Malta’s population could grow to approximately 636,000 by 2030, according to demographic modelling published by PwC Malta.
The firm’s Summer 2026 Economic Update presents a possible range of between 624,000 and 660,000 residents, depending on how quickly current net migration trends slow over the coming years.
The figures are projections based on different assumptions, not a fixed prediction of what Malta’s population will definitely become.
Population reached 588,254 in 2025
PwC reported that Malta’s population had reached 588,254 by the end of 2025, an increase of around 14,000 people, or 2.4%, over the previous year.
Approximately 69% of residents were Maltese and 31% were foreign nationals. Under PwC’s central projection, the foreign share could rise to around 38% by 2030.
The company’s base scenario assumes that net migration will gradually moderate towards levels seen before the COVID-19 pandemic.
Malta’s locally born population, meanwhile, has remained relatively stable at just over 400,000, alongside a slight decline in the birth rate.
Population density would pass 2,000 people per square kilometre
At its current population level, PwC calculates Malta’s density at approximately 1,862 people per square kilometre.
A population of 636,000 would raise that figure to around 2,013 people per square kilometre by 2030.
PwC describes Malta as the fourth most densely populated country in the world, underlining the challenge of accommodating further growth within a limited land area.
Hundreds of additional hospital beds could be needed
Healthcare is one of the areas highlighted in the report.
Malta currently has approximately 397 hospital beds for every 100,000 residents, placing it 17th among the EU countries assessed. That is around 78% of the EU average of 511 beds per 100,000 people.
PwC estimates that a population of 636,000 would require 329 additional hospital beds by 2030 simply to maintain Malta’s current ratio.
Reaching the present EU average would require approximately 1,054 more beds, representing a 48% increase in capacity.
These calculations do not by themselves determine how many beds the government should provide, but they illustrate the scale of expansion that could be required as the population grows.
Energy demand could also rise
The report also examines electricity requirements.
Malta generated approximately 2.14 million megawatt-hours of electricity locally in 2024 and imported a net 970,000 megawatt-hours to meet demand.
Assuming a population of 636,000 and no increase in local generation capacity, PwC estimates that imported electricity could need to rise by around 25% to preserve the same level of consumption per person.
Growth brings both opportunities and pressure
A growing population can support employment, consumer demand and economic activity. It also increases the number of people relying on hospitals, roads, housing, energy supplies and public services.
PwC argues that Malta’s central policy challenge will be ensuring that infrastructure and long-term planning keep pace with demographic change.
The important figure may therefore be not only how many people live in Malta in 2030, but how well the country prepares for them.
