Landscape of Malta
Flag of Malta

Malta

Europe

Malta’s location in the Mediterranean sea in close proximity to international military and naval powers has caused it to be of great strategic importance. Throughout its history Malta has been occupied by the Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Greeks, and Romans. The country gained independence from the UK in 1964. The country has a large amount of refugees and asylum seekers landing on its shores, and the government has yet to come up with an effective and humane way to address the situation. There are also environmental concerns facing the people as pollution begins to affect the major tourist destinations on the island. Domestic abuse and financial inequality are other prevalent social issues.1 1 https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/mt.html

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About Malta

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.

Quick Facts

Population
411,277 (July 2013 est.)
Area
316 sq km
ISO Code
MT
Continent
Europe
Government
republic
Active Causes
12
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Geography & Environment

Climate

Mediterranean; mild, rainy winters; hot, dry summers

Terrain

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

Natural Resources

limestone, salt, arable land

Environmental Issues

limited natural freshwater resources; increasing reliance on desalination

People & Society

79.98 years
Avg. Life Expectancy
92.4%
Literacy Rate
95% of total population (2010)
Total Urban Population

Languages

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

Religions

Roman Catholic (official) 98%

Health Expenditure

8.7% of GDP (2010) of GDP

Education Expenditure

5.4% of GDP (2009) of GDP

Economy

$27,500
GDP per Capita (PPP)
6.4%
Unemployment Rate
15.4% (2011)
Below Poverty Line

Economic 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 irregular migration, 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, manufacturi...

Causes in Malta

Family

In 2017, the Maltese government legalized same-sex marriage. Abortion continues to be criminalized in any scenario.1 There were over 1,200 reports of domestic abuse in 2017. Victim Support Malta released statistics surrounding domestic violence, and noted that the taboo traditionally associated with reporting instances of domestic violence is weakening, but there is still some slight social pressure to not report.2

Human Rights

In March of 2014, the Maltese Prime Minister announced that Malta would no longer be detaining unaccompanied migrant children before letting them go to reception centers. Detainment is one of the situations in which children are the most vulnerable in the country. The government is now working to get these children integrated into the education system as soon as possible.1 Malta has ratified the Committee on the Rights of the Child and continues to work towards advancing and advocating for children’s rights. The country also passed legislation to give the same rights to same sex couples as to married couples.2 The country is still dealing with the aftermath of a Syrian shipwreck in which many Syrian refugees died after Italian reluctance to assist Maltese authorities in the rescue effort.3

Education

The Maltese government and the Ministry for Education and Employment have partnered together to create education reform. Some of the primary reforms include training teachers in the Maltese language and promoting the learning of a second language in order to increase Malta’s global outreach.1 Malta’s primary school enrollment rate is currently at 95%, and secondary enrollment is around 70%. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization determined income and social disparity to be some of the leading causes of poor academic performances.2 The adult literacy rate is at 95%.3

Poverty

Around 17% of the population in Malta lives under the poverty line. 4.4% of the population is unemployed.1 Children between the ages of 1 and 17 are 31% more likely to be poor, disproportionate to the EU average of 25%.3 22% of the population over the age of 65 lives in poverty. Despite the country’s successful economy, large portions of the population are left behind.4

Religion

Roman Catholicism is the official religion of Malta and over 90% of the population identify as Catholic.1 Malta’s constitutional protection of religious freedom is well respected by both the government and society. Reports of official or societal religious discrimination are largely nonexistent.3

Clean Water

100% of Malta’s population has access to clean drinking water and improved sanitation infrastructure.1

Economy

Malta is the smallest economy in the eurozone and is only able to produce 20% of its total food needs. Immigration rates have increased in the past decade because of Malta’s proximity to North Africa and mainland Europe. The country’s unemployment rate is at 4.5% and 16% of the country lives below the poverty line.1 In 2018, approximately 88% of Maltese citizens thought the government was lacking in its ability to implement meaningful institutional reforms to the economy.2

Government

The Republic of Malta was formerly a Commonwealth country until its independence from the UK in 1964. It became a republic in the 1970s and reinvented itself as a financial center and viable tourist destination for Europeans. The president is the chief of state and the prime minister is the head of government. There are only three major political parties. Malta joined the European Union in 2004 and was accepted into the Eurozone in 2008.1 Transparency International ranks the country 46th out of 180 countries on the Corruption Index, while the public gave their government a score of 56 out of a possible 100 for perceived corruption.2

Health

The maternal mortality rate in Malta is 9 deaths per 100,000 live births. The infant mortality rate is 3 deaths per 1,000 live births. The government spends 10% of GDP on healthcare. Nearly 29% of the adult population struggles with obesity. The average life expectancy is 80 years old.1 Malta’s accession into the European Union was critical in helping the country reform their health care system and allocate the necessary capital to fund reforms. One issue burdening the healthcare system is providing care for the aging population.2

Children

In 2013, a National Commission for Child Policy and Strategy was established and was given the responsibility of drafting a new children’s rights act and legislation. The legislation is aimed at improving child care facilities and increasing maternity leave for new mothers.1 One of the functions of the National Children’s Policy, launched in 2016, is to provide breakfasts for children across the country who might not have enough food at home.

Environment

The EU has outlined a plan for Malta to improve its environmental policy in order to protect its delicate environment, and preserve much of the landscape that is crucial for the tourism industry. The island has scarce natural resources which are heavily protected and regulated. In 2017 the government worked to speed up implementation of waste management laws that will protect water and soil quality.1

Animals

Malta’s scenic coastlines surround conifer forests and are home to the North African endemic conifer Tetraclinis articulata. There are a variety of birds, including the Silvia sarda, living in the the island’s ecoregion. One of the greatest dangers to the wildlife on the island is the extensive tourism industry and the accompanying human intrusion into habitat areas. There is also a rising issue with collection of rare and wild plants.1

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