Labor force participation rate by age in Malta
Malta: Labor force participation rate by age was 55.9% in 2024. ▼ Falling
Labor force participation rate by age in Malta, 1990–2024
Source: International Labour Organization (2026) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
The most recent figure for labor force participation rate by age in Malta is 55.9%, measured in 2024.
The figure is up 0.8% on the previous year and up 5.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, labor force participation rate by age in Malta peaked at 66.0% in 1990 and was at its lowest, 50.9%, in 2010.
That places Malta 28th out of 188 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the top quarter.
The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 35 years of available data.
Labor force participation rate by age in Malta, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 66.0% | — |
| 1991 | 65.6% | -0.6% |
| 1992 | 65.0% | -0.9% |
| 1993 | 63.9% | -1.6% |
| 1994 | 63.4% | -0.9% |
| 1995 | 63.2% | -0.3% |
| 1996 | 62.9% | -0.5% |
| 1997 | 61.4% | -2.4% |
| 1998 | 61.4% | +0.0% |
| 1999 | 60.8% | -1.0% |
| 2000 | 59.4% | -2.2% |
| 2001 | 64.3% | +8.3% |
| 2002 | 60.4% | -6.1% |
| 2003 | 60.0% | -0.6% |
| 2004 | 55.4% | -7.7% |
| 2005 | 53.6% | -3.3% |
| 2006 | 53.1% | -1.1% |
| 2007 | 54.1% | +2.0% |
| 2008 | 52.7% | -2.6% |
| 2009 | 51.6% | -2.2% |
| 2010 | 50.9% | -1.2% |
| 2011 | 51.9% | +1.9% |
| 2012 | 51.7% | -0.4% |
| 2013 | 53.5% | +3.5% |
| 2014 | 52.9% | -1.2% |
| 2015 | 51.6% | -2.4% |
| 2016 | 51.8% | +0.2% |
| 2017 | 52.9% | +2.2% |
| 2018 | 54.5% | +3.0% |
| 2019 | 54.4% | -0.2% |
| 2020 | 52.9% | -2.8% |
| 2021 | 52.2% | -1.2% |
| 2022 | 56.0% | +7.2% |
| 2023 | 55.5% | -0.9% |
| 2024 | 55.9% | +0.8% |
Malta compared with similar countries
- Malta's 55.9% is above the median for high income countries, which is 40.6%, 1.4× the median. (62 countries reporting)
- Malta's 55.9% is above the median for Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, which is 27.5%, 2.0× the median. (23 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 63.3% | 60.8% | 66.0% | 10 |
| 2000s | 56.5% | 51.6% | 64.3% | 10 |
| 2010s | 52.6% | 50.9% | 54.5% | 10 |
| 2020s | 54.5% | 52.2% | 56.0% | 5 |
Countries ranked near Malta
More work & labour data for Malta
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes, annual -0.8118 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male, annual growth -0.7863 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female, annual growth -0.8415 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population, annual growth rate -1.79 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population, annual growth rate -0.2041 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population 404.95 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population 14.3 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female 168.51 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male 191.42 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes 359.93 1000 No (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is labor force participation rate by age in Malta?
- Labor force participation rate by age in Malta was 55.9% in 2024, according to International Labour Organization (2026) – with major processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest labor force participation rate by age recorded in Malta?
- The highest recorded value was 66.0% in 1990.
- What is the lowest labor force participation rate by age recorded in Malta?
- The lowest recorded value was 50.9% in 2010.
- How does Malta rank for labor force participation rate by age?
- Malta ranks 28th out of 188 countries with data for 2024.
- Is labor force participation rate by age rising or falling in Malta?
- Over the last ten years it is up 5.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Malta data come from?
- The figures come from International Labour Organization (2026) – with major processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Labor force participation rate by age. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Share of the working-age population aged 15-24 who are economically active (employed or unemployed).