Malta

Internet country code

.mt

Internet hosts

25,139 (2009) country comparison to the world: 94

Internet users

198,800 (2008) country comparison to the world: 137

Radio broadcast stations

AM 1, FM 18, shortwave 6 (1999)

Telephone system

general assessment: automatic system is adequate; combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular subscribership exceeds 150 per 100 persons domestic: submarine cable and microwave radio relay between islands international: country code - 356; submarine cable connects to Italy; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2008)

Telephones - main lines in use

241,100 (2008) country comparison to the world: 120

Telephones - mobile cellular

385,600 (2008) country comparison to the world: 161

Television broadcast stations

5 (2006)

Agriculture - products

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

Budget

revenues: $3.378 billion expenditures: $3.77 billion (2008 est.)

Central bank discount rate

3% (31 December 2008) 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

5.89% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 130 6.24% (31 December 2007)

Current account balance

-$445 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 103 -$468 million (2007 est.)

Debt - external

$188.8 million (2005) country comparison to the world: 181

Distribution of family income - Gini index

26 (2007) country comparison to the world: 127

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 recipient of illegal immigration, which has strained Malta's political and economic resources. The financial services industry has grown in recent years, but is not fully modernized. Malta's economy is dependent on foreign trade, manufacturing - especially electronics and pharmaceuticals - and tourism all of which have been negatively affected by the global economic downturn. Malta adopted the euro on 1 January 2008. The Maltese government in 2009 will be challenged to contain the budget deficit, which ballooned in 2008 to about 4.1% of GDP, placing it above the euro zone's 3% maximum.

Electricity - consumption

1.832 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 136

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - production

2.146 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 133

Exchange rates

euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.6827 (2008 est.), Maltese liri per US dollar - 0.3106 (2007), 0.37 (2006), 0.34578 (2005), 0.34466 (2004), 0.37723 (2003)

Exports

$3.06 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 122 $3.305 billion (2007 est.)

Exports - commodities

machinery and transport equipment, manufactures

Exports - partners

Germany 13.5%, Singapore 13%, France 12.2%, US 9.6%, UK 8.2%, Hong Kong 6.7%, Japan 6.4%, Italy 4.7% (2008)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$8.37 billion (2008 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$9.933 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 149 $9.707 billion (2007 est.) $9.317 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars

GDP - composition by sector

agriculture: 1.4% industry: 18% services: 80.6% (2007 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$24,600 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 52 $24,200 (2007 est.) $23,300 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

2.3% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 152 4.2% (2007 est.) 3.5% (2006 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

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

Imports

$4.792 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 118 $4.655 billion (2007 est.)

Imports - commodities

machinery and transport equipment, manufactured and semi-manufactured goods; food, drink, tobacco

Imports - partners

Italy 28.1%, UK 13.5%, France 8.2%, Germany 7.4%, Singapore 6.4% (2008)

Industrial production growth rate

NA%

Industries

tourism, electronics, ship building and repair, construction, food and beverages, pharmaceuticals, footwear, clothing, tobacco

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

4.3% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 72 1.3% (2007 est.)

Investment (gross fixed)

16.2% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 135

Labor force

173,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 170

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture: 2.3% industry: 29.6% services: 68% (2005 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$NA (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 84 $5.633 billion (31 December 2007) $4.504 billion (31 December 2006)

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 155

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 148

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 91

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 151

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 158

Oil - consumption

19,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 127

Oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 181

Oil - imports

17,910 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 115

Oil - production

0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 161

Oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 156

Population below poverty line

NA%

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$373.4 million (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 139 $3.798 billion (31 December 2007 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$NA

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$NA

Stock of domestic credit

$16.17 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 64 $10.99 billion (31 December 2007)

Stock of money

$4.639 billion (31 January 2008) country comparison to the world: 56 $4.603 billion (31 December 2007) note: this figure represents the US dollar value of Maltese liri in circulation prior to Malta joining the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU); see entry for the European Union for money supply in the euro area; the European Central Bank (ECB) controls monetary policy for the 16 members of the EMU; individual members of the EMU do not control the quantity of money and quasi money circulating within their own borders

Stock of quasi money

$8.771 billion (31 January 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 56 $7.645 billion (31 December 2007)

Unemployment rate

6% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 74

Area

total: 316 sq km country comparison to the world: 207 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 56.01 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 fresh water 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

20 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

none (administered directly from Valletta); note - local councils carry out administrative orders

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 (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Jason DAVIS embassy: 3rd Floor, Development House, Saint Anne Street, Floriana, VLT 01 mailing address: P. O. Box 535, Valletta, CMR01 telephone: [356] 2561 4000 FAX: [356] 21 243229

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

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 elections: president elected by the House of Representatives for a five-year term (eligible for a second 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 is usually appointed prime minister by the president for a five-year term; the deputy prime minister is 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

Government type

republic

Independence

21 September 1964 (from the UK)

International organization participation

Australia Group, C, CE, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EMU, EU, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, 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, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Judicial branch

Constitutional Court; Court of Appeal; judges for both courts are appointed by the president on the advice of the prime minister

Legal system

based on English common law and Roman civil law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations

Legislative branch

unicameral House of Representatives (normally 65 seats; members are elected by popular vote on the basis of proportional representation to serve five-year terms; note - the current Parliament is composed of 69 seats; when the political party winning the plurality of votes does not win a majority of seats, the constitution provides that a sufficient number of seats will be added to Parliament to ensure that the party that won the elections has a majority in Parliament) elections: last held on 8 March 2008 (next to be held by March 2013) election results: percent of vote by party - PN 49.3%, MLP 48.9%, other 1.8%; seats by party - PN 35, MLP 34

National holiday

Independence Day, 21 September (1964)

Political parties and leaders

Alternativa Demokratika/Alliance for Social Justice or AD [Arnold CASSOLA]; Azzjoni Nazzjonaili or AN [Josi MUSCAT]; Malta Labor Party or MLP [Joseph MUSCAT]; Nationalist Party or PN [Lawrence GONZI]

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); Azzjoni Nazzjonali or AN (freedom to participate in democratic government); Flimkien Ghal-Ambjent Ahjar (pro-environment); Ghazdatal-Konsumaturi (consumer rights) 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: 96,309 females age 16-49: 92,242 (2008 est.)

Manpower fit for military service

males age 16-49: 80,186 females age 16-49: 76,426 (2009 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

male: 2,695 female: 2,533 (2009 est.)

Military branches

Armed Forces of Malta (AFM; includes air and maritime elements) (2007)

Military expenditures

0.7% of GDP (2006 est.) country comparison to the world: 153

Military service age and obligation

17 years 6 months of age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2008)

Age structure

0-14 years: 16.1% (male 33,526/female 31,780) 15-64 years: 69.4% (male 142,491/female 138,769) 65 years and over: 14.5% (male 25,406/female 33,193) (2009 est.)

Birth rate

10.36 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 189

Death rate

8.38 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 100

Education expenditures

5.1% of GDP (2004) country comparison to the world: 65

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% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 131

HIV/AIDS - deaths

fewer than 100 (2003 est.) country comparison to the world: 136

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

fewer than 500 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 150

Infant mortality rate

total: 3.75 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 213 male: 4.2 deaths/1,000 live births female: 3.27 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)

Languages

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

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 79.44 years country comparison to the world: 29 male: 77.21 years female: 81.8 years (2009 est.)

Literacy

definition: age 10 and over can read and write total population: 92.8% male: 92% female: 93.6% (2003 est.)

Median age

total: 39.5 years male: 38.1 years female: 40.9 years (2009 est.)

Nationality

noun: Maltese (singular and plural) adjective: Maltese

Net migration rate

2.02 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 44

Population

405,165 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 173

Population growth rate

0.4% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 163

Religions

Roman Catholic 98%

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

total: 15 years male: 15 years female: 15 years (2005)

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.76 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2009 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.51 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 186

Urbanization

urban population: 94% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 0.6% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)

Disputes - international

none

Illicit drugs

minor transshipment point for hashish from North Africa to Western Europe

Airports

1 (2009) country comparison to the world: 219

Airports - with paved runways

total: 1 over 3,047 m: 1 (2009)

Merchant marine

total: 1,438 country comparison to the world: 4 by type: bulk carrier 459, cargo 411, carrier 2, chemical tanker 171, container 80, liquefied gas 25, passenger 29, passenger/cargo 15, petroleum tanker 159, refrigerated cargo 32, roll on/roll off 37, specialized tanker 1, vehicle carrier 17 foreign-owned: 1,343 (Austria 1, Azerbaijan 2, Bangladesh 2, Belgium 15, Bulgaria 5, Canada 1, China 12, Croatia 9, Cyprus 31, Denmark 30, Egypt 1, Estonia 11, France 5, Germany 91, Greece 452, Hong Kong 1, Iceland 5, India 2, Iran 79, Israel 18, Italy 50, Japan 8, South Korea 2, Latvia 19, Lebanon 11, Libya 3, Lithuania 1, Norway 93, Pakistan 2, Poland 24, Portugal 3, Romania 8, Russia 58, Slovenia 4, Spain 3, Sweden 2, Switzerland 20, Syria 6, Turkey 176, Ukraine 30, UAE 5, UK 19, US 23) registered in other countries: 3 (Panama 3) (2008)

Ports and terminals

Marsaxlokk (Malta Freeport), Valletta

Roadways

total: 2,227 km country comparison to the world: 171 paved: 2,014 km unpaved: 213 km (2005)