Malta
Based on the most recent published official birth records (and Birthgap harmonisation where noted).
Malta experienced a notable decline in its total maternal rate in 2024, dropping to 56.5% from the previous year, continuing a downward trend over recent years. Meanwhile, the proportion of women without children rose to 43.5%, marking a steady increase in childlessness. The average maternal age reached 30.9 years, maintaining one of the higher ranks in Europe. The country also faces a persistently large fertility gap, the highest within Europe.
- Total maternal rate decreased by 3.8 percentage points from 2023 to 2024, continuing its five-year decline trend.
- Childlessness rate rose by 3.8 percentage points to 43.5%, positioning Malta among countries with the highest rates globally and in Europe.
- The average maternal age increased slightly to 30.9 years, ranking Malta 6th highest in Europe for this metric.
- Total Fertility Gap expanded to 50.6%, the highest in Europe, signaling a significant shortfall relative to replacement-level fertility.
In 2024, Malta faces ongoing demographic challenges with low fertility and an aging maternal profile.
- Total maternal rate low in Europe, ranked 25th out of 30
- Average children per mother near bottom in Europe, ranked 29th
- Among highest average maternal ages in Europe, ranked 6th
- Highest fertility gap in Europe, largest relative deficit
- Low societal half-life, ranked last among 30 European countries
Key fertility indicators — Malta
| Total Maternal Rate (TMR) | 56.5% |
| Childlessness Rate (TCR) | 43.5% |
| Birthgap Indicator (TFG) | 50.6% |
| Societal Half-Life (SHL) | 32.3 years |
| TGI (great-grandchildren per 100 parents) | 12 |
Motherhood prevalence (TMR)
In 2024, the total maternal rate (TMR) is 56.5%. It declined relative to 2023 (down 3.8pp). Across the most recent five-year window (2020–2024), TMR has been falling with an average of 58.4%. Compared with the long-run norm from the 2020s (58.4%), completed fertility today is lower by about 1.9pp.
Globally, Malta ranks 34 out of 42 countries for TMR. Within Europe, Malta has one of the lowest TMR values (ranked 25/30).
| Year | TMR | Year | TMR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 69.7% |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 59.1% |
| 1990 | n/a | 2023 | 60.3% |
| 2000 | n/a | 2024 | 56.5% |
Source: Eurostat.
Children per mother (CPM)
In 2024, mothers in Malta had an average of 1.81 children. This is essentially unchanged from 2023 (little change). Across the most recent five-year window, CPM is falling with an average of 1.88. Compared with the long-run norm from the 2020s (1.88), mothers in Malta are now having lower by about 0.07 children on average.
Globally, Malta has one of the lowest CPM values (ranked 40/42). Within Europe, Malta has one of the lowest CPM values (ranked 29/30).
| Year | CPM | Year | CPM |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 1.95 |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 1.91 |
| 1990 | n/a | 2023 | 1.80 |
| 2000 | n/a | 2024 | 1.81 |
Source: Eurostat.
Average maternal age (AMA)
In 2024, mothers in Malta had children at an average age of 30.9 years. It has edged up slightly (+0.2 years). Looking at the last five years, AMA has been rising (average 30.5 years). Relative to the earliest available baseline in the 2020s (30.5 years), today’s AMA is higher by about 0.4 years.
Globally, Malta ranks 9 out of 42 countries for average maternal age. Within Europe, Malta has one of the highest average maternal ages (ranked 6/30).
| Year | BIRTH | Year | BIRTH |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 27.52 |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 29.98 |
| 1990 | n/a | 2023 | 30.74 |
| 2000 | n/a | 2024 | 30.92 |
Source: Eurostat.
Total Fertility Gap (TFG)
Malta’s Total Fertility Gap (TFG) is 50.6% in 2024 (equivalent to a TFR of 1.02). It increased relative to 2023 (up 3.1pp). Looking at the last five years, the Total Fertility Gap has been rising (average 47.1% across 2020–2024). Compared with the long-run norm from the 2020s (47.1%), the fertility gap today is higher by about 3.5pp.
Globally, Malta has one of the highest TFG values (ranked 3/42). Within Europe, Malta has the highest TFG (ranked 1/30).
| Year | TFG | Year | TFG |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 34.2% |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 45.5% |
| 1990 | n/a | 2023 | 47.5% |
| 2000 | n/a | 2024 | 50.6% |
Source: Eurostat.
Future Worker Gap (FWG)
In 2024, Malta’s Future Worker Gap (FWG) is 36.5%. It is higher than in 2023 (up 3.1pp). Looking at the last five years, FWG has been rising (average 31.1% across 2020–2024). Relative to the earliest available baseline in the 2020s (31.1%), today’s FWG is higher by about 5.4pp.
Globally, Malta ranks 20 out of 39 countries for FWG. Within Europe, Malta ranks 14 out of 29 countries for FWG.
| Year | FWG | Year | FWG |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 35.8% |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 24.3% |
| 1990 | n/a | 2023 | 33.4% |
| 2000 | n/a | 2024 | 36.5% |
Source: Eurostat.
Societal Half-Life (SHL)
In 2024, Malta’s Societal Half-Life (SHL) is 32.3 years. It moved sharply down from 2023 (down 2.9 years). Over the past five years, SHL has been falling; the 2020–2024 average is 35.5 years. Against the oldest decade baseline on record (2020s, 35.5 years), SHL now stands lower by about 3.1 years.
Globally, Malta has one of the lowest SHL values (ranked 40/42). Within Europe, Malta is ranked last among 30 countries (lowest SHL).
Triple Generation Impact (TGI)
With this Birthgap (TFG) for every 100 people of fertility age in Malta, there would be 12 great-grandchildren, representing a -88.0% drop from the current generation.
Globally, Malta has one of the lowest TGI values (ranked 40/42).
Within Europe, Malta is ranked last among 30 countries (lowest TGI).
Birth trajectory
Milestones Years: - Births down 50% in 2056 - Births down 75% in 2089 - Births down 90% in 2131
Based on the 2024 birth pattern, total births would fall by half from 4,350 in 2024 to 2,175 in 2056, and by 90% to 435 in 2131 (ignoring migration).
Childlessness rate (TCR)
The TCR in Malta is 43.5% as of 2024. It increased relative to 2023 (up 3.8pp). Looking at the last five years, childlessness has been rising (average 41.6% across 2020–2024). Compared with the long-run norm from the 2020s (41.6%), Malta’s current TCR is higher by about 1.9pp.
Globally, Malta ranks 9 out of 42 countries for childlessness. Within Europe, Malta has one of the highest childlessness rates (ranked 6/30).
| Year | TCR | Year | TCR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 30.3% |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 40.9% |
| 1990 | n/a | 2023 | 39.7% |
| 2000 | n/a | 2024 | 43.5% |
Source: Eurostat.
Total births
Total births in Malta were 4,350 in 2024. It is broadly unchanged from 2023. Over the past five years, total births have been broadly stable, averaging 4,381 per year. Compared with the 2020s average (4,381), total births are now close to that long-run level.
| Year | Births | Year | Births |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 3,891 |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 4,408 |
| 1990 | n/a | 2023 | 4,457 |
| 2000 | n/a | 2024 | 4,350 |
Source: Eurostat.
Future Worker Gap (FWG)
In 2024, Malta’s Future Worker Gap (FWG) is 36.5%. It is higher than in 2023 (up 3.1pp). Looking at the last five years, FWG has been rising (average 31.1% across 2020–2024). Relative to the earliest available baseline in the 2020s (31.1%), today’s FWG is higher by about 5.4pp.
Globally, Malta ranks 20 out of 39 countries for FWG. Within Europe, Malta ranks 14 out of 29 countries for FWG.
| Year | FWG | Year | FWG |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 35.8% |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 24.3% |
| 1990 | n/a | 2023 | 33.4% |
| 2000 | n/a | 2024 | 36.5% |
Source: Eurostat.
