Social
In
2015, the increase in population was mainly explained by the increase in
immigrants rather than babies born. There were more births than deaths,
but women under 30 are having less children. Over 12,000 immigrants came
to Malta in 2015.
Civil
marriages (including marriages among foreigners) were almost at par with
religious marriages in 2015.
(Family formation and dissolution)
Diseases
of the circulatory system and tumours were the primary causes of death in Malta
during 2015. (Health)
In
academic year 2014/2015, Church-run schools registered the highest average
class sizes whereas the Northern District welcomed the largest number of
foreign students at primary level. Females outnumbered males in tertiary
programmes. (Education)
The
construction industry registered the highest average annual increases in billed
electricity consumption between 2010 and 2015. In 2015, the household
sector consumed almost one-third of all the electricity generated.
In
2015, mineral and solidified waste accounted for the highest share of
total waste generated. The majority of municipal waste generated was
landfilled.
Economy
In
2015, growth in the real economy was mainly driven by domestic demand.
The services sector was the main contributor to growth in private
consumption. (National Accounts)
In
2015, lower deficit and government debt were
registered. (Government Finance)
Inflation
in 2016 was mainly driven by the Food Index, in particular, higher prices for
restaurants and the like.
Since
2012, the value of goods exported outside the EU was more than twice the value
exported to EU countries. (International Trade)
Between
2010 and 2014, mineral production from quarries decreased by 21 per cent.
Building permits increased by 34.4 per cent in 2015. (Construction)
The
number of inbound tourists is increasing while the average length of stay is
decreasing. Non-EU nationals spent more than EU nationals on average in
2015. The Maltese spent €991 on average when abroad during the same
year. Between 2010 and 2015, nights spent abroad by the Maltese went up
by 38.8 per cent and the preferred destinations were Italy and the UK. (Tourism)
Despite
the lower rainfall recorded during 2016, vegetables sold through official
markets increased. (Agriculture)
Labour
Market
In
2015, male workers typically earned €1,300 per annum more (basic salary) than
female workers. Between 2005 and 2015, the employment rate went up by
more than 10 percentage points mainly due to a higher proportion of females
joining the labour market. Between 2005 and 2015, employment in the
manufacturing sector went down while in the services sector it went up.
Malta registered the fifth highest employment rate among the young (15-24) and
the third lowest employment rate among the old (50+) in 2015. In 2015,
6.9 per cent of salaries and wages earned by employees were paid for days which
were not actually worked.
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