MALTA

Malta is one of the most densely populated countries in the world, with about 1,160 inhabitants per square kilometer (3,000 per sq. mi.). This compares with about 21 per square kilometer (55 per sq. mi.) for the United States. Inhabited since prehistoric times, Malta was first colonized by the Phoenicians. Subsequently, Maltese life and culture have been influenced to varying degrees by Arabs, Italians, and the British. Most of the foreign community in Malta, predominantly active or retired British nationals and their dependents, centers around Sliema and surrounding modern suburbs.

POPULATION GRAPH

Population:
401,880 (July 2007 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 16.7% (male 34,559; female 32,707)
15-64 years: 69.5% (male 141,265; female 137,951)
65 years and over: 13.8% (male 23,802; female 31,596) (2007 est.)
Population growth rate:
0.413% (2007 est.)
Birth rate:
10.28 births/1,000 population (2007 est.)
Death rate:
8.19 deaths/1,000 population (2002 est.)
Net migration rate:
2.04 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2002 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.057 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.057 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.024 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.753 male(s)/female
total population: 0.987 male(s)/female (2007 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
3.82 deaths/1,000 live births (2002 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 79.15 years
female: 81.47 years (2007 est.)
male: 76.95 years
Total fertility rate:
1.51 children born/woman (2007 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.52% (1999 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
less than 100 (1999 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Maltese (singular and plural)
adjective: Maltese
Ethnic groups:
Maltese (descendants of ancient Carthaginians and Phoenicians, with strong elements of Italian and other Mediterranean stock)
Religions:
Roman Catholic 98%
Languages:
Maltese (official), English (official)
Literacy:
definition: age 10 and over can read and write
total population: 92.8%
male:92%
female: 93.6% (2003 census)