Population projections found in a recent report called "Trends in Malta 2016", released by the National Statistics Office, shows worrying predictions regarding the future of Malta's population composition in terms of age groups.

Currently, employers are already complaining about the lack of potential employees easily found in Malta to fill empty posts, with many needing to look to foreign nationals. This, however, has its own set of problems, such as the length of time it takes for the necessary permits to come through.

According to the report, not only will Malta's working population decrease by 2055, but the number of dependants would also rise, which could results in other issues and strains on the health services sector, possible pensions etc.

Population projections show that by 2035, Malta's population is expected to rise to 461,048, up from the 434,403 people who lived on the island in 2015. This is set to rise further to 472,918 by 2055.

According to the report, in 2055 there will be 71,489 persons aged over 75, up from 32,603 persons within that age group in 2015. Those aged between 65 and 74 will rise from 50,138 in 2015, to 59,115 in 2055.

As for the working population, the number of persons aged 15-24 will reduce to 48,583 in 2055 from 52,822 in 2015. The number of persons aged 25-34 will reduce to 56,019 from 64,546. The number of persons aged 35-44 will drop to 56,608 from 59,813. Persons aged 45 to 54 will drop to 50,840 from 53,316. Lastly, persons aged 55-64 will drop to 57,861 from 59,276.

The number of children aged 14 and under is still projected to rise, and in 2055 will number 72,403, up from 61,889 in 2015.

2015

The document explains that in 2015, the total population grew by just over 5,000, however, "the increase in population was mainly explained by the increase in immigrants rather than babies born." The total population in Malta grew to 434,403 inhabitants in 2015. 

By end December 2015, the total Maltese population stood at 401,480 (up from 392,215 in 2006), while the total foreign population on the islands stood at 30,923 (up from 13,401 in 2006)

"It is more likely that the next inhabitant added to the population is an immigrant than a new-born, since more immigrants arrived on our shores (12,831) than there were babies born (4,325) in 2015. 

"Taking into account the 8,655 emigrants, migration resulted in 4,176 more inhabitants.  1,844 of the immigrants (arriving in Malta) were asylum seekers, the majority of whom were from Libya (49%) and Syria (23%)."

By end December 2015, the total Maltese population stood at 401,480 (up from 392,215 in 2006), while the total foreign population on the islands stood at 30,923 (up from 13,401 in 2006)

The report notes that while there were more births than deaths, women under the age of 30 are having less children. "There were 4,325 babies born to mothers resident in Malta during 2015, 134 more when compared to 2014.  Nevertheless, the fertility rate is showing no signs of a reversal in trend, as it has remained stable under the 1.5 mark since 2001.  On average, the number of children per mother has decreased and fewer women under the age of 30 are having children.  Contrary to the trend a decade earlier, in 2015 the majority of women giving birth were over 30 years of age."

Deaths recorded in 2015 amounted to 3,442. The natural population growth between 2011 and 2015 was quite stable with an average of 842 every year.  However, whereas in 1995 those aged less than 15 and the 65+ group accounted for 21.9% and 11.4% of the population respectively, in 2015 those aged less than 15 accounted for 14.2% of the population and the 65+ group accounted for 19% of the population.

 

Marriage

The report shows that civil marriages (including marriages among foreigners) were almost at par with religious marriages in 2015. "A decade earlier the number of civil marriages equated to half the number of religious marriages. There were 3,002 new marriages in 2015.  The number of separations, annulments and divorces registered in 2015 were 656, 91 and 468 respectively. Almost half of the registered marriages were civil in 2015, whereas a decade earlier the ratio was one civil marriage for every three registered."

"The number of marriages increased marginally over the last decade but the number of separations remained at the same level.  Since divorce was legalised in 2011, the number of annulments has been declining steadily.  In 2015, the number of annulments and divorces obtained from abroad reached 91 and 96 respectively.  The number of divorces obtained from Malta stood at 372 in 2015. The preferred period for tying the knot is the second quarter of the year followed by the third quarter of the year.  It is also clear that the number of foreigners choosing to get married in Malta is steadily on the increase."