Population growth (annual %) (UNESCO Institute) in Malta
Malta: Population growth (annual %) (UNESCO Institute) was 3.8% in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Population growth in Malta, 1970–2024
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Measured in annual %.
Analysis
In 2024, population growth in Malta stood at 3.8%.
That represents a change of down 4.0% on the previous year and up 89.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, population growth in Malta peaked at 4.1% in 2019 and was at its lowest, -0.5%, in 1970.
Malta ranks 7th of 215 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Population growth (annual %) (UNESCO Institute) in Malta, year by year
| Year | annual % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1970 | -0.5% | — |
| 1971 | 0.0% | -103.0% |
| 1972 | -0.1% | -600.1% |
| 1973 | -0.1% | +0.1% |
| 1974 | -0.1% | -18.3% |
| 1975 | 0.7% | -1187.5% |
| 1976 | 0.5% | -30.7% |
| 1977 | 0.4% | -23.3% |
| 1978 | 1.0% | +166.6% |
| 1979 | 1.0% | -2.6% |
| 1980 | 1.0% | +3.5% |
| 1981 | 0.7% | -29.9% |
| 1982 | 2.1% | +191.7% |
| 1983 | 1.4% | -34.3% |
| 1984 | 0.0% | -98.5% |
| 1985 | 1.8% | +8317.6% |
| 1986 | 1.7% | -4.9% |
| 1987 | 0.7% | -58.8% |
| 1988 | 0.8% | +19.2% |
| 1989 | 1.0% | +18.5% |
| 1990 | 1.0% | +0.5% |
| 1991 | 2.7% | +175.5% |
| 1992 | 1.0% | -61.7% |
| 1993 | 1.0% | -3.2% |
| 1994 | 0.9% | -6.4% |
| 1995 | 0.7% | -25.5% |
| 1996 | 0.7% | -5.8% |
| 1997 | 0.8% | +15.3% |
| 1998 | 0.6% | -14.1% |
| 1999 | 0.6% | -8.8% |
| 2000 | 0.6% | +8.8% |
| 2001 | 0.8% | +16.4% |
| 2002 | 0.7% | -0.7% |
| 2003 | 0.7% | -11.8% |
| 2004 | 0.7% | +2.1% |
| 2005 | 0.6% | -5.1% |
| 2006 | 0.4% | -42.8% |
| 2007 | 0.3% | -4.3% |
| 2008 | 0.7% | +86.6% |
| 2009 | 0.8% | +15.9% |
| 2010 | 0.5% | -34.8% |
| 2011 | 0.4% | -13.7% |
| 2012 | 0.9% | +112.2% |
| 2013 | 1.1% | +25.9% |
| 2014 | 2.0% | +78.5% |
| 2015 | 2.4% | +21.1% |
| 2016 | 2.3% | -6.5% |
| 2017 | 2.7% | +19.5% |
| 2018 | 3.5% | +29.2% |
| 2019 | 4.1% | +14.7% |
| 2020 | 2.3% | -43.9% |
| 2021 | 0.5% | -77.3% |
| 2022 | 2.5% | +380.1% |
| 2023 | 4.0% | +61.6% |
| 2024 | 3.8% | -4.0% |
Malta compared with similar countries
- Malta's 3.8% is above the median for high income countries, which is 0.5%, 7.5× the median. (85 countries reporting)
- Malta's 3.8% is above the median for Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, which is 1.7%, 2.2× the median. (23 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Population growth (annual %) (UNESCO Institute) in Malta changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | +8317.6% | 0.0% | 1.8% |
| 1975 | +1187.5% | -0.1% | 0.7% |
| 1972 | -600.1% | 0.0% | -0.1% |
| 2022 | +380.1% | 0.5% | 2.5% |
| 1982 | +191.7% | 0.7% | 2.1% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 0.3% | -0.5% | 1.0% | 10 |
| 1980s | 1.1% | 0.0% | 2.1% | 10 |
| 1990s | 1.0% | 0.6% | 2.7% | 10 |
| 2000s | 0.6% | 0.3% | 0.8% | 10 |
| 2010s | 2.0% | 0.4% | 4.1% | 10 |
| 2020s | 2.6% | 0.5% | 4.0% | 5 |
Countries ranked near Malta
- 4 Oman 4.5% compare
- 5 Syria 4.5% compare
- 6 South Sudan 3.9% compare
- 8 United Arab Emirates 3.7% compare
- 9 Somalia 3.5% compare
- 10 Central African Republic 3.4% compare
More population data for Malta
- Population regions with projections, annual growth rate -0.8129 % change on previous year (2100)
- Urban and rural population 2050, annual growth rate -0.3593 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population long run with projections, annual growth rate -0.8129 % change on previous year (2100)
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate -0.4258 % change on previous year (2100)
- Demographic balances and indicators by type of projection and NUTS 3 -0.2548 % change on previous year (2100)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 05 - Demographic estimates 522.74 Persons (2050)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 03 - Annual population 0.1107 Percent per annum (2030)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate -1.02 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population growth rate -0.805 (2100)
- Population density 1,125 (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is population growth in Malta?
- Population growth in Malta was 3.8% in 2024, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest population growth recorded in Malta?
- The highest recorded value was 4.1% in 2019.
- What is the lowest population growth recorded in Malta?
- The lowest recorded value was -0.5% in 1970.
- How does Malta rank for population growth?
- Malta ranks 7th out of 215 countries with data for 2024.
- Is population growth rising or falling in Malta?
- Over the last ten years it is up 89.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Malta data come from?
- The figures come from UNESCO Institute for Statistics, published as part of Population growth (annual %). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
February 2026 Data Release