‘Malta needs a long-term population strategy’, says Momentum

Momentum has called on the government to develop a long-term national population strategy aimed at managing sustainable population growth.

In a statement Saturday, marking World Population Day, the party said, “Malta must have an honest national conversation about population growth and the country’s long-term vision”.

Citing National Statistics Office (NSO) figures showing a net population increase last year of almost 14,000 people, with almost 33,000 foreign nationals migrating to the country, Momentum said the figures “show that Malta’s population continues to grow rapidly, driven by legal migration”.

“Today, nearly one out of three Maltese residents is foreign. It is, therefore, imperative for Malta to have a strategy for managing population growth in such a way that all residents benefit from it”, the party said.

The healthcare and education systems, transport network, police force, courts and other public services were “already under significant pressure”, it warned.

Meanwhile, housing affordability continued to deteriorate while traffic congestion, pollution and a lack of open spaces were impacting quality of life, the statement read.

“Population growth without strategic planning risks placing even greater strain on these essential services.”

The party stressed that foreign workers contributed to the economy and society and deserved fair wages, accommodation and working conditions.

"Malta should not have a system where vulnerable workers are treated as disposable labour or subjected to conditions that resemble modern-day exploitation”.

Momentum executive member Natasha Azzopardi said the country needed a “serious integration policy that helps newcomers become part of our communities while respecting the country’s laws, language, values and cultural identity”.

“Strong communities are built through inclusion, mutual respect and shared responsibility”.

The party called on the government to develop a national strategy based on expert advice, public consultation and “measurable long-term objectives”, assessing the country’s population capacity and infrastructure and policies needed to support it.

Earlier this year, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) warned that Malta “cannot sustain further substantial population and labour force growth through immigration.”

The IMF said in its February country report for Malta that without significant policy changes and structural reforms, a slowdown in labour force growth would eventually curb the country’s economic potential and limit future growth.

In 2023, Finance Minister Clyde Caruana said Malta’s population would have to reach 800,000 by 2040 if the country was to maintain its track record of economic growth, unless a new economic model could be found.

Malta’s population stood at just over 588,00 at the end of last year, an increase of 2.4 per cent on the preceding year, according to NSO statistics released Thursday.