Malta ranked first on the 2025 Rainbow Map released by ILGA-Europe, which is the leading European organisation advocating for LGBTIQ+ rights, the government said.
The map benchmarks 49 European countries based on seven key indicators based on the legal and policy frameworks, including equality and non-discrimination, legal gender recognition, and civil society space among others.
Parliamentary Secretary for Equality and Reforms Rebecca Buttigieg said that Malta's consistent first place ranking for ten consecutive years underscores Malta's commitment to equality, non-discrimination, and human rights.
She said that securing the number one spot on the ILGA-Europe index for the tenth-year running is a momentous achievement for Malta. "It is a testament to Government's political will and the continuous efforts of civil society to build a truly equitable and inclusive society."
The parliamentary secretary also said that this European recognition strengthens government's determination to have the highest standards in this area and ensure that the rights that have been achieved in recent years are not lost.
While celebrating this significant achievement, the parliamentary secretary acknowledged the concerning trends highlighted in the ILGA-Europe report across the continent. She said that Malta stands firm in its commitment to human rights and serves as a beacon, demonstrating that progress is possible and necessary.
The parliamentary secretary also stated that the progress and protection of rights for LGBTIQ+ individuals reflect democracy and fundamental freedom for all.
She went on to say that Malta remains dedicated to work collaboratively with civil society organisations and international partners to champion equality and ensure the rights and dignity of LGBTIQ+ individuals both locally and internationally.
In this context, next week Malta will be hosting the IDAHOT+ Forum and Experts meetings as part of its Council of Europe Presidency where LGBTIQ+ rights and equality will take centre stage and a number of high-profile speakers will be in attendance, the government said.