Malta

The Republic of Malta is a Southern European island nation located in the central Mediterranean Sea, about 80 kilometres south of Sicily. Despite its small size—just 316 square kilometres, slightly less than twice the size of Washington, D.C.—Malta has held a strategic position between Europe and North Africa for millennia. The archipelago’s long and layered history has made it a crossroads of civilisations, successively ruled by Phoenicians, Romans, Arabs, Normans, Knights of St John, the French, and the British. Today, Malta is a high-income member of the European Union and Eurozone, recognised for its robust institutions, service-driven economy, and rich cultural legacy.

Historical Background

Human habitation in Malta dates back over 5,000 years, making it one of the world’s oldest continuous civilisations. The islands are home to prehistoric megalithic temples such as the Ġgantija Temples on Gozo and the Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum, which predate Egypt’s pyramids and demonstrate advanced architectural skill.
Over centuries, the islands came under the influence of successive Mediterranean powers. The Phoenicians established Malta as a trading outpost, followed by the Romans, who integrated it into their empire. After the Byzantines and Arabs (870–1091), who introduced irrigation and citrus cultivation, the Normans and Sicilians brought the islands back into Christian Europe.
In 1530, Malta was granted to the Knights Hospitaller (Knights of St John) by Charles V of Spain. The knights transformed Malta into a formidable fortress, founding Valletta—a city renowned for its bastions and baroque architecture. Their defence during the Great Siege of 1565 against the Ottoman Empire became legendary.
The French occupation (1798–1800) under Napoleon Bonaparte introduced administrative reforms but provoked Maltese resistance, leading to British intervention. The Treaty of Paris (1814) formally recognised Malta as a British colony, making it a vital naval base for the British Empire. During World War II, Malta withstood intense Axis bombardment, earning the George Cross from King George VI for collective bravery—a distinction now depicted on the national flag.
Malta achieved independence on 21 September 1964 and became a republic in 1974. The new state pursued a policy of neutrality while maintaining close links with the Commonwealth. The economy gradually diversified from ship repair and agriculture into services, tourism, and finance. Malta joined the European Union in 2004 and adopted the euro in 2008, cementing its place in European economic and political structures.

Geography and Environment

Malta lies in Southern Europe, positioned in the central Mediterranean between Sicily and North Africa. The Maltese archipelago includes three inhabited islands—Malta, Gozo (Għawdex), and Comino (Kemmuna)—alongside several smaller islets.

• Coordinates: 35°50′N, 14°35′E
• Area: 316 sq km
• Coastline: 196.8 km
• Highest point: Ta’ Dmejrek on the Dingli Cliffs (253 m)
• Climate: Mediterranean, with mild, wet winters and hot, dry summers
• Terrain: Low, rocky plains with limestone cliffs, harbours, and limited fertile soil

Natural resources include limestone, salt, and limited arable land. Agriculture covers 27.3% of the territory, but Malta depends heavily on food imports and desalination due to scarce freshwater resources. The archipelago’s geography supports tourism, shipping, and light industry.
Environmental challenges include urban sprawl, waste management, and limited groundwater, addressed through desalination technology and sustainable energy initiatives. Malta is party to key international environmental conventions such as the Paris Agreement, Kyoto Protocol, and Convention on Biological Diversity.

People and Society

The population (2024) is approximately 469,730, making Malta one of Europe’s most densely populated countries. Urbanisation stands at 94.9%, with most residents concentrated along the eastern coast, especially around Valletta, Sliema, and St Julian’s.

• Capital: Valletta (metropolitan population ~213,000)
• Median age: 43.5 years
• Life expectancy: 83.6 years (among the world’s highest)
• Fertility rate: 1.51 children per woman
• Population growth: 0.5% annually, driven by immigration

The Maltese are predominantly of Carthaginian, Phoenician, and southern European descent. The official languages are Maltese—a Semitic language written in the Latin alphabet—and English, both widely used in administration and education.
Religion plays a major role in national life: over 90% of Maltese identify as Roman Catholic, though secularism and pluralism are increasingly visible.
Health and education indicators are strong:

• Maternal mortality: 8 per 100,000 live births
• Infant mortality: 4.4 per 1,000 live births
• Physician density: 7.86 per 1,000 inhabitants
• Access to safe water and sanitation: 100%
• Literacy: over 98%
• School life expectancy: 16 years
• Education expenditure: 4.8% of GDP

Government and Politics

• Official name: Repubblika ta’ Malta
• Government type: Parliamentary republic
• Capital: Valletta
• Head of State: President Myriam Spiteri Debono (since April 2024)
• Head of Government: Prime Minister Robert Abela (since January 2020)
• Legislature: House of Representatives (Il-Kamra Tad-Deputati) – 65 seats

The Constitution of 1964 established a parliamentary democracy. The President, elected by Parliament for a five-year term, serves as head of state, while executive authority rests with the Prime Minister and Cabinet.
Malta has a two-party system dominated by the Labour Party (Partit Laburista, PL) and Nationalist Party (Partit Nazzjonalista, PN). In the 2022 general election, the Labour Party retained power with 44 seats to the PN’s 35.
The judicial system blends English common law and continental civil law, under the oversight of EU legislation. The Court of Appeal and Constitutional Court represent the highest judicial authorities.
Malta’s foreign policy emphasises neutrality, EU participation, and multilateral diplomacy. The country is active in the United Nations, OSCE, Commonwealth, and the EU, while holding observer status in the Organization of American States and cooperating with NATO’s Partnership for Peace.

Economy

Malta possesses a high-income, service-based economy, known for financial services, tourism, digital industries, and maritime trade. Its small domestic market is offset by openness to global commerce and investment.
Key economic indicators (2024):

• GDP (PPP): $34.7 billion
• GDP per capita (PPP): $60,500
• Real GDP growth: 6%
• Inflation: 1.7%
• Unemployment: 2.8%
• Public debt: 50.7% of GDP

Economic structure:

• Services: >80% of GDP
• Industry: ~19% (electronics, pharmaceuticals, ship repair, aviation maintenance)
• Agriculture: 0.2%

Trade (2024):

• Exports: $29.2 billion (refined petroleum, ships, electronics, pharmaceuticals)
• Imports: $24.5 billion (machinery, petroleum, aircraft, ships)
• Key export partners: Nigeria, Germany, China, Singapore, Hong Kong
• Key import partners: Italy, China, Germany, France, Turkey
• Current account surplus: $1.38 billion

Malta’s financial and taxation framework attracts multinational investment under EU oversight, ensuring compliance with anti-money laundering standards. The economy benefits from a highly educated workforce, strong ICT infrastructure, and EU market access.

Energy and Infrastructure

Malta has universal electricity access (100%) and an installed capacity of 829,000 kW. The country imports most of its natural gas and petroleum, while solar energy accounts for 13.2% of supply.
An undersea interconnector with Sicily links Malta to the European power grid, enhancing energy resilience. The government aims for carbon neutrality by 2050 through renewable energy expansion and efficiency initiatives.
Infrastructure includes a dense road network, a major international airport (Luqa), and two primary seaports: Valletta Harbour and Marsaxlokk, the latter serving as a container trans-shipment hub.

Defence and Security

The Armed Forces of Malta (AFM) comprise about 2,000 personnel in the Land Component, Maritime Squadron, and Air Wing. The Malta Police Force handles domestic security.
Although Malta’s Constitution enshrines neutrality, it contributes to EU, OSCE, and UN peacekeeping missions, and maintains defence cooperation with Italy, which assists in maritime patrols and training. Defence spending averages 0.5% of GDP, focusing on border control, search and rescue, and disaster response.

Culture and National Identity

Malta’s culture embodies a fusion of Mediterranean and European influences, evident in language, architecture, and daily life. The Maltese language, a rare Semitic tongue written in the Latin alphabet, reflects this hybrid identity.
Roman Catholicism remains deeply woven into national traditions, particularly the village festas, religious processions, and baroque churches. The capital, Valletta, built by the Knights of St John, stands as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a centre of Maltese art and history.