Malta
Europe · Southern Europe
English-speaking EU island: crypto-friendly, sunny Mediterranean, easy residency.
Expat
Ideal destination
Retiree
Ideal destination
At a Glance
📈Malta's Human Development Index
0.915
Very High human development#25 of 191 countries worldwide, #16 of 44 in Europe.
Higher than 87% of countries with data. UNDP Human Development Report.
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.
Closest indicators in this dataset
World Bank, own vintages. UNDP’s own component values are not carried here, so these are related measures rather than the index inputs.
Nearest countries by HDI
Full HDI ranking, all 191 countries →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.
- One of the smallest and most densely populated countries in the EU.
- English is an official language — making it the only English-speaking country in southern Europe.
- Knights of St John ruled for 268 years and built most of what tourists visit.
Quick Facts
Capital
Valletta
Languages
English, Maltese
Currency
€ EUR
Area
320 km²
Nomad Hub
Fixed Broadband
209Mbps
Digital Nomad Visa
Min. Income
$3,850/mo
Duration
12 months
Renewable
Yes
Application Fee
~€300
~$330
GDP / Capita
$48K
PPP / Capita
$72K
Inflation
2.4%
Unemployment
2.9%
Innovation (GII)
45.4
GNI / Capita
$41K
Tax Revenue
24.1%
FDI Inflows
170.1%
Education Spend
4.7%
Cost of Living
56.8
Price Level Index
21st pct
20-Year Trend + IMF Forecast
Income & inflation over time
HDI since 1990
0.726 → 0.915 (+0.189)Year by year →UNDP Human Development Report, 2023-24 edition. 33 annual values, none interpolated; hover any point for its year.
Twenty years here
Year by year →The world report →World Bank observations, first to last available year per indicator (roughly 2005–2024; each series has its own window).
Thinking about Malta for real?
The matcher weighs your budget, timeline and dealbreakers against the same data on this page, then answers with the places that actually fit.
Find your match →Malta head-to-head
💬Quick answers
What is Malta's Human Development Index?
Malta's Human Development Index is 0.915 (UNDP Human Development Report), ranked #25 of 191 countries.
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.