Population of Malta: number and ethnic composition
Malta is an independent MediterraneanRepublic, which is located on several islands. The population of Malta calls its country a toy, since only three residential islands of a small square have accommodated so many people, history and extraordinary beauty of nature.
Briefly about the geography of the islands
The Maltese archipelago is in the centerThe Mediterranean Sea. These are three large and several small islands that make up the territory of the country. The largest of them - Comino, Gozo and, of course, Malta. The latter is the largest island of the whole archipelago, and it is home to about 80% of the country's inhabitants, as well as all major cities: Valletta - the capital of the republic, Zeitun, Sliema and others.
The history of his country imposes a huge imprint on any people, and the population of Malta is no exception.
History of the formation of statehood
The country originates from the epicenter of the birth of world civilizations. Today, historians managed to find out that the first inhabitants of the islands were engaged in weaving, farming and breeding animals.
But about 2 thousand years ago, the usual imagethe life of the ancient Maltese was completely destroyed: in the 12th century BC, Malta colonized the Phoenicians, and in the sixth century the country submitted to Carthage. Later it was conquered by the Roman Empire, and after its fall the lands were taken by Byzantium.
Arab culture has had a powerful impact on everyday life anddevelopment of the inhabitants of Malta. But in 1090, the Maltese lands were captured by the Normans, which turned the country's development into a European direction, and then, in 1282, Spain came to power.
Further, until the 15th century, the island developed: on it appeared a lot of craft workshops, cotton and wheat were grown on the lands. The island became a major trading center of Europe. But after Malta was in the middle of endless wars in Europe and Africa. The economy and economy of the Maltese lands quickly declined.
Salvation came in 1530, whenThe knights-Hospitallers created their fortification on the island. In 1798, the Order passed it under the onslaught of the army of Napoleon. The population of Malta did not accept the French and raised an uprising. Assistance to the inhabitants was provided by Britain, which in 1800 deployed its military garrison on the lands.
All historical changes related to thethe well-being of the population of Malta, are clearly reflected in the growth graph of its population (changes in the demographic situation), which is presented in the corresponding section below.
At the beginning of the 20th century, the inhabitants raised a riot against the colonial regime, but Britain suppressed it. Nevertheless, as early as 1921, the inhabitants achieved limited self-government.
The Second World War did not bypass this small part of the globe.
The Maltese stood before all blows, and in 1942 for heroism and fearlessness the King of Great Britain presented the country with the highest award - the Order of St. George.
The post-war period also did not give a rest to the inhabitants of the country. An active political struggle flared up over the question of Malta's independence. And in 1964 the country was recognized as an independent republic.
The national composition of the population and languages
The official languages of the country are Englishand, of course, Maltese. The population of Malta today actively uses both of them at an equal level. A large number of residents also speak French and Spanish well.
The composition of the citizens of the island state is practicallyhomogeneous: 95% of the country is indigenous Maltese, more than 97% of whom preach Catholicism. Also in the state there is a small number of Britons (about 2% of inhabitants), the remaining percentage is accounted for by Spaniards, French, Italians, Arabs and immigrants from some other countries.
Today, many immigrants come to Maltafrom Africa, which through this small country dream to get further into Central Europe. Especially among immigrants, the number of inhabitants of Egypt, Libya and Morocco is increasing.
The indigenous population of Malta is easily distinguished fromtourists and visitors: they are swarthy, of short stature, with distinctive features. They are very smiling and sociable people. Their mixed Maltese and English is difficult for an unaccustomed tourist to understand, but among themselves they understand each other well, even by speaking in a mixture of several languages. Migrants who plan to live on the islands for a long time adapt very quickly to the speech of the indigenous population.
Population
Today's statistics claim that Malta -The country with the least number of inhabitants among the whole European Union. Indeed, what else can you expect from the three islands of such a small state as Malta? The population as of 2015 was about 419 thousand people. This is comparable to the population of Orenburg, while the area of the Russian city is only 50 km2 less than Malta.
According to the Department of Economic andsocial issues of the UN, the population of Malta for 2016 is 420,792 people. Of these, 208,794 men and 211,998 women, which is approximately 1: 1. The natural increase over forty years was about 100 thousand people. Although the average annual population increases by only 0.5%. The bulk of people live in the largest cities of the country:
- Birkirkara (approximately 21 thousand inhabitants);
- Valletta (about 19 thousand citizens);
- Quorby (approximately 19,000 people).
The distribution of residents by age at the beginning of 2016 was 15.7% of people under 15 years of age, the bulk of 68.5% - a working population of 15 to 65 years, and 15.8% of residents over 65 years.
Despite the small population, the country has a high density.
Population density
According to the data of 2015, the density of the population of Malta -1432 people per one square kilometer. At the same time, the state has a small area, and therefore is one of the five most populous countries in the world. The leader positions in this list are occupied by Monaco (almost 18,7 thousand inhabitants per square kilometer), Singapore (more than 7 thousand people), Vatican (1,9 thousand) and Bahrain (1,7 thousand people).
The bulk of the population is concentrated in the easternparts of the main island - Malta. The island of Comino is practically uninhabited, officially registered residents of the island no more than 15 people. Basically, it houses farms. At Gozo, there are just over 31,000 people, most of whom are urban and live in the city of Victoria.
Demographic situation
Today's statistics indicate a rapidaging of the inhabitants that make up the population of Malta. For 2016, the pension load factor in Malta was 23%. This is an indicator of the number of persons of retirement age for the number of people of working age. It is the able-bodied people, for the time being, that relieve the burden on the economy and society, and the aging of the population is not so evident. The working population of Malta for 2016 is fifty-four percent.
The overall demographic situation of Malta is shownlower in the graph. Thus, it can be seen that the population as a whole began to increase actively after 1975, at the moment there is also a positive trend. But now the percentage of residents in the middle and old age has increased significantly. The situation is typical for most developed countries: the US, the European Union, Australia, Japan.
The average life expectancy of the Maltese -about 80 years, which is higher than the total world statistics for 9 years. At the same time, women live longer, their average life expectancy is 82 years, while for men the indicator is at the level of 77.5 years.
Literacy of the population
The inhabitants of the country are literate, 94 percentable-bodied population can read and write. This corresponds to the general level of literacy in the developed countries, which is Malta. Educated men on the islands are about 92%, and women - 95%. Speaking exclusively about the modern youth of Malta - their literacy is kept at the level of 99% and covers residents from 15 to 24 years. However, given the aging of the nation, the population of the young age is mainly made up of visiting students from other EU countries.
How tourists affect the population
Tourism accounts for more than 70% of the economy of Malta. The number of people wishing to visit the country is steadily increasing year by year. Islands are especially popular with English and European retired tourists. Also, students come here because the country has long won the right to wear the title of one of the largest centers for learning English in the world.
Malta also attracts labor, as inThe country has several important technical enterprises (from the development of microchips to aircraft designs). Beautiful landscapes attract photographers, operators and simply wishing to enjoy the country's nature.
A lot of tourists come to the country, and in summer the number of people on the territory of Malta is increasing by an average of one million.
An interesting fact about the citizenship of Malta
Malta is interesting not only for itssights and beaches. First of all, of course, the country is remarkable for its inhabitants and unique culture, as well as for its magnificent nature. Citizens of the republic are free to receive high-quality higher education and highly professional medical care. Corruption in the country is not developed. All this attracts an additional number of migrants who want to stay in Malta for a long time.
Since recently, the islands appearedthe opportunity to acquire citizenship. The cost of the service is about 650 thousand euros. However, all the rights of EU citizens remain unchanged, even if citizenship is purchased.
In addition, a foreigner can obtain citizenshipcalm and safe Malta with a high level of education (in the English system) and medical services under the investment development program: making a contribution to the National Development Fund of the state.
Finally
Malta - a small, but such a cozy country, withthe richest history and set of historical sights. The population of the republic is small, the population of Malta in 2016 is only 420 792 inhabitants. The density of the population of the islands at the same time - 1225 people per square meter. In the previous year, 2015, the figure was 1432 people.
The republic does not extract minerals, butthe main income the country receives from tourists. Any guest who came to Malta for the first time will be interested in visiting both the museums, the theaters and cathedrals of Valletta, as well as the blue grottoes, gardens and parks of this independent republic.
