The latest officially reported population of Malta was 568,847 in 2024 vs 10,694,681 people in Portugal in 2024. In 2026, based on the adjusted UN estimation, the current Malta's population is 581,729 people compared to 10,667,081 in Portugal.
Population statistics:
- Portugal's population is 18.3 times bigger than Malta's.
- Malta is ranked the 167th most populous country in the world, while Portugal is the 92nd.
- The countries together account for 0.14% of the world: 0.007% for Malta vs 0.13% for Portugal.
- For the last 10 years, Malta has had an average growth rate of +2.69% per year vs +0.21% in Portugal.
- Since 2006, the population of Malta has increased from 405K people to 582K (43.5% growth), while Portugal has grown from 10.5M to 10.7M (1.38% growth).
Malta vs Portugal: population by year and forecast
| Year | Population | |
|---|---|---|
Malta
|
Portugal
|
|
| 2100 | 383,244 | 8,977,781 |
| 2099 | 386,421 | 8,983,042 |
| 2098 | 389,613 | 8,987,129 |
| 2097 | 392,917 | 8,992,549 |
| 2096 | 396,295 | 8,998,689 |
| 2095 | 399,956 | 9,006,394 |
| 2094 | 403,710 | 9,011,158 |
| 2093 | 407,487 | 9,016,023 |
| 2092 | 411,340 | 9,021,257 |
| 2091 | 415,407 | 9,025,345 |
| 2090 | 419,592 | 9,029,722 |
| 2089 | 423,826 | 9,034,399 |
| 2088 | 428,052 | 9,039,122 |
| 2087 | 432,556 | 9,045,400 |
| 2086 | 437,240 | 9,050,153 |
| 2085 | 441,882 | 9,055,552 |
| 2084 | 446,649 | 9,062,369 |
| 2083 | 451,551 | 9,068,714 |
| 2082 | 456,344 | 9,077,003 |
| 2081 | 461,335 | 9,087,394 |
| 2080 | 466,229 | 9,098,423 |
| 2079 | 471,100 | 9,111,057 |
| 2078 | 475,924 | 9,125,056 |
| 2077 | 480,771 | 9,140,039 |
| 2076 | 485,655 | 9,158,661 |
| 2075 | 490,208 | 9,178,289 |
| 2074 | 494,656 | 9,201,245 |
| 2073 | 499,046 | 9,225,478 |
| 2072 | 503,370 | 9,248,867 |
| 2071 | 507,604 | 9,275,782 |
| 2070 | 511,683 | 9,304,137 |
| 2069 | 515,748 | 9,334,425 |
| 2068 | 519,737 | 9,367,211 |
| 2067 | 523,520 | 9,399,389 |
| 2066 | 527,140 | 9,432,609 |
| 2065 | 530,620 | 9,466,860 |
| 2064 | 533,923 | 9,503,941 |
| 2063 | 537,029 | 9,540,829 |
| 2062 | 540,145 | 9,578,098 |
| 2061 | 543,018 | 9,614,549 |
| 2060 | 545,828 | 9,652,893 |
| 2059 | 548,562 | 9,691,151 |
| 2058 | 551,048 | 9,731,557 |
| 2057 | 553,389 | 9,769,285 |
| 2056 | 555,804 | 9,807,403 |
| 2055 | 558,190 | 9,847,280 |
| 2054 | 560,309 | 9,885,446 |
| 2053 | 562,511 | 9,924,814 |
| 2052 | 564,772 | 9,963,090 |
| 2051 | 567,078 | 9,999,372 |
| 2050 | 569,189 | 10,035,796 |
| 2049 | 571,016 | 10,072,922 |
| 2048 | 572,923 | 10,106,403 |
| 2047 | 574,977 | 10,140,325 |
| 2046 | 576,728 | 10,173,871 |
| 2045 | 578,442 | 10,206,046 |
| 2044 | 580,046 | 10,237,224 |
| 2043 | 581,639 | 10,268,090 |
| 2042 | 583,042 | 10,296,167 |
| 2041 | 584,485 | 10,322,968 |
| 2040 | 585,747 | 10,351,965 |
| 2039 | 587,035 | 10,379,824 |
| 2038 | 588,223 | 10,405,843 |
| 2037 | 589,140 | 10,430,143 |
| 2036 | 589,886 | 10,454,779 |
| 2035 | 590,469 | 10,478,501 |
| 2034 | 590,868 | 10,502,828 |
| 2033 | 590,759 | 10,525,638 |
| 2032 | 590,166 | 10,548,736 |
| 2031 | 589,366 | 10,569,489 |
| 2030 | 588,281 | 10,588,717 |
| 2029 | 586,978 | 10,609,556 |
| 2028 | 585,310 | 10,631,437 |
| 2027 | 583,310 | 10,649,916 |
| 2026 | 581,144 | 10,667,081 |
| 2025 | 575,661 | 10,683,692 |
| 2024 | 568,847 | 10,694,681 |
| 2023 | 552,747 | 10,578,174 |
| 2022 | 531,113 | 10,434,332 |
| 2021 | 518,150 | 10,361,831 |
| 2020 | 515,490 | 10,297,081 |
| 2019 | 503,912 | 10,286,263 |
| 2018 | 483,903 | 10,283,822 |
| 2017 | 467,106 | 10,300,300 |
| 2016 | 454,505 | 10,325,452 |
| 2015 | 444,220 | 10,358,076 |
| 2014 | 433,481 | 10,401,062 |
| 2013 | 424,810 | 10,457,295 |
| 2012 | 420,028 | 10,514,844 |
| 2011 | 416,268 | 10,557,560 |
| 2010 | 414,508 | 10,573,100 |
| 2009 | 412,477 | 10,568,247 |
| 2008 | 409,379 | 10,558,177 |
| 2007 | 406,724 | 10,542,964 |
| 2006 | 405,308 | 10,522,288 |
| 2005 | 403,834 | 10,503,330 |
| 2004 | 401,268 | 10,483,861 |
| 2003 | 398,582 | 10,458,821 |
| 2002 | 395,969 | 10,419,631 |
| 2001 | 393,028 | 10,362,722 |
| 2000 | 390,087 | 10,289,898 |
| 1999 | 387,578 | 10,217,828 |
| 1998 | 385,287 | 10,160,196 |
| 1997 | 382,791 | 10,108,977 |
| 1996 | 379,905 | 10,063,945 |
| 1995 | 377,419 | 10,026,176 |
| 1994 | 374,797 | 9,991,525 |
| 1993 | 371,308 | 9,964,675 |
| 1992 | 367,618 | 9,952,494 |
| 1991 | 363,845 | 9,960,235 |
| 1990 | 354,170 | 9,983,218 |
| 1989 | 350,722 | 10,005,000 |
| 1988 | 347,325 | 10,019,610 |
| 1987 | 344,485 | 10,030,031 |
| 1986 | 342,121 | 10,032,734 |
| 1985 | 336,452 | 10,023,613 |
| 1984 | 330,593 | 9,996,232 |
| 1983 | 330,524 | 9,957,865 |
| 1982 | 325,898 | 9,911,771 |
| 1981 | 318,982 | 9,851,362 |
| 1980 | 316,645 | 9,766,312 |
| 1979 | 313,342 | 9,661,265 |
| 1978 | 310,182 | 9,558,250 |
| 1977 | 306,970 | 9,455,675 |
| 1976 | 305,774 | 9,355,810 |
| 1975 | 304,222 | 9,093,470 |
| 1974 | 301,996 | 8,754,365 |
| 1973 | 302,200 | 8,633,100 |
| 1972 | 302,450 | 8,630,430 |
| 1971 | 302,700 | 8,643,756 |
| 1970 | 302,650 | 8,680,431 |
| 1969 | 304,300 | 8,757,705 |
| 1968 | 307,900 | 8,836,650 |
| 1967 | 311,550 | 8,874,520 |
| 1966 | 315,200 | 8,930,990 |
| 1965 | 318,800 | 8,998,595 |
| 1964 | 321,250 | 9,035,365 |
| 1963 | 322,550 | 9,030,355 |
| 1962 | 323,900 | 8,993,985 |
| 1961 | 325,250 | 8,929,316 |
| 1960 | 326,550 | 8,857,716 |
Data sources: United Nations | World Population Prospects (2025–2100, retrieved 2026-03-10); World Bank | Health (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/population/malta/portugal | CC BY 
From 2006 to 2016, the population of Malta increased by 49,197 people (a 12.1% growth), while Portugal lost 196,836 people (a 1.87% decline).
For the next 10 years, from 2016 to 2026, Malta gained 127,224 people (a 28% growth), while Portugal's population increased by 341,629 people (a 3.31% growth).
Malta was ranked 168th most populous country in 2006 and is 167th in 2026. Portugal was ranked 78th in 2006 and ranked 92nd now.
The UN's World Population Prospects forecasts that in 24 years (in 2050) Malta's population will shrink by 2.16% to 569,189 people and will still be ranked 167th. The population of Portugal will decrease by 5.92% to 10,035,796 people and rank change from 92nd to 97th.
Malta is projected to reach its peak in 2034 at 591K people, while Portugal's population already peaked in 2024 at 10.7M people and is projected to decrease to 8.98M people by 2100.
Population growth rate by year
| Year | Growth rate | |
|---|---|---|
|
Malta
|
Portugal
|
|
| 2100 | -0.82% | -0.06% |
| 2099 | -0.82% | -0.05% |
| 2098 | -0.84% | -0.06% |
| 2097 | -0.85% | -0.07% |
| 2096 | -0.92% | -0.09% |
| 2095 | -0.93% | -0.05% |
| 2094 | -0.93% | -0.05% |
| 2093 | -0.94% | -0.06% |
| 2092 | -0.98% | -0.05% |
| 2091 | -1% | -0.05% |
| 2090 | -1% | -0.05% |
| 2089 | -0.99% | -0.05% |
| 2088 | -1.04% | -0.07% |
| 2087 | -1.07% | -0.05% |
| 2086 | -1.05% | -0.06% |
| 2085 | -1.07% | -0.08% |
| 2084 | -1.09% | -0.07% |
| 2083 | -1.05% | -0.09% |
| 2082 | -1.08% | -0.11% |
| 2081 | -1.05% | -0.12% |
| 2080 | -1.03% | -0.14% |
| 2079 | -1.01% | -0.15% |
| 2078 | -1.01% | -0.16% |
| 2077 | -1.01% | -0.2% |
| 2076 | -0.93% | -0.21% |
| 2075 | -0.9% | -0.25% |
| 2074 | -0.88% | -0.26% |
| 2073 | -0.86% | -0.25% |
| 2072 | -0.83% | -0.29% |
| 2071 | -0.8% | -0.3% |
| 2070 | -0.79% | -0.32% |
| 2069 | -0.77% | -0.35% |
| 2068 | -0.72% | -0.34% |
| 2067 | -0.69% | -0.35% |
| 2066 | -0.66% | -0.36% |
| 2065 | -0.62% | -0.39% |
| 2064 | -0.58% | -0.39% |
| 2063 | -0.58% | -0.39% |
| 2062 | -0.53% | -0.38% |
| 2061 | -0.51% | -0.4% |
| 2060 | -0.5% | -0.39% |
| 2059 | -0.45% | -0.42% |
| 2058 | -0.42% | -0.39% |
| 2057 | -0.43% | -0.39% |
| 2056 | -0.43% | -0.4% |
| 2055 | -0.38% | -0.39% |
| 2054 | -0.39% | -0.4% |
| 2053 | -0.4% | -0.38% |
| 2052 | -0.41% | -0.36% |
| 2051 | -0.37% | -0.36% |
| 2050 | -0.32% | -0.37% |
| 2049 | -0.33% | -0.33% |
| 2048 | -0.36% | -0.33% |
| 2047 | -0.3% | -0.33% |
| 2046 | -0.3% | -0.32% |
| 2045 | -0.28% | -0.3% |
| 2044 | -0.27% | -0.3% |
| 2043 | -0.24% | -0.27% |
| 2042 | -0.25% | -0.26% |
| 2041 | -0.22% | -0.28% |
| 2040 | -0.22% | -0.27% |
| 2039 | -0.2% | -0.25% |
| 2038 | -0.16% | -0.23% |
| 2037 | -0.13% | -0.24% |
| 2036 | -0.1% | -0.23% |
| 2035 | -0.07% | -0.23% |
| 2034 | 0.02% | -0.22% |
| 2033 | 0.1% | -0.22% |
| 2032 | 0.14% | -0.2% |
| 2031 | 0.18% | -0.18% |
| 2030 | 0.22% | -0.2% |
| 2029 | 0.29% | -0.21% |
| 2028 | 0.34% | -0.17% |
| 2027 | 0.37% | -0.16% |
| 2026 | 0.95% | -0.16% |
| 2025 | 1.2% | -0.1% |
| 2024 | 2.91% | 1.1% |
| 2023 | 4.07% | 1.38% |
| 2022 | 2.5% | 0.7% |
| 2021 | 0.52% | 0.63% |
| 2020 | 2.3% | 0.11% |
| 2019 | 4.13% | 0.02% |
| 2018 | 3.6% | -0.16% |
| 2017 | 2.77% | -0.24% |
| 2016 | 2.32% | -0.31% |
| 2015 | 2.48% | -0.41% |
| 2014 | 2.04% | -0.54% |
| 2013 | 1.14% | -0.55% |
| 2012 | 0.9% | -0.4% |
| 2011 | 0.42% | -0.15% |
| 2010 | 0.49% | 0.05% |
| 2009 | 0.76% | 0.1% |
| 2008 | 0.65% | 0.14% |
| 2007 | 0.35% | 0.2% |
| 2006 | 0.37% | 0.18% |
| 2005 | 0.64% | 0.19% |
| 2004 | 0.67% | 0.24% |
| 2003 | 0.66% | 0.38% |
| 2002 | 0.75% | 0.55% |
| 2001 | 0.75% | 0.71% |
| 2000 | 0.65% | 0.71% |
| 1999 | 0.59% | 0.57% |
| 1998 | 0.65% | 0.51% |
| 1997 | 0.76% | 0.45% |
| 1996 | 0.66% | 0.38% |
| 1995 | 0.7% | 0.35% |
| 1994 | 0.94% | 0.27% |
| 1993 | 1% | 0.12% |
| 1992 | 1.04% | -0.08% |
| 1991 | 2.73% | -0.23% |
| 1990 | 0.98% | -0.22% |
| 1989 | 0.98% | -0.15% |
| 1988 | 0.82% | -0.1% |
| 1987 | 0.69% | -0.03% |
| 1986 | 1.68% | 0.09% |
| 1985 | 1.77% | 0.27% |
| 1984 | 0.02% | 0.39% |
| 1983 | 1.42% | 0.47% |
| 1982 | 2.17% | 0.61% |
| 1981 | 0.74% | 0.87% |
| 1980 | 1.05% | 1.09% |
| 1979 | 1.02% | 1.08% |
| 1978 | 1.05% | 1.08% |
| 1977 | 0.39% | 1.07% |
| 1976 | 0.51% | 2.88% |
| 1975 | 0.74% | 3.87% |
| 1974 | -0.07% | 1.4% |
| 1973 | -0.08% | 0.03% |
| 1972 | -0.08% | -0.15% |
| 1971 | 0.02% | -0.42% |
| 1970 | -0.54% | -0.88% |
| 1969 | -1.17% | -0.89% |
| 1968 | -1.17% | -0.43% |
| 1967 | -1.16% | -0.63% |
| 1966 | -1.13% | -0.75% |
| 1965 | -0.76% | -0.41% |
| 1964 | -0.4% | 0.06% |
| 1963 | -0.42% | 0.4% |
| 1962 | -0.42% | 0.72% |
| 1961 | -0.4% | 0.81% |
Data sources: United Nations | World Population Prospects (2025–2100, retrieved 2026-03-10); World Bank | Health (1961–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/population/malta/portugal | CC BY
In 2024, the population of Malta grew by 2.91%, while Portugal's population grew by 1.1%.
Live population counters
|
Malta
|
Portugal
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Current population |
581729
|
10667081
|
| Population rank | 167/197 | 92/197 |
| Percent of world population | 0.007% | 0.13% |
| One net population change |
32.6 minutes
|
4.51 minutes
|
| One birth every |
1.96 hours
|
6.13 minutes
|
| One death every |
2.17 hours
|
4.44 minutes
|
| Daily growth/decline | +44 | +319 |
| Annual growth/decline | +16,100 | +116,507 |
| Annual growth/decline rate | +2.91% | +1.1% |
| Population growth rate rank | 19/197 | 94/197 |
| One migration net change every |
1.7 hours
|
32 minutes
|
| Annual migration change | +5,161 | +16,472 |
| Net migration rank | 52/196 | 38/196 |
| Foreign-born residents | 199,466 | 1,127,184 |
| Foreign-born residents rank | 112/195 | 56/195 |
| Foreign-born share of population | 37% | 10.8% |
| Foreign-born share rank | 15/195 | 61/195 |
Natural population change vs migration
| Year | Population change | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Malta
|
Portugal
|
|||
| Natural | Migration | Natural | Migration | |
| 2025 | - | 5,161 | - | 16,472 |
| 2024 | - | 6,323 | - | 20,648 |
| 2023 | 442 | 6,591 | -32,792 | 29,102 |
| 2022 | 54 | 2,480 | -40,694 | 68,696 |
| 2021 | 259 | 4,638 | -45,592 | 69,606 |
| 2020 | 361 | 6,904 | -39,129 | 54,076 |
| 2019 | 655 | 20,302 | -24,687 | 63,031 |
| 2018 | 774 | 16,961 | -25,709 | 22,495 |
| 2017 | 747 | 14,372 | -23,691 | 13,979 |
| 2016 | 1,091 | 8,624 | -23,749 | -775 |
| 2015 | 888 | 9,588 | -23,823 | -3,209 |
| 2014 | 910 | 9,192 | -22,882 | -26,447 |
| 2013 | 807 | 861 | -24,052 | -36,342 |
| 2012 | 714 | 911 | -17,875 | -37,083 |
| 2011 | 916 | 999 | -5,279 | -31,513 |
| 2010 | 871 | 741 | -4,230 | -5,627 |
| 2009 | 825 | 836 | -5,284 | 14,532 |
| 2008 | 777 | 869 | 0 | 9,478 |
| 2007 | 691 | 926 | -1,055 | 21,064 |
| 2006 | 568 | 997 | 3,156 | 16,754 |
| 2005 | 727 | 1,626 | 2,101 | 15,537 |
| 2004 | 883 | 1,662 | 7,339 | 13,928 |
| 2003 | 917 | 1,626 | 4,184 | 24,740 |
| 2002 | 911 | 1,821 | 8,335 | 42,169 |
| 2001 | 1,061 | 1,678 | 8,290 | 55,565 |
| 2000 | 1,482 | 1,591 | 15,435 | 60,586 |
| 1999 | 1,357 | 1,463 | 8,175 | 49,572 |
| 1998 | 1,656 | 1,260 | 7,112 | 40,931 |
| 1997 | 1,991 | 1,003 | 8,087 | 36,922 |
| 1996 | 2,279 | 1,142 | 4,026 | 32,640 |
| 1995 | 1,887 | 1,306 | 4,011 | 26,971 |
| 1994 | 2,136 | 1,136 | 9,991 | 20,761 |
| 1993 | 2,451 | 1,006 | 7,972 | 8,561 |
| 1992 | 2,573 | 737 | 13,933 | -11,847 |
| 1991 | 2,438 | 763 | 12,948 | -37,914 |
| 1990 | 2,621 | 568 | 13,976 | -34,855 |
| 1989 | 2,981 | 248 | 22,011 | -30,615 |
| 1988 | 2,813 | 164 | 24,047 | -26,595 |
| 1987 | 2,412 | 295 | 28,084 | -23,142 |
| 1986 | 2,395 | 464 | 31,102 | -20,000 |
| 1985 | 2,590 | -428 | 33,077 | -19,183 |
| 1984 | 2,678 | -558 | 45,983 | -16,658 |
| 1983 | 2,512 | -740 | 47,798 | -16,568 |
| 1982 | 2,835 | -1,059 | 58,479 | -15,006 |
| 1981 | 2,233 | -548 | 56,152 | -7,938 |
| 1980 | 2,375 | -886 | 63,481 | 29,881 |
| 1979 | 2,852 | -1,311 | 67,628 | 32,434 |
| 1978 | 2,389 | -1,302 | 70,731 | 34,345 |
| 1977 | 2,916 | -1,598 | 84,156 | 37,779 |
| 1976 | 2,721 | -1,641 | 85,138 | 40,490 |
| 1975 | 2,829 | -1,742 | 81,841 | 42,262 |
| 1974 | 2,687 | -1,597 | 74,412 | 41,254 |
| 1973 | 2,327 | -1,549 | 76,835 | 39,748 |
| 1972 | 2,480 | -1,316 | 83,715 | 39,058 |
| 1971 | 2,482 | -1,327 | 82,980 | 48,944 |
| 1970 | 2,270 | -1,123 | 87,672 | -191,862 |
| 1969 | 2,069 | -827 | 89,329 | -161,114 |
| 1968 | 2,247 | -753 | 100,737 | -145,200 |
| 1967 | 2,306 | -4,073 | 106,495 | -136,232 |
| 1966 | 2,458 | -4,318 | 107,171 | -129,233 |
| 1965 | 2,646 | -4,329 | 115,182 | -123,855 |
| 1964 | 3,630 | -4,768 | 120,170 | -118,763 |
| 1963 | 3,709 | -4,773 | 113,783 | -116,874 |
| 1962 | 4,664 | -5,360 | 123,217 | -113,947 |
| 1961 | 4,748 | -5,099 | 117,867 | -112,768 |
| 1960 | 5,747 | -5,540 | 118,693 | -95,886 |
Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/population/malta/portugal | CC BY
Over the last 10 years, 5.84% of the population change in Malta is from natural causes (a gain of 6,181 people) and 94.2% is from migration (a gain of 99,652 people). In Portugal 51% is from natural causes (a loss of 302,748 people) and 49% is from migration (a gain of 290,554 people).
As of 2024, 199,466 residents or 37% of the population were not native-born in Malta, compared to 1,127,184 people or 10.8% in Portugal.
Biggest cities by population
|
Malta
|
|
|---|---|
| City | Population |
| St. Paul's Bay | 40.2K |
| Mosta | 25.5K |
| Birkirkara | 24.4K |
| Naxxar | 18.1K |
| Zabbar | 18K |
| Sliema | 16.9K |
| San Gwann | 16.1K |
| Marsaskala | 15.6K |
| Gzira | 8.03K |
| Valletta | 6.44K |
|
Portugal
|
|
|---|---|
| City | Population |
| Lisbon | 546K |
| Sintra | 386K |
| Vila Nova de Gaia | 304K |
| Porto | 232K |
| Cascais | 214K |
| Loures | 202K |
| Braga | 193K |
| Almada | 177K |
| Matosinhos | 173K |
| Oeiras | 172K |
Compare countries by 7 more topics
Population differences between Malta and Portugal
|
Malta
|
Portugal
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Life expectancy | 83.8 years | 82.9 years |
| Average age | 43 years | 45.7 years |
| Median age | 41.8 years | 47.5 years |
| Male:Female ratio | 51.9:48.1 | 47.6:52.4 |
| Fertility rate | 1.06 births per woman | 1.44 births per woman |
| Population density | 4,704 ppl/mi² | 302 ppl/mi² |
Population map with other countries
Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06); United Nations | World Population Prospects (1960–2026, retrieved 2026-03-10); U.S. Census Bureau (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-02-08); Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2000–2019, retrieved 2026-02-20).
GeoRank.org/population/malta/portugal | CC BY
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Data sources:
- World Bank | Health (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-04-06)
- United Nations | World Population Prospects (1960–2100, retrieved 2026-03-10)
- U.S. Census Bureau (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-02-08)
- Wikidata (2026, retrieved 2026-02-08)
- Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2000–2019, retrieved 2026-02-20)
Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) — you’re free to copy, share, remix, adapt, and use even commercially as long as you give appropriate credit and clearly indicate if you made changes. Other sources may be subject to different license terms.