Malta's population at the end of last year increased by one percent over the previous year, reaching 413,609 - 205,873 males and 207,736 females.
In a statement issued to commemmorate the 20th World Population Day tomorrow, the National Statistics Office said that changes in the total population were a result of natural increase - the difference between birth and death counts, and migration - the difference between immigration and emigration. Nearly 75 percent of the population increase was due to migration.
Twenty three percent of the total population were under 20, while another 14 percent were 65 and over. These two percentages are expected to become 17 and 24 percent, respectively by 2050.
The NSO said t.here was a total of 4,126 live births in 2008, an increase of 6.6 percent over 2007. 52 percent of the babies born were boys.
The majority of the mothers (34 percent) were aged between 25 and 29. Another 31 percent were aged between 30 and 34. Fathers tended to be slightly older. In fact, the largest category of fathers fell within the 30-34 year old category and accounted for 35 per cent of the total.
The number of deaths in 2008 stood at 3,243 – an increase of four percent with respect to the previous year. The majority of deaths involved persons aged 75 and over.
Infant deaths amounted to 34, up by nine when compared to the previous year. There were 2,482 registered marriages, including 193 in Gozo, an increase of 26 percent over 2007. Thirty four percent of all marriages were civil. The majority of the brides and grooms were 25-29 years old. There were also 20 grooms and 13 brides aged 65 or over.
A total of 519 separations were filed, a drop of 18.5 percent over 2007. 464 (89 percent) involved couples with both spouses being Maltese. There were 188 registered annulments (35 religious and 153 civil) compared to 167 in 2007.
Twelve per cent of these annulments involved couples who had been married for less than 5 years. These were all civil. Another 15 percent involved marriages that had lasted for 20 years and over. Last year there were 31 divorces obtained abroad and recognised by the Maltese authorities, down by four over the previous year.