Over the next five decades, Malta is poised for substantial demographic changes, characterized by longer and healthier post-retirement periods and an unprecedented population surge.

 

Projections from the finance ministry, as relayed by MaltaToday to the European Commission, suggest that Malta’s population will soar to nearly 811,000 by 2070, marking a remarkable 53% increase from the current 527,000 inhabitants. This growth will further cement Malta’s status as one of the most densely populated regions globally, with an estimated 1,666 individuals per square kilometer.

 

 

 

Simultaneously, there will be a decline in the birth rate, resulting in a smaller percentage of young individuals, while the elderly population, aged over 65, is projected to skyrocket to 33.6%.

 

Advancements in medical technology are expected to contribute to increased longevity, with life expectancy projected to reach 87 for men and close to 91 for women by 2070.

 

 

 

 

Despite a decrease in net migration, the proportion of elderly individuals in the population is set to significantly rise, impacting the financial burden on the working-age population, which is expected to decrease from 63.2% to 51.5% by 2070.

 

In 2023, Malta ranked third in the EU for life expectancy at 83.6 years, trailing behind Spain (84 years) and Italy (83.8 years), with Bulgaria registering the lowest at 75.8 years.