Photo: Dirk Heldmaier derivative work: Jjtkk · CC BY-SA 3.0 · via Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale
Topic 07 of 18 · Country Index 2026
Malta: Environment & Sustainability
How much pressure does a country put on the natural world?
Malta is placed 152nd of 186 countries on environment & sustainability in the Country Index 2026, from 4 of its 4 key statistics. Readings behind it: CO₂ Emissions per Capita 3.204 (2024); Water Stress 45.51 (2023).
Share
Environment & Sustainability
152nd
of 186 countries placed
Placed from 4 of 4 key statistics
- 3.204CO₂ Emissions per Capita, 2024Fossil CO₂ (tonnes per person)
- 45.51Water Stress, 2023Freshwater withdrawal as a share of available resources (%)
- 0.99Organic Agricultural Area, 2024Organic share of agricultural land (%)
- 5.659Ecological Footprint, 2025Ecological Footprint (global hectares per person)
01The evidence
The 4 key statistics that decide it
Only these place Malta on environment & sustainability — one vote each. Every value is the publisher’s own, read at the edition the Country Index 2026 used; the grey ticks are every other country it was compared with, lowest on the left.
3.204
Fossil CO₂ (tonnes per person)
Lower is better
Malta: 3.204. Across the 210 countries in this edition, values run from 0.054 (DR Congo) to 41.27 (Qatar); the world median is 3.21.
- World median
- 3.21
- Best in Southern Europe
- 1.592 Albania
Key 2 of 4
Water Stress
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
2023 edition · data for 2023 · CC BY 4.0
45.51
Freshwater withdrawal as a share of available resources (%)
Lower is better
Malta: 45.51. Across the 177 countries in this edition, values run from 0.03 (Republic of the Congo) to 3,851 (Kuwait); the world median is 10.
- World median
- 10
- Best in Southern Europe
- 1.61 Croatia
Key 3 of 4
Organic Agricultural Area
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
2024 edition · data for 2024 · CC BY 4.0
0.99
Organic share of agricultural land (%)
Higher is better
Malta: 0.99. Across the 156 countries in this edition, values run from 0 (Afghanistan) to 86.38 (Samoa); the world median is 0.725.
- World median
- 0.725
- Best in Southern Europe
- 22.74 Greece
5.659
Ecological Footprint (global hectares per person)
Lower is better
Malta: 5.659. Across the 126 countries in this edition, values run from 0.514 (Yemen) to 11.73 (Qatar); the world median is 2.296.
- World median
- 2.296
- Best in Southern Europe
- 2.402 Albania
02Over time
Which way Malta is moving
Each key’s published value, edition by edition, beside the world median. The Country Index 2026 is the first edition of the standing, so the standing itself has no history to chart yet.
CO₂ Emissions per Capita
Fossil CO₂ (tonnes per person) · lower is better
MaltaWorld median
Malta fell from 6.172 in 2000 to 3.204 in 2024; the world median went from 2.662 to 3.21.
Every year’s figures
Year Malta World median 2024 3.20 3.210 2023 3.32 3.145 2022 3.36 3.162 2021 3.07 3.087 2020 3.09 2.903 2019 3.27 3.273 2018 3.19 3.036 2017 3.29 3.049 2016 3.02 2.894 2015 3.81 2.846 2014 5.56 2.919 2013 5.67 2.779 2012 6.44 2.770 2011 6.14 2.748 2010 6.20 2.812 2009 6.09 2.799 2008 6.50 2.979 2007 6.54 2.593 2006 6.39 2.865 2005 6.41 2.885 2004 6.94 2.802 2003 7.25 2.918 2002 6.77 2.785 2001 6.79 2.726 2000 6.17 2.662 Water Stress
Freshwater withdrawal as a share of available resources (%) · lower is better
MaltaWorld median
Malta rose from 38.02 in 2000 to 45.51 in 2023; the world median went from 10.07 to 10.
Every year’s figures
Year Malta World median 2023 45.51 10.000 2022 45.01 10.190 2021 48.68 10.460 2020 50.74 10.460 2019 50.05 10.890 2018 52.51 10.460 2017 56.52 10.460 2016 51.48 10.460 2015 51.36 10.190 2014 55.29 10.460 2013 56.64 10.460 2012 49.27 10.460 2011 46.81 10.460 2010 50.25 10.710 2009 38.95 10.960 2008 43.99 10.815 2007 45.21 11.180 2006 44.53 10.430 2005 43.84 10.250 2004 42.51 10.715 2003 42.46 10.370 2002 41.77 10.180 2001 39.90 10.130 2000 38.02 10.070 Organic Agricultural Area
Organic share of agricultural land (%) · higher is better
MaltaWorld median
Malta rose from 0.11 in 2005 to 0.99 in 2024; the world median went from 0.345 to 0.725.
Every year’s figures
Year Malta World median 2024 0.99 0.725 2023 0.96 0.780 2022 0.75 0.740 2021 0.74 0.710 2020 0.74 0.665 2019 0.53 0.550 2018 0.45 0.490 2017 0.29 0.630 2016 0.29 0.545 2015 0.29 0.540 2014 0.10 0.470 2013 0.10 0.440 2012 0.29 0.480 2011 0.29 0.460 2010 0.29 0.330 2009 0.32 0.335 2008 0.11 0.290 2007 0.11 0.370 2006 0.22 0.305 2005 0.11 0.345 Ecological Footprint
Ecological Footprint (global hectares per person) · lower is better
MaltaWorld median
Malta rose from 4.608 in 2000 to 5.659 in 2025; the world median went from 1.95 to 2.296.
Every year’s figures
Year Malta World median 2025 5.659 2.2963 2024 5.717 2.3139 2023 4.887 2.3174 2022 4.620 2.2724 2021 4.538 2.3370 2020 4.865 2.3057 2019 5.462 2.2578 2018 5.884 2.2485 2017 5.687 2.2209 2016 6.084 2.2308 2015 5.567 2.3000 2014 6.001 2.3814 2013 5.294 2.3363 2012 6.035 2.4200 2011 5.689 2.4794 2010 5.587 2.3679 2009 5.699 2.2224 2008 5.968 2.1727 2007 6.412 2.2036 2006 5.319 2.1203 2005 4.867 2.1512 2004 5.016 2.1055 2003 5.215 2.0449 2002 4.853 2.1195 2001 4.794 2.2004 2000 4.608 1.9499
03In context
Malta beside its neighbours
A position reads best beside the countries around it. Every position below is a place among all 186 countries on environment & sustainability, never a place within the region.
Malta and Southern Europe
Malta has no land border, so the table compares it with its sub-region. Standing among all 186; the key columns are the publishers’ own values.
| Country | Standing | CO₂ Emissions per CapitaFossil CO₂ (tonnes per person) | Water StressFreshwater withdrawal as a share of available resources (%) | Organic Agricultural AreaOrganic share of agricultural land (%) | Ecological FootprintEcological Footprint (global hectares per person) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Croatia | 82nd | 4.765 | 1.61 | 9.01 | 4.757 |
 Portugal | 88th | 3.409 | 12.32 | 21.23 | 4.261 |
 Albania | 99th | 1.592 | 4.8 | 0.08 | 2.402 |
 Greece | 100th | 5.311 | 17.74 | 22.74 | 3.558 |
 Spain | 111th | 4.599 | 43.25 | 12.65 | 3.176 |
 Italy | =115th | 5.088 | 29.77 | 19.49 | 3.97 |
 Bosnia and Herzegovina | 117th | 6.139 | 2.14 | 0.22 | — |
 Slovenia | =118th | 6.018 | 6.41 | 9.29 | 5.393 |
 Montenegro | 141st | 3.722 | — | 1.83 | 4.927 |
 Serbia | 142nd | 6.238 | 5.81 | 0.83 | 4.248 |
| Malta | 152nd | 3.204 | 45.51 | 0.99 | 5.659 |
 North Macedonia | 154th | 3.631 | 65.88 | 0.33 | 3.39 |
 Andorra | 164th | 5.183 | 11.91 | 0.01 | — |
 Gibraltar | not placed | — | — | — | — |
 Kosovo | not placed | 4.778 | — | — | — |
 San Marino | not placed | — | — | — | — |
 Vatican City | not placed | — | — | — | — |
“—”: no published reading in that edition. What a standing is
Across Southern Europe
Every country in the sub-region, by its place among all 186.
Placed either side on environment & sustainability
The countries immediately above and below Malta in the topic’s list.
04Context, no vote
Where Malta is ahead of the world, and behind
42 more statistics filed under environment & sustainability, published in full and deliberately given no vote in the standing. Select a row for the publisher, the rank and the links.
Ahead of the world median12
Statistics on which Malta does better than the middle country measured.
Annual Forest Area Change RateFAO · 2025 · world median 02.990▲ Improved since 2015
Malta: 2.99 · world median 0 · Compound annual change in forest area over the interval ending that year (%). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from -3.29 to 12.3; higher is better.
Water-Use EfficiencyFAO · 2023 · world median 16.1264.716.1No real change since 2013
Malta: 264.7 · world median 16.1 · Value added per cubic metre of freshwater withdrawn (constant US$ per m³). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.38 to 1,378; higher is better.
Planetary pressures-adjusted HDIUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 0.6780.7990.678▲ Improved since 2013
Malta: 0.799 · world median 0.678 · PHDI (0–1). UNDP Human Development Report Office, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.276 to 0.827; higher is better.
Position 8th of 156 · derived.
Children's Climate Risk IndexUNICEF · 2020 · world median 52.15No earlier reading
Malta: 2.1 · world median 5 · Children's Climate Risk Index (0–10, higher is more risk). UNICEF, 2021 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 1 to 8.7; lower is better.
Ranked 154th of 163 by UNICEF (1st = worst).
Progress Toward Productive and Sustainable Agriculture (SDG 2.4.1 Proxy)FAO · 2024 · world median 3.144.293.14▲ Improved since 2015
Malta: 4.29 · world median 3.14 · Current status score, from 1 (worst) to 5 (best), averaged over up to seven sub-indicators. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 1.67 to 4.57; higher is better.
Position 8th of 186 · derived.
World Risk IndexInstitute for International Law of Peace and Armed Conflict (IFHV), Ruhr University Bochum · 2025 · world median 4.171.044.17No real change since 2015
Malta: 1.04 · world median 4.17 · WorldRiskIndex score (0–100, where 100 is the most at risk). Institute for International Law of Peace and Armed Conflict (IFHV), Ruhr University Bochum, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.18 to 46.56; lower is better.
Position 179th of 193 · derived, 1st = worst.
Climate Vulnerability (ND-GAIN)Notre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative (ND-GAIN), University of Notre Dame · 2024 · world median 0.450.3510.45▲ Improved since 2014
Malta: 0.351 · world median 0.45 · ND-GAIN Vulnerability (0–1, where 1 is the most vulnerable). Notre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative (ND-GAIN), University of Notre Dame, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.263 to 0.655; lower is better.
Ranked 26th of 190 by Notre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative (ND-GAIN), University of Notre Dame.
ND-GAIN Country IndexNotre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative (ND-GAIN), University of Notre Dame · 2024 · world median 47.4456.7947.44▼ Worsened since 2014
Malta: 56.79 · world median 47.44 · ND-GAIN Index (0–100, where 100 is best placed to adapt). Notre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative (ND-GAIN), University of Notre Dame, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 26.42 to 71.85; higher is better.
Ranked 43rd of 190 by Notre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative (ND-GAIN), University of Notre Dame.
Wind and Solar Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 5.27915.075.279▼ Worsened since 2014
Malta: 15.07 · world median 5.279 · Wind and solar (% of electricity generated). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 69.12; higher is better.
World Energy Trilemma IndexWorld Energy Council · 2023 · world median 63.870.463.8No earlier reading
Malta: 70.4 · world median 63.8 · Trilemma score (0–100). World Energy Council, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 27.7 to 83.2; higher is better.
Ranked 29th of 99 by World Energy Council.
Agricultural Emissions IntensityFAO · 2023 · world median 1.5651.071.565▼ Worsened since 2013
Malta: 1.07 · world median 1.565 · Greenhouse gases from farming per value of agricultural output (kg CO₂eq per international dollar). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 28.2; lower is better.
Position 126th of 190 · derived, 1st = worst.
PM2.5 Air Pollution ExposureAtmospheric Composition Analysis Group, Washington University in St. Louis · 2023 · world median 14.4512.514.45▼ Worsened since 2013
Malta: 12.5 · world median 14.45 · Population-weighted PM2.5 concentration (µg/m³). Atmospheric Composition Analysis Group, Washington University in St. Louis, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 2.5 to 68.2; lower is better.
Position 130th of 220 · derived, 1st = worst.
Behind the world median6
Statistics on which Malta does worse than the middle country measured.
Carbon Intensity of ElectricityEmber · 2024 · world median 433.75488.13433.75▲ Improved since 2014
Malta: 488.13 · world median 433.75 · Carbon intensity (gCO₂e per kWh generated). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 23.73 to 1,306; lower is better.
Position 77th of 165 · derived, 1st = worst.
Renewable Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 32.0615.5332.06No real change since 2014
Malta: 15.53 · world median 32.06 · Renewables (% of electricity generated). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
Position 117th of 162 · derived.
Low-Carbon Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 37.3215.5337.32No real change since 2014
Malta: 15.53 · world median 37.32 · Low-carbon sources (% of electricity generated). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
Position 118th of 162 · derived.
Energy Intensity of GDP (PPP)EIA · 2024 · world median 2.7384.0482.738▲ Improved since 2014
Malta: 4.048 · world median 2.738 · Energy use per dollar of GDP (thousand Btu per US$ at PPP). U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.666 to 17.45; lower is better.
Municipal Solid Waste GenerationWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 0.9661.5920.966No earlier reading
Malta: 1.592 · world median 0.966 · Municipal solid waste generated (kg per person per day). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 0.058 to 4.176; lower is better.
Position 40th of 201 · derived, 1st = worst.
Renewable Internal Freshwater Resources per CapitaFAO · 2022 · world median 2,52895.082,528No real change since 2012
Malta: 95.08 · world median 2,528 · Renewable internal freshwater (cubic metres per person). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 445,023; higher is better.
Position 170th of 181 · derived.
Level with the median, or no median to compare1
Coal Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 000No real change since 2014
Malta: 0 · world median 0 · Coal (% of electricity generated). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 98.25; lower is better.
No better end23
These describe the shape of a country — more is not better or worse, only different — so they are never ahead or behind.
Agricultural Irrigated LandFAO · 2023 · world median 3.6633.873.66No earlier reading
Malta: 33.87 · world median 3.66 · Irrigated share of agricultural land (%). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.003 to 89.04.
Position 7th of 121 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Livestock DensityFAO · 2023 · world median 0.5352.140.535Moved since 2013
Malta: 2.14 · world median 0.535 · Livestock units per hectare of agricultural land. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.02 to 43.97.
Position 18th of 188 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Cropland Nitrogen BalanceFAO · 2023 · world median 37.63161.7537.63No real change since 2013
Malta: 161.75 · world median 37.63 · Nitrogen surplus (+) or deficit (−) on cropland, kg per hectare. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from -555.52 to 1,199.
Pesticide Use per HectareFAO · 2024 · world median 1.7313.751.73No real change since 2014
Malta: 13.75 · world median 1.73 · Pesticide use (kg per hectare of cropland). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 37.72.
Position 22nd of 178 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Solar Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 3.04915.073.049Moved since 2014
Malta: 15.07 · world median 3.049 · Solar (% of electricity generated). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 50.
Temperature Change on LandFAO · 2025 · world median 1.4742.1561.474Moved since 2015
Malta: 2.156 · world median 1.474 · Change in mean land-surface temperature against the country's own 1951–1980 average, °C. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.34 to 3.294.
Meat Supply per PersonFAO · 2023 · world median 57.8371.7657.83Moved since 2013
Malta: 71.76 · world median 57.83 · Meat available as food (kg per person per year, carcass weight). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 3.49 to 156.95.
Fertilizer Consumption per HectareFAO · 2023 · world median 87.36111.7887.36Moved since 2013
Malta: 111.78 · world median 87.36 · Fertilizer consumption (kg per hectare of arable land). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 2,926.
Position 77th of 188 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Solar Electricity Installed CapacityEIA · 2024 · world median 0.1440.2330.144Moved since 2014
Malta: 0.233 · world median 0.144 · Solar generating capacity installed (gigawatts). U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 886.66.
Population Living Below 5 m ElevationCenter for International Earth Science Information Network (CIESIN), Columbia University · 2015 · world median 2.9542.3772.954No real change since 1990
Malta: 2.377 · world median 2.954 · Population living below 5 m elevation (% of total population). Center for International Earth Science Information Network (CIESIN), Columbia University, 2015 edition, data for 2015.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 78.48.
Fisheries and Aquaculture ProductionFAO · 2024 · world median 52,37519,75852,375Moved since 2014
Malta: 19,758 · world median 52,375 · Fish, crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic animals caught or farmed, tonnes (live weight). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 70,500,841.
Agricultural LandFAO · 2023 · world median 37.9625.9137.96Moved since 2013
Malta: 25.91 · world median 37.96 · Agricultural land (% of land area). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.445 to 86.48.
Position 135th of 209 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Water Withdrawal by SectorFAO · 2022 · world median 62.1434.5362.14Moved since 2012
Malta: 34.53 · world median 62.14 · Freshwater withdrawn for agriculture (% of total). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 99.48.
Position 117th of 171 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Consumption-Based CO₂ EmissionsGlobal Carbon Project · 2023 · world median 12.793.90212.79Moved since 2013
Malta: 3.902 · world median 12.79 · Consumption-based fossil CO₂ (million tonnes of carbon). Global Carbon Project, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.882 to 2,963.
Methane EmissionsEDGAR · 2025 · world median 325.698.562325.69No real change since 2015
Malta: 8.562 · world median 325.69 · Methane emissions (gigagrams of CH₄). European Commission, Joint Research Centre (EDGAR), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.048 to 51,093.
Agricultural EmissionsFAO · 2023 · world median 8,635158.38,635No real change since 2013
Malta: 158.3 · world median 8,635 · Farm-gate emissions (kt CO₂eq). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 1,044,508.
Position 164th of 193 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Operating Wind Power CapacityGlobal Energy Monitor · 2026 · world median 1000100No earlier reading
Malta: 0 · world median 100 · Wind farm capacity in operation (megawatts). Global Energy Monitor, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 542,758.
Tree Cover LossWorld Resources Institute — Global Forest Watch (data: University of Maryland) · 2025 · world median 3,7750.0633,775Moved since 2015
Malta: 0.063 · world median 3,775 · Tree cover loss (hectares, where canopy cover exceeded 30% in 2000). World Resources Institute — Global Forest Watch (data: University of Maryland), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 6,225,187.
Burned AreaGWIS · 2025 · world median 13,824013,824No real change since 2015
Malta: 0 · world median 13,824 · Burned area (hectares). European Commission Joint Research Centre — Global Wildfire Information System (GWIS), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 50,562,035.
Forest AreaFAO · 2023 · world median 31.081.43831.08No real change since 2013
Malta: 1.438 · world median 31.08 · Forest area (% of land area). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 94.45.
Position 191st of 210 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Arable Land per PersonFAO · 2023 · world median 0.1090.0130.109Moved since 2013
Malta: 0.013 · world median 0.109 · Arable land (hectares per person). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 1.459.
Position 186th of 206 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Total Natural Resources Rents (% of GDP)World Bank Group · 2021 · world median 1.70801.708No real change since 2011
Malta: 0 · world median 1.708 · Natural resources rents (% of GDP). World Bank Group, 2021 edition, data for 2021.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 61.03.
Position 180th of 180 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Land Under Cereal ProductionFAO · 2023 · world median 689,2780689,278Moved since 2013
Malta: 0 · world median 689,278 · Land under cereal production (hectares). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 103,715,108.
Position 179th of 179 · derived, counted from the highest value.
No current reading for Malta
Adjusted Net Savings, Baseline Water Stress (Aqueduct), Environmentally Related Tax Revenue (last 2023), Forest Area within Legally Established Protected Areas, Mangrove Area, Operating Coal Power Capacity and Tropical Moist Forest Deforestation. Listed rather than hidden, so the page can be checked against it.
“Position · derived” is this site’s ordering of the published values, 1st = best unless the row says otherwise; the publisher ranks no country on it. Rank, position and standing
05Country Index 2026
Environment & Sustainability among Malta’s 16 topics
Environment & Sustainability is Malta’s 16th best-placed topic of 16. Strongest first, each marker at its share of that topic’s field.
- Food & Agriculture3rd of 1843/4 keys
- Peace & Security3rd of 1774/4 keys
- Risk & Resilience7th of 1934/4 keys
- Mobility & Trade19th of 1774/4 keys
- Work & Labour20th of 1824/4 keys
- Health & Wellbeing24th of 2004/4 keys
- Economy & Innovation30th of 1763/4 keys
- Development & Human Capitaljoint 35th of 1963/3 keys
- Poverty & Inequality30th of 1593/3 keys
- Governance & Institutions42nd of 1944/4 keys
- Digital & Technology50th of 1983/4 keys
- Democracy & Civil Liberties52nd of 1984/4 keys
- Education & Knowledge59th of 1983/4 keys
- Gender & Equalityjoint 62nd of 1834/4 keys
- Energy78th of 1653/3 keys
- Environment & Sustainability152nd of 1864/4 keys
06The top of the list
Who leads on environment & sustainability
The three countries placed highest of 186, and the leaders Malta can most readily be measured against.
1
AngolaMiddle Africa
1st of 186 · 3 of 4 keys
Photo: Paulo César Santos derivative work: Jjtkk · CC0, greyscale
- 2
São Tomé and PríncipeMiddle Africa
2nd of 186 · 3 of 4 keys
3
Sierra LeoneWestern Africa
3rd of 186 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: Annabel Symington derivative work: Jjtkk · CC BY 2.0, greyscale
Placed highest nearby
Highest in Europe
Liechtenstein27th2/4 keysHighest in Southern Europe
Croatia82nd4/4 keysThis page
Malta152nd4/4 keys
Positions out of 186 placed on the topic. A country needs readings on enough keys to be placed, and the top of the list is often held on fewer of them.
07Questions
Malta on environment & sustainability: questions answered
Every answer is built from the numbers on this page, so none can say something the page does not.
How does Malta rank on environment & sustainability?
Malta is placed 152nd of 186 countries on Environment & Sustainability in the Country Index 2026, from 4 of its 4 key statistics (CO₂ Emissions per Capita, Water Stress, Organic Agricultural Area and Ecological Footprint). The position is this site’s ordering of published statistics, not a rank any publisher printed.
What is the latest CO₂ Emissions per Capita figure for Malta?
3.204 in 2024 (fossil CO₂ (tonnes per person)), according to Global Carbon Project. The world median in the same edition was 3.21.
What is the latest Water Stress figure for Malta?
45.51 in 2023 (freshwater withdrawal as a share of available resources (%)), according to Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). The world median in the same edition was 10.
How have Malta’s environment & sustainability figures changed?
CO₂ Emissions per Capita fell from 6.172 in 2000 to 3.204 in 2024; Water Stress rose from 38.02 in 2000 to 45.51 in 2023; Organic Agricultural Area rose from 0.11 in 2005 to 0.99 in 2024; Ecological Footprint rose from 4.608 in 2000 to 5.659 in 2025.
Which environment & sustainability statistics are missing for Malta?
No current reading is published for Malta on Adjusted Net Savings, Baseline Water Stress (Aqueduct), Environmentally Related Tax Revenue, Forest Area within Legally Established Protected Areas, Mangrove Area, Operating Coal Power Capacity and Tropical Moist Forest Deforestation. They are listed rather than hidden, so the evidence on the page can be checked against it.
08Method
Method, sources and how to cite
What this topic does not measure
Air quality and biodiversity are not keys, because the site does not yet hold data for them that passes every test. Forest cover, farmland, farm emissions and the renewable share of electricity are published here as context. Exposure to natural hazards belongs to Risk & Resilience.
How the Environment & Sustainability standing is decided
A standing is this site’s ordering, named with its edition — never a publisher’s rank. 4 key statistics vote, one vote each; every country’s published value becomes a place within that key’s own field, the places are averaged, and the average is never published. A country needs 2 of the 4 keys to be placed.
The environment & sustainability method, step by stepHow every standing on this site is built
The key statistics and their licences
- CO₂ Emissions per Capita — Global Carbon Project, CC BY 4.0
- Water Stress — Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), CC BY 4.0
- Organic Agricultural Area — Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), CC BY 4.0
- Ecological Footprint — Global Footprint Network, CC BY-SA 4.0
The other 42 statistics on this page come from 16 publishers, each named beside its numbers, with every edition and licence on the datasets pages.
The standing itself is part of the Country Index 2026, published under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Photographs
Malta’s banner and the countries placed highest, from their profiles: Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale, each used under the licence named.
- Malta (banner) — Dirk Heldmaier derivative work: Jjtkk, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Angola — Paulo César Santos derivative work: Jjtkk, CC0
- Sierra Leone — Annabel Symington derivative work: Jjtkk, CC BY 2.0
Cite this page
Nations Inquiry (2026). Malta: Environment & Sustainability — standing and statistics, Country Index 2026. https://nationsinquiry.com/countries/malta/environment