Malta has a population of 403,342 (2004 estimate), which gives an average density of 1,257 people per sq km (3,254 per sq mi). Around 377,000 people live in Malta, approximately 26,000 in Gozo and 20 call Comino their home. Average life expectancy in 2004 was 76 years for men and 81 years for women; the infant mortality rate in 1995 was 6 deaths per 1,000 live births.

Population:

399,867 (2003)

401,880 (2007)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 16.7% (male 34,559; female 32,707)

15-64 years: 69.5% (male 141,265; female 137,951)

65 years and over: 13.8% (male 23,802; female 31,596) (2007 est.)

Median age:

Total: 39 years

Male: 37.6 years

Female: 40.4 years (2007 est.)

Population growth rate:

0.413% (2007 est.)

Birth rate:

10.28 births/1,000 population (2007 est.)

Death rate:

8.19 deaths/1,000 population (2007 est.)

Net migration rate:

2.04 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2007 est.)

Sex ratio:

At birth: 1.06 male(s)/female

Under 15 years: 1.057 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.024 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.753 male(s)/female

Total population: 0.987 male(s)/female (2007 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

Total: 3.82 deaths/1,000 live births

Male: 4.29 deaths/1,000 live births

Female: 3.32 deaths/1,000 live births (2007 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

Total population: 79.15 years

Male: 76.95 years

Female: 81.47 years (2007 est.)

Total fertility rate:

1.51 children born/woman (2007 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

0.2% (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

less than 500 (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

less than 100 (2003 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:

The Maltese are predominantly Roman Catholic.

Roman Catholic 98%

Languages:

Maltese (the only Semitic language in the EU) is the first-official language, English the second. Maltese is much more widely spoken, generally by the majority of the population, whereas English is a mother tongue for a minority. Maltese is a descendant of Maghrebi Arabic, although the grammatical structure and sound system is different, and it has taken a lot of vocabulary from Italian. Italian is spoken by some on Malta, due to its close cultural and historical links with Italy. Maltese is written in Latin characters.

Maltese (official), English (official), Italian

Literacy:

Definition: age 10 and over can read and write

Total population: 92.8%

Male: 92%

Female: 93.6% (2003 est.)

Education:

Education is free and compulsory between the ages of 5 and 16. The University of Malta (1592) is in Msida. In 2000–2001 there were approximately 34,914 primary-school children, 36,243 secondary-school pupils, and 6,000 students in higher education. University-level education is provided by the University of Malta (1592).