Malta Population
Middle East & North Africa · 170th most populous · High income
Population right now (estimate)
581,830
The population of Malta is about 581,830 as of 22 October 2026 (estimate), and 581 thousand for 2026 as a whole — 0.01% of the world's people.
Malta is ranked 170th of 217 by population. Growth has nearly stopped: the population changes by only 0.29% a year. Projections show it peaking around 2032 at about 586 thousand, then declining. Since 1960 (327 thousand) it has grown by 78%. With 1,845 people per square kilometre, it is one of the most densely populated places in the world. 96% of people live in cities (2025).
Population 2026
581 thousand
Yearly change
+0.29%
World rank
170th
Share of world
0.01%
Density
1,845/km²
Land area
315 km²
Life expectancy
83.0 yrs
Births per woman
1.01
GDP per capita
$47,907
GDP
$27.8B
Population of Malta, 1960–2050
Malta population by year
| Year | Population | Yearly change | Density (per km²) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | 326,550 | — | 1,036 |
| 1970 | 302,650 | −0.54% | 960 |
| 1980 | 316,645 | +1.05% | 1,005 |
| 1990 | 354,170 | +0.98% | 1,124 |
| 2000 | 390,087 | +0.65% | 1,238 |
| 2010 | 414,508 | +0.49% | 1,315 |
| 2020 | 515,490 | +2.30% | 1,636 |
| 2024 | 568,847 | +2.91% | 1,805 |
| 2026proj. | 581,376 | +0.29% | 1,845 |
| 2030proj. | 585,355 | +0.10% | 1,857 |
| 2040proj. | 578,200 | −0.24% | 1,835 |
| 2050proj. | 560,909 | −0.35% | 1,780 |
Malta vs Bangladesh
Bangladesh (178 million) has 306 times as many people as Malta. Bangladesh is 1.4 times less densely populated.
Malta population: questions and answers
What is the population of Malta in 2026?
About 581,376 (581 thousand), based on World Bank projections.
Is Malta's population growing?
Yes, by about 0.29% a year (2026).
What is the population density of Malta?
About 1,845 people per km², with a land area of 315 km².
What will the population of Malta be in 2050?
About 561 thousand on World Bank projections.
What is the capital of Malta?
Valletta.
What is the life expectancy in Malta?
83.0 years at birth (2024).
Sources: World Bank Open Data — World Development Indicators and Population Estimates and Projections (CC BY 4.0); Wikidata (CC0). Data retrieved 2026-10-22. Live figures are mathematical estimates interpolated between the World Bank's mid-year values, not real-time counts.