Introduction

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.
`

Geography

Location: |  |
`Southern Europe, islands in the Mediterranean Sea, south of Sicily (Italy)`
Geographic coordinates: |  |
`35 50 N, 14 35 E`
Map references: |  |
`Europe`
Area: |  |
`total: 316 sq km country comparison to the world: 206 land: 316 sq km water: 0 sq km`
Area - comparative: |  |
`slightly less than twice the size of Washington, DC`
Land boundaries: |  |
`0 km`
Coastline: |  |
`196.8 km (excludes 56.01 km for the island of Gozo)`
Maritime claims: |  |
`territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm continental shelf: 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation exclusive fishing zone: 25 nm`
Climate: |  |
`Mediterranean; mild, rainy winters; hot, dry summers`
Terrain: |  |
`mostly low, rocky, flat to dissected plains; many coastal cliffs`
Elevation extremes: |  |
`lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m highest point: Ta'Dmejrek 253 m (near Dingli)`
Natural resources: |  |
`limestone, salt, arable land`
Land use: |  |
`arable land: 31.25% permanent crops: 3.13% other: 65.62% (2005)`
Irrigated land: |  |
`20 sq km (2003)`
Total renewable water resources: |  |
`0.07 cu km (2005)`
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic / industrial / agricultural): |  |
`total: 0.02 cu km/yr (74%/1%/25%) per capita: 50 cu m/yr (2000)`
Natural hazards: |  |
`NA`
Environment - current issues: |  |
`limited natural freshwater resources; increasing reliance on desalination`
Environment - international 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`
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`

People

Population: |  |
`408,333 (July 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 173`
Age structure: |  |
`0-14 years: 15.7% (male 32,829/female 31,198) 15-64 years: 68.5% (male 142,006/female 137,803) 65 years and over: 15.8% (male 28,305/female 36,192) (2011 est.)`
Median age: |  |
`total: 40 years male: 38.8 years female: 41.4 years (2011 est.)`
Population growth rate: |  |
`0.375% (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 161`
Birth rate: |  |
`10.35 births/1,000 population (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 185`
Death rate: |  |
`8.6 deaths/1,000 population (July 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 84`
Net migration rate: |  |
`2.01 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 41`
Urbanization: |  |
`urban population: 95% of total population (2010) rate of urbanization: 0.5% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)`
Major cities - population: |  |
`VALLETTA (capital) 199,000 (2009)`
Sex ratio: |  |
`at birth: 1.058 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.77 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2011 est.)`
Infant mortality rate: |  |
`total: 3.69 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 206 male: 4.12 deaths/1,000 live births female: 3.22 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)`
Life expectancy at birth: |  |
`total population: 79.72 years country comparison to the world: 34 male: 77.45 years female: 82.12 years (2011 est.)`
Total fertility rate: |  |
`1.52 children born/woman (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 184`
HIV / AIDS - adult prevalence rate: |  |
`0.1% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 148`
HIV / AIDS - people living with HIV / AIDS: |  |
`fewer than 500 (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 155`
HIV / AIDS - deaths: |  |
`fewer than 100 (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 143`
Drinking water source: |  |
`improved: urban: 100% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population (2008)`
Sanitation facility access: |  |
`improved: urban: 100% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population (2008)`
Nationality: |  |
`noun: Maltese (singular and plural) adjective: Maltese`
Ethnic groups: |  |
`Maltese (descendants of ancient Carthaginians and Phoenicians with strong elements of Italian and other Mediterranean stock)`
Religions: |  |
`Roman Catholic 98%`
Languages: |  |
`Maltese (official) 90.2%, English (official) 6%, multilingual 3%, other 0.8% (2005 census)`
Literacy: |  |
`definition: age 10 and over can read and write total population: 92.8% male: 91.7% female: 93.9% (2005 Census)`
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): |  |
`total: 14 years male: 14 years female: 15 years (2008)`
Education expenditures: |  |
`6.4% of GDP (2007) country comparison to the world: 22`

Government

Country name: |  |
`conventional long form: Republic of Malta conventional short form: Malta local long form: Repubblika ta' Malta local short form: Malta`
Government type: |  |
`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`
Administrative divisions: |  |
`none (administered directly from Valletta); note - local councils carry out administrative orders and have some responsibility for local road and other public maintenance`
Independence: |  |
`21 September 1964 (from the UK)`
National holiday: |  |
`Independence Day, 21 September (1964); Republic Day, 13 December (1974)`
Constitution: |  |
`1964; amended many times`
Legal system: |  |
`mixed legal system of English common law and civil law (based on the Roman and Napoleonic civil codes)`
International law organization participation: |  |
`accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction`
Suffrage: |  |
`18 years of age; universal`
Executive branch: |  |

`
chief of state: President George ABELA (since 4 April 2009)
head of government: Prime Minister Lawrence GONZI (since 23 March 2004)
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president on the advice of the prime minister
(For more information visit theWorld Leaders website )
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
election results: George ABELA elected president by the House of Representatives
`

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 repressented in parliament, with none acquiring the absolute majority of votes, the party winning the majority of seats prevails
elections: last held on 8 March 2008 (next to be held by March 2013)
election results: percent of vote by party - PN 49.3%, PL 48.8%, other 1.9%; seats by party - PN 35, PL 34
`

Judicial branch: |  |
`Constitutional Court; Court of First Instance; Court of Appeal note: magistrates and judges for the courts are appointed by the president on the advice of the prime minister`
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: |  |
`Alleanza Liberal-Demokratika Maltra or ALDM (for divorce, abortion, gay marriage, the rights existent in other EU member states); Alleanza Nazzionali Repubblikana or ANR (for traditional values, anti-immigration); Alternattiva Demokratika (pro-environment); Flimkien Ghal-Ambjent Ahjar (pro-environment); Ghazda tal-Konsumaturi (consumer rights) other: environmentalists`
International organization participation: |  |
`Australia Group, C, CE, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EMU, EU, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NSG, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, Schengen Convention, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, Union Latina (observer), UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO`
Diplomatic representation in the US: |  |
`chief of mission: Ambassador Mark MICELI-FARRUGIA chancery: 2017 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 462-3611 through 3612 FAX: [1] (202) 387-5470 consulate(s): New York`
Diplomatic representation from the US: |  |
`chief of mission: Ambassador Douglas W. KMIEC embassy: 3rd Floor, Development House, Saint Anne Street, Floriana, FRN 9010 mailing address: P. O. Box 535, Valletta, VLT1000 telephone: [356] 2561 4000 FAX: [356] 2124 3229`
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
`

National anthem: |  |
`name: "L-Innu Malti" (The Maltese Anthem) lyrics/music: Dun Karm PSAILA/Robert SAMMUT note: adopted 1945; the anthem is written in the form of a prayer`

Economy

Economy - overview: |  |

`
Malta produces only about 20% of its food needs, has limited fresh water supplies, and has few domestic energy sources. Malta's geographic position between the EU and Africa makes it a target for illegal immigration, which has strained Malta's political and economic resources. Malta adopted the euro on 1 January 2008. Malta's financial services industry has grown in recent years and in 2008-09 it escaped significant damage from the international financial crisis, largely because the sector is centered on the indigenous real estate market and is not highly leveraged. Locally, the restricted damage from the financial crisis has been attributed to the stability of the Maltese banking system and to its prudent risk-management practices. The global economic downturn and high electricity and water prices hurt Malta's real economy, which is dependent on foreign trade, manufacturing - especially electronics and pharmaceuticals - and tourism, but growth bounced back as the global economy recovered in 2010. Following a 1.2% contraction in 2009, GDP grew 2% in 2010. In early 2011, the EU ended excessive deficit procedures against Malta, after Malta had taken measures to correct an excessive deficit in 2010 and appeared likely to reach its deficit target of 2.8% of GDP in 2011.
`

GDP (purchasing power parity): |  |
`$10.41 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 151 $10.04 billion (2009 est.) $10.39 billion (2008 est.) note: data are in 2010 US dollars`
GDP (official exchange rate): |  |
`$8.288 billion (2010 est.)`
GDP - real growth rate: |  |
`3.7% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 105 -3.4% (2009 est.) 5.3% (2008 est.)`
GDP - per capita (PPP): |  |
`$25,600 (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 52 $24,800 (2009 est.) $25,800 (2008 est.) note: data are in 2010 US dollars`
GDP - composition by sector: |  |
`agriculture: 1.9% industry: 17.2% services: 80.9% (2010 est.)`
Labor force: |  |
`163,100 (2010) country comparison to the world: 177`
Labor force - by occupation: |  |
`agriculture: 1.3% industry: 24.8% services: 73.9% (2010)`
Unemployment rate: |  |
`6.9% (2009) country comparison to the world: 70 6.1% (2008)`
Population below poverty line: |  |
`NA%`
Household income or consumption by percentage share: |  |
`lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%`
Distribution of family income - Gini index: |  |
`26 (2007) country comparison to the world: 131`
Investment (gross fixed): |  |
`8.8% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 151`
Budget: |  |
`revenues: $4.455 billion expenditures: $3.322 billion (2010 est.)`
Public debt: |  |
`69.1% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 25 68.8% of GDP (2009 est.)`
Inflation rate (consumer prices): |  |
`3.3% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 94 -0.7% (2009 est.)`
Central bank discount rate: |  |
`1.75% (31 December 2010) country comparison to the world: 122 1.75% (31 December 2009) 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: |  |
`4.47% (31 December 2010) country comparison to the world: 150 4.47% (31 December 2009)`
Stock of narrow money: |  |
`$7.046 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 79 $6.147 billion (31 December 2009 est.) note: 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`
Stock of broad money: |  |
`$13.21 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 93 $12.53 billion (31 December 2009 est.)`
Stock of domestic credit: |  |
`$18.66 billion (31 December 2010) country comparison to the world: 81 $20.4 billion (31 December 2009)`
Market value of publicly traded shares: |  |
`$1.982 billion (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 87 $3.572 billion (31 December 2008) $5.633 billion (31 December 2007)`
Agriculture - products: |  |
`potatoes, cauliflower, grapes, wheat, barley, tomatoes, citrus, cut flowers, green peppers; pork, milk, poultry, eggs`
Industries: |  |
`tourism, electronics, ship building and repair, construction, food and beverages, pharmaceuticals, footwear, clothing, tobacco, aviation services, financial services, information technology services`
Industrial production growth rate: |  |
`NA%`
Electricity - production: |  |
`2.113 billion kWh (2010) country comparison to the world: 132`
Electricity - consumption: |  |
`1.991 billion kWh (2010) country comparison to the world: 136`
Electricity - exports: |  |
`0 kWh (2009)`
Electricity - imports: |  |
`0 kWh (2009)`
Oil - production: |  |
`0 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 207`
Oil - consumption: |  |
`19,000 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 126`
Oil - exports: |  |
`0 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 187`
Oil - imports: |  |
`17,910 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 115`
Oil - proved reserves: |  |
`0 bbl (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 165`
Natural gas - production: |  |
`0 cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 162`
Natural gas - consumption: |  |
`0 cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 200`
Natural gas - exports: |  |
`0 cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 144`
Natural gas - imports: |  |
`0 cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 89`
Natural gas - proved reserves: |  |
`0 cu m (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 167`
Current account balance: |  |
`$-362.8 million (2010) country comparison to the world: 106 $-574.6 million (2009)`
Exports: |  |
`$3.124 billion (2010) country comparison to the world: 121 $2.347 billion (2009)`
Exports - commodities: |  |
`electrical machinery, mechanical appliances, fish and crustaceans, pharmaceutical products, printed material`
Exports - partners: |  |
`Germany 13.3%, Singapore 12.5%, France 11.4%, US 9.4%, Hong Kong 6.5%, UK 5.9%, Italy 4.8% (2009 est.)`
Imports: |  |
`$5.159 billion (2010) country comparison to the world: 114 $4.334 billion (2009)`
Imports - commodities: |  |
`mineral fuels and oils, electrical machinery, non-electrical machinery, aircraft and other transport equipment, plastic and other semi-manufactured goods; food, drink, tobacco`
Imports - partners: |  |
`Italy 24.4%, UK 11.7%, Germany 9.3%, France 7.6%, China 4.2% (2009 est.)`
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: |  |
`$522 million (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 124 $871 million (31 December 2009)`
Debt - external: |  |
`$5.978 billion (31 December 2010) country comparison to the world: 100 $5.578 billion (2009)`
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: |  |
`$16.63 billion (31 December 2010) country comparison to the world: 73`
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: |  |
`$1.213 billion country comparison to the world: 71`
Exchange rates: |  |
`euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.755 (2010) 0.72 (2009) 0.6827 (2008) 0.3106 (2007) 0.37 (2006)`

Communications

Telephones - main lines in use: |  |
`252,700 (2009) country comparison to the world: 123`
Telephones - mobile cellular: |  |
`422,100 (2009) country comparison to the world: 164`
Telephone system: |  |
`general assessment: automatic system featuring submarine cable and microwave radio relay between islands domestic: combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular subscribership exceeds 165 per 100 persons international: country code - 356; submarine cable connects to Italy; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2008)`
Broadcast media: |  |

`
2 publicly-owned television stations, Television Malta (TVM) broadcasting nationally and 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 obtainable; publicly-owned radio broadcaster operates 1 station; roughly 20 commercial radio stations operating (2011)
`

Internet country code: |  |
`.mt`
Internet hosts: |  |
`24,941 (2010) country comparison to the world: 102`
Internet users: |  |
`240,600 (2009) country comparison to the world: 137`

Transportation

Airports: |  |
`1 (2010) country comparison to the world: 225`
Airports - with paved runways: |  |
`total: 1 over 3,047 m: 1 (2010)`
Roadways: |  |
`total: 2,227 km country comparison to the world: 171 paved: 2,014 km unpaved: 213 km (2005)`
Merchant marine: |  |

`
total: 1,571
country comparison to the world: 4
by type: bulk carrier 522, cargo 377, carrier 1, chemical tanker 280, container 91, liquefied gas 31, passenger 45, passenger/cargo 22, petroleum tanker 141, refrigerated cargo 14, roll on/roll off 30, specialized tanker 2, vehicle carrier 15
foreign-owned: 1,401 (Angola 7, Austria 1, Azerbaijan 1, Bahamas 1, Bangladesh 1, Belgium 14, Bermuda 8, Bulgaria 7, Canada 1, China 11, Croatia 7, Cyprus 29, Denmark 41, Egypt 1, Estonia 16, Finland 2, France 13, Germany 127, Greece 458, Hong Kong 2, India 4, Iran 56, Ireland 1, Israel 5, Italy 52, Japan 5, Kuwait 2, Latvia 11, Lebanon 7, Libya 4, Luxembourg 3, Malaysia 1, Netherlands 2, Nigeria 1, Norway 84, Poland 22, Portugal 3, Romania 8, Russia 47, Singapore 3, Slovenia 4, South Korea 3, Spain 10, Sweden 3, Switzerland 14, Syria 5, Turkey 211, UAE 1, UK 16, Ukraine 30, US 35)
note: this country allows large numbers of ships owned by foreign entities to be registered in its national shipping registry and to fly its flag; these ships operate under the laws of the flag state
registered in other countries: 2 (Panama 2) (2010)
`

Ports and terminals: |  |
`Marsaxlokk (Malta Freeport), Valletta`

Military

Military branches: |  |
`Armed Forces of Malta (AFM; includes air and maritime elements) (2010)`
Military service age and obligation: |  |
`17 years 6 months of age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2010)`
Manpower available for military service: |  |
`males age 16-49: 95,499 females age 16-49: 90,919 (2010 est.)`
Manpower fit for military service: |  |
`males age 16-49: 79,645 females age 16-49: 75,684 (2010 est.)`
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: |  |
`male: 2,554 female: 2,385 (2010 est.)`
Military expenditures: |  |
`0.7% of GDP (2006 est.) country comparison to the world: 153`

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international: |  |
`none`
Illicit drugs: |  |
`minor transshipment point for hashish from North Africa to Western Europe`

PAGE LAST UPDATED ON MAY 26, 2011