 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

43,950 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

0 bbl/day (2016 est.)

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 (2017)

Internet country code

.mt

Internet users

320,902 77.3% (July 2016 est.)

percent of population

77.3% (July 2016 est.)

total

320,902

Telephone system

automatic system featuring submarine cable and microwave radio relay between islands combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular subscribership exceeds 185 per 100 persons country code - 356; submarine cable connects to Italy; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2016)

domestic

combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular subscribership exceeds 185 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) (2016)

Telephones - fixed lines

234,383 56 (July 2016 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

56 (July 2016 est.)

total subscriptions

234,383

Telephones - mobile cellular

539,589 130 (July 2016 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

130 (July 2016 est.)

total

539,589

Airports

1 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways

1 (2017)

over 3,047 m

1 (2017)

total

1

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

9H (2016)

Heliports

2 (2013)

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)

by type

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

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

National air transport system

1,583,046 3.352 million mt-km (2015)

annual freight traffic on registered air carriers

3.352 million mt-km (2015)

annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers

1,583,046

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers

28

number of registered air carriers

9

Ports and terminals

Marsaxlokk (Malta Freeport), Valletta Marsaxlokk (2,360,000)

container port(s) (TEUs)

Marsaxlokk (2,360,000)

major seaport(s)

Marsaxlokk (Malta Freeport), Valletta

Roadways

3,096 km 2,704 km 392 km (2008)

paved

2,704 km

total

3,096 km

unpaved

392 km (2008)

Military branches

Armed Forces of Malta (AFM, includes land, maritime, and air elements) (2017)

Military expenditures

0.53% of GDP (2016) 0.5% of GDP (2015) 0.51% of GDP (2014) 0.53% of GDP (2013) 0.54% of GDP (2012)

Military service age and obligation

18 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2017)

Disputes - international

none

Illicit drugs

minor transshipment point for hashish from North Africa to Western Europe