Compare countries · Malta vs Portugal
Malta vs Portugal
Malta(Europe)·
Portugal(Europe)
Across 11 comparable indicators: Malta leads on 3, Portugal on 6, 2 effectively tied. Which trade-offs matter is yours to weigh — the rows below show where each country wins, with sources.
Head to head
Cost of living index
Numbeo 2026 (NYC = 100)
Malta
56.8
Worse than 79% of countries
Portugal
48.8
Worse than 65% of countries
Portugal: 14% cheaper overall.
Rent index
Numbeo 2026 (NYC = 100)
Malta
28.2
Worse than 86% of countries
Portugal
25.2
Worse than 83% of countries
Portugal: 11% cheaper rents.
Perceived street safety
Numbeo Safety Index 2026
Malta
57.0
Better than 56% of countries
Portugal
67.0
Better than 75% of countries
Portugal: higher perceived safety (67.0 vs 57.0).
Human Development Index
UNDP Human Development Report
Malta
0.915
Better than 87% of countries
Portugal
0.874
Better than 79% of countries
Malta: higher human development (0.915 vs 0.874).
GDP per person (PPP)
World Bank · 2025
Malta
$72,210
Better than 88% of countries
Portugal
$53,146
Better than 78% of countries
Malta: 36% higher income per person.
Life expectancy
World Bank · 2024
Malta
83.0 yrs
Better than 89% of countries
Portugal
82.4 yrs
Better than 88% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
Healthcare index
Numbeo Healthcare Index 2026
Malta
53.3
Worse than 84% of countries
Portugal
72.0
Better than 76% of countries
Portugal: better-rated healthcare (72.0 vs 53.3).
Fixed broadband speed
Ookla Speedtest Global Index
Malta
209 Mbps
Better than 81% of countries
Portugal
242 Mbps
Better than 87% of countries
Portugal: 16% faster fixed internet.
Press freedom
RSF World Press Freedom Index
Malta
61/100
Better than 62% of countries
Portugal
84/100
Better than 94% of countries
Portugal: freer press (84 vs 61 of 100).
Happiness
World Happiness Report (Cantril ladder 0–10)
Malta
6.44
Better than 71% of countries
Portugal
6.03
Around the global middle
Malta: happier on the Cantril ladder (6.44 vs 6.03).
Climate pleasantness
Numbeo Climate Index 2026
Malta
97.8
Better than 97% of countries
Portugal
97.8
Better than 97% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
Not comparable for this pair
- Peace — Global Peace Index: The Global Peace Index doesn't cover one of these countries.
- English proficiency: EF doesn't score one of these countries — usually because English is a native language there.
Deciding between Malta and Portugal for real?
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70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.
Full Portugal profile →
70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.