Malta

Broadcast media

2 publicly-owned TV stations, Television Malta (TVM) broadcasting nationally plus 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 available; publicly-owned radio broadcaster operates 1 station; roughly 20 commercial radio stations (2011)

Internet country code

.mt

Internet hosts

14,754 (2012) country comparison to the world: 125

Internet users

240,600 (2009) country comparison to the world: 137

Telephone system

general assessment: automatic system featuring submarine cable and microwave radio relay between islands domestic: combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular subscribership exceeds 180 per 100 persons international: country code - 356; submarine cable connects to Italy; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)

Telephones - main lines in use

232,300 (2011) country comparison to the world: 126

Telephones - mobile cellular

521,700 (2011) country comparison to the world: 166

Agriculture - products

potatoes, cauliflower, grapes, wheat, barley, tomatoes, citrus, cut flowers, green peppers; pork, milk, poultry, eggs

Budget

revenues: $3.526 billion expenditures: $3.854 billion (2012 est.)

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-3.9% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 127

Central bank discount rate

1.75% (31 December 2011) country comparison to the world: 128 1.75% (31 December 2010) 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

4.6% (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 160 4.76% (31 December 2011 est.)

Current account balance

-$221.2 million (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 80 -$268.8 million (2011 est.)

Debt - external

$48.79 billion (30 June 2011) country comparison to the world: 59 $5.978 billion (31 December 2010)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

27.4 (2011) country comparison to the world: 124 26 (2007)

Economy - overview

Malta - the smallest economy in the euro zone - produces only about 20% of its food needs, has limited fresh water supplies, and has few domestic energy sources. Malta's geographic position between Europe and North Africa makes it a target for illegal immigration, which has strained Malta's political and economic resources. Malta's fertility rate is below the EU average, and population growth in recent years has largely been from immigration, putting increasing pressure on the pension system. Malta adopted the euro on 1 January 2008. Malta's economy is dependent on foreign trade, manufacturing, and tourism, and was hurt by the global economic downturn. Malta has low unemployment relative to other European countries, and growth has recovered since the 2009 recession. Malta's financial services industry has grown in recent years and it has avoided contagion from the European financial crisis, largely because its debt is mostly held domestically and its banks have low exposure to the sovereign debt of peripheral European countries. Malta reduced its deficit below 3 percent of GDP, leading the EU to dismiss its official excessive deficit procedure against Malta in 2012.

Exchange rates

euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.7838 (2012 est.) 0.7185 (2011 est.) 755 (2010 est.) 0.7198 (2009 est.) 0.6827 (2008 est.)

Exports

$3.67 billion (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 124 $3.635 billion (2011 est.)

Exports - commodities

machinery and mechanical appliances; mineral fuels, oils and products; pharmaceutical products; printed books and newspapers; aircraft/spacecraft and parts thereof; toys, games, and sports requisites

Exports - partners

Germany 14%, France 10.5%, Greece 7.7%, Italy 7.4%, UK 6.4% (2011)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP (official exchange rate)

$8.415 billion (2012 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$11.14 billion (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 150 $11.01 billion (2011 est.) $10.78 billion (2010 est.) note: data are in 2012 US dollars

GDP - composition by sector

agriculture: 1.9% industry: 17.2% services: 80.9% (2010 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$26,100 (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 53 $26,000 (2011 est.) $25,700 (2010 est.) note: data are in 2012 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

1.2% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 157 2.1% (2011 est.) 2.5% (2010 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%

Imports

$4.648 billion (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 133 $4.856 billion (2011 est.)

Imports - commodities

mineral fuels, oils and products; electrical machinery; aircraft/spacecraft and parts thereof; machinery and mechanical appliances; plastic and other semi-manufactured goods; vehicles and parts thereof

Imports - partners

Italy 32%, France 8.4%, UK 8%, Germany 6.9% (2011)

Industrial production growth rate

NA%

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

2.5% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 52 2.7% (2011 est.)

Investment (gross fixed)

15.8% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 134

Labor force

180,200 (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 175

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture: 1.5% industry: 24.7% services: 73.9% (2011)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$3.424 billion (31 December 2011) country comparison to the world: 95 $2.399 billion (31 December 2010) $1.982 billion (31 December 2009)

Population below poverty line

(2011)

Public debt

77% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 31 71.9% of GDP (2011 est.) note: Malta reports public debt at nominal value outstanding at the end of the year, according to guidelines set out in the Maastricht Treaty for general government gross debt; the data include the following categories of government liabilities (as defined in ESA95): currency and deposits (AF.2), securities other than shares excluding financial derivatives (AF.3, excluding AF.34), and loans (AF.4); general government comprises the central government, state government, local government and social security funds

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$498.4 million (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 147 $515.5 million (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of broad money

$12.66 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 97 $12.53 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$1.213 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 74

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$17.25 billion (31 December 2010) country comparison to the world: 73 $9.019 billion (31 December 2009)

Stock of domestic credit

$13.01 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 92 $12.95 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$5.146 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 98 $5.1 billion (31 December 2011 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

Taxes and other revenues

41.9% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 44

Unemployment rate

6.1% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 60 6.4% (2011 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

3.114 million Mt (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 140

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 156

Crude oil - imports

0 bbl/day (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 98

Crude oil - production

0 bbl/day (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 168

Crude oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 167

Electricity - consumption

1.991 billion kWh (2010) country comparison to the world: 140

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 104

Electricity - from fossil fuels

99.7% of total installed capacity (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 55

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 184

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 142

Electricity - from other renewable sources

0.3% of total installed capacity (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 82

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 109

Electricity - installed generating capacity

573,000 kW (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 132

Electricity - production

2.168 billion kWh (2011) country comparison to the world: 135

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 175

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 120

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 101

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 169

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 172

Refined petroleum products - consumption

19,520 bbl/day (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 130

Refined petroleum products - exports

(2010 est.) (2010 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

47,050 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 71

Refined petroleum products - production

0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 178

Area

total: 316 sq km country comparison to the world: 208 land: 316 sq km water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly less than twice the size of Washington, DC

Climate

Mediterranean; mild, rainy winters; hot, dry summers

Coastline

196.8 km (excludes 56 km for the island of Gozo)

Elevation extremes

lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m highest point: Ta'Dmejrek 253 m (near Dingli)

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

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

total: 0.02 cu km/yr (74%/1%/25%) per capita: 50 cu m/yr (2000)

Geographic coordinates

35 50 N, 14 35 E

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

Irrigated land

32 sq km (2003)

Land boundaries

0 km

Land use

arable land: 31.25% permanent crops: 3.13% other: 65.62% (2005)

Location

Southern Europe, islands in the Mediterranean Sea, south of Sicily (Italy)

Map references

Europe

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

Natural hazards

NA

Natural resources

limestone, salt, arable land

Terrain

mostly low, rocky, flat to dissected plains; many coastal cliffs

Total renewable water resources

0.07 cu km (2005)

Administrative divisions

68 localities (Il-lokalita); Attard, Balzan, Birgu, Birkirkara, Birzebbuga, Bormla, Dingli, Fgura, Floriana, Fontana, Ghajnsielem, Gharb, Gharghur, Ghasri Ghaxaq, Gudja, Gzira, Hamrun, Iklin, Imdina, Imgarr, Imqabba, Imsida, Imtarfa, Isla, Kalkara, Kercem, Kirkop, Lija, Luqa, Marsa, Marsaskala, Marsaxlokk, Mellieha, Mosta, Munxar, Nadur, Naxxar, Paola, Pembroke, Pieta, Qala, Qormi, Qrendi, Rabat, Rabat (Ghawdex), Safi, San Giljan/Saint Julian, San Gwann/Saint John, San Lawrenz/Saint Lawrence, Sannat, San Pawl il-Bahar/Saint Paul's Bay, Santa Lucija/Saint Lucia, Santa Venera/Saint Venera, Siggiewi, Sliema, Swieqi, Tarxien, Ta' Xbiex, Valletta, Xaghra, Xewkija, Xghajra, Zabbar, Zebbug, Zebbug (Ghawdex), Zejtun, Zurrieq

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

Constitution

1964; amended many times

Country name

conventional long form: Republic of Malta conventional short form: Malta local long form: Repubblika ta' Malta local short form: Malta

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Gina ABERCROMBIE-WINSTANLEY embassy: New Embassy mailing address: Ta' Qali National Park, Attard, ATD 4000 telephone: [356] 2561 4000 FAX: [356] 2124 3229

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Joseph COLE chancery: 2017 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 462-3611 through 3612 FAX: [1] (202) 387-5470 consulate(s): New York

Executive branch

chief of state: President George ABELA (since 4 April 2009) head of government: Prime Minister Lawrence GONZI (since 23 March 2004) note - Prime Minister GONZI lost a key budget vote on 10 December 2012, paving the way for a general election on 9 March 2013; the GONZI government will continue in a caretaker capacity until the election 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

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

Government type

republic

Independence

21 September 1964 (from the UK)

International law organization participation

accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

International organization participation

Australia Group, C, CD, CE, EAPC, EBRD, ECB, EIB, EMU, EU, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NSG, OAS (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, Schengen Convention, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, Union Latina (observer), UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

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

Legal system

mixed legal system of English common law and civil law (based on the Roman and Napoleonic civil codes)

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 represented 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

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

National holiday

Independence Day, 21 September (1964); Republic Day, 13 December (1974)

National symbol(s)

Maltese cross

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

Alliance of Liberal Democrats Malta (Alleanza Liberali-Demokratika Malta) or ALDM (for divorce, abortion, gay marriage, women's rights); Democratic Alternative (Alternattiva Demokratika) (pro-environment); Together for a Better Environment (Flimkien Ghal-Ambjent Ahjar) or FAA (pro-environment) other: environmentalists

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

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.

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 branches

Armed Forces of Malta (AFM; includes air and maritime elements) (2010)

Military expenditures

0.7% of GDP (2006 est.) country comparison to the world: 151

Military service age and obligation

17 years 6 months of age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2011)

Age structure

0-14 years: 15.4% (male 32,402/ female 30,866) 15-64 years: 68.1% (male 141,719/ female 137,222) 65 years and over: 16.5% (male 29,830/ female 37,797) (2012 est.)

Birth rate

10.31 births/1,000 population (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 188

Death rate

8.72 deaths/1,000 population (July 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 75

Education expenditures

6.4% of GDP (2007) country comparison to the world: 22

Ethnic groups

Maltese (descendants of ancient Carthaginians and Phoenicians with strong elements of Italian and other Mediterranean stock)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.1% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 140

HIV/AIDS - deaths

fewer than 100 (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 122

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

fewer than 500 (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 154

Health expenditures

16.5% of GDP (2009) country comparison to the world: 1

Hospital bed density

4.88 beds/1,000 population (2009)

Infant mortality rate

total: 3.65 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 207 male: 4.08 deaths/1,000 live births female: 3.2 deaths/1,000 live births (2012 est.)

Languages

Maltese (official) 90.2%, English (official) 6%, multilingual 3%, other 0.8% (2005 census)

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 79.85 years country comparison to the world: 35 male: 77.57 years female: 82.26 years (2012 est.)

Literacy

definition: age 10 and over can read and write total population: 92.8% male: 91.7% female: 93.9% (2005 Census)

Major cities - population

VALLETTA (capital) 199,000 (2009)

Maternal mortality rate

8 deaths/100,000 live births (2010) country comparison to the world: 159

Median age

total: 40.3 years male: 39.1 years female: 41.7 years (2012 est.)

Nationality

noun: Maltese (singular and plural) adjective: Maltese

Net migration rate

2 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 39

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

20.7% (2007) country comparison to the world: 21

Physicians density

3.073 physicians/1,000 population (2009)

Population

409,836 (July 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 174

Population growth rate

0.359% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 160

Religions

Roman Catholic (official) 98%

Sanitation facility access

improved: urban: 100% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

total: 14 years male: 14 years female: 15 years (2008)

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.79 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.53 children born/woman (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 186

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

total: 13.3% country comparison to the world: 86 male: 17.7% female: 15.4% (2009)

Urbanization

urban population: 95% of total population (2010) rate of urbanization: 0.5% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

Disputes - international

none

Illicit drugs

minor transshipment point for hashish from North Africa to Western Europe

Airports

1 (2012) country comparison to the world: 212

Airports - with paved runways

total: 1 over 3,047 m: 1 (2012)

Heliports

2 (2012)

Merchant marine

total: 1,650 country comparison to the world: 4 by type: bulk carrier 544, cargo 351, carrier 1, chemical tanker 324, container 117, liquefied gas 36, passenger 50, passenger/cargo 18, petroleum tanker 160, refrigerated cargo 7, roll on/roll off 22, specialized tanker 2, vehicle carrier 18 foreign-owned: 1,437 (Angola 7, Azerbaijan 1, Belgium 7, Bermuda 15, Bulgaria 8, Canada 5, China 6, Croatia 6, Cyprus 32, Denmark 34, Egypt 1, Estonia 16, Finland 3, France 8, Germany 135, Greece 469, Hong Kong 4, India 3, Iran 48, Ireland 4, Israel 3, Italy 45, Japan 5, Kuwait 3, Latvia 8, Lebanon 6, Libya 5, Luxembourg 3, Malaysia 1, Monaco 3, Netherlands 3, Norway 96, Oman 5, Poland 21, Portugal 3, Romania 7, Russia 45, Saudi Arabia 2, Singapore 4, Slovenia 4, South Korea 2, Spain 8, Sweden 1, Switzerland 20, Syria 4, Turkey 233, UAE 1, UK 21, Ukraine 29, US 34) registered in other countries: 2 (Panama 2) (2010)

Ports and terminals

Marsaxlokk (Malta Freeport), Valletta

Roadways

total: 3,096 km country comparison to the world: 164 paved: 2,710 km unpaved: 386 km (2005)