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Europe :: Malta

- ## Introduction :: MALTA

- Background:
  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 it declared itself a republic. Since about the mid-1980s, the island has transformed itself into a freight transshipment point, a financial center, and a tourist destination while its key industries moved toward more service-oriented activities. Malta became an EU member in May 2004 and began using the euro as currency in 2008.

- ## Geography :: MALTA

- Location:
  Southern Europe, islands in the Mediterranean Sea, south of Sicily (Italy)
  Geographic coordinates:
  35 50 N, 14 35 E
  Map references:
  Europe
  Area:
  total: 316 sq km
  land: 316 sq km
  water: 0 sq km
  country comparison to the world: 208
  Area - comparative:
  slightly less than twice the size of Washington, DC
  Land boundaries:
  0 km
  Coastline:
  196.8 km (excludes 56 km for the island of Gozo)
  Maritime claims:
  territorial sea: 12 nm
  contiguous zone: 24 nm
  continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
  exclusive fishing zone: 25 nm
  Climate:
  Mediterranean; mild, rainy winters; hot, dry summers
  Terrain:
  mostly low, rocky, flat to dissected plains; many coastal cliffs
  Elevation extremes:
  lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m
  highest point: Ta'Dmejrek 253 m (near Dingli)
  Natural resources:
  limestone, salt, arable land
  Land use:
  agricultural land: 32.3%
  arable land 28.4%; permanent crops 3.9%; permanent pasture 0%
  forest: 0.9%
  other: 66.8% (2011 est.)
  Irrigated land:
  32 sq km (2007)
  Total renewable water resources:
  0.05 cu km (2011)
  Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
  total: 0.05 cu km/yr (64%/1%/35%)
  per capita: 134.1 cu m/yr (2009)
  Natural hazards:
  NA
  Environment - current issues:
  limited natural freshwater resources; increasing reliance on desalination
  Environment - international agreements:
  party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands
  signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
  Geography - note:
  the country comprises an archipelago, with only the three largest islands (Malta, Ghawdex or Gozo, and Kemmuna or Comino) being inhabited; numerous bays provide good harbors; Malta and Tunisia are discussing the commercial exploitation of the continental shelf between their countries, particularly for oil exploration

- ## People and Society :: MALTA

- Nationality:
  noun: Maltese (singular and plural)
  adjective: Maltese
  Ethnic groups:
  Maltese (descendants of ancient Carthaginians and Phoenicians with strong elements of Italian and other Mediterranean stock)
  Languages:
  Maltese (official) 90.1%, English (official) 6%, multilingual 3%, other 0.9% (2005 est.)
  Religions:
  Roman Catholic (official) more than 90% (2011 est.)
  Population:
  413,965 (July 2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 176
  Age structure:
  0-14 years: 15.05% (male 31,943/female 30,341)
  15-24 years: 12.22% (male 26,028/female 24,570)
  25-54 years: 40.24% (male 85,145/female 81,447)
  55-64 years: 13.98% (male 28,702/female 29,185)
  65 years and over: 18.5% (male 34,345/female 42,259) (2015 est.)
  population pyramid:
  Dependency ratios:
  total dependency ratio: 50.8%
  youth dependency ratio: 21.8%
  elderly dependency ratio: 29%
  potential support ratio: 3.4% (2015 est.)
  Median age:
  total: 41.2 years
  male: 40 years
  female: 42.4 years (2015 est.)
  Population growth rate:
  0.31% (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 174
  Birth rate:
  10.18 births/1,000 population (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 192
  Death rate:
  9.09 deaths/1,000 population (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 66
  Net migration rate:
  1.98 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 51
  Urbanization:
  urban population: 95.4% of total population (2015)
  rate of urbanization: 0.46% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
  Major urban areas - population:
  VALLETTA (capital) 197,000 (2014)
  Sex ratio:
  at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female
  0-14 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
  15-24 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
  25-54 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
  55-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female
  65 years and over: 0.81 male(s)/female
  total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2015 est.)
  Infant mortality rate:
  total: 3.56 deaths/1,000 live births
  male: 3.97 deaths/1,000 live births
  female: 3.14 deaths/1,000 live births (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 203
  Life expectancy at birth:
  total population: 80.25 years
  male: 77.92 years
  female: 82.71 years (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 36
  Total fertility rate:
  1.54 children born/woman (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 190
  Health expenditures:
  8.7% of GDP (2013)
  country comparison to the world: 36
  Physicians density:
  3.49 physicians/1,000 population (2013)
  Hospital bed density:
  4.8 beds/1,000 population (2012)
  Drinking water source:
  improved:
  urban: 100% of population
  rural: 100% of population
  total: 100% of population
  unimproved:
  urban: 0% of population
  rural: 0% of population
  total: 0% of population (2015 est.)
  Sanitation facility access:
  improved:
  urban: 100% of population
  rural: 100% of population
  total: 100% of population
  unimproved:
  urban: 0% of population
  rural: 0% of population
  total: 0% of population (2015 est.)
  HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
  NA
  HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
  NA
  HIV/AIDS - deaths:
  NA
  Obesity - adult prevalence rate:
  28.7% (2014)
  country comparison to the world: 32
  Education expenditures:
  8% of GDP (2011)
  country comparison to the world: 23
  Literacy:
  definition: age 15 and over can read and write
  total population: 94.4%
  male: 93.1%
  female: 95.8% (2015 est.)
  School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
  total: 14 years
  male: 14 years
  female: 15 years (2012)
  Unemployment, youth ages 15-24:
  total: 14.2%
  male: 14%
  female: 14.5% (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 82

- ## Government :: MALTA

- Country name:
  conventional long form: Republic of Malta
  conventional short form: Malta
  local long form: Repubblika ta' Malta
  local short form: Malta
  Government type:
  republic
  Capital:
  name: Valletta
  geographic coordinates: 35 53 N, 14 30 E
  time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
  daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October
  Administrative divisions:
  68 localities (Il-lokalita); Attard, Balzan, Birgu, Birkirkara, Birzebbuga, Bormla, Dingli, Fgura, Floriana, Fontana, Ghajnsielem, Gharb, Gharghur, Ghasri, Ghaxaq, Gudja, Gzira, Hamrun, Iklin, Imdina, Imgarr, Imqabba, Imsida, Imtarfa, Isla, Kalkara, Kercem, Kirkop, Lija, Luqa, Marsa, Marsaskala, Marsaxlokk, Mellieha, Mosta, Munxar, Nadur, Naxxar, Paola, Pembroke, Pieta, Qala, Qormi, Qrendi, Rabat, Rabat (Ghawdex), Safi, San Giljan/Saint Julian, San Gwann/Saint John, San Lawrenz/Saint Lawrence, Sannat, San Pawl il-Bahar/Saint Paul's Bay, Santa Lucija/Saint Lucia, Santa Venera/Saint Venera, Siggiewi, Sliema, Swieqi, Tarxien, Ta' Xbiex, Valletta, Xaghra, Xewkija, Xghajra, Zabbar, Zebbug, Zebbug (Ghawdex), Zejtun, Zurrieq
  Independence:
  21 September 1964 (from the UK)
  National holiday:
  Independence Day, 21 September (1964); Republic Day, 13 December (1974)
  Constitution:
  many previous; latest adopted 21 September 1964; amended many times, last in 2014 (2014)
  Legal system:
  mixed legal system of English common law and civil law (based on the Roman and Napoleonic civil codes)
  International law organization participation:
  accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
  Suffrage:
  18 years of age (16 in Local Council elections); universal
  Executive branch:
  chief of state: President Marie-Louise Coleiro PRECA (since 4 April 2014)
  head of government: Prime Minister Joseph MUSCAT (since 11 March 2013)
  cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president on the advice of the prime minister
  elections/appointments: president indirectly elected by the House of Representatives for a 5-year term (1-term limit); election last held on 4 April 2014 (next to be held by April 2019); following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or majority coalition usually appointed prime minister by the president for a 5-year term; deputy prime minister appointed by the president on the advice of the prime minister
  election results: Marie-Louise Coleiro PRECA (PL) elected president; House of Representatives vote - unanimous; Joseph MUSCAT (PL) appointed prime minister
  Legislative branch:
  description: unicameral House of Representatives or Il-Kamra Tad-Deputati, a component of the Parliament of Malta (normally 65 seats; members directly elected in 5 multi-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote; members serve 5-year terms); note - the parliament elected in 2013 has 69 seats
  elections: last held on 9 March 2013 (next to be held by mid-summer 2018)
  election results: percent of vote by party - PL 54.8%, PN 43.3%, other 1.9%; seats by party - PL 39, PN 30
  Judicial branch:
  highest court(s): Court of Appeal (consists of either 1 or 3 judges); Constitutional Court (consists of 3 judges); Court of Criminal Appeal (consists of either 1 or 3 judges)
  judge selection and term of office: Court of Appeal and Constitutional Court judges appointed by the president, usually upon the advice of the prime minister; judges of both courts serve until age 65
  subordinate courts: Civil Court (divided into the General Jurisdiction Section, Family Section, and Voluntary Section); Criminal Court; Court of Magistrates; Gozo Courts (for the islands of Gozo and Comino}
  Political parties and leaders:
  Alternativa Demokratika/Alliance for Social Justice or AD (Green Party) [Arnold CASSOLA]
  Labor Party or PL [Joseph MUSCAT]
  Nationalist Party or PN [Simon BUSUTTIL]
  Political pressure groups and leaders:
  Alliance of Liberal Democrats Malta (Alleanza Liberali-Demokratika Malta) or ALDM (for divorce, abortion, gay marriage, women's rights)
  Alliance for Change (Alleanza Bidla) (Euros-septic)
  Together for a Better Environment (Flimkien Ghal-Ambjent Ahjar) or FAA (pro-environment)
  other: environmentalists
  International organization participation:
  Australia Group, C, CD, CE, EAPC, EBRD, ECB, EIB, EMU, EU, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NSG, OAS (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, Schengen Convention, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, Union Latina (observer), UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
  Diplomatic representation in the US:
  chief of mission: Ambassador Marisa Maria Louise MICALLEF (since 22 August 2013)
  chancery: 2017 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
  telephone: [1] (202) 462-3611 through 3612
  FAX: [1] (202) 387-5470
  Diplomatic representation from the US:
  chief of mission: Ambassador Gina ABERCROMBIE-WINSTANLEY (since 18 April 2012)
  embassy: Ta' Qali National Park, Attard, ATD 4000
  mailing address: 5800 Valletta Place, Dulles, VA 20189
  telephone: [356] 2561 4000
  FAX: [356] 2124 3229
  Flag description:
  two equal vertical bands of white (hoist side) and red; in the upper hoist-side corner is a representation of the George Cross, edged in red; according to legend, the colors are taken from the red and white checkered banner of Count Roger of Sicily who removed a bi-colored corner and granted it to Malta in 1091; an uncontested explanation is that the colors are those of the Knights of Saint John who ruled Malta from 1530 to 1798; in 1942, King George VI of the United Kingdom awarded the George Cross to the islanders for their exceptional bravery and gallantry in World War II; since independence in 1964, the George Cross bordered in red has appeared directly on the white field
  National symbol(s):
  Maltese eight-pointed cross; national colors: red, white
  National anthem:
  name: "L-Innu Malti" (The Maltese Anthem)
  lyrics/music: Dun Karm PSAILA/Robert SAMMUT
  note: adopted 1945; written in the form of a prayer

- ## Economy :: MALTA

- Economy - 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, manufacturing, and tourism. Malta has weathered the Eurozone crisis better than most EU member states due to a low debt-to-GDP ratio and financially sound banking sector. It has low unemployment relative to other European countries, and growth has recovered since the 2009 recession. In 2014, Malta led the Eurozone in growth, expanding by nearly 3.5%. Also in 2014, the government began promoting public-private partnerships in the healthcare sector to establish Malta as a Mediterranean health hub for medical tourism, reduced residential and commercial energy tariffs by 25%, and implemented a citizenship purchase program to increase government revenue and attract foreign investors. The government has implemented new programs, including free child care, to encourage increased labor participation. The high cost of borrowing and small labor market present potential constraints to future economic growth.
  GDP (purchasing power parity):
  $14.12 billion (2014 est.)
  $13.64 billion (2013 est.)
  $13.28 billion (2012 est.)
  note: data are in 2014 US dollars
  country comparison to the world: 153
  GDP (official exchange rate):
  $10.58 billion (2014 est.)
  GDP - real growth rate:
  3.5% (2014 est.)
  2.7% (2013 est.)
  2.5% (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 143
  GDP - per capita (PPP):
  $33,200 (2014 est.)
  $32,100 (2013 est.)
  $31,200 (2012 est.)
  note: data are in 2012 US dollars
  country comparison to the world: 53
  Gross national saving:
  21.3% of GDP (2014 est.)
  22% of GDP (2013 est.)
  21.2% of GDP (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 100
  GDP - composition, by end use:
  household consumption: 53.8%
  government consumption: 20.2%
  investment in fixed capital: 18.8%
  investment in inventories: -0.4%
  exports of goods and services: 147%
  imports of goods and services: -139.5%
  (2014 est.)
  GDP - composition, by sector of origin:
  agriculture: 1.1%
  industry: 23.7%
  services: 75.2% (2014 est.)
  Agriculture - products:
  potatoes, cauliflower, grapes, wheat, barley, tomatoes, citrus, cut flowers, green peppers; pork, milk, poultry, eggs
  Industries:
  tourism, electronics, ship building and repair, construction, food and beverages, pharmaceuticals, footwear, clothing, tobacco, aviation services, financial services, information technology services
  Industrial production growth rate:
  -3.6% (2014)
  country comparison to the world: 195
  Labor force:
  180,100 (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 174
  Labor force - by occupation:
  agriculture: 1.5%
  industry: 25.7%
  services: 72.8% (2014)
  Unemployment rate:
  5.9% (2014 est.)
  6.4% (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 61
  Population below poverty line:
  15.7% (2013 est.)
  Household income or consumption by percentage share:
  lowest 10%: NA%
  highest 10%: NA%
  Distribution of family income - Gini index:
  27.9 (2013)
  27.1 (2012)
  country comparison to the world: 126
  Budget:
  revenues: $4.721 billion
  expenditures: $4.918 billion (2015 est.)
  Taxes and other revenues:
  44.7% of GDP (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 38
  Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):
  -1.9% of GDP (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 95
  Public debt:
  75.3% of GDP (2014 est.)
  69.2% of GDP (2013 est.)
  note: Malta reports public debt at nominal value outstanding at the end of the year, according to guidelines set out in the Maastricht Treaty for general government gross debt; the data include the following categories of government liabilities (as defined in ESA95): currency and deposits (AF.2), securities other than shares excluding financial derivatives (AF.3, excluding AF.34), and loans (AF.4); general government comprises the central government, state government, local government and social security funds
  country comparison to the world: 34
  Fiscal year:
  calendar year
  Inflation rate (consumer prices):
  0.3% (2014 est.)
  1.4% (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 38
  Central bank discount rate:
  0.05% (31 December 2014)
  0.25% (31 December 2013)
  note: this is the European Central Bank's rate on the marginal lending facility, which offers overnight credit to banks in the euro area
  country comparison to the world: 130
  Commercial bank prime lending rate:
  0.3% (31 December 2014 est.)
  0.75% (31 December 2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 163
  Stock of narrow money:
  $12.63 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
  $9.928 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
  note: see entry for the European Union for money supply for the entire euro area; the European Central Bank (ECB) controls monetary policy for the 18 members of the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU); individual members of the EMU do not control the quantity of money circulating within their own borders
  country comparison to the world: 95
  Stock of broad money:
  $19.12 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
  $16.72 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 94
  Stock of domestic credit:
  $20.94 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
  $20.38 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 95
  Market value of publicly traded shares:
  $3.631 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
  $3.424 billion (31 December 2011)
  $2.399 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 92
  Current account balance:
  $286 million (2014 est.)
  $311.7 million (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 60
  Exports:
  $4.938 billion (2014 est.)
  $5.105 billion (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 127
  Exports - commodities:
  machinery and mechanical appliances; mineral fuels, oils and petroleum products; pharmaceutical products; books and newspapers; aircraft/spacecraft and parts; toys, games, and sports equipment
  Exports - partners:
  Germany 20.1%, France 12.8%, Italy 9.3%, Libya 6.7%, UK 6.6% (2014)
  Imports:
  $8.384 billion (2014 est.)
  $7.437 billion (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 127
  Imports - commodities:
  mineral fuels, oils and products; electrical machinery; aircraft/spacecraft and parts thereof; machinery and mechanical appliances; plastic and other semi-manufactured goods; vehicles and parts
  Imports - partners:
  Italy 22.8%, US 8.6%, UK 7.4%, Germany 5.9%, Canada 5.6%, Spain 4.6%, Netherlands 4.5%, France 4.4% (2014)
  Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
  $617.4 million (31 December 2014 est.)
  $596.9 million (31 December 2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 146
  Debt - external:
  $122.8 billion (30 December 2014 est.)
  $112.7 billion (31 December 2013)
  country comparison to the world: 64
  Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
  $47.34 billion (31 June 2014)
  $46.35 billion (31 December 2013)
  country comparison to the world: 83
  Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
  $177.6 billion (31 June 2014 est.)
  $181.7 billion (31 December 2013)
  country comparison to the world: 77
  Exchange rates:
  euros (EUR) per US dollar -
  0.7489 (2014 est.)
  0.7634 (2013 est.)
  0.78 (2012 est.)
  0.7185 (2011 est.)
  0.755 (2010 est.)

- ## Energy :: MALTA

- Electricity - production:
  2.17 billion kWh (2014)
  country comparison to the world: 135
  Electricity - consumption:
  2.061 billion kWh (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 141
  Electricity - exports:
  0 kWh (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 172
  Electricity - imports:
  0 kWh (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 175
  Electricity - installed generating capacity:
  653,200 kW (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 135
  Electricity - from fossil fuels:
  91.7% of total installed capacity (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 58
  Electricity - from nuclear fuels:
  0% of total installed capacity (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 143
  Electricity - from hydroelectric plants:
  0% of total installed capacity (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 185
  Electricity - from other renewable sources:
  8.3% of total installed capacity (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 73
  Crude oil - production:
  0 bbl/day (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 201
  Crude oil - exports:
  0 bbl/day (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 157
  Crude oil - imports:
  0 bbl/day (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 96
  Crude oil - proved reserves:
  0 bbl (1 January 2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 167
  Refined petroleum products - production:
  0 bbl/day (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 176
  Refined petroleum products - consumption:
  39,450 bbl/day (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 109
  Refined petroleum products - exports:
  14,410 bbl/day (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 77
  Refined petroleum products - imports:
  36,480 bbl/day (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 83
  Natural gas - production:
  0 cu m (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 169
  Natural gas - consumption:
  0 cu m (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 174
  Natural gas - exports:
  0 cu m (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 148
  Natural gas - imports:
  0 cu m (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 101
  Natural gas - proved reserves:
  0 cu m (1 January 2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 172
  Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy:
  1.697 million Mt (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 154

- ## Communications :: MALTA

- Telephones - fixed lines:
  total subscriptions: 230,000
  subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 56 (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 126
  Telephones - mobile cellular:
  total: 546,200
  subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 132 (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 169
  Telephone system:
  general assessment: automatic system featuring submarine cable and microwave radio relay between islands
  domestic: combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular subscribership exceeds 180 per 100 persons
  international: country code - 356; submarine cable connects to Italy; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2011)
  Broadcast media:
  2 publicly owned TV stations, Television Malta (TVM) broadcasting nationally plus an educational channel; several privately owned national television stations, two of which are owned by political parties; Italian and British broadcast programs are available; multi-channel cable and satellite TV services are available; publicly owned radio broadcaster operates 1 station; roughly 20 commercial radio stations (2011)
  Radio broadcast stations:
  AM 1, FM 18, shortwave 6 (1999)
  Television broadcast stations:
  6 (2009)
  Internet country code:
  .mt
  Internet users:
  total: 166,000
  percent of population: 40.2% (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 160

- ## Transportation :: MALTA

- Airports:
  1 (2013)
  country comparison to the world: 225
  Airports - with paved runways:
  total: 1
  over 3,047 m: 1 (2013)
  Heliports:
  2 (2013)
  Roadways:
  total: 3,096 km
  paved: 2,704 km
  unpaved: 392 km (2008)
  country comparison to the world: 165
  Merchant marine:
  total: 1,650
  by type: bulk carrier 544, cargo 351, carrier 1, chemical tanker 324, container 117, liquefied gas 36, passenger 50, passenger/cargo 18, petroleum tanker 160, refrigerated cargo 7, roll on/roll off 22, specialized tanker 2, vehicle carrier 18
  foreign-owned: 1,437 (Angola 7, Azerbaijan 1, Belgium 7, Bermuda 15, Bulgaria 8, Canada 5, China 6, Croatia 6, Cyprus 32, Denmark 34, Egypt 1, Estonia 16, Finland 3, France 8, Germany 135, Greece 469, Hong Kong 4, India 3, Iran 48, Ireland 4, Israel 3, Italy 45, Japan 5, Kuwait 3, Latvia 8, Lebanon 6, Libya 5, Luxembourg 3, Malaysia 1, Monaco 3, Netherlands 3, Norway 96, Oman 5, Poland 21, Portugal 3, Romania 7, Russia 45, Saudi Arabia 2, Singapore 4, Slovenia 4, South Korea 2, Spain 8, Sweden 1, Switzerland 20, Syria 4, Turkey 233, UAE 1, UK 21, Ukraine 29, US 34)
  registered in other countries: 2 (Panama 2) (2010)
  country comparison to the world: 4
  Ports and terminals:
  major seaport(s): Marsaxlokk (Malta Freeport), Valletta
  container port(s) (TEUs): Marsaxlokk (2,360,000)

- ## Military :: MALTA

- Military branches:
  Armed Forces of Malta (AFM; includes land, maritime, and air elements) (2013)
  Military service age and obligation:
  18 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2014)
  Manpower available for military service:
  males age 16-49: 95,499
  females age 16-49: 90,919 (2010 est.)
  Manpower fit for military service:
  males age 16-49: 79,645
  females age 16-49: 75,684 (2010 est.)
  Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
  male: 2,554
  female: 2,385 (2010 est.)
  Military expenditures:
  0.61% of GDP (2013)
  0.61% of GDP (2012)
  0.61% of GDP (2011)
  0.61% of GDP (2010)
  country comparison to the world: 122

- ## Transnational Issues :: MALTA

- Disputes - international:
  none
  Illicit drugs:
  minor transshipment point for hashish from North Africa to Western Europe

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