| variable | 1980-1989 | 1990-1999 | 2000-2007 | 2008-2009 | 2010-2019 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| real gdp growth | - | - | 2.58 | 2.4 | 5.35 | 10.6 | 6.2 | 4.0 | 3.7 | 3.8 |
| CPI % | 2.31 | 3.14 | 2.52 | 1.9 | 1.49 | 5.6 | 2.4 | 2.4 | 2.5 | 2.4 |
| Unemployment rate | 9.0 | 5.69 | 6.95 | 6.85 | 5.15 | 3.5 | 3.2 | 3.0 | 3.0 | 3.0 |
| Debt/GDP % | - | 59.7 | 66.54 | 65.5 | 54.3 | 46.8 | 46.0 | 46.8 | 47.3 | 47.5 |
| Current account balance/GDP % | - | -3.73 | -3.71 | -5.45 | 8.03 | 6.5 | 7.1 | 5.7 | 5.8 | 5.2 |
Data derived from World Economic Outlook Database. To see main macroeconomic indicator in graphs click here
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 falling under the control of the Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Moors, Normans, Sicilians, Spanish, Knights of St. John, and French. Most recently a British colony (since 1814), Malta gained its independence in 1964 and declared itself a republic 10 years later. While under British rule, the island staunchly supported the UK through both world wars. Since the mid-1980s, the island has transformed itself into a freight transshipment point, a financial center, and a tourist destination, as its key industries moved toward more service-oriented activities. Malta became an EU member in 2004 and joined the eurozone in 2008.
Area: 316 sq km km2
Climate: Mediterranean; mild, rainy winters; hot, dry summers
Natural resources: limestone, salt, arable land
Groups: Maltese (descendants of ancient Carthaginians and Phoenicians with strong elements of Italian and other Mediterranean stock)
Languages:
Religions: Roman Catholic (official) more than 90% (2006 est.)
Capital: Valletta
Government type: parliamentary republic
Chief of state: President Myriam Spiteri DEBONO (since 4 April 2024)
Head of government: Prime Minister Robert ABELA (since 13 January 2020)
Description: House of Representatives (Il-Kamra Tad-Deputati) - unicameral
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
tourism, electronics, ship building and repair, construction, food and beverages, pharmaceuticals, footwear, clothing, tobacco, aviation services, financial services, information technology services
GDP by sector: Agriculture: 0.2% (2024 est.), Industry: 11.4% (2024 est.), Services: 80.8% (2024 est.)
Export partners: Nigeria 28%, Germany 10%, China 6%, Singapore 5%, Hong Kong 4% (2023)
Export commodities: refined petroleum, integrated circuits, packaged medicine, ships, postage stamps/documents (2023)
Import partners: Italy 18%, China 10%, Germany 8%, France 7%, Turkey 7% (2023)
Import commodities: ships, refined petroleum, integrated circuits, aircraft, packaged medicine (2023)
Southern Europe, islands in the Mediterranean Sea, south of Sicily (Italy)
Military expenditure: 2024: 0.5% of GDP (2024 est.)
Information derived from worldfactbook.io (Lupon Media), open successor to the CIA World Factbook. Data sourced from World Bank, IMF, UN and other international organizations.