Compare countries · Malta vs United Kingdom
Malta vs United Kingdom
Malta(Europe)·
United Kingdom(Europe)
Across 11 comparable indicators: Malta leads on 6, United Kingdom on 4, 1 effectively tied. Which trade-offs matter is yours to weigh; the rows below show where each country wins, with sources.
Quick answers
Is Malta cheaper than United Kingdom?
Numbeo's 2026 cost-of-living index (NYC = 100) puts Malta at 56.8 and United Kingdom at 67.8. Malta is about 16% cheaper overall.
Which has the higher quality of life, Malta or United Kingdom?
On the UN Human Development Index, Malta scores 0.924 and United Kingdom scores 0.946. United Kingdom scores higher on this composite of income, health and education. Single indexes hide trade-offs; the full comparison above shows where each country wins.
What is life like in Malta compared to United Kingdom?
GNI per capita runs $41,440 in Malta against $54,550 in United Kingdom; people live 83.0 years on average against 81.4; Numbeo users rate healthcare 53 against 73. Those are national averages and they hide the thing you actually feel: capital-city costs run well ahead of the national figure in most countries, and rural provision of healthcare and internet often lags the number shown here. The table below splits it indicator by indicator.
Head to head
Cost of living index
Numbeo 2026 (NYC = 100)
Malta
56.8
Worse than 79% of countries
United Kingdom
67.8
Worse than 86% of countries
Malta: 16% cheaper overall.
Rent index
Numbeo 2026 (NYC = 100)
Malta
28.2
Worse than 86% of countries
United Kingdom
32.1
Worse than 90% of countries
Malta: 12% cheaper rents.
Perceived street safety
Numbeo Safety Index 2026
Malta
57.0
Better than 56% of countries
United Kingdom
51.7
Worse than 59% of countries
Malta: higher perceived safety (57.0 vs 51.7).
Human Development Index
UNDP Human Development Report
Malta
0.924
Better than 88% of countries
United Kingdom
0.946
Better than 93% of countries
United Kingdom: higher human development (0.946 vs 0.924).
GDP per person (PPP)
World Bank · 2025
Malta
$72,210
Better than 88% of countries
United Kingdom
$64,606
Better than 86% of countries
Malta: 12% higher income per person.
Life expectancy
World Bank · 2024
Malta
83.0 yrs
Better than 89% of countries
United Kingdom
81.4 yrs
Better than 81% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
Healthcare index
Numbeo Healthcare Index 2026
Malta
53.3
Worse than 84% of countries
United Kingdom
72.7
Better than 80% of countries
United Kingdom: better-rated healthcare (72.7 vs 53.3).
Fixed broadband speed
Ookla Speedtest Global Index
Malta
209 Mbps
Better than 81% of countries
United Kingdom
167 Mbps
Better than 73% of countries
Malta: 25% faster fixed internet.
Press freedom
RSF World Press Freedom Index
Malta
61/100
Better than 62% of countries
United Kingdom
80/100
Better than 90% of countries
United Kingdom: freer press (80 vs 61 of 100).
Happiness
World Happiness Report (Cantril ladder 0–10)
Malta
6.44
Better than 71% of countries
United Kingdom
6.69
Better than 81% of countries
United Kingdom: happier on the Cantril ladder (6.69 vs 6.44).
Climate pleasantness
Numbeo Climate Index 2026
Malta
97.8
Better than 97% of countries
United Kingdom
87.8
Better than 69% of countries
Malta: more pleasant climate rating (97.8 vs 87.8).
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 United Kingdom for real?
Indexes can't weigh your budget, your timeline or your dealbreakers. The matcher asks, then answers with this same data.
Find your match →Full Malta profile →
70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.
Full United Kingdom profile →
70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.