Malta Country Overview
Where is Malta located? The former British colony of Malta is located in the Mediterranean Sea. The island nation is divided into three islands: Malta, Gozo and Comino. Malta is one of the newer members of the European Union. On the time zone map, Malta is assigned to the same time zone as most other European countries: “Central European Time” (CET). The standard difference to the coordinated world time is (UTC+1). In summer, however, the clock is put forward one hour to Central European Daylight Time (CEDT), which increases the time difference by one hour.
Bordering Countries of Malta
According to abbreviationfinder, Malta is bordered by four countries: Italy, Tunisia, Libya and Algeria. To the north of Malta lies Italy, a country known for its diverse landscapes and culture. Italy offers visitors a wide range of attractions from the stunning Amalfi Coast to the canals of Venice or the ancient ruins of Rome. To the east of Malta lies Tunisia, a country known for its rich history with influences from both French colonization as well as indigenous African cultures. Tunisia is home to some stunning beaches as well as many cultural attractions such as historic sites and museums.
To the south of Malta lies Libya, a landlocked country in North Africa that is known for its diverse wildlife and national parks. Libya also offers visitors some stunning beaches as well as many cultural attractions such as ancient ruins and archaeological sites. Finally, Algeria lies to the west of Malta and has an array of different landscapes ranging from deserts to mountains. Algeria is also home to some beautiful cities such as Algiers or Oran that offer visitors an insight into life in this region of Africa.
Overall, Malta borders four countries that offer something unique for travelers looking to explore North Africa’s diversity further than just Malta itself. From Italy’s ancient ruins or Tunisia’s vibrant culture – there are plenty opportunities for exploration in these bordering countries. Whether it’s Libya’s wildlife or Algeria’s deserts – there are plenty of ways to experience this part of Africa.
Population Distribution
As of 2023, the latest population of Malta is 457,267, based on our calculation of the current data from UN (United Nations).
| Total population | 457,267 |
| Population growth rate | 0.87% |
| Birth rate | 10.10 births per 1,000 people |
| Life expectancy | |
| Overall | 79.98 years |
| Men | 77.69 years |
| Women | 82.41 years |
| Age structure | |
| 0-14 years | 14.29% |
| 15-64 years | 65.20% |
| 65 years and above | 20.51% |
| Median age | 41.20 years |
| Gender ratio (Male to Female) | 0.99 |
| Population density | 1,447.05 residents per km² |
| Urbanization | 91.70% |
| Ethnicities | |
| Maltese (descendants of the Carthaginians and Phoenicians with strong Italian and Mediterranean influences; proportion of foreigners in 2015: 6.4% | |
| Religions | |
| Catholics (Roman Catholic) 98% | |
| Human Development Index (HDI) | 0.885 |
| HDI ranking | 28th out of 194 |
People in Malta
With a total area of about 316 square kilometers, the state of Malta has quite a few residents. The number of residents is estimated at 433,000. Malta has the fifth highest population density in the world, calculated on the square kilometer.
Out of 100 people living in Malta, 96 are of Maltese nationality. Half of the non-Maltese, two out of four, are British. Today’s Maltese are mostly descendants of the Phoenicians, Arabs, Italians or Normans.
Languages in Malta
The English language has been part of the country since Malta joined the Commonwealth in 1814. Nevertheless, the Maltese are trying to preserve their own language, Maltese. English and Maltese are recognized as state languages. The children mostly grow up with Maltese and learn English as a second language.
The history of the country is reflected in the languages of Malta. When Malta became part of Sicily in the 11th century, Italian was spoken especially among educated people. Today it is spoken mainly because of the proximity to Sicily and the economic connection to Italy.
The Johanniter introduced French. These languages also shaped today’s Maltese. Maltese is a Semitic language that originated from an Arabic dialect, but also has parts of the Italian vocabulary. The Spanish, French and English languages also had an influence, albeit to a lesser extent. So quite a colorful mix!
Religions in Malta
A very large proportion of the population is Roman Catholic, namely 98 percent. Protestants, Orthodox, Jews and Muslims form religious minorities. There are plenty of Catholic churches in Malta. Many residents decorate their houses with images of saints, bishops or pastors to express their faith. It is said that there are 365 Catholic churches in Malta – one for every day of the year! The church influences not only the appearance of the country, but also politics. For example, it is still forbidden to this day that women are “topless” on the beach.