In 2023, Malta’s foreign population reached 158,368, making up 28.1% of the total population.
While the foreign population grew by 15.3% from 2022 to 2023, the Maltese population saw minimal growth, rising only 0.1% from 404,675 to 405,075.
There are notable differences in the age and sex structure of the two groups. The Maltese population had a nearly equal gender distribution, with 49.8% males and 50.2% females. In contrast, males made up 61.1% of the foreign population, with females comprising 38.9%.
The foreign population is also significantly younger, with a median age of 32 years compared to 43 years for the Maltese population.
This age disparity is reflected in the old-age dependency ratio, which measures the number of individuals aged 65 or older per 100 working-age people (20-64).
The Maltese population’s ratio has increased from 28.2 in 2012 to 41.8 in 2023, indicating an aging population. Conversely, the foreign population’s ratio has declined from 17.0 to 4.4 during the same period, signalling a younger demographic.
The overall old-age dependency ratio has remained stable, largely due to the influence of the younger foreign population.
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Source: NSO