Foreign residents in Malta increase by 3,100 in a year
4.4 per cent of Malta's population in 2009 consisted of foreigners according to the latest statistics issued in Brussels by Eurostat, an increase of 3,100 over 2008.
The increase resulted mostly from citizens of non-EU member states particularly from sub-Saharan Africans which were granted international protection.
According to the new figures, in 2009 there were 18,100 foreign residents in Malta, 8,200 coming from other EU member states and 9,900 from non-EU member states.
In 2008, the number of foreign residents in Malta stood at 15,000.
In 2009 the number of EU citizens residing n the island increased by just 200 when compared to 2008, while the population in Malta from non-EU citizens grew by 2,900.
Asked whether the total number of foreign residents in Malta also includes persons who were given international protection, a spokesman for Eurostat confirmed that this was the case.
"When calculating the population, the migration component includes people granted international protection," the spokesman said.
"By definition, a migrant is any person who comes to live in Malta with an intention to stay for a minimum of 12 months," she said.
In 2008 the biggest number of foreign residents in Malta consisted of Britons (4,100) followed by Indians (900), Serbs (800) and Bulgarians (800). No such data exists for 2009.
Although the number of foreign residents in Malta is high when compared to Malta population, which in 2009 stood at 414,000, it is not as high as the average in the EU. Eurostat said that in 2009, the number of foreign residents in the EU 27 stood at an average of 6.4 per cent, two percentage points more than Malta.
In the EU27, the number of foreign residents amounted to almost 40 million of whom only 12 million were citizens of another EU member state. The remaining were citizens of countries outside the EU27, in particular from other European countries (7.2 million), Africa (4.9 million), Asia (4.0 million) and the American continent (3.3 million).
In 2009, the largest numbers of foreign citizens were recorded in Germany (7.2 million persons), Spain (5.7 million), the United Kingdom (4 million in 2008), Italy (3.9 million) and France (3.7 million).
Among the member states, the highest percentage of foreign citizens in the population was observed in Luxembourg (44 per cent of the total population), followed by Latvia (18 per cent), Cyprus and Estonia (both 16 per cent), Spain (12 per cent), Ireland (11 per cent) and Austria (10 per cent).
The percentage of foreign citizens was 1 per cent or less in Poland, Romania, Bulgaria and Slovakia. In 2009, the number of residents in Malta who were not Maltese-born amounted to 27,700 or 6.7 per cent of the total population.
Popular Stories
Update 3: Woman found dead in car,...
Updated: Woman dies in car crash
Carm Mifsud Bonnici resigns after...
Part of Dwejra 'Azure window' collapses
The end of the bar that ‘never closed’
Bundy does not know whether to...
Updated - Jason Micallef demands...
This WAS the night - Kurt makes it...
'No need for early election if PM's...
In Discussion
Updated - Jason Micallef demands...
Gozo tunnel could take 5-7 years to...
CABS remote controlled aircraft shot...
Carm Mifsud Bonnici resigns after...
Joseph Calleja condemns portrayal of...
Updated: Labour would give...
CABS drone shot down
Second group of migrants arrives
Adrian Vassallo in scathing...
46 Comments
Post comment
Please sign in or create your Account to post comments.
Dr Joe Brincat
Sep 16th 2010, 20:10
We are what we are today because of influxes of migration in other times. Have you never noticed that so many surnames are found in other parts of Europe, to say the least. Once I was intrigued by a French sounding surname in Gozo. He was of British descent but his forefathers were of French extraction. . We have certain surnames which came here when the breakwater in the Grand Harbour was being built. They settled in the Cottonera area. We have Jewish surnames like Ellul and Bondi` and Cohen. Naturally we have British surnames. Italian surnames and especially Sicilians abound. But even Maltese went to Sicily. Andrea Camilleri, one ofthe best authors in Italy, has a Maltese father or grandfather. In Gibraltar and Corfu` there are many Maltese surnames. If one takes up the telephone directory in France, one would be surprised to find so many Maltese surnames such as Fenech, Xuereb, Tabone etc. I would like to meet a Maltese citizen who can trace his Maltese pedigree to roman times.
albert muscat
Sep 16th 2010, 17:03
I do not really comprehend why all this unjustified scaremongering about immigrants in Catholic Malta! Has immigrants become the soft target to gain political milage? In most Gulf countries the number of immigrants in some cases surplus number of local population and yes the number of Muslim or Arab immigrants only form 20% of the immigrants). In Saudi Arabia the number of none Muslim immigrants forms 35% of locals, can any body imagine what would have been the reaction if something thing similar to happen any where inside EU or Europe?. Every body knows the total GDP of the whole gulf region is much less than one single European country such as Germany, UK or France.
Dr Joe Brincat
Sep 16th 2010, 08:34
Migration is a historical characteristic. Why did Europeans settle in the Americas, both North and South, in Australia, in Africa ? Do we consider Malta an exception ? Was Malta ever an exception? True, numbers were smaller. How many Maltese are there around the world ? Maltese men and Maltese women do marry foreigners, from any continent. Some, who have through generations fully integrated, speak about Maltese identity. Norman Lowell is an example. Is that surname Maltese in origin ?
The problems should not be about a person's colour or creed or origin. Everyone has his dignity.
Economic considerations do come into play, that is true. We are not America, which is also closing its doors to Mexicans. The USA is what it is today because it received refugees from all other the world.
As to culture, I am afraid that we have become cosmopolitan without migrating. We are losing even our architectural identity, let alone our way of thinking.
Miguel Micallef
Sep 16th 2010, 13:09
Most of the things 'Maltese' will be forever gone by 25 years from now. Including the people.
Malta will become an island where people visit temporarily for a short working holiday, a few years long at max, in the sun, but where no one really wants to live permanently.
Sean Grima
Sep 16th 2010, 17:19
that is only a nightmare.
albert muscat
Sep 16th 2010, 04:43
I do not really comprehend why all this unjustified scaremongering about immigrants in Catholic Malta! Has immigrants become the soft target to gain political melees?
In most Gulf countries the number of immigrants in some cases surplus number of local population and yes the number of Muslim or Arab immigrants only form 20% of the immigrants). In Saudi Arabia the number of none Muslim immigrants forms 35% of locals, can any body imagine what would have been the reaction if something thing similar to happen any where inside EU or Europe?.
Every body knows the total GPD of the whole gulf region is much less than one single European country such as Germany, UK or Frances.
Steve Evans
Sep 15th 2010, 22:07
On average 2 and a half miles of precious Maltese counrtyside is given over to development every year and yet the Dementia public feal that they can live without tourism and the rest of the World. If it came to a World Crisis where would that leave beloved MALTA to the world ? You could never sustain your country without outside help! Now get Real.
DaveWeeks
Sep 15th 2010, 21:49
Why and why on earth would any foreigner would come and live in malta when our generation are leaving by the hundreds know'g damn well that there is nothing here for nobody, except Politics politics and more politics thats apart or in between shooting birds out the sky and beaten up British tourists and not forgetting foreign observers (Bird Watch)from Germany. Think and think again, if might be your last wish.
Peter Korsten
Sep 16th 2010, 11:44
As an EU citizen who has lived in Malta for almost 10 years now, allow me to answer your question:
1) The weather
2) Safety
3) Social cohesion
4) Standard of living (which is not only financial)
5) Did I mention the weather?
Mind, I come from a country with manicured roads, excellent social services, excellent public transport, and high wages. But it's also a country that is becoming increasingly less tolerant, aggressive, and downright ill-behaved. I mean, if someone got injured during the weekend, would you expect a whole group of people to turn against the ambulance crew?
Muscat Pat
Sep 15th 2010, 17:11
There is nothing wrong with legal migration from EU countries. But, if I remember correctly, Greece, controls the number of foreign residents on its islands. Moreover, there is nothing wrong if we give assylum to those who are in real need, though these have to be genuine ones and their entry is not dictated by countries who do not want them, or by NGO's who do not distinguish between economic migrants and ssylum seekers, or who play the racist card whenever the Maltese implore that their living space is becoming scarcer everyday. Moreover, those foreigners whose political culture and religious values infringes on OUR human rights and way of life, should not expect, as it is happening in Europe, that WE change; it is them who have to change: when in Rome do as the Romans do. Last but not least, the Maltese have NO guilty feelings with regards to Africans or Asians of others, we never colonised anybody, we were a colony and achieved Independence and Economic and Military freedom only in the last 50 years, we have experienced 2000 years of foreign rule, we do not want a repetion of history under the guise of "political correctness"!
Sean Grima
Sep 16th 2010, 08:44
Asylum, which is not granted automatically but after an examination of the applicant's history. Therefore, although any immigrant may apply for asylum, the status of an asylum seeker is not granted to all who apply.
colinstanley
Sep 15th 2010, 14:36
we should not complain about EU citizens,coming to live in Malta, after all we voted to be in the EU. but I would complain about all the other non EU. people coming here. before the EU. elections, we had the pn telling us that if we don't jion we will be left all alone with the Arabs, we had the pl telling us that we will be invaded by the Sicilians, and the pn telling us it's not true. and what happens, now we are full of non EU people who shouldn't be here at all ,unless with a visa. who is allowing all these people to remain here. please explain.
Sean Grima
Sep 15th 2010, 15:13
it seems you have never heard of asylum rights. in any case, i wonder why it is only non-europeans who irk you. aren't we all human, whether white or black or whatever skinned?
W Spencer
Sep 15th 2010, 20:29
@ Sean Grima If someone knocks on your door, and you invite them in, thats your choice, no problem. But if someone enters your house without an invitation or without your permission, they should be quickly evicted, as they are committing a crime. Unfortunately, the majority of illegal immigrants, and fake asylum seekers, are from non-european Countries, and they should be evicted and or deported immediately. Race or colour has nothing to do with it.
Sean Grima
Sep 16th 2010, 17:20
malta is not your private property: laws, not your beliefs, apply.
David Portelli
Sep 15th 2010, 14:15
I agree with Maris Robeznieks for certain jobs the maltese are not suitable such as betting companies,cause the best customer service is offered when the clients are speaking to someone with his Native language due to dialect and to understand better. These foreigners are paying a lot of tax,renting apartments from maltese citizens and spending their money in Malta. I have nothing against normal migrants.I'm totally against the illegal immigration,pretending to be looking for a better life and throwing away ID documents.
Sean Grima
Sep 16th 2010, 08:45
you are making a sweeping statement against all african migrants. their claims are processed by the refugee commissioner, they are are not granted asylum status automatically.
Alan Kay
Sep 15th 2010, 13:57
My income arises in the UK from company pension, I pay income tax to the Maltese Treasury and all the other indirect taxes, VAT, stamp duty on property purchase etc etc.
My wife is English, she works for HSBC Malta and pays tax here in the same way, and social security contributions 3 times the amount of her income tax, which no doubt contribute to Maltese state pensions we would hope.
How is our being a foreign resident in any way a drain on the economy of Malta? How are we and many like us a threat to the livlihood of the Maltese?
We and the many like us are nett contributors to the upkeep and the badly needed improvement of the country.
We are all Europeans now, where do the Maltese think the EU grants to rebuild the roads for example, have come from? From European taxpayers - and I paid that for over 30 years in England as well!
Joe Demanuele
Sep 15th 2010, 18:04
Alan Kay how about the money we are paying to the EU and part of your rebate? One foreigner employed one more Maltese worker unemployed.
Joseph Vassallo
Sep 15th 2010, 20:11
Joe Demanuele... you missed the bit where Alan Kaye says he has been paying into the common fund for thirty years; how long have you been contributing to the European common fund? He is also spending his pension here just for that bit of sun that is so elusive in UK; that's a worthwhile contribution to the economy, don't you agree? You must originate from the era when Mintoff proclaimed "Malta is for the Maltese and will not be sold to foreigners"; those were the days of the building boom of the 1960s. How many people have become better-off by selling some derelict farm, building plot, flat, villa or whatever to foreigners? Do you think they would really want to change back to the imposed austerity years?
Alan Kay
Sep 15th 2010, 21:18
Joe: Please explain what you mean by "part of your rebate" I/we receive nothing, nor expect anything, from the Maltese Government .
I repeat we are nett contributors and happy to do so.
Sean Grima
Sep 16th 2010, 08:39
the concept that maltese workers are limited to malta is outdated. the belgian and english residents should be complaining that maltese are taking up jobs in their country too mela!
J Brincat
Sep 15th 2010, 13:54
A statistical figure which is certainly NOT for my peace of mind!
Piero Timpano
Sep 15th 2010, 13:27
errm... 4.4% is not a lot people.. a great deal of those are gainfully employed in Malta and paying taxes, national insurance or indeed EMPLOYING other maltese people in firms... I am very surprised at the level of intolerance shown in some of the comments here. As for the comment about "competing for Maltese Jobs", then maybe if more Maltese people chose to learn languages such as German, French, Spanish and Hungarian, rather than relying on their Italian and English, they too would have more opportunities.
Vincvent Sammut
Sep 15th 2010, 14:19
Piero Timpano why should Maltese workers learn those languages in our own country? How about you learning maltese?
Joseph Vassallo
Sep 15th 2010, 20:02
Obviously Sammut missed Timpano's point completely. Has it occurred to him that foreigners are investing rather heavily in the Maltese economy and creating jobs for the Maltese? Timpano is right; Maltese investors have every opportunity to invest in foreign economies... just look at the Corinthia Group of companies.
Maris Robeznieks
Sep 15th 2010, 13:27
Common I'm forigner - live and work in Malta for last 4 years.
U Maltese don't work some jobs so why u after complaining?
The same how meany people left Malta and work a broad maybe they should come back :D
j pisani
Sep 15th 2010, 13:14
there are many maltese men choosing to marry foreign women. especially russian and philippine women.
I dont know where they find them. apparently they meet online and then they get them to malta
Joseph Camilleri
Sep 15th 2010, 12:53
What a pitiful situation Malta has been brought to under the PN government and under the EU!!! nearly 28,000 known foreigners living in Malta and competing with Maltese workers for our jobs. And this does not include the thousands of foreigners who overstayed their visa and others about whom we know nothing about and who are living here working on the black economy. Oh my country, what have you been reduced to under the corrupt PN governments and the equally corrupt EU!!!
Alan Kay
Sep 15th 2010, 14:22
Electorate Spoilt votes Turnout (%) For (%) Against (%)
297,881 3,911 270,650 (90.86) 143,094 (53.65) 123,628 (46.35)
Source: The Maltese EU Accession Referendum
A majority of the population voted to join the EU confirmed by the ensuing General Election in 2003.
It would appear the result still rankles with the 46% who voted against.
Time to get over it, move on, and see your country's much needed development.
Sean Grima
Sep 15th 2010, 14:26
i'm sure foreigners only started coming to live here because of the EU!
in the case of most north europeans, it is because of the sun, sea and sky!
Joe Bonnici
Sep 15th 2010, 12:47
Why is Malta accepting migrants when we do not have enough space for ourselves? Stop all migration both legal and illegal.
Patrik Larsson
Sep 15th 2010, 14:42
How can you stop legal immigration? You can do that by making it illegal, making it illegal immigration.
Furthermore, you say stop all migration, does that mean emigration as well?
Just trying to make sense of what you are trying to say.
Louise Vella
Sep 15th 2010, 12:13
"The increase resulted mostly from citizens of non-EU member states particularly from sub-Saharan Africans which were granted international protection."
Do all the sub-Saharan Africans granted international protection have to stay in Malta? Are they willing to stay in Malta? Can they not be resettled in other parts of sub-Saharan Africa?
Raymond Camilleri
Sep 15th 2010, 12:38
ma x'biza Louise! lock yourself inside! Call the marines!
Mark Galea
Sep 15th 2010, 13:42
many women seem more concerned on the fact that maltese men are finding it easier to marry foreigners than maltese girls :)
Sean Grima
Sep 15th 2010, 14:17
your comments are based on the false assumption that people of a continent, or country, have to stay in it.
it seems you do not have a problem with the thousands of non-maltese europeans coming here, only with the africans.
Mary Borg
Sep 15th 2010, 12:07
Oh dear not more blooming foreigners, where have all the Maltese gone, in time to come Malta will not be Malta anymore but the league of all nations and all our history and heritage will be going to pot. No wonder Most our young highly educated young people are leaving for pastures new, i know its called progress but for what
alan watson
Sep 15th 2010, 13:19
So, as I understand it, you are saying it's OK for Malta's young people to leave (presumably to another EU country) but not for other Europeans to come to Malta? As a 'blooming foriegner' who would love to retire to Malta in a couple of years I presume Estate Agents/Maltese property owners/shopkeepers etc would like me to spend my money there, even if I am a 'foreigner'? Not everyone who moves to Malta is a drain on the economy, similarly, Malta's highly qualified emigrees will eventually benefit themselves, their families and, indirectly, Malta itself.
Brian Maloret
Sep 15th 2010, 13:31
Its happening all over the world and especially in the EU States. I personally cannot understand your comment or the comment made by Joseph Camilleri. And by the way, EU nationals do not need a visa to come to Malta so its impossible for us to overstay.
Albert Farrrugia
Sep 15th 2010, 13:31
Hi Mr Watson...yes...the place where you are thinking of retiring in Malta is unfortunately one of the most xenophobic places in Europe...directed especially against non-Europeans but also against other Europeans. Most Maltese think of their island as some little private planet, not belonginig to the world. Listen to my advice Mr Watson. For your retirement look to some other place..Cyprus, Spain, France, Italy. Forget about Malta. Even since this countr joined the EU it seems that its getting even more, not less, isolated.
Jane Galea
Sep 15th 2010, 14:56
Albert Farrrugia shall we start stacking people on each other just to allow foreigners to come and live here? They have such big countries why do they want to come in a small overcrowded Island and getting on the nerves of the local people?
Johnny Norman
Sep 15th 2010, 21:45
Albert Farrugia>> i wouldn't live and retire in malta or Gozo even if you payment, i know the facts my friend, i am half Maltese myself and believe me retiring in Malta is like signing up for your death warrent. The ball is in your court, i made my decision and that is to go to another country bar Malta, i would think that Cyprus is a nice little island this time of year. Best of Luck
Alan Watson
Sep 16th 2010, 13:35
Well, with friends like these...... who needs enemies. I recognise the xenophobia, I'm aware of the cruelty to birds, I know about the destruction of the flora, I also recognise how proud you all are about Malta, perhaps a Malta that doesn't exist anymore. The same EU rules apply here, and Spain, and France, Italy etc, so anywhere in the EU is bound by the same treaties. However, you do have a beautiful country, lovely architecture, fabulous weather.... plus you drive on the left and speak English (better than many here in the UK). You are not afraid to makke punishment fit the crime, hence your low crime rate, and that has a llot going forit when you are approaching retirement. Compare that with my Father who has to live behind locked doors, day and night, no matter what the weather! Household fuel costs are around 1200euros per year, Council tax is the same, transport is expensive (petrol is around 1e30c/litre), I could go on........
Sean Grima
Sep 16th 2010, 17:28
our culture is the result of the mixture of peoples, including arabic influences.
W Spencer
Sep 16th 2010, 23:16
If what you say is true, why on earth are there 70,000+ vacant properties to let and for sale in Malta / Gozo, and hundreds more in the process of being built ? Who are the owners hoping to let / sell these properties to, if foreign immigrants are not welcome ? Or will the properties be left vacant and in disrepair like so many, many other properties.