GeoRealityMatch
Capture of Valletta's ancient walls and coastal view in Malta, showcasing rich history.Stunning drone shot of Valletta harbor with sailboats and buildings along the coast of Malta.

Malta

Europe · Southern Europe

Moderate cost of livingVery high development

People live long, and youth unemployment is low for Europe.

ExpatVery high development.RetireeVery high life expectancy.
vs Portugalvs Italyvs Greece
Safety
Homicides
0.6per 100,000 people a yearVery lowUNODC / World Bank · 2023
Safety index
57Numbeo's safety index, higher is saferModerateNumbeo · 2026
Money

Incomes above the European median

Median disposable income
€22,034per adult, a year, after tax and transfersModerate
Eurostat · 2025
Rent index
28.2New York = 100Very expensiveNumbeo · 2026
Property price to income
10.6years of median income to buy a median flatAffordableNumbeo · 2026

Income and inflation over time

Income per person rose 188% in current dollars from 2006 to 2025, and rose 90% after inflation.

GDP per person, current US$At purchasing power parityInflation

$0$40K$80K$72,210 PPP$47,907Inflation, % a year8%0200620102015202020252006, $16,654 a person, $23,219 at PPP, inflation 2.8%2007, $19,444 a person, $25,012 at PPP, inflation 1.2%2008, $22,406 a person, $26,654 at PPP, inflation 4.3%2009, $21,262 a person, $26,782 at PPP, inflation 2.1%2010, $21,947 a person, $28,909 at PPP, inflation 1.5%2011, $23,517 a person, $29,426 at PPP, inflation 3%2012, $22,878 a person, $30,716 at PPP, inflation 2.4%2013, $25,416 a person, $33,138 at PPP, inflation 1.2%2014, $27,425 a person, $35,206 at PPP, inflation 0.3%2015, $25,530 a person, $38,369 at PPP, inflation 1.1%2016, $26,459 a person, $41,000 at PPP, inflation 0.6%2017, $30,317 a person, $45,764 at PPP, inflation 1.4%2018, $33,382 a person, $48,179 at PPP, inflation 1.2%2019, $32,422 a person, $51,393 at PPP, inflation 1.6%2020, $31,823 a person, $49,972 at PPP, inflation 0.6%2021, $38,078 a person, $56,824 at PPP, inflation 1.5%2022, $35,659 a person, $60,623 at PPP, inflation 6.2%2023, $40,933 a person, $67,101 at PPP, inflation 5.1%2024, $44,024 a person, $70,063 at PPP, inflation 1.7%2025, $47,907 a person, $72,210 at PPP, inflation 2.4%$0$40K$80KInflation, % a year8%0200620102015202020252006, $16,654 a person, $23,219 at PPP, inflation 2.8%2007, $19,444 a person, $25,012 at PPP, inflation 1.2%2008, $22,406 a person, $26,654 at PPP, inflation 4.3%2009, $21,262 a person, $26,782 at PPP, inflation 2.1%2010, $21,947 a person, $28,909 at PPP, inflation 1.5%2011, $23,517 a person, $29,426 at PPP, inflation 3%2012, $22,878 a person, $30,716 at PPP, inflation 2.4%2013, $25,416 a person, $33,138 at PPP, inflation 1.2%2014, $27,425 a person, $35,206 at PPP, inflation 0.3%2015, $25,530 a person, $38,369 at PPP, inflation 1.1%2016, $26,459 a person, $41,000 at PPP, inflation 0.6%2017, $30,317 a person, $45,764 at PPP, inflation 1.4%2018, $33,382 a person, $48,179 at PPP, inflation 1.2%2019, $32,422 a person, $51,393 at PPP, inflation 1.6%2020, $31,823 a person, $49,972 at PPP, inflation 0.6%2021, $38,078 a person, $56,824 at PPP, inflation 1.5%2022, $35,659 a person, $60,623 at PPP, inflation 6.2%2023, $40,933 a person, $67,101 at PPP, inflation 5.1%2024, $44,024 a person, $70,063 at PPP, inflation 1.7%2025, $47,907 a person, $72,210 at PPP, inflation 2.4%

World Bank: GDP per person in current US dollars and at PPP, real GDP per person, consumer price inflation. Observed years only.

Health

Among the longest-lived countries

Life expectancy
83.0years, at birthVery high
#20 of 195
World Bank · 2024
Health coverage
82WHO universal health coverage index, 0 to 100HighWHO · 2023
Air pollution
11.2PM2.5, micrograms per cubic metre, national averageLowWHO · 2023
Work and internet

Among the lowest youth unemployment in Europe

Youth unemployment
9.6%share of 15 to 24 year olds in the labour forceVery low
Eurostat · 2025
Home internet
209 Mbpsmedian download speedVery fastOokla Speedtest · 2025

Internet speeds

Home internet209 MbpsVery fast

Ookla Speedtest Global Index, median download speed, ranked among the countries Ookla lists.

Visas and moving

Digital nomad visaMedium

Minimum income
$3,850 a month
Duration
12 months
Renewable
Yes
Application fee
€300about $330
  • Tax treatmentSpecial or flat rate
  • Health insuranceRequired
  • DependantsAllowed, $330 each
  • Apply onlineYes
  • Path to residencyNo
  • NationalitiesSome are restricted
Official page
Stunning drone shot of Valletta harbor with sailboats and buildings along the coast of Malta.
How it changed

Malta's Human Development Index

0.924Very high human development

24th of 193 in UNDP's 2023 ranking, 15th of 44 in Europe.

UNDP builds the index from three dimensions: a long and healthy life, being knowledgeable, and a decent standard of living. They are measured by life expectancy at birth, mean and expected years of schooling, and gross national income per capita. UNDP Human Development Report 2025.

Nearest countries by HDI

  1. #22Austria0.930
  2. #23Japan0.925
  3. #24Malta0.924
  4. #25Luxembourg0.922
  5. #26France0.920
Full HDI ranking, all 193 countries

HDI since 1990

Year by year

Human development rose from 0.735 in 1990 to 0.924 in 2023.

0.700.820.950.92419902000201020231990: 0.7351991: 0.7421992: 0.7481993: 0.7541994: 0.7581995: 0.7631996: 0.7631997: 0.7721998: 0.7811999: 0.7842000: 0.7902001: 0.8012002: 0.8062003: 0.8182004: 0.8322005: 0.8402006: 0.8382007: 0.8452008: 0.8482009: 0.8542010: 0.8672011: 0.8622012: 0.8702013: 0.8802014: 0.8862015: 0.8922016: 0.8912017: 0.9012018: 0.9082019: 0.9102020: 0.9032021: 0.9142022: 0.9172023: 0.9240.700.820.9519902000201020231990: 0.7351991: 0.7421992: 0.7481993: 0.7541994: 0.7581995: 0.7631996: 0.7631997: 0.7721998: 0.7811999: 0.7842000: 0.7902001: 0.8012002: 0.8062003: 0.8182004: 0.8322005: 0.8402006: 0.8382007: 0.8452008: 0.8482009: 0.8542010: 0.8672011: 0.8622012: 0.8702013: 0.8802014: 0.8862015: 0.8922016: 0.8912017: 0.9012018: 0.9082019: 0.9102020: 0.9032021: 0.9142022: 0.9172023: 0.924

UNDP Human Development Report, 2025 edition. 34 annual values, none interpolated.

Twenty years here

Year by yearThe world report
Life expectancy at birth
83 years2024at birthUp 3.7 years from 79.3 years in 2005
Internet users
94%2024of people onlineUp 53 points from 40% in 2006
Urban population
96%2025of people in towns and citiesUp 2 points from 94% in 2006
Births per woman
1.012024births per womanDown 0.37 from 1.38 in 2005
Renewable share of energy
9%2021of energy usedUp 9 points from 0% in 2004
Access to electricity
100%2024of people with electricityLevel with 2005
Infant mortality
52024deaths before age one, per 1,000 birthsDown 1 from 6 in 2005
CO2 emissions per person
3.2 t2024of CO2 per person a yearDown 3.3 t from 6.5 t in 2005
Forest area
1%2023of land under forestLevel with 2004

World Bank, from the first to the last observed year of each indicator; each has its own window.

Our take

English-speaking EU island: crypto-friendly, sunny Mediterranean, easy residency. The case for living here is long lives and low youth unemployment for Europe.

About Malta

Malta is a small Mediterranean island nation of ancient megalithic temples predating Stonehenge, medieval walled cities, dramatic natural harbours, and a warm, sun-drenched way of life shaped by Phoenician, Arab, Norman, and British layers of history. The old capital Valletta is one of Europe's most concentrated collections of baroque architecture and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its small size means it can be explored thoroughly, and the food, particularly fresh fish and pastizzi, is excellent.

Practical facts

  • CapitalValletta
  • LanguagesEnglish, Maltese
  • Currencyeuro (EUR)
  • Area320 km²
  • Plug typeType G
  • Drives on theleft
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Quick answers

What is Malta's Human Development Index?

Malta's Human Development Index is 0.924 for 2023 (UNDP Human Development Report 2025), ranked #24 of 193 by UNDP.

How expensive is Malta?

Numbeo's cost-of-living index puts Malta at 56.8 (New York = 100); that is #115 cheapest of 143 countries with data.

What is life expectancy in Malta?

Life expectancy at birth in Malta is 83.0 yrs (World Bank), ranked #20 of 195 countries.

What is the quality of life in Malta?

Numbeo's quality-of-life index scores Malta at 135.3, ranked #50 of 87 countries with data. It composites purchasing power, safety, healthcare, cost of living, commute and pollution from resident surveys, so it reflects what residents report rather than what an economy produces.