Malta

Broadcast media

1 publicly-owned television station, Television Malta (TVM); several 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 2 stations; roughly 50 commercial radio stations functioning (2008)

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

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)

Telephones - main lines in use

252,700 (2009) country comparison to the world: 122

Telephones - mobile cellular

422,100 (2009) country comparison to the world: 164

Agriculture - products

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

Central bank discount rate

1.75% (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 127 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

4.47% (31 December 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 140 5.89% (31 December 2008 est.)

Current account balance

-$403 million (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 110 -$491 million (2009 est.)

Debt - external

$41.02 billion (30 June 2010) country comparison to the world: 57 $3.75 billion (2008)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

26 (2007) country comparison to the world: 128

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.

Electricity - consumption

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

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity - production

2.146 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 131

Exchange rates

euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.7732 (2010), 0.7179 (2009), 0.6827 (2008), Maltese liri per US dollar - 0.3106 (2007), 0.37 (2006)

Exports

$2.954 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 124 $2.383 billion (2009 est.)

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)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$7.801 billion (2010 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$10.21 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 149 $10.01 billion (2009 est.) $10.13 billion (2008 est.) note: data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP - composition by sector

agriculture: 1.7% industry: 17.4% services: 80.9% (2007 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$25,100 (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 54 $24,700 (2009 est.) $25,100 (2008 est.) note: data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

2% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 151 -1.2% (2009 est.) 1.5% (2008 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

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

Imports

$4.074 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 127 $3.595 billion (2009 est.)

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%, Singapore 4.11%, Switzerland 4.05% (2009)

Industrial production growth rate

NA%

Industries

tourism, electronics, ship building and repair, construction, food and beverages, pharmaceuticals, footwear, clothing, tobacco, aviation services, financial services, information technology services

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

1.7% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 48 2.1% (2009 est.)

Investment (gross fixed)

14.1% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 137

Labor force

174,000 (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 175

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture: 1.6% industry: 22.8% services: 75.6% (2009 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$1.982 billion (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 85 $3.572 billion (31 December 2008) $5.633 billion (31 December 2007)

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 138

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 152

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 95

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 147

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 147

Oil - consumption

19,000 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 127

Oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 193

Oil - imports

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

Oil - production

0 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 162

Oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 138

Population below poverty line

NA%

Public debt

72.6% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 23 69% of GDP (2009 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$522 million (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 118 $538.6 million (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of broad money

$14.3 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 90 $13.74 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$NA

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$8.24 billion (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 81

Stock of domestic credit

$13.69 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 88 $12.91 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$5.195 billion (31 December 2010 est) country comparison to the world: 86 $4.956 billion (31 December 2009 est) 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 circulating within their own borders

Unemployment rate

7% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 70 6% (2008 est.)

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 and have some responsibility for local road and other public maintenance

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 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

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 (For more information visit theWorld Leaders website) elections: president elected by a resolution of 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 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 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, 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

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 Parliament elected in 2008 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%, PL 48.8%, other 1.9%; seats by party - PN 35, PL 34

National anthem

name: "L-Innu Malti" (The Hymn of Malta) 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)

Political parties and leaders

Alternativa Demokratika/Alliance for Social Justice or AD [Michael BRIGUGLIO]; Azzjoni Nazzjonaili or AN [Josi MUSCAT]; Malta Labor Party or PL [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); Ghazda tal-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: 95,899 females age 16-49: 91,412 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service

males age 16-49: 79,961 females age 16-49: 76,067 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

male: 2,570 female: 2,410 (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: 153

Military service age and obligation

17 years 6 months of age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2010)

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) (2010 est.)

Birth rate

10.38 births/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 187

Death rate

8.49 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 84

Education expenditures

4.8% of GDP (2004) country comparison to the world: 81

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: 116

HIV/AIDS - deaths

fewer than 100 (2003 est.) country comparison to the world: 137

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

fewer than 500 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 151

Infant mortality rate

total: 3.72 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 209 male: 4.16 deaths/1,000 live births female: 3.25 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)

Languages

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

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 79.59 years country comparison to the world: 32 male: 77.34 years female: 81.97 years (2010 est.)

Literacy

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

Median age

total: 39.7 years male: 38.5 years female: 41.1 years (2010 est.)

Nationality

noun: Maltese (singular and plural) adjective: Maltese

Net migration rate

2.02 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 42

Population

406,771 (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 173

Population growth rate

0.391% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 162

Religions

Roman Catholic 98%

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

total: 14 years male: 14 years female: 15 years (2007)

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 (2010 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.52 children born/woman (2010 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 (2010) country comparison to the world: 217

Airports - with paved runways

total: 1 over 3,047 m: 1 (2010)

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) registered in other countries: 2 (Panama 2) (2010)

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)