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St Paul’s Bay, once mainly a summer resort, has become the second most populated locality in Malta, according to the latest data published in the Government Gazette.

In the past decade, the coastal village experienced a population boom mainly due to the influx of foreigners representing some 100 nationalities.

St Paul’s Bay now has 21,046 residents, up by 4,568 since 2011.

According to the figures, Birkirkara is still the most populated locality with 22,247 residents. Third on the list is Mosta (20,241), followed by Sliema (16,854) and Qormi (16,779).

Bottom of the list is Mdina with a population of 292, followed by the four Gozitan villages of Għasri (525), San Lawrenz (748), Fontana (985) and Munxar (1,454).

Compared with the data gathered in the 2011 Census, the population list of the 68 local councils published recently highlights a number of regional demographic changes.

In absolute terms, Birżebbuġa had the largest drop in population, with an exodus of 789 residents in three years – a 7.5 per cent fall.

The latest statistics show that the overall population has reached 445,426, which is an increase of 29,371 or 7.1 per cent since 2011.

For statistical purposes, in the 2011 Census, the Maltese Islands had been divided in six regions.

It transpires that Gozo whose population has now reached 37,342, is the fastest growing region with an increase in population of 19.9 per cent since 2011.

Birkirkara is still the most populated locality, with 22,247 residents. Mdina is at the bottom of the list with 292

The most significant change was in Żebbuġ, which also included Marsalforn where the population soared by 62.1 per cent in just three years and has now reached 2,956.

Next on the list was the northern region – which included all localities from Mosta up to Mellieħa – with an increase of 12 per cent.

The northern harbour district, which also happens to be the largest with a population of 130,918, had an increase of nine per cent, which in absolute terms amounted to 10,855.

Sliema experienced a revival with the number of residents increasing by 24.7 per cent in just three years and has now a population of 16,854.

Marsascala overtakes Żejtun in southeast

In the southeastern district the major changes occurred in Birżebbuġa and Marsascala, the latter seeing an increase of 9.8 per cent in population (1,078), which offset the drop registered in the neighbouring coastal village.

As a result, Marsascala is now the most populated locality in this region with 12,134 residents, and has even surpassed Żejtun.

The overall population of this region increased by 2.7 per cent and has reached 65,838 people.

Though there were no major shifts in the southern harbour district, Marsa registered an eight per cent drop in population, followed by Paola with 4.9 per cent.

The overall population of this district increased by 2.4 per cent and reached 81,067.

The smallest increase in population was recorded in the western district of Malta, with 1.9 per cent, where the overall population reached 59,047.

While the population of Balzan shrank by 4.2 per cent, that of Żebbuġ increased by 3.1 per cent.

Most populated localities*

Birkirkara - 22,247
St Paul’s Bay - 21,046
Mosta - 20,241
Sliema - 16,854
Qormi - 16,779
Żabbar - 15,404
Naxxar - 13,443
San Ġwann - 12,523
Marsascala - 12,134
Żebbuġ (Malta) - 11,903

*Source: Government Gazette May 16, 2014