Malta is one of the most densely populated countries in the world, with about 1,265 inhabitants per square kilometer (3,000/mi²). This compares with about 32 per square kilometer (85/mi²) for the United States. Inhabited since prehistoric times, Malta was first colonized by the Phoenicians, who were the primary ancestors of the modern Maltese. Subsequently, Arabs, Italians, and the British have influenced Maltese life and culture to varying degrees. Most of the foreign community in Malta, predominantly active or retired British nationals and their dependents, is centered on Sliema and surrounding modern suburbs. Roman Catholicism is established by law as the religion of Malta; however, full liberty of conscience and freedom of worship is guaranteed, and a number of faiths have places of worship on the island. Malta has two official languages--Maltese (a Semitic language) and English. The literacy rate has reached 90%, compared to 63% in 1946. Schooling is compulsory until age 16.

A census (held every 10 years) was held in November 2005.

Population: 404,039 (2005 census)

Age structure:
0-14 years: 20% (male 41,046; female 38,273)
15-64 years: 67% (male 132,692; female 131,532)
65 years and over: 13% (male 20,091; female 28,036) (2000 est.)

Population growth rate: 0.74% (2000 est.)

Birth rate: 12.75 births/1,000 population (2000 est.)

Death rate: 7.7 deaths/1,000 population (2000 est.)

Net migration rate: 2.39 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2000 est.)

Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.07 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.72 male(s)/female
total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2000 est.)

Infant mortality rate: 5.94 deaths/1,000 live births (2000 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 77.94 years
male: 75.49 years
female: 80.62 years (2000 est.)

Total fertility rate: 1.92 children born/woman (2000 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 91%

Languages: Maltese (official), English (official)

Literacy:
definition: age 10 and over can read and write
total population: 88%
male: 88%
female: 88% (1985)

See also : Malta

Bevölkerung Maltas | Demografía de Malta | Démographie de Malte | Demografia de Malta | Население Мальты