Photo: Dirk Heldmaier derivative work: Jjtkk · CC BY-SA 3.0 · via Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale
Topic 03 of 18 · Country Index 2026
Malta: Work & Labour
Can people find work, and on what terms?
Malta is placed 20th of 182 countries on work & labour in the Country Index 2026, from 4 of its 4 key statistics. Readings behind it: Employment-to-Population Ratio 62.13 (2025); Labour Income Share 48.51 (2025).
Share
Work & Labour
20th
of 182 countries placed
Placed from 4 of 4 key statistics
01The evidence
The 4 key statistics that decide it
Only these place Malta on work & labour — 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.
Key 1 of 4
Employment-to-Population Ratio
International Labour Organization (ILO)
2025 edition · data for 2025 · CC BY 4.0
62.13
Employed share of the population aged 15+ (%)
Higher is better
Malta: 62.13. Across the 182 countries in this edition, values run from 21.21 (São Tomé and Príncipe) to 86.9 (Qatar); the world median is 57.72.
- World median
- 57.72
- Best in Southern Europe
- 62.13 Malta
Key 3 of 4
Unemployment Rate
International Labour Organization (ILO)
2025 edition · data for 2025 · CC BY 4.0
2.896
Unemployment (% of labour force)
Lower is better
Malta: 2.896. Across the 182 countries in this edition, values run from 0.13 (Qatar) to 34.2 (Eswatini); the world median is 5.084.
- World median
- 5.084
- Best in Southern Europe
- 2.896 Malta
Key 4 of 4
Vulnerable Employment
International Labour Organization (ILO)
2025 edition · data for 2025 · CC BY 4.0
10.07
Vulnerable employment (% of total employment)
Lower is better
Malta: 10.07. Across the 182 countries in this edition, values run from 0.456 (Qatar) to 90.22 (Chad); the world median is 28.67.
- World median
- 28.67
- Best in Southern Europe
- 6.346 Croatia
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.
Employment-to-Population Ratio
Employed share of the population aged 15+ (%) · higher is better
MaltaWorld median
Malta rose from 46.55 in 2000 to 62.13 in 2025; the world median went from 55.86 to 57.72.
Every year’s figures
Year Malta World median 2025 62.13 57.720 2024 62.18 57.694 2023 62.05 58.158 2022 61.78 57.688 2021 60.07 56.066 2020 58.49 55.691 2019 57.82 57.871 2018 56.91 56.911 2017 55.35 56.738 2016 53.92 56.845 2015 52.64 56.788 2014 52.01 56.774 2013 50.77 56.229 2012 49.39 56.289 2011 48.10 56.297 2010 47.15 56.212 2009 46.56 56.255 2008 46.75 57.308 2007 46.38 56.933 2006 45.53 56.685 2005 45.35 56.129 2004 44.79 55.465 2003 46.03 55.630 2002 46.58 55.843 2001 46.65 56.018 2000 46.55 55.861 Labour Income Share
Labour income share of GDP (%) · higher is better
MaltaWorld median
Malta fell from 53.37 in 2004 to 48.51 in 2025; the world median went from 46.01 to 46.23.
Every year’s figures
Year Malta World median 2025 48.51 46.230 2024 47.93 46.060 2023 45.42 45.900 2022 47.55 45.615 2021 47.59 45.433 2020 51.69 47.267 2019 49.31 46.277 2018 47.77 46.187 2017 45.41 46.467 2016 48.69 46.798 2015 46.93 46.876 2014 48.67 47.281 2013 50.15 46.887 2012 50.91 46.231 2011 50.93 45.679 2010 48.62 46.024 2009 50.92 47.071 2008 51.08 45.312 2007 52.44 45.246 2006 53.17 45.670 2005 52.26 46.265 2004 53.37 46.012 Unemployment Rate
Unemployment (% of labour force) · lower is better
MaltaWorld median
Malta fell from 6.324 in 2000 to 2.896 in 2025; the world median went from 6.918 to 5.084.
Every year’s figures
Year Malta World median 2025 2.896 5.08 2024 3.100 5.15 2023 3.479 5.21 2022 3.471 5.34 2021 3.754 6.04 2020 4.856 6.38 2019 4.080 5.36 2018 3.956 5.35 2017 4.008 5.59 2016 4.694 5.90 2015 5.389 6.41 2014 5.737 6.58 2013 6.115 6.71 2012 6.203 6.79 2011 6.388 6.90 2010 6.861 7.04 2009 6.896 6.67 2008 5.977 5.79 2007 6.472 6.00 2006 6.798 6.50 2005 6.923 7.09 2004 7.317 6.80 2003 7.488 6.95 2002 6.902 6.91 2001 7.107 6.96 2000 6.324 6.92 Vulnerable Employment
Vulnerable employment (% of total employment) · lower is better
MaltaWorld median
Malta fell from 10.12 in 2000 to 10.07 in 2025; the world median went from 35.67 to 28.67.
Every year’s figures
Year Malta World median 2025 10.073 28.67 2024 10.268 29.04 2023 10.261 29.33 2022 10.281 29.67 2021 10.264 30.01 2020 10.584 30.54 2019 10.385 29.98 2018 10.303 30.15 2017 10.463 29.93 2016 10.510 29.91 2015 10.539 30.26 2014 10.596 30.47 2013 10.661 31.14 2012 10.628 31.00 2011 10.600 31.41 2010 10.651 32.37 2009 10.567 32.59 2008 10.466 31.76 2007 10.537 33.47 2006 10.716 34.27 2005 10.670 34.66 2004 10.815 35.51 2003 10.985 35.90 2002 10.582 35.96 2001 10.227 35.27 2000 10.122 35.67
03In context
Malta beside its neighbours
A position reads best beside the countries around it. Every position below is a place among all 182 countries on work & labour, 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 182; the key columns are the publishers’ own values.
| Country | Standing | Employment-to-Population RatioEmployed share of the population aged 15+ (%) | Labour Income ShareLabour income share of GDP (%) | Unemployment RateUnemployment (% of labour force) | Vulnerable EmploymentVulnerable employment (% of total employment) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Slovenia | 18th | 55.74 | 61.93 | 3.175 | 10.6054 |
| Malta | 20th | 62.13 | 48.51 | 2.896 | 10.0734 |
 Croatia | 41st | 49.53 | 62.91 | 5.002 | 6.3460 |
 Portugal | =58th | 54.58 | 57.59 | 6.164 | 9.6570 |
 Spain | 77th | 51.45 | 59.68 | 10.38 | 10.0735 |
 Italy | 86th | 46.15 | 58.45 | 6.391 | 14.3497 |
 Serbia | 98th | 54.93 | 53.64 | 7.123 | 23.8944 |
 Bosnia and Herzegovina | =119th | 43.58 | 56.17 | 11.04 | 18.1102 |
 Montenegro | 124th | 50.1 | 51.37 | 13.57 | 14.2815 |
 Greece | 127th | 47.52 | 51.3 | 8.54 | 23.0617 |
 North Macedonia | 143rd | 45.57 | 45.13 | 12.26 | 12.3359 |
 Albania | =146th | 57.24 | 44.54 | 10.93 | 46.0319 |
 Andorra | not placed | — | — | — | — |
 Gibraltar | not placed | — | — | — | — |
 Kosovo | not placed | — | — | — | — |
 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 182.
Placed either side on work & labour
The countries immediately above and below Malta in the topic’s list.
04Context, no vote
Where Malta is ahead of the world, and behind
28 more statistics filed under work & labour, 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 median19
Statistics on which Malta does better than the middle country measured.
Firms Offering Formal TrainingWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 32.0768.8332.07No earlier reading
Malta: 68.83 · world median 32.07 · Firms offering formal training to permanent full-time workers (%). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 1.42 to 79.12; higher is better.
Trade Union DensityILO · 2020 · world median 16.6841.8916.68No earlier reading
Malta: 41.89 · world median 16.68 · Employees who are trade union members (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 0.2 to 91.42; higher is better.
Position 12th of 139 · derived.
Employment Injury Protection CoverageILO · 2024 · world median 45.999.545.9No earlier reading
Malta: 99.5 · world median 45.9 · Labour force covered in the event of a work injury (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
Unemployment Benefit CoverageILO · 2024 · world median 061.60No earlier reading
Malta: 61.6 · world median 0 · Unemployed people receiving unemployment benefits (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing Value Added per WorkerWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 6,74245,5906,742▲ Improved since 2015
Malta: 45,590 · world median 6,742 · Agricultural value added per worker (constant 2015 US$). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 210.77 to 150,632; higher is better.
Position 16th of 151 · derived.
Labour Productivity per Hour WorkedILO · 2025 · world median 22.1671.4922.16▲ Improved since 2015
Malta: 71.49 · world median 22.16 · Output per hour worked (constant 2021 international $ at PPP). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.92 to 164.65; higher is better.
Position 20th of 182 · derived.
GDP per Person EmployedWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 47,384117,63447,384▲ Improved since 2015
Malta: 117,634 · world median 47,384 · GDP per person employed (constant 2021 international $). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 2,456 to 262,554; higher is better.
Position 23rd of 168 · derived.
Youth Not in Education, Employment or TrainingILO · 2024 · world median 14.317.84514.31▲ Improved since 2014
Malta: 7.845 · world median 14.31 · Youth not in education, employment or training (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 3.975 to 65.73; lower is better.
Position 84th of 97 · derived, 1st = worst.
Human Capital Wealth per CapitaWorld Bank Group · 2020 · world median 25,230214,48925,230No real change since 2010
Malta: 214,489 · world median 25,230 · Human capital per person — present value of future earnings (real chained 2019 US$). World Bank Group, 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 700.38 to 735,422; higher is better.
Position 24th of 151 · derived.
Composite Rate of Labour Underutilisation (LU4)ILO · 2024 · world median 12.567.17612.56▲ Improved since 2014
Malta: 7.176 · world median 12.56 · Composite rate of labour underutilisation, LU4 (% of the extended labour force). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 1.495 to 49.82; lower is better.
Position 63rd of 76 · derived, 1st = worst.
Length of Paid Maternity LeaveWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 9812698▼ Worsened since 2015
Malta: 126 · world median 98 · Paid maternity leave set in law (calendar days). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 410; higher is better.
Length of Paid Paternity LeaveWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 3143▲ Improved since 2015
Malta: 14 · world median 3 · Paid paternity leave set in law (calendar days). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 196; higher is better.
Youth Unemployment RateILO · 2025 · world median 12.838.43112.83▲ Improved since 2015
Malta: 8.431 · world median 12.83 · Unemployment, ages 15-24 (% of youth labour force). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.457 to 76.77; lower is better.
Position 130th of 182 · derived, 1st = worst.
Firms Competing Against Informal FirmsWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 41.8135.2641.81No earlier reading
Malta: 35.26 · world median 41.81 · Firms competing against unregistered or informal firms (%). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 1.926 to 90.5; lower is better.
Position 111th of 181 · derived, 1st = worst.
Labour Force Participation RateILO · 2025 · world median 61.6663.9861.66▲ Improved since 2015
Malta: 63.98 · world median 61.66 · Population aged 15+ in the labour force (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 23.34 to 87.01; higher is better.
Position 75th of 182 · derived.
Female Labour Force Participation RateILO · 2025 · world median 53.3655.853.36▲ Improved since 2015
Malta: 55.8 · world median 53.36 · Women aged 15+ in the labour force (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 4.663 to 82.91; higher is better.
Position 76th of 182 · derived.
Compliance with Labour RightsILO · 2024 · world median 1.611.481.61▼ Worsened since 2015
Malta: 1.48 · world median 1.61 · Compliance with freedom of association and collective bargaining rights (0 = best, 10 = worst). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 10; lower is better.
Labour Inspectors per 10,000 Employed PersonsILO · 2024 · world median 0.5750.590.575No earlier reading
Malta: 0.59 · world median 0.575 · Labour inspectors per 10,000 employed persons. International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.07 to 3.89; higher is better.
Fatal Occupational InjuriesILO · 2023 · world median 2.00522.005▼ Worsened since 2013
Malta: 2 · world median 2.005 · Fatal occupational injuries per 100,000 workers. International Labour Organization (ILO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.12 to 8.409; lower is better.
Behind the world median1
Statistics on which Malta does worse than the middle country measured.
Firms with a Female Top ManagerWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 19.1610.5919.16No earlier reading
Malta: 10.59 · world median 19.16 · Firms with a female top manager (%). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 1.429 to 62.9; higher is better.
Position 138th of 179 · derived.
No better end8
These describe the shape of a country — more is not better or worse, only different — so they are never ahead or behind.
Employment in ServicesILO · 2025 · world median 59.5181.3959.51No real change since 2015
Malta: 81.39 · world median 59.51 · Employment in services (% of total employment). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 11.56 to 92.17.
Position 17th of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Public Sector EmploymentWorld Bank Group · 2022 · world median 15.0128.615.01No earlier reading
Malta: 28.6 · world median 15.01 · Public sector employment (% of total employment). World Bank Group, 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 1.672 to 47.1.
Position 21st of 135 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Statutory Minimum WageILO · 2024 · world median 657.951,584657.95Moved since 2014
Malta: 1,584 · world median 657.95 · Statutory minimum wage per month (2021 PPP $). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 4.038 to 3,804.
Employment in IndustryILO · 2025 · world median 18.8817.7418.88Moved since 2015
Malta: 17.74 · world median 18.88 · Employment in industry (% of total employment). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 3.103 to 39.44.
Position 110th of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Share of Temporary EmployeesILO · 2024 · world median 13.458.61913.45Moved since 2014
Malta: 8.619 · world median 13.45 · Employees on temporary contracts (% of employees). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.337 to 72.78.
Self-Employment RateILO · 2025 · world median 31.8413.931.84Moved since 2015
Malta: 13.9 · world median 31.84 · Self-employed (% of total employment). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.832 to 91.56.
Position 144th of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Average Weekly Hours WorkedILO · 2025 · world median 38.8933.7538.89Moved since 2015
Malta: 33.75 · world median 38.89 · Average weekly hours actually worked per employed person. International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 23.64 to 54.7.
Position 146th of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Employment in AgricultureILO · 2025 · world median 14.380.87714.38Moved since 2015
Malta: 0.877 · world median 14.38 · Employment in agriculture (% of total employment). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.095 to 85.34.
Position 175th of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
No current reading for Malta
Average Monthly Earnings of Employees (last 2021), Female Share of Senior and Middle Management, Gini Index of Monthly Earnings (last 2021), Informal Employment Rate, Low Pay Rate and Working Poverty Rate. 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
Work & Labour among Malta’s 16 topics
Work & Labour is Malta’s 5th 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 work & labour
The three countries placed highest of 182, and the leaders Malta can most readily be measured against.
1
IcelandNorthern Europe
1st of 182 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: Hansueli Krapf · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
2
JapanEastern Asia
2nd of 182 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: JurriaanH · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
3
South KoreaEastern Asia
3rd of 182 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: Unknown author · CC BY-SA 2.0, greyscale
Placed highest nearby
Highest in Europe
Iceland1st4/4 keysHighest in Southern Europe
Slovenia18th4/4 keysThis page
Malta20th4/4 keys
Positions out of 182 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.
07Analysis
Charts and analysis about Malta and work & labour
On work & labour
Countries in Asia with the highest average salaries 2024
Thirteen Asian countries by gross average monthly wage, each carrying its WORLD rank rather than an Asian one — so the numbers skip, from 11th place to 45th.
On work & labour
Countries With The Highest Average Salaries in 2024
The ten highest-paying countries of 2024, their bars coloured by continent, and six more added for comparison — from Australia in 13th place to India in 85th.
On work & labour
Countries With The Lowest Average Salaries in 2024
The bottom ten of 196 countries, and six more added for comparison. Niger, Madagascar and Liberia are all published at US$47 a month and still carry three different ranks.
08Questions
Malta on work & labour: 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 work & labour?
Malta is placed 20th of 182 countries on Work & Labour in the Country Index 2026, from 4 of its 4 key statistics (Employment-to-Population Ratio, Labour Income Share, Unemployment Rate and Vulnerable Employment). The position is this site’s ordering of published statistics, not a rank any publisher printed.
What is the latest Employment-to-Population Ratio figure for Malta?
62.13 in 2025 (employed share of the population aged 15+ (%)), according to International Labour Organization (ILO). The world median in the same edition was 57.72.
What is the latest Labour Income Share figure for Malta?
48.51 in 2025 (labour income share of GDP (%)), according to International Labour Organization (ILO). The world median in the same edition was 46.23.
How have Malta’s work & labour figures changed?
Employment-to-Population Ratio rose from 46.55 in 2000 to 62.13 in 2025; Labour Income Share fell from 53.37 in 2004 to 48.51 in 2025; Unemployment Rate fell from 6.324 in 2000 to 2.896 in 2025; Vulnerable Employment fell from 10.12 in 2000 to 10.07 in 2025.
Which work & labour statistics are missing for Malta?
No current reading is published for Malta on Average Monthly Earnings of Employees, Female Share of Senior and Middle Management, Gini Index of Monthly Earnings, Informal Employment Rate, Low Pay Rate and Working Poverty Rate. They are listed rather than hidden, so the evidence on the page can be checked against it.
09Method
Method, sources and how to cite
What this topic does not measure
Wages in money terms are not a key here, because pay figures are hard to compare fairly across countries with very different prices. Labour productivity, working hours, youth unemployment and the balance between farming, industry and services are published on this page as context. The size and growth of the wider economy belong to Economy & Innovation.
How the Work & Labour 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 work & labour method, step by stepHow every standing on this site is built
The key statistics and their licences
- Employment-to-Population Ratio — International Labour Organization (ILO), CC BY 4.0
- Labour Income Share — International Labour Organization (ILO), CC BY 4.0
- Unemployment Rate — International Labour Organization (ILO), CC BY 4.0
- Vulnerable Employment — International Labour Organization (ILO), CC BY 4.0
The other 28 statistics on this page come from 2 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
- Iceland — Hansueli Krapf, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Japan — JurriaanH, CC BY-SA 3.0
- South Korea — Unknown author, CC BY-SA 2.0
Cite this page
Nations Inquiry (2026). Malta: Work & Labour — standing and statistics, Country Index 2026. https://nationsinquiry.com/countries/malta/work