Over the last ten years, Malta has experienced a notable surge in its population, growing from 450,415 in 2015 to 522,530 in 2022, marking a 16% increase. 

This demographic shift naturally prompts questions about its impact on crime in the country. Surprisingly, despite this population growth, reported cases of violent crimes have followed a different trajectory. 

In 2015, there were 1,056 reported cases, a number that dropped to 814 in 2022. This trend suggests that the increase in population did not lead to a corresponding rise in reported violent crimes To gain deeper insights, the population was categorised into groups: Maltese (native), EU, Non-EU, African, and Other*. Analyzing crime rates per capita is crucial for understanding the characteristics of the aggressors. 

It provides a clearer picture of crime prevalence, especially in areas with diverse population densities. In the category of “Assault without a Weapon,” the Maltese native population had a rate of 11.85 per 1,000, significantly higher than the EU and Non-EU European groups. The Sub-Saharan African and North African & Middle Eastern groups exhibited even higher rates. 

Conversely, the ‘Other’ category showed a much lower rate. Similar trends were observed in categories like “Assault with a Weapon,” “Armed Robbery,” “Homicide,” “Violent Indecent Assault,” “Rape,” “Indecent Exposure,” and “Mugging,” with varying rates across different population groups.

While Malta’s population has seen substantial growth, it’s crucial to analyze crime statistics while considering the diverse backgrounds and population sizes. Per capita analysis provides a deeper understanding of the crime landscape.  The data indicates that Maltese natives and European groups generally exhibit lower crime rates, while the ‘Other’ category consistently shows the lowest rates. On the other hand, Sub-Saharan African and North African & Middle Eastern groups demonstrate higher incidences, particularly in assaults and violent indecent assaults.

However, it’s important to note that these statistics only account for reported crimes, and unreported incidents are not reflected. Additionally, per capita statistics can give a skewed picture if the target demographic is not of significant size.

Read the full report here.

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