Malta - Society

Population: 408,000 (2008); some 30,000 people on Gozo and Comino; population density among the world’s highest; 94% lives in urban areas; growth 0.9% p.a. 1970–90 and 0.7% p.a. 1990–2006; birth rate (2006) 10 per 1,000 people (17 in 1970); life expectancy 79 years (70 in 1970).

There are no significant ethnic minorities. There are about 5,000 foreign residents, most of them from the UK.

Religion: Virtually all Christians (Roman Catholics).

Language: Official languages are Maltese and English. Italian is widely spoken.

Media: Many of Malta’s newspapers and broadcasters have political affiliations. Television Malta (TVM) and Super One TV are owned by the Malta Labour Party, and Net TV is a Nationalist Party-run channel. Italian as well as Maltese radio and television are received. Cable TV was introduced in 1992 and by the early 2000s over 70% of households were connected. Malta is gradually changing over to digital broadcasting; digital radio transmissions have already started, and the Malta Communications Authority has set the changeover date for digital TV for the end of 2010.

There are daily and weekly newspapers in English, including Malta Independent (seven days a week), Times of Malta, The Sunday Times and Malta Business Weekly, and daily – including In-Nazzjon and L-Orizzont – and weekly papers in Maltese.

There are 554 TV sets (2004), 315 personal computers (2004) and 389 internet users (2007) per 1,000 people.

Education: Public spending on education was 4.6% of GDP in 2002/03. There are 11 years of compulsory education starting at age five. The numerous church schools are subsidised by the government. Net enrolment ratios are 86% for primary and 84% for secondary (2005). The pupil–teacher ratio for primary is 11:1 and for secondary, 10:1 (2005). The school year starts in September.

About 32% of the relevant age group is enrolled in tertiary education (2005). Courses at the University of Malta (founded 1592 as the Jesuits’ College) include medicine, law, architecture, engineering, education, arts, sciences, theology and diplomatic studies. Junior College (University of Malta) at Msida opened in 1999.

Other educational institutions include a Nursing School, School of Art and an Academy of Dramatic Art. The International Maritime Law Institute is based in Malta. Illiteracy among people age 15–24 is 2.5% (2006).

Health: The entire population uses an improved drinking water source and adequate sanitation facilities (2006). Infant mortality was 5 per 1,000 live births in 2006 (37 in 1960). Summer dust, and sand carried on the wind from North Africa, sometimes cause respiratory problems.

Communications: Country code 356. Mobile phone coverage is good and roaming agreements exist with most international companies. Public telephone booths can also be found across the islands.

Internet connections are fast and reliable, and high-speed internet access exists in most hotels. A limited number of internet cafes can be found in the main towns. There are post office branches in every town and village.

There are 566 main telephone lines and 914 mobile phone subscriptions per 1,000 people (2007).

Public holidays: New Year’s Day, St Paul’s Shipwreck (10 February), St Joseph’s Day (19 March), Freedom Day (31 March), Workers’ Day (1 May), Commemoration of 1919 Sette Guigno Riot (7 June), St Peter and St Paul (Harvest Festival, 29 June), Assumption (15 August), Our Lady of Victories (8 September), Independence Day (21 September), Immaculate Conception (8 December), Republic Day (13 December) and Christmas Day.

Religious and other festivals whose dates vary from year to year include Good Friday.

Carnival (not an official holiday) is held Saturday–Tuesday before Ash Wednesday.