Living in Malta

Living standards in Malta are good and compare well with those of continental Europe. Malta is in fact considered to be amongst the best countries for expatriates to settle. The World Happiness Report 2021 shows Malta to be the 33rd happiest country in the world, beating Cyprus, Greece and Poland (146 countries ranked).

The report considered different factors, of which six were considered most important:

• GDP per person;
• Healthy years of life expectancy;
• Social support (as measured by having someone to rely on during hard times);
• Trust (as measured by the absence of government corruption);
• Freedom to make life decisions
• Generosity (as measured by recent donations)

Life expectancy and infant mortality rates are comparable to those of advanced European economies. Education and health facilities are of a very high standard and available to all.

Indices for Malta compare very well with other countries in terms of its cost of living, the environment, freedom, health, safety, and climate. Annual living costs in Malta are substantially lower than most developed European countries, and it is also a safe and secure country. It is in fact considered to be one of the safest European countries for travel or residency (Guide to Malta: The Pros and Cons of Living on these Beautiful Islands).

International Living Magazine quotes Malta as being one of the best countries to live in for its climate, “Malta is a desirable destination for a multitude of reasons, but for many people its weather likely tops the list. Smack in the middle of the Mediterranean, this English- speaking island clocks 3,000 hours of sunshine per year. (Climate in Malta | Malta Weather - International Living Countries).

Malta is a member of the European Economic and Monetary Union and uses the Euro. All major credit cards are widely accepted in main hotels, shops and restaurants.