Population of Malta

Total population in Malta at end of 2008 stood at 413,609

The total population at the end of 2008 stood at 413,609 persons, up by nearly 1 per cent when compared to the previous year’s total. 50.2 per cent of the total population were females. Changes in the total population are a result of natural increase, which is the difference between birth and death counts, and migration, which is the difference between immigration and emigration. Nearly 75 per cent of this population increase is due to migration.

23 per cent of the total population were under 20 years of age, while another 14 per cent were 65 and over. According to projections, in 2050, these two percentages are expected to become 17 and 24 per cent respectively. These changes are in line with current population trends, which demonstrate a continually ageing population.

There was a total of 4,126 live births in 2008, an increase of 6.6 per cent over 2007, bringing the crude birth rate to 10.0. 52 per cent of the babies born were boys. The majority of the mothers were aged between 25 and 29, with 34 per cent of the mothers falling within this age bracket. Another 31 per cent were aged between 30 and 34. Fathers tended to be slightly older than mothers. In fact, the largest category of fathers fell within the 30-34 year old category and accounted for 35 per cent of the total.

There were 2,482 registered marriages involving both Maltese and foreign couples during 2008, with a resulting crude marriage rate of 6.0. 193 marriages occurred in Gozo, an increase of 26 per cent over 2007. 34 per cent of all marriages were civil. The majority of the brides and grooms were 25-29 years old. There were also 20 grooms and 13 brides aged 65 or over.