There's one thing you surely must have noticed after being here for just a couple of days. For such a small island, this is a very diverse place indeed with some estimates putting the number of immigrants in Malta as somewhere between 20 and 25%. We have a long history of welcoming immigrants from different parts of the world, and welcome you!
But where are many of Malta's immigrants from? Who holds the record? And what about some history of it?
Over the years, Malta has served as a crucial transit point for migrants travelling between Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East. Today, Malta has a thriving community of immigrants from various countries, who have contributed to the island's economy, culture, and society.
History of Migration to Malta
Migration to Malta dates back to ancient times, as the island has served as a strategic location for trade, commerce, and military purposes. Throughout history, Malta has been ruled by various empires, including the Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, Arabs, Catalans and Normans, all of whom brought their own cultures and traditions to the island.
In the 16th century, Malta came under the rule of the Knights of St. John, a Catholic military order that was based in the island. During this period, Malta saw an influx of immigrants from various parts of Europe, who were attracted by the island's strategic location and the presence of the Knights.
In the 19th and early 20th centuries, Malta experienced a significant increase in migration due to its strategic location in the Mediterranean. The island became an important transit point for migrants travelling between Europe and North Africa. Many of these migrants were labourers, who worked in the island's ports, factories, and other industries.
After World War II, Malta experienced a wave of emigration, as many Maltese people left the island in search of better opportunities abroad. The United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada were popular destinations for Maltese emigrants during this period.
Mass migration to Malta is a particularly new phenomenon, with tens of thousands moving to Malta over the last few years. Today, migrants make up a significant portion of Malta's population, and their contributions to the island's economy and society are widely recognized, even if there are some light tensions at times.
Where do most of Malta's immigrants come from?
The last statistics available are from 2021, and according to the data sets from the National Statistics Office of Malta, the largest group of immigrants in Malta are from Europe, followed by Africa and Asia. Here is a breakdown of where the immigrants living in Malta are from:
Europe: The largest group of immigrants in Malta are from European countries, with Italy being the most common country of origin. According to data from 2020, there were 12,197 Italian nationals living in Malta, followed by 7,846 British nationals, 4,138 French nationals, and 2,776 German nationals. There is also a very sizeable Serbian community.
Africa: The second-largest group of immigrants in Malta are from African countries, with the majority coming from Libya, Somalia, and Eritrea. According to data from 2020, there were 3,763 Libyan nationals living in Malta, followed by 2,863 Somali nationals and 2,115 Eritrean nationals.
Asia: The third-largest group of immigrants in Malta are from Asian countries, with the majority coming from India, Nepal, Syria, Pakistan, and Iraq. According to data from 2020, there were 1,878 Syrian nationals living in Malta, followed by 1,325 Pakistani nationals and 974 Iraqi nationals.
However, these figures do not reflect the huge changes that happened straight after Covid, as Malta opened its doors to tens of thousands of Asian migrants, particularly from India, Nepal, as well as The Philippines and Colombia. Although the official population register claims the population is around 500,000, some estimates say that more than 600,000 people are living in Malta.
Wherever they may be from, they add to this great fabric of cosmopolitan and multicultural diversity that is Malta.
Welcome!
Kurt, OLS Community Manager – Maltese