There were 613 priesthood ordinations under the tenure of eight bishops and two apostolic administrators within the Gozo Diocese over the past 150 years, according to the National Statistics Office, which issued the data to mark the diocese's 150th anniversary.

Of the 613 ordinations since 1864, 28.2 per cent, or 173, were registered in the last 50 years. This is in contrast to 217 ordinations between 1864 and 1913, and 223 between 1914 and 1963.

A third of all those ordained are alive, with 48 per cent being over 64years. The majority of those ordained in the last decade live abroad.

Gozo’s population 150 years ago accounted for 11.5 per cent of the total population. The latest census puts the share at 7.5 per cent.

In absolute terms, Gozo’s resident population practically doubled since 1864. During the same period, the population on the mainland has more than trebled.