Apart from the impact on the quality of life, the increase in population is also changing the Maltese landscape. Keith Micallef looks into the demographic changes of the last 25 years.

At the start of the 1990s Marsascala was still a locality mainly sought after for a summer residence, with just 2,500 people living there all year round. A quarter of a century later, the scenario has changed completely with its population having grown by almost five times as much.

This rapid demographic growth emerged from a detailed population analysis which The Sunday Times of Malta carried out of all 68 local councils since their establishment in 1993, and January 1 of this year. The data is based on the figures published each year by the National Statistics Office in the Government Gazette.

Over the last 25 years Malta’s population soared by almost a third (31 per cent) from 364,225 to 475,701. Despite this significant rise certain parts of the island suffered a decline, which in turn meant an above average growth elsewhere.

Over the last 25 years Malta’s population rose by 31 per cent

Unsurprisingly, the bulk of the localities in the southern harbour region (one of six regions used by the NSO to group different parts of the Maltese Islands) consisting of localities around Valletta and the Cottonera experienced an exodus of residents, with their overall population dropping by 8,588 or 9.5 per cent. Percentage wise, the biggest losers were Valletta with a 37 per cent drop, Floriana 36.5 per cent, Senglea and Cospicua 35.9 per cent each and Marsa 33.2 per cent.

However, the biggest drop in terms of residents was registered in another inner harbour region town, Ħamrun, whose population fell dramatically by 4,311 to 9,431. The demographic change has resulted in many vacant properties especially in the lower part of St Joseph High Road in Blata l-Bajda.

While these are attracting African migrant communities, the absence of statistical data on the matter means that the overall picture of the situation is not available. This deficiency applies across the board especially in areas close to open centres like Marsa and Birżebbuġa.

On the other side of the scale, the region making the biggest gain is the northern one comprising Mellieħa, St Paul’s Bay, Mosta, Naxxar, Mġarr and Għargħur with its overall population more than doubling since 1993. St Paul’s Bay alone rose from 5,075 inhabitants to 21,058, followed by Naxxar whose population increased by 7,345 to 14,467. 

Overall the northern region has expanded by 43,225 inhabitants from 35,325 to 78,550. This change has also left its toll on the environment, with large tracts of virgin land being developed, and the demolition of old dwellings to make way for apartment blocks.

Another notable demographic trend is the rapid expansion of Swieqi and neighbouring Pembroke which manifested itself in large areas being developed. Swieqi experienced a population growth of 455 per cent, meaning it went up from 2,439 inhabitants to 11,114 in just 25 years. These two localities form part of the northern harbour region, incorporating Sliema and St Julian’s. In this case there was an overall regional increase of 33,781 inhabitants.

The data also reveals that all localities in the south eastern region, bar Żejtun, registered increases with the overall population here rising by 24,007. The largest expansion was in Marsascala (+11,296), Birżebbuġa (+6,300) and Żurrieq (+2,186).

The smallest growth was registered in the western region which includes Rabat, the Three Villages and Żebbuġ, whose overall number of inhabitants rose by 13,157.

As for Gozo, there was also a significant rise with the overall population increasing from 26,829 to 32,723. Munxar registered the highest percentage growth with its number of inhabitants more than doubling, followed by Għajnsielem and Qala.

Population trends 1993-2018