Quick facts
Malta population overview
Malta is the 39th most populous of 50 countries and territories in Europe. The United Nations put the population at 548,802 on 1 January 2026; with an annual growth rate of +0.4% the live estimate on this page rises by roughly 6 people per day.
Over a full year that means about 4,226 births (7.7 per 1,000 people) and 4,336 deaths (7.9 per 1,000), plus net immigration of roughly 2,140 people. The infant mortality rate is 4.4 per 1,000 live births.
World Bank data show the population grew from 326,550 in 1960 to 579,704 in 2025 — a change of +77.5%, or +0.9% per year on average. It peaked at 579,704 in 2025 and has declined 5.1% since.
Demographically, the median age is 41.5 years; life expectancy at birth is 83.8 years; women have on average 1 children (2024, below the 2.1 replacement level); 12.9% of residents are under 15 and 20.5% are 65 or older (2025); 95.7% of people live in urban areas (2025).
The capital is Valletta. Malta covers 320 km², giving a population density of about 1,720 people per km². GDP was $27.77B in 2025 — about $47,907 per person (World Bank classification: high income).
Malta population statistics (2026)
| Population (live, October 2026) | 550,421 |
|---|---|
| UN estimate, 1 Jan 2026 | 548,802 |
| World rank | #173 of 238 |
| Rank in Europe | #39 of 50 |
| Share of world population | 0.007% |
| Annual growth rate | +0.4% |
| Births per year est. | 4,226 |
| Deaths per year est. | 4,336 |
| Net migration per year est. | +2,140 |
| Birth rate | 7.7 per 1,000 |
| Death rate | 7.9 per 1,000 |
| Infant mortality | 4.4 per 1,000 births |
| Sex ratio | 108.2 males per 100 females |
| Median age | 41.5 years |
| Life expectancy | 83.8 years |
| Fertility rate 2024 | 1 births per woman |
| Urban population 2025 | 95.7% |
| Surface area 2023 | 320 km² |
| Population density | 1,720 per km² |
| Capital | Valletta |
| GDP (current US$) 2025 | $27.77B |
| GDP per capita 2025 | $47,907 |
| Income group World Bank | High income |
Malta population by year
| Year | Population | Change | Annual growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 (live, UN-based) | 550,421 | – | – |
| 2025 | 579,704 | +10,857 | +1.9% |
| 2024 | 568,847 | +16,100 | +2.9% |
| 2023 | 552,747 | +21,634 | +4.1% |
| 2022 | 531,113 | +12,963 | +2.5% |
| 2021 | 518,150 | +2,660 | +0.5% |
| 2020 | 515,490 | +71,270 | +3% |
| 2015 | 444,220 | +29,712 | +1.4% |
| 2010 | 414,508 | +10,674 | +0.5% |
| 2005 | 403,834 | +13,747 | +0.7% |
| 2000 | 390,087 | +12,668 | +0.7% |
| 1995 | 377,419 | +23,249 | +1.3% |
| 1990 | 354,170 | +17,718 | +1% |
| 1985 | 336,452 | +19,807 | +1.2% |
| 1980 | 316,645 | +12,423 | +0.8% |
| 1975 | 304,222 | +1,572 | +0.1% |
| 1970 | 302,650 | -16,150 | -1% |
| 1965 | 318,800 | -7,750 | -0.5% |
| 1960 | 326,550 | – | – |
Change and annual growth are measured against the previous row; growth is annualized where rows are five years apart. The live row extrapolates the UN estimate and is not directly comparable with the World Bank series.
About Malta
Population over time
- From 326,550 in 1960 to 550,421 today — up 68.6%.
- Population peaked at 579,704 in 2025 and is down 5.1% since.
- Average change over the last 10 years of data: +2.7% per year.
Life expectancy & fertility
- Life expectancy at birth: 83 years (2024), up 14.6 years since 1960.
- Fertility: 1 births per woman (2024) — below the ~2.1 replacement level.
Birth & death rates
- Latest: 7.7 births vs 7.3 deaths per 1,000 people (2024).
- Natural increase of 0.4 per 1,000 a year, before migration.
Age structure
- 12.9% of the population is under 15 and 20.5% is 65 or older (2025).
- The 65+ share has grown from 7.2% in 1960 — the population is aging.
CO₂ emissions
- Latest total: 1.81 Mt CO₂ (2024).
- Emissions peaked at 2.81 Mt in 1993 — down 35.7% since.
- Per person: 3.18 t in 2024, vs 2.26 t in 1970.
Energy use & renewables
- Energy use: 1,398 kg of oil equivalent per person (2023), down 28.7% since 1990.
- Renewables supplied 8.6% of final energy in 2021 (+8.6 points since 1990).
Forest area (% of land)
- Forest covers 1.4% of land area (2023).
- Net afforestation: cover grew from 1.1% to 1.4% since 1990 — roughly 1 km² of forest gained.
Urban population (% of total)
- 95.7% of people live in urban areas (2025), vs 90.1% in 1960 (+5.6 points).
- Majority-urban for the whole period covered.
Water resources & stress
- Water stress: high — freshwater withdrawals are 72.6% of renewable internal resources (2022, SDG 6.4.2-style bands).
- Renewable freshwater per person: 95 m³ in 2022, down 38.8% since 1961.
Economy
- GDP: $27.77B in 2025.
- Nominal GDP is up 144.9% since 2015.
- That works out to $47,907 per person.
Unemployment & inflation
- Unemployment: 2.9% of the labor force (2025, ILO estimate).
- Consumer-price inflation: 2.4% in 2025.
Internet & mobile
- 93.9% of people used the internet in 2024.
- Mobile subscriptions: 142.1 per 100 people (2024) — more subscriptions than people.
Malta in the news
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of Malta in 2026?
As of October 2026, Malta has an estimated population of 550,421. The United Nations estimated 548,802 residents on 1 January 2026; the live figure on this page extrapolates that estimate using the +0.4% annual growth rate.
Is the population of Malta growing or shrinking?
It is growing at +0.4% per year — roughly 6 more people every day. Each year there are about 4,226 births and 4,336 deaths, with net migration of +2,140.
What is the population density of Malta?
About 1,720 people per square kilometre: 550,421 people living on 320 km² of surface area (World Bank, 2023).
What is the median age in Malta?
The median age is 41.5 years, and life expectancy at birth is 83.8 years. 12.9% of the population is under 15 and 20.5% is 65 or older (2025).
How does Malta rank by population?
Malta is the 173rd most populous of 238 countries and territories worldwide and the 39th in Europe, with 0.007% of the global population.
How has the population of Malta changed over time?
In 1960 the population was 326,550; by 2025 it had grown to 579,704 (+77.5%). The year-by-year table above lists the full World Bank series.
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Maldives
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Western Sahara
BruneiSources & method: the live population is a linear extrapolation of the UN World Population Prospects estimate for 1 January 2026 using the annual growth rate (+0.4%); births, deaths and migration counters apply the UN crude rates to the live figure. Historical series, area, GDP and other indicators are from World Bank Open Data; the encyclopedic summary is from Wikipedia. Figures are statistical estimates, not census counts. Page generated 2026-10-19. More about our data.