The latest officially reported population of Malta was 568,847 in 2024 vs 8,642,022 people in Sierra Leone in 2024. In 2026, based on the adjusted UN estimation, the current Malta's population is 581,729 people compared to 9,049,533 in Sierra Leone.
Population statistics:
- Sierra Leone's population is 15.6 times bigger than Malta's.
- Malta is ranked the 167th most populous country in the world, while Sierra Leone is the 101st.
- The countries together account for 0.12% of the world: 0.007% for Malta vs 0.11% for Sierra Leone.
- For the last 10 years, Malta has had an average growth rate of +2.69% per year vs +2.32% in Sierra Leone.
- Since 2006, the population of Malta has increased from 405K people to 582K (43.5% growth), while Sierra Leone has grown from 5.62M to 9.05M (60.9% growth).
Malta vs Sierra Leone: population by year and forecast
| Year | Population | |
|---|---|---|
Malta
|
Sierra Leone
|
|
| 2100 | 383,244 | 16,111,324 |
| 2099 | 386,421 | 16,126,181 |
| 2098 | 389,613 | 16,139,280 |
| 2097 | 392,917 | 16,154,153 |
| 2096 | 396,295 | 16,164,923 |
| 2095 | 399,956 | 16,173,557 |
| 2094 | 403,710 | 16,173,155 |
| 2093 | 407,487 | 16,177,864 |
| 2092 | 411,340 | 16,175,032 |
| 2091 | 415,407 | 16,168,153 |
| 2090 | 419,592 | 16,158,415 |
| 2089 | 423,826 | 16,146,773 |
| 2088 | 428,052 | 16,133,018 |
| 2087 | 432,556 | 16,116,823 |
| 2086 | 437,240 | 16,089,780 |
| 2085 | 441,882 | 16,068,438 |
| 2084 | 446,649 | 16,044,782 |
| 2083 | 451,551 | 16,011,134 |
| 2082 | 456,344 | 15,975,073 |
| 2081 | 461,335 | 15,935,071 |
| 2080 | 466,229 | 15,896,846 |
| 2079 | 471,100 | 15,854,898 |
| 2078 | 475,924 | 15,805,607 |
| 2077 | 480,771 | 15,754,551 |
| 2076 | 485,655 | 15,699,439 |
| 2075 | 490,208 | 15,639,458 |
| 2074 | 494,656 | 15,584,377 |
| 2073 | 499,046 | 15,516,736 |
| 2072 | 503,370 | 15,446,543 |
| 2071 | 507,604 | 15,374,790 |
| 2070 | 511,683 | 15,297,449 |
| 2069 | 515,748 | 15,216,666 |
| 2068 | 519,737 | 15,128,048 |
| 2067 | 523,520 | 15,032,144 |
| 2066 | 527,140 | 14,935,222 |
| 2065 | 530,620 | 14,837,697 |
| 2064 | 533,923 | 14,740,749 |
| 2063 | 537,029 | 14,642,031 |
| 2062 | 540,145 | 14,529,557 |
| 2061 | 543,018 | 14,423,861 |
| 2060 | 545,828 | 14,311,215 |
| 2059 | 548,562 | 14,198,706 |
| 2058 | 551,048 | 14,080,827 |
| 2057 | 553,389 | 13,960,869 |
| 2056 | 555,804 | 13,836,132 |
| 2055 | 558,190 | 13,706,113 |
| 2054 | 560,309 | 13,579,802 |
| 2053 | 562,511 | 13,444,465 |
| 2052 | 564,772 | 13,303,409 |
| 2051 | 567,078 | 13,156,370 |
| 2050 | 569,189 | 13,010,109 |
| 2049 | 571,016 | 12,867,021 |
| 2048 | 572,923 | 12,716,015 |
| 2047 | 574,977 | 12,570,250 |
| 2046 | 576,728 | 12,414,307 |
| 2045 | 578,442 | 12,257,874 |
| 2044 | 580,046 | 12,092,075 |
| 2043 | 581,639 | 11,931,531 |
| 2042 | 583,042 | 11,770,467 |
| 2041 | 584,485 | 11,602,993 |
| 2040 | 585,747 | 11,431,337 |
| 2039 | 587,035 | 11,262,807 |
| 2038 | 588,223 | 11,100,099 |
| 2037 | 589,140 | 10,931,629 |
| 2036 | 589,886 | 10,760,758 |
| 2035 | 590,469 | 10,585,702 |
| 2034 | 590,868 | 10,413,826 |
| 2033 | 590,759 | 10,241,196 |
| 2032 | 590,166 | 10,062,575 |
| 2031 | 589,366 | 9,883,708 |
| 2030 | 588,281 | 9,708,038 |
| 2029 | 586,978 | 9,532,000 |
| 2028 | 585,310 | 9,360,873 |
| 2027 | 583,310 | 9,179,702 |
| 2026 | 581,144 | 9,001,269 |
| 2025 | 575,661 | 8,822,114 |
| 2024 | 568,847 | 8,642,022 |
| 2023 | 552,747 | 8,460,512 |
| 2022 | 531,113 | 8,276,807 |
| 2021 | 518,150 | 8,094,602 |
| 2020 | 515,490 | 7,912,558 |
| 2019 | 503,912 | 7,731,991 |
| 2018 | 483,903 | 7,554,563 |
| 2017 | 467,106 | 7,379,299 |
| 2016 | 454,505 | 7,205,328 |
| 2015 | 444,220 | 7,037,655 |
| 2014 | 433,481 | 6,876,385 |
| 2013 | 424,810 | 6,714,051 |
| 2012 | 420,028 | 6,551,080 |
| 2011 | 416,268 | 6,387,251 |
| 2010 | 414,508 | 6,222,714 |
| 2009 | 412,477 | 6,055,646 |
| 2008 | 409,379 | 5,894,722 |
| 2007 | 406,724 | 5,749,352 |
| 2006 | 405,308 | 5,624,466 |
| 2005 | 403,834 | 5,501,712 |
| 2004 | 401,268 | 5,355,717 |
| 2003 | 398,582 | 5,177,687 |
| 2002 | 395,969 | 4,971,435 |
| 2001 | 393,028 | 4,692,716 |
| 2000 | 390,087 | 4,423,611 |
| 1999 | 387,578 | 4,318,043 |
| 1998 | 385,287 | 4,295,785 |
| 1997 | 382,791 | 4,253,716 |
| 1996 | 379,905 | 4,199,210 |
| 1995 | 377,419 | 4,179,179 |
| 1994 | 374,797 | 4,173,105 |
| 1993 | 371,308 | 4,157,130 |
| 1992 | 367,618 | 4,166,366 |
| 1991 | 363,845 | 4,246,267 |
| 1990 | 354,170 | 4,196,828 |
| 1989 | 350,722 | 4,034,037 |
| 1988 | 347,325 | 3,934,517 |
| 1987 | 344,485 | 3,829,718 |
| 1986 | 342,121 | 3,728,380 |
| 1985 | 336,452 | 3,638,438 |
| 1984 | 330,593 | 3,558,758 |
| 1983 | 330,524 | 3,481,646 |
| 1982 | 325,898 | 3,408,183 |
| 1981 | 318,982 | 3,338,940 |
| 1980 | 316,645 | 3,272,089 |
| 1979 | 313,342 | 3,207,499 |
| 1978 | 310,182 | 3,145,517 |
| 1977 | 306,970 | 3,085,354 |
| 1976 | 305,774 | 3,028,820 |
| 1975 | 304,222 | 2,974,657 |
| 1974 | 301,996 | 2,920,459 |
| 1973 | 302,200 | 2,866,955 |
| 1972 | 302,450 | 2,814,388 |
| 1971 | 302,700 | 2,763,222 |
| 1970 | 302,650 | 2,712,286 |
| 1969 | 304,300 | 2,661,365 |
| 1968 | 307,900 | 2,611,532 |
| 1967 | 311,550 | 2,562,384 |
| 1966 | 315,200 | 2,514,638 |
| 1965 | 318,800 | 2,468,666 |
| 1964 | 321,250 | 2,424,390 |
| 1963 | 322,550 | 2,382,258 |
| 1962 | 323,900 | 2,342,242 |
| 1961 | 325,250 | 2,304,227 |
| 1960 | 326,550 | 2,268,356 |
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/sierra-leone | CC BY 
From 2006 to 2016, the population of Malta increased by 49,197 people (a 12.1% growth), while Sierra Leone gained 1,580,862 people (a 28.1% growth).
For the next 10 years, from 2016 to 2026, Malta gained 127,224 people (a 28% growth), while Sierra Leone's population increased by 1,844,205 people (a 25.6% growth).
Malta was ranked 168th most populous country in 2006 and is 167th in 2026. Sierra Leone was ranked 106th in 2006 and ranked 101st 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 Sierra Leone will increase by 43.8% to 13,010,109 people and rank change from 101st to 91st.
Malta is projected to reach its peak in 2034 at 591K people compared to the peak of 16.2M people in 2093 for Sierra Leone.
Population growth rate by year
| Year | Growth rate | |
|---|---|---|
|
Malta
|
Sierra Leone
|
|
| 2100 | -0.82% | -0.09% |
| 2099 | -0.82% | -0.08% |
| 2098 | -0.84% | -0.09% |
| 2097 | -0.85% | -0.07% |
| 2096 | -0.92% | -0.05% |
| 2095 | -0.93% | 0.002% |
| 2094 | -0.93% | -0.03% |
| 2093 | -0.94% | 0.02% |
| 2092 | -0.98% | 0.04% |
| 2091 | -1% | 0.06% |
| 2090 | -1% | 0.07% |
| 2089 | -0.99% | 0.09% |
| 2088 | -1.04% | 0.1% |
| 2087 | -1.07% | 0.17% |
| 2086 | -1.05% | 0.13% |
| 2085 | -1.07% | 0.15% |
| 2084 | -1.09% | 0.21% |
| 2083 | -1.05% | 0.23% |
| 2082 | -1.08% | 0.25% |
| 2081 | -1.05% | 0.24% |
| 2080 | -1.03% | 0.26% |
| 2079 | -1.01% | 0.31% |
| 2078 | -1.01% | 0.32% |
| 2077 | -1.01% | 0.35% |
| 2076 | -0.93% | 0.38% |
| 2075 | -0.9% | 0.35% |
| 2074 | -0.88% | 0.44% |
| 2073 | -0.86% | 0.45% |
| 2072 | -0.83% | 0.47% |
| 2071 | -0.8% | 0.51% |
| 2070 | -0.79% | 0.53% |
| 2069 | -0.77% | 0.59% |
| 2068 | -0.72% | 0.64% |
| 2067 | -0.69% | 0.65% |
| 2066 | -0.66% | 0.66% |
| 2065 | -0.62% | 0.66% |
| 2064 | -0.58% | 0.67% |
| 2063 | -0.58% | 0.77% |
| 2062 | -0.53% | 0.73% |
| 2061 | -0.51% | 0.79% |
| 2060 | -0.5% | 0.79% |
| 2059 | -0.45% | 0.84% |
| 2058 | -0.42% | 0.86% |
| 2057 | -0.43% | 0.9% |
| 2056 | -0.43% | 0.95% |
| 2055 | -0.38% | 0.93% |
| 2054 | -0.39% | 1.01% |
| 2053 | -0.4% | 1.06% |
| 2052 | -0.41% | 1.12% |
| 2051 | -0.37% | 1.12% |
| 2050 | -0.32% | 1.11% |
| 2049 | -0.33% | 1.19% |
| 2048 | -0.36% | 1.16% |
| 2047 | -0.3% | 1.26% |
| 2046 | -0.3% | 1.28% |
| 2045 | -0.28% | 1.37% |
| 2044 | -0.27% | 1.35% |
| 2043 | -0.24% | 1.37% |
| 2042 | -0.25% | 1.44% |
| 2041 | -0.22% | 1.5% |
| 2040 | -0.22% | 1.5% |
| 2039 | -0.2% | 1.47% |
| 2038 | -0.16% | 1.54% |
| 2037 | -0.13% | 1.59% |
| 2036 | -0.1% | 1.65% |
| 2035 | -0.07% | 1.65% |
| 2034 | 0.02% | 1.69% |
| 2033 | 0.1% | 1.78% |
| 2032 | 0.14% | 1.81% |
| 2031 | 0.18% | 1.81% |
| 2030 | 0.22% | 1.85% |
| 2029 | 0.29% | 1.83% |
| 2028 | 0.34% | 1.97% |
| 2027 | 0.37% | 1.98% |
| 2026 | 0.95% | 2.03% |
| 2025 | 1.2% | 2.08% |
| 2024 | 2.91% | 2.15% |
| 2023 | 4.07% | 2.22% |
| 2022 | 2.5% | 2.25% |
| 2021 | 0.52% | 2.3% |
| 2020 | 2.3% | 2.34% |
| 2019 | 4.13% | 2.35% |
| 2018 | 3.6% | 2.38% |
| 2017 | 2.77% | 2.41% |
| 2016 | 2.32% | 2.38% |
| 2015 | 2.48% | 2.35% |
| 2014 | 2.04% | 2.42% |
| 2013 | 1.14% | 2.49% |
| 2012 | 0.9% | 2.56% |
| 2011 | 0.42% | 2.64% |
| 2010 | 0.49% | 2.76% |
| 2009 | 0.76% | 2.73% |
| 2008 | 0.65% | 2.53% |
| 2007 | 0.35% | 2.22% |
| 2006 | 0.37% | 2.23% |
| 2005 | 0.64% | 2.73% |
| 2004 | 0.67% | 3.44% |
| 2003 | 0.66% | 4.15% |
| 2002 | 0.75% | 5.94% |
| 2001 | 0.75% | 6.08% |
| 2000 | 0.65% | 2.44% |
| 1999 | 0.59% | 0.52% |
| 1998 | 0.65% | 0.99% |
| 1997 | 0.76% | 1.3% |
| 1996 | 0.66% | 0.48% |
| 1995 | 0.7% | 0.15% |
| 1994 | 0.94% | 0.38% |
| 1993 | 1% | -0.22% |
| 1992 | 1.04% | -1.88% |
| 1991 | 2.73% | 1.18% |
| 1990 | 0.98% | 4.04% |
| 1989 | 0.98% | 2.53% |
| 1988 | 0.82% | 2.74% |
| 1987 | 0.69% | 2.72% |
| 1986 | 1.68% | 2.47% |
| 1985 | 1.77% | 2.24% |
| 1984 | 0.02% | 2.21% |
| 1983 | 1.42% | 2.16% |
| 1982 | 2.17% | 2.07% |
| 1981 | 0.74% | 2.04% |
| 1980 | 1.05% | 2.01% |
| 1979 | 1.02% | 1.97% |
| 1978 | 1.05% | 1.95% |
| 1977 | 0.39% | 1.87% |
| 1976 | 0.51% | 1.82% |
| 1975 | 0.74% | 1.86% |
| 1974 | -0.07% | 1.87% |
| 1973 | -0.08% | 1.87% |
| 1972 | -0.08% | 1.85% |
| 1971 | 0.02% | 1.88% |
| 1970 | -0.54% | 1.91% |
| 1969 | -1.17% | 1.91% |
| 1968 | -1.17% | 1.92% |
| 1967 | -1.16% | 1.9% |
| 1966 | -1.13% | 1.86% |
| 1965 | -0.76% | 1.83% |
| 1964 | -0.4% | 1.77% |
| 1963 | -0.42% | 1.71% |
| 1962 | -0.42% | 1.65% |
| 1961 | -0.4% | 1.58% |
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/sierra-leone | CC BY
In 2024, the population of Malta grew by 2.91%, while Sierra Leone's population grew by 2.15%.
Live population counters
|
Malta
|
Sierra Leone
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Current population |
581729
|
9049533
|
| Population rank | 167/197 | 101/197 |
| Percent of world population | 0.007% | 0.11% |
| One net population change |
32.6 minutes
|
2.9 minutes
|
| One birth every |
1.96 hours
|
2.03 minutes
|
| One death every |
2.17 hours
|
7.5 minutes
|
| Daily growth/decline | +44 | +497 |
| Annual growth/decline | +16,100 | +181,510 |
| Annual growth/decline rate | +2.91% | +2.15% |
| Population growth rate rank | 19/197 | 47/197 |
| One migration net change every |
1.7 hours
|
46.6 minutes
|
| Annual migration change | +5,161 | -11,309 |
| Net migration rank | 52/196 | 136/196 |
| Foreign-born residents | 199,466 | 49,997 |
| Foreign-born residents rank | 112/195 | 151/195 |
| Foreign-born share of population | 37% | 0.6% |
| Foreign-born share rank | 15/195 | 174/195 |
Natural population change vs migration
| Year | Population change | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Malta
|
Sierra Leone
|
|||
| Natural | Migration | Natural | Migration | |
| 2025 | - | 5,161 | - | -11,309 |
| 2024 | - | 6,323 | - | -11,000 |
| 2023 | 442 | 6,591 | 188,788 | -4,000 |
| 2022 | 54 | 2,480 | 186,625 | -4,000 |
| 2021 | 259 | 4,638 | 183,326 | -1,544 |
| 2020 | 361 | 6,904 | 181,015 | 1,292 |
| 2019 | 655 | 20,302 | 181,068 | -2,238 |
| 2018 | 774 | 16,961 | 178,772 | -2,741 |
| 2017 | 747 | 14,372 | 173,259 | 1,234 |
| 2016 | 1,091 | 8,624 | 168,784 | 4,657 |
| 2015 | 888 | 9,588 | 162,275 | -356 |
| 2014 | 910 | 9,192 | 160,137 | 485 |
| 2013 | 807 | 861 | 161,265 | 2,773 |
| 2012 | 714 | 911 | 160,915 | 988 |
| 2011 | 916 | 999 | 158,858 | 6,895 |
| 2010 | 871 | 741 | 155,338 | 7,983 |
| 2009 | 825 | 836 | 152,669 | 18,145 |
| 2008 | 777 | 869 | 149,855 | 1,182 |
| 2007 | 691 | 926 | 145,740 | -6,042 |
| 2006 | 568 | 997 | 144,127 | -34,052 |
| 2005 | 727 | 1,626 | 137,234 | -1,805 |
| 2004 | 883 | 1,662 | 132,661 | 23,897 |
| 2003 | 917 | 1,626 | 130,312 | 69,185 |
| 2002 | 911 | 1,821 | 126,429 | 86,578 |
| 2001 | 1,061 | 1,678 | 116,647 | 227,791 |
| 2000 | 1,482 | 1,591 | 110,754 | 83,013 |
| 1999 | 1,357 | 1,463 | 102,295 | -84,926 |
| 1998 | 1,656 | 1,260 | 103,906 | -76,766 |
| 1997 | 1,991 | 1,003 | 105,433 | -48,437 |
| 1996 | 2,279 | 1,142 | 104,140 | -52,110 |
| 1995 | 1,887 | 1,306 | 100,885 | -112,857 |
| 1994 | 2,136 | 1,136 | 101,486 | -77,371 |
| 1993 | 2,451 | 1,006 | 103,317 | -95,476 |
| 1992 | 2,573 | 737 | 103,251 | -129,565 |
| 1991 | 2,438 | 763 | 105,477 | -238,965 |
| 1990 | 2,621 | 568 | 100,778 | 131,587 |
| 1989 | 2,981 | 248 | 98,298 | -5,079 |
| 1988 | 2,813 | 164 | 96,344 | 9,470 |
| 1987 | 2,412 | 295 | 94,235 | 9,558 |
| 1986 | 2,395 | 464 | 90,902 | 7,992 |
| 1985 | 2,590 | -428 | 88,869 | -7,873 |
| 1984 | 2,678 | -558 | 87,072 | -8,708 |
| 1983 | 2,512 | -740 | 84,628 | -8,783 |
| 1982 | 2,835 | -1,059 | 82,457 | -11,379 |
| 1981 | 2,233 | -548 | 80,111 | -12,699 |
| 1980 | 2,375 | -886 | 77,932 | -11,641 |
| 1979 | 2,852 | -1,311 | 75,992 | -13,095 |
| 1978 | 2,389 | -1,302 | 74,130 | -13,073 |
| 1977 | 2,916 | -1,598 | 71,663 | -12,399 |
| 1976 | 2,721 | -1,641 | 69,506 | -15,686 |
| 1975 | 2,829 | -1,742 | 67,560 | -13,058 |
| 1974 | 2,687 | -1,597 | 65,357 | -11,473 |
| 1973 | 2,327 | -1,549 | 62,443 | -9,322 |
| 1972 | 2,480 | -1,316 | 60,279 | -8,267 |
| 1971 | 2,482 | -1,327 | 58,484 | -8,162 |
| 1970 | 2,270 | -1,123 | 56,513 | -4,957 |
| 1969 | 2,069 | -827 | 54,768 | -4,485 |
| 1968 | 2,247 | -753 | 53,126 | -3,743 |
| 1967 | 2,306 | -4,073 | 51,734 | -2,819 |
| 1966 | 2,458 | -4,318 | 49,486 | -2,911 |
| 1965 | 2,646 | -4,329 | 47,223 | -1,851 |
| 1964 | 3,630 | -4,768 | 45,487 | -2,308 |
| 1963 | 3,709 | -4,773 | 43,569 | -2,480 |
| 1962 | 4,664 | -5,360 | 41,603 | -2,658 |
| 1961 | 4,748 | -5,099 | 40,022 | -2,947 |
| 1960 | 5,747 | -5,540 | 38,192 | -3,528 |
Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/population/malta/sierra-leone | 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 Sierra Leone 99.6% is from natural causes (a gain of 1,764,049 people) and 0.41% is from migration (a loss of 7,211 people).
As of 2024, 199,466 residents or 37% of the population were not native-born in Malta, compared to 49,997 people or 0.6% in Sierra Leone.
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 |
|
Sierra Leone
|
|
|---|---|
| City | Population |
| Freetown | 951K |
| Bo | 234K |
| Kenema | 188K |
Compare countries by 7 more topics
Population differences between Malta and Sierra Leone
|
Malta
|
Sierra Leone
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Life expectancy | 83.8 years | 62.3 years |
| Average age | 43 years | 24.4 years |
| Median age | 41.8 years | 20.5 years |
| Male:Female ratio | 51.9:48.1 | 49.9:50.1 |
| Fertility rate | 1.06 births per woman | 3.79 births per woman |
| Population density | 4,704 ppl/mi² | 323 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/sierra-leone | 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)
- Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2000–2019, retrieved 2026-02-20)
- Wikidata (2026, retrieved 2026-02-08)
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