Malta NONE 31
Amalgam 31: kinetic 47 × w 0.65 + structural 0 (UCDP) × 0.35 · kinetic z -0.17 · GDELT 48h: 98 events, conflict 17.3%, tone -1.35
UCDP GED: ~0 organized-violence deaths/yr (decayed avg)
Factbook dossier
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 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.
Location
Southern Europe, islands in the Mediterranean Sea, south of Sicily (Italy)
Area
total : 316 sq km land: 316 sq km water: 0 sq km
Natural resources
limestone, salt, arable land
Natural hazards
occasional droughts
Population
total: 521,828 (2025 est.) male: 271,180 female: 250,648
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.)
Environmental issues
limited natural freshwater resources; deforestation; wildlife preservation
Government type
parliamentary republic
Capital
name: Valletta geographic coordinates: 35 53 N, 14 30 E time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October etymology: named in honor of Jean Parizot de la VALETTE, the Grand Master of the Order of Saint John (crusader knights), who founded the city in 1566
Executive branch
chief of state: President Myriam Spiteri DEBONO (since 4 April 2024) head of government: Prime Minister Robert ABELA (since 13 January 2020) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president on the advice of the prime minister election/appointment process: president indirectly elected by the House of Representatives for a single 5-year term; following legislative elections, the president usually appoints the leader of the majority party or majority coalition as prime minister for a 5-year term; deputy prime minister appointed by the president on the advice of the prime minister most recent election date: 27 March 2024 election results: 2024: Myriam Spiteri DEBONO (PL) elected president; House of Representatives vote - unanimous 2019: George VELLA (PL) elected president; House of Representatives vote - unanimous expected date of next election: by March 2029
Legislative branch
legislature name: House of Representatives (Il-Kamra Tad-Deputati) legislative structure: unicameral number of seats: 65 (all directly elected) electoral system: proportional representation scope of elections: full renewal term in office: 5 years most recent election date: 3/26/2022 parties elected and seats per party: Labour Party (LP) (44); Nationalist Party (PN) (35) percentage of women in chamber: 29.1% expected date of next election: March 2027
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$34.731 billion (2024 est.) $32.774 billion (2023 est.) $30.689 billion (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars
Real GDP per capita
$60,500 (2024 est.) $59,300 (2023 est.) $57,800 (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
1.7% (2024 est.) 5.1% (2023 est.) 6.2% (2022 est.) note: annual % change based on consumer prices
Exports - partners
Nigeria 28%, Germany 10%, China 6%, Singapore 5%, Hong Kong 4% (2023) note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports
Imports - partners
Italy 18%, China 10%, Germany 8%, France 7%, Turkey 7% (2023) note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports
Military and security forces
the Armed Forces of Malta (AFM): Land Component (combat, combat support, and combat service support divided into three regiments), Maritime Squadron, Air Wing; Volunteer Reserve Force (2025) note: the Malta Police Force maintains internal security; both the Police and the AFM report to the Ministry of Home Affairs, National Security, and Law Enforcement
Military expenditures
0.5% of GDP (2024 est.) 0.5% of GDP (2023 est.) 0.7% of GDP (2022 est.) 0.5% of GDP (2021 est.) 0.6% of GDP (2020 est.)