The Human Truth Foundation

Malta (Republic of Malta)

http://www.humantruth.info/malta.html

By Vexen Crabtree 2013

#blasphemy #catholicism #eu #malta

Malta
Republic of Malta
StatusIndependent State
Social and Moral Index33rd best
CapitalValletta
Land Area 320km21
LocationEurope, The Mediterranean
GroupingsSmall Islands
Population0.4m2
Life Expectancy83.78yrs (2017)3
GNI$38 884 (2017)4
ISO3166-1 CodesMT, MLT, 4705
Internet Domain.mt6
CurrencyEuro (EUR)7
Telephone+3568

1. Overview

#malta #UK

Great Britain formally acquired possession of Malta in 1814. The island staunchly supported the UK through both world wars and remained in the Commonwealth when it became independent in 1964. A decade later Malta became a republic. Since about the mid-1980s, the island has transformed itself into a freight transshipment point, a financial center, and a tourist destination. Malta became an EU member in May 2004 and began using the euro as currency in 2008.

CIA's The World Factbook (2013)9

Book CoverMalta is like nowhere else. Here you´ll find great prehistoric temples, fossil-studded cliffs, glittering hidden coves, thrilling diving opportunities and a history of remarkable intensity. Despite being made up of three tiny islands on the southern edge of Europe, Malta groans under the weight of its rich history and fascinating cultural influences. As a melting pot of Mediterranean culture, Malta merits far deeper exploration than is often given to it by the package crowds whose first priority is hitting the beach.From ancient stone temples and historic Arabic connections (listen carefully to the local language) to Sicilian-inspired cuisine and an oddly 1950s British atmosphere, Malta will almost certainly surprise you. Valletta and the Three Cities are famed for their grand churches, elegant palaces and honey-coloured limestone fortifications, while nearby Sliema and St Julian are packed with restaurants and bars. And don´t forget little Gozo to the northwest - a pretty, rural island where the pace of life is that much slower. It´s the perfect chill-out spot with the dramatic Dwejra coastline.

"The World" by Lonely Planet (2014)10

Malta is also infamous as a Tax Haven, allowing the rich, global corporations, and criminal syndicates, to hide vast sums of money from authorities11.

2. Malta National and Social Development

#economics #human_development #wealth

UN HDI (2021)12
Pos.Higher is better
Value12
1Switzerland0.962
2Norway0.961
3Iceland0.959
...
20=S. Korea0.925
21USA0.921
22Israel0.919
23=Malta0.918
23=Slovenia0.918
25Austria0.916
26UAE0.911
27Spain0.905
Europe Avg0.87
World Avg0.72
q=191.
Gross National Income Per-Capita (2021)12
Pos.Higher is better
PPP $12
1Liechtenstein$146 830
2Singapore$90 919
3Qatar$87 134
...
32Israel$41 524
33Slovenia$39 746
34Bahrain$39 497
35Malta$38 884
36Czechia$38 745
37Spain$38 354
38Cyprus$38 188
39Estonia$38 048
Europe Avg$40 512
World Avg$20 136
q=193.
Social & Moral
Development Index
13
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank13
1Norway28.6
2Denmark30.0
3Sweden30.7
...
30Hungary53.8
31Costa Rica55.0
32Poland56.2
33Malta56.5
34Liechtenstein57.1
35Chile57.2
36USA57.3
37Slovakia58.7
Europe Avg57.4
World Avg86.8
q=195.

The United Nations produces an annual Human Development Report which includes the Human Development Index. The factors taken into account include life expectancy, education and schooling and Gross National Income (GNI) amongst many others..

The Social and Moral Development Index concentrates on moral issues and human rights, violence, public health, equality, tolerance, freedom and effectiveness in climate change mitigation and environmentalism, and on some technological issues. A country scores higher for achieving well in those areas, and for sustaining that achievement in the long term. Those countries towards the top of this index can truly said to be setting good examples and leading humankind onwards into a bright, humane, and free future. See: Which are the Best Countries in the World? The Social and Moral Development Index.

3. Malta's Demographics and Migration

#birth_control #demographics #health #immigration #life_expectancy #longevity #migration #overpopulation #population

Population:

Malta's population is predicted to fall to 431 000 by 2030. Developed countries with falling populations face a pension's crises, whereby an increasingly ageing population must be cared for by fewer and fewer workers. Economic stability can be maintained by increasing foreign workers from younger countries. This country has a fertility rate of 1.28. The fertility rate is, in simple terms, the average amount of children that each woman has. The higher the figure, the quicker the population is growing, although, to calculate the rate you also need to take into account morbidity, i.e., the rate at which people die. If people live healthy and long lives and morbidity is low, then, 2.0 approximates to the replacement rate, which would keep the population stable. If all countries had such a fertility rate, population growth would end. The actual replacement rate in most developed countries is around 2.1.

Population2
Pos.2018
Population2
1China1.4b
2India1.4b
3USA327.1m
...
166Suriname0.6m
167Cape Verde0.5m
168Maldives0.5m
169Malta0.4m
170Brunei0.4m
171Bahamas0.4m
172Belize0.4m
173Iceland0.3m
World Avg39.0m
q=195.
Life Expectancy
Higher is better
12
Pos.2021
Years12
1Monaco85.9
2Hong Kong85.5
3Japan84.8
4Australia84.5
5Switzerland84.0
6Malta83.8
7S. Korea83.7
8Liechtenstein83.3
9Norway83.2
10Spain83.0
11Sweden83.0
12Italy82.9
World Avg71.28
q=195.
Fertility Rate
2.0 is best
14
Pos.201314
1N. Korea2.00
2Brunei1.99
3St Vincent & Grenadines2.01
...
111Saudi Arabia2.67
112Portugal1.31
113Belize2.70
114Malta1.28
115Syria2.81
116Bosnia & Herzegovina1.13
117Paraguay2.87
118Hong Kong1.12
World Avg2.81
q=180.
Old-Age Dependency Ratio
Lower is better
15
Pos.2016
Per 10015
1Uganda04.3
2Mali04.5
3=Chad04.7
...
170Switzerland38.3
171Canada38.5
172Croatia39.7
173Malta39.9
174=France40.5
174=Austria40.5
176Greece41.3
177Spain41.4
World Avg18.3
q=185.

Migration:

Immigrants16
Pos.2017
%16
1UAE88.4%
2Kuwait75.5%
3Qatar65.2%
...
55Ukraine11.2%
56Belgium11.1%
57Greece10.9%
58Malta10.6%
59Italy10.0%
60Gambia9.8%
61Dominica9.2%
62Serbia9.1%
World Avg9.4%
q=195.
Emigrants17
Pos.2010
%17
1Dominica104.8%
2Palestine68.4%
3Samoa67.3%
...
17Jamaica36.1%
18Armenia28.2%
19Trinidad & Tobago26.7%
20Malta26.2%
21Georgia25.1%
22Kazakhstan23.6%
23St Lucia23.3%
24Macedonia21.9%
World Avg11.5%
q=192.

4. Malta's Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance

#equality #freedom #freethought #gender #gender_equality #homosexuality #human_rights #international_law #mass_media #misogyny #morals #politics #prejudice #religious_tolerance #tolerance #women

Compared to Europe (2020)18
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank18
1Sweden9.0
2Norway14.5
3Denmark14.5
...
20Portugal42.8
21Poland43.0
22Romania44.1
23Malta46.1
24Bulgaria46.3
25Cyprus46.5
26Switzerland49.5
27Hungary52.4
28Latvia52.5
Europe Avg51.4
q=49.
Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance (2020)18
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank18
1Sweden9.0
2Norway14.5
3Denmark14.5
...
31Argentina43.6
32Romania44.1
33S. Korea45.5
34Malta46.1
35Bulgaria46.3
36Cyprus46.5
37USA47.3
38Switzerland49.5
World Avg87.9
q=199.

The best countries in the world at ensuring human rights, fostering equality and promoting tolerance, are Sweden, Norway and Denmark19. These countries are displaying the best traits that humanity has to offer. The worst countries are The Solomon Islands, Somalia and Tuvalu19.

The data sets used to calculate points for each country are statistics on commentary in Human Rights Watch reports, its nominal commitment to Human Rights, speed of uptake of HR treaties, supporting personal, civil & economic freedoms, supporting press freedom, eliminating modern slavery, opposing gender inequality, the rate of gender bias (from 7 indicators), the year from which women could participate in democracy, its success in fighting anti-semitic prejudice, LGBT equality and freethought. The regions with the best average results per country are Scandinavia, Baltic States and Europe19, whereas the worst are Melanesia, Micronesia and Australasia19.

For more, see:

Human Rights & Tolerance:

Human Rights Watch Comments
Higher is better20
Pos.2017
Score20
1=UK9
1=France9
1=Germany9
...
17Portugal5
18=Bulgaria5
18=Spain5
18=Malta5
18=Italy5
18=Slovenia5
18=Austria5
18=Slovakia5
Europe Avg3.5
World Avg-1.9
q=123.
Nominal Commitment to HR
Higher is better21
Pos.2009
Treaties21
1Argentina24
2=Chile23
2=Costa Rica23
...
68Kyrgyzstan18
69=Philippines18
69=Algeria18
69=Malta18
69=Tunisia18
69=Niger18
69=El Salvador18
75Mongolia17
Europe Avg19.5
World Avg15.1
q=194.
HR Treaties Lag
Lower is better22
Pos.2019
Avg Yrs/Treaty22
1Ecuador2.15
2Uruguay2.25
3Tunisia3.65
...
82Lesotho9.44
83Gabon9.47
84Turkey9.48
85Malta9.60
86Luxembourg9.67
87Nigeria9.71
88Vietnam9.72
89Nepal9.76
Europe Avg9.09
World Avg10.02
q=195.
Personal, Civil & Economic Freedom
Lower is better23
Pos.2014
Rank23
1Hong Kong1
2Switzerland2
3New Zealand3
...
13=Norway13
13=Germany13
15Sweden15
16Malta16
17Belgium17
18Czechia18
19Portugal19
20Lithuania20
Europe Avg33.9
World Avg79.7
q=159.
Press Freedom
Lower is better24
Pos.201324
1Finland638
2Netherlands648
3Norway652
...
41Romania2305
42Niger2308
43Trinidad & Tobago2312
44Malta2330
45Burkina Faso2370
46Taiwan2382
47Samoa2384
48Haiti2409
Europe Avg2044
World Avg3249
q=178.

Amnesty International's 2023-23 summary on human rights in Malta stated:

Recommendations of the public inquiry into the killing of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia were not fully implemented. A total ban on abortion remained in place, while parliament discussed a proposal to decriminalize abortion when needed to protect the life or health of a woman from grave jeopardy. Delays in coordinating sea rescue operations of refugees and migrants persisted. The unlawful detention of asylum seekers, including children, continued. Three asylum seekers were still waiting to know whether they would face trial on terrorism-related and other charges for opposing their unlawful pushback to Libya.

"The State of the World's Human Rights 2022/23" by Amnesty International (2023)25

Gender Equality:

Malta is on the way towards ending gender inequality but women are still in an unfavourable position much of the time.

See:

Gender Inequality
Lower is better
26
Pos.201526
1Switzerland0.04
2Denmark0.04
3Netherlands0.04
...
41Latvia0.19
42Kazakhstan0.20
43USA0.20
44Malta0.22
45Bulgaria0.22
46UAE0.23
47Moldova0.23
48Bahrain0.23
Europe Avg0.15
World Avg0.36
q=159.
Year Women Can Vote
Lower is better
Pos.0
Year
1New Zealand1893
2Australia1902
3Finland1906
...
67=Trinidad & Tobago1946
68Singapore1947
69=Pakistan1947
69=Malta1947
69=Argentina1947
72S. Korea1948
73=Israel1948
73=Belgium1948
Europe Avg1895
World Avg1930
q=189.

Prejudice:

LGBT Equality
Higher is better
27
Pos.2017
Score27
1Netherlands103
2Belgium90
3Sweden86
...
13=Mexico70
13=Luxembourg70
15Argentina69
16=Malta63
16=Andorra63
16=New Zealand63
16=Portugal63
20Canada62
Europe Avg46.9
World Avg12.6
q=196.
Freedom of Thought
Lower is better
28
Pos.202128
1=Belgium1.0
1=Netherlands1.0
1=Taiwan1.0
...
70Lithuania2.8
71=Estonia2.8
71=Georgia2.8
71=Malta2.8
71=Jamaica2.8
71=Ireland2.8
71=Nepal2.8
71=Gambia2.8
Europe Avg2.6
World Avg3.0
q=196.

5. Malta's Health

#alcohol #birth_control #demographics #health #life_expectancy #longevity #Malta #mental_health #obesity #overpopulation #parenting #population #smoking #suicide #vaccines

Compared to Europe (2020)29
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank29
1Monaco13.0
2Norway61.0
3=Finland65.3
...
16Belgium77.9
17Armenia78.4
18Cyprus78.6
19Malta78.9
20Slovenia79.9
21Hungary80.9
22=UK81.1
22=Slovakia81.1
24Macedonia82.5
Europe Avg82.5
q=46.
Health (2020)29
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank29
1Monaco13.0
2Hong Kong18.3
3Maldives41.0
...
41Belgium77.9
42Armenia78.4
43Cyprus78.6
44Malta78.9
45Myanmar (Burma)79.1
46India79.6
47Slovenia79.9
48Tunisia80.1
World Avg93.5
q=196.

The countries with the best overall approach to public health, in terms of both public policy and individual lifestyle choices, are Monaco, Hong Kong and The Maldives30. These countries are worth emulating. And, although often through no fault of the average citizen, the worst countries are The Marshall Islands, S. Sudan and Palau30.

The data sets used to calculate points for each country are its average life expectancy, its alcohol consumption rate, its fertility rate, its smoking rate, its suicide rate, its food aid and health contributions and WHO compliance, the prevalence of overweight adults, its adolescent birth rate and its immunizations take-up. The regions with the best average results per country are Scandinavia, Asia and The Mediterranean30, whereas the worst are Micronesia, Australasia and Africa30.

For more, see:

Health:

Malta does relatively well in encouraging good health, compared to many other countries. Malta comes in the best 20 in its average life expectancy12 (amongst the best in Europe) and in its suicide rate31 (one of the lowest in Europe). It does better than average when it comes to its adolescent birth rate26 (but bad for Europe), its immunizations take-up32 and in its food aid and health contributions and WHO compliance33 (but bad for Europe). But, there's bad news too. Malta does worse than average in terms of its fertility rate14 (amongst the highest in Europe), its alcohol consumption rate34 (still good for Europe) and in its smoking rate35 (still low for Europe). The prevalence of overweight adults has increased by 14% over the past 40 years. Life expectancy in Malta in 2015 was the fourth-best in the world, at 83yrs. It achieved this after improving by +7.2yrs in the 30 years from 1990, which was on par with the global average of +7.9yrs.

Life Expectancy
Higher is better
12
Pos.2021
Years12
1Monaco85.9
2Hong Kong85.5
3Japan84.8
4Australia84.5
5Switzerland84.0
6Malta83.8
7S. Korea83.7
8Liechtenstein83.3
9Norway83.2
10Spain83.0
11Sweden83.0
12Italy82.9
Europe Avg78.36
World Avg71.28
q=195.
Alcohol Consumption
Lower is better
34
Pos.2016
Per Capita34
1Bangladesh0.0
2Kuwait0.0
3Libya0.0
...
117Panama7.9
118=Japan8.0
118=Montenegro8.0
120Malta8.1
121=Macedonia8.1
122Burkina Faso8.2
123=St Vincent & Grenadines8.2
123=Dominica8.2
Europe Avg10.3
World Avg6.2
q=189.
Fertility Rate
2.0 is best
14
Pos.201314
1N. Korea2.00
2Brunei1.99
3St Vincent & Grenadines2.01
...
111Saudi Arabia2.67
112Portugal1.31
113Belize2.70
114Malta1.28
115Syria2.81
116Bosnia & Herzegovina1.13
117Paraguay2.87
118Hong Kong1.12
Europe Avg1.61
World Avg2.81
q=180.
Smoking Rates
Lower is better
35
Pos.201435
1Guinea 15
2Solomon Islands 26
3Kiribati 28
...
134Vietnam1 215
135Iraq1 227
136Spain1 265
137Malta1 266
138Philippines1 291
139Indonesia1 322
140Libya1 33336
141Israel1 346
Europe Avg1 648
World Avg 819
q=182.
Suicide Rate31
Pos.2013
Per 100k31
1Haiti0
2Grenada0
3Egypt0.1
...
13St Lucia4.9
14Tajikistan5.2
15Venezuela6.5
16Malta6.9
17Greece7
18Paraguay7.1
19=St Vincent & Grenadines7.3
19=Guatemala7.3
Europe Avg26.99
World Avg20.93
q=91.
Food Aid, Health Contributions & WHO Compliance
Lower is better
33
Pos.2017
Rank33
1Sweden1
2Ireland2
3Denmark3
...
73Egypt73
74=Burundi74
74=Cameroon74
76Malta76
77Guatemala77
78Sri Lanka78
79Poland79
80Uruguay80
Europe Avg47.4
World Avg82.0
q=163.
Overweight Adults
Lower is better37
Pos.2016
%37
1Vietnam18.3
2India19.7
3Bangladesh20.0
...
169Mexico64.9
170New Zealand65.6
171Bahrain65.8
172Malta66.4
173=Turkey66.8
173=Libya66.8
175UAE67.8
176=Lebanon67.9
Europe Avg58.5
World Avg49.0
q=191.

Children's Health:

Adolescent Birth Rate
Lower is better
26
Pos.2015
Per 100026
1N. Korea0.5
2S. Korea1.6
3Switzerland2.9
...
52Mongolia15.7
53Turkmenistan16.4
54Myanmar (Burma)16.5
55Malta16.6
56Kiribati17.2
57Macedonia17.6
58Uzbekistan17.7
59Hungary18.0
Europe Avg14.6
World Avg47.9
q=185.
Infant Immunizations 2011-2015
Higher is better
32
Pos.2015
Avg %32
1=Hungary99.0
1=China99.0
3Uzbekistan98.9
...
58Uruguay95.6
59Bhutan95.6
60Turkey95.5
61Malta95.5
62Botswana95.4
63Gambia95.4
64Cyprus95.3
65Switzerland95.3
Europe Avg92.7
World Avg88.3
q=194.

6. Malta's Responsibility Towards The Environment

#biodiversity #climate_change #deforestation #food #meat #over-exploitation #the_environment #veganism #vegetarianism

Compared to Europe (2023)38
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank38
1Greece50.4
2Italy51.8
3Germany55.8
...
27Belgium82.2
28Ireland82.4
29Ukraine83.2
30=Malta83.5
31Slovenia85.5
32Turkey92.2
33Estonia95.8
34Poland98.0
35Azerbaijan99.3
Europe Avg79.9
q=43.
Responsibility Towards The Environment (2023)38
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank38
1Japan33.2
2Philippines45.0
3Uruguay48.0
...
89Iran82.6
90Ukraine83.2
91Hong Kong83.3
92=Malta83.5
92=Tanzania83.5
92=Sudan83.5
95Bolivia83.8
96Vietnam83.8
World Avg85.7
q=188.
Malta is positioned 92nd in the world regarding its responsibility towards the environment. This rank is calculated from 6 data sets. Malta comes in the best 20 in terms of its environmental performance39 and in energy to GDP efficiency40 (amongst the highest in Europe). It does better than average in terms of the rate of rational beliefs on the environment in the population41 (one of the best in Europe) and in its forested percent change 1990-201542 (but bad for Europe). But, things could still be better. Malta does worse than average for annual meat consumption per person43 (still good for Europe). And finally, it sits amongst the bottom 20 for how quickly it ratified the 1993 Convention on Biological Diversity.

Forest Area Change 1990-2015
Higher is better
42
Pos.2015
%42
1Iceland+205.6
2Bahrain+144.4
3Uruguay+131.3
...
90=S. Africa00.0
90=Kiribati00.0
90=Andorra00.0
90=Malta00.0
90=Saudi Arabia00.0
90=Grenada00.0
90=Oman00.0
90=Bahamas00.0
Europe Avg+15.0
World Avg+02.8
q=184.
Environmental Performance
Higher is better
39
Pos.201839
1Switzerland87.4
2France84.0
3Denmark81.6
4Malta80.9
5Sweden80.5
6UK79.9
7Luxembourg79.1
8Austria79.0
9Ireland78.8
10Finland78.6
11Iceland78.6
12Spain78.4
Europe Avg69.6
World Avg56.4
q=180.
Energy to GDP Efficiency
Higher is better40
Pos.201440
1Hong Kong26.32
2Sri Lanka20.00
3Panama17.86
4=Colombia17.54
4=Ireland17.54
4=Switzerland17.54
7Dominican Rep.16.95
8Mauritius15.63
9=Malta15.15
9=Singapore15.15
11Denmark14.93
12Peru14.49
Europe Avg09.80
World Avg09.29
q=119.
Convention on Biological Diversity
Earlier is better
Pos.0
Signed
1=China1993 Dec 29
1=Guinea1993 Dec 29
1=Cook Islands1993 Dec 29
...
177UAE2000 May 10
178Azerbaijan2000 Nov 01
179Liberia2001 Feb 06
180Malta2001 Mar 29
181Libya2001 Oct 10
182Saudi Arabia2002 Jan 01
183Serbia2002 May 30
184Kuwait2002 Oct 31
Europe Avg1899 Dec 30
World Avg1899 Dec 30
q=197.
Rational Beliefs on the Environment
Higher is better41
Pos.2011
%41
1Argentina78.3%
2Greece77.6%
3Brazil77.1%
...
26Mali60.7%
27Venezuela60.1%
28Morocco60.0%
29Malta57.3%
30Ecuador57.2%
31Portugal55.8%
32Hong Kong54.8%
33Lebanon54.3%
Europe Avg33.6%
World Avg39.9%
q=145.
Meat Consumption
Lower is better
43
Pos.2021
kg43
1Congo, DR03.0
2Burundi03.5
3Bangladesh04.3
...
119Gabon66.3
120Sweden66.9
121Romania67.1
122Malta67.8
123Switzerland68.0
124Micronesia70.4
125Denmark70.5
126Seychelles70.6
Europe Avg71.1
World Avg52.5
q=185.

In the 2010s, meat consumption per person in Malta was well above the global average (of 49kgs per year), putting unnecessary strain on water supplies and the environment.43

7. Malta's Modernity and Learning

#education #english #maths #modernity #research #science #technology #the_internet

Compared to Europe (2020)44
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank44
1Finland8.4
2Switzerland15.1
3Estonia15.8
...
31Liechtenstein47.7
32Romania49.1
33Turkey50.1
34Malta51.6
35Belarus53.2
36Cyprus54.0
37Moldova56.3
38Serbia56.4
39Kosovo57.0
Europe Avg41.2
q=49.
Modernity & Learning (2020)44
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank44
1Finland8.4
2Taiwan10.0
3Switzerland15.1
...
46Malaysia50.2
47Macau50.8
48Chile51.6
49Malta51.6
50S. Africa52.8
51Belarus53.2
52Cyprus54.0
53Barbados54.2
World Avg83.2
q=205.

Modernity and Education:

Research & Development
Higher is better
Pos.2016
% RDP PPP
1S. Korea4.2945
2Israel4.1145
3Japan3.5845
...
35Lithuania0.9546
36Poland0.9445
37=Slovakia0.8945
37=Malta0.8946
39Greece0.8445
40India0.8247
41Croatia0.8146
42Kenya0.7948
Europe Avg1.32
World Avg0.84
q=126.
Secondary Education
Higher is better
49
Pos.201849
1=Luxembourg100.0%
1=Estonia100.0%
1=Austria100.0%
...
63Chile79.3%
64China78.6%
65Belize78.6%
66Malta78.2%
67Fiji76.9%
68S. Africa76.5%
69Spain75.8%
70Samoa74.5%
Europe Avg88.3%
World Avg63.0%
q=169.
Length of Schooling
Higher is better
50
Pos.2021
Years50
1Australia21.1
2New Zealand20.3
3Greece20.0
...
18Hong Kong17.3
19Germany17.0
20Portugal16.9
21Malta16.8
22Uruguay16.8
23Chile16.7
24Costa Rica16.5
25Singapore16.5
Europe Avg16.1
World Avg13.5
q=193.
Intellectual Endeavours
Lower is better
33
Pos.2017
Rank33
1Ukraine1
2Czechia2
3Hungary3
...
59Kenya59
60Egypt60
61Japan61
62Malta62
63Ghana63
64Samoa64
65Jordan65
66Namibia66
Europe Avg31.3
World Avg82.0
q=163.
Maths, Science & Reading
Higher is better
51
Pos.2015
Score51
1Singapore1655
2Hong Kong1598
3Japan1586
...
38Hungary1424
39Israel1416
40Argentina140652
41Malta1391
42Slovakia1389
43Greece1376
44Chile1329
45Bulgaria1319
Europe Avg1417
World Avg1389
q=70.

Technology and Information:

Internet Users
Higher is better
53
Pos.201653
1Iceland100%
2Faroe Islands99%
3Norway98%
...
37Barbados80%
38Hungary80%
39Kuwait80%
40Malta80%
41Chile78%
42Lithuania77%
43Latvia76%
44Lebanon76%
Europe Avg76.7%
World Avg48.1%
q=201.
IPv6 Uptake
Higher is better
54
Pos.2017
Ratio54
1Belgium55.4
2Germany41.8
3Switzerland35.1
...
103=Ghana0.0
103=Yemen0.0
103=Laos0.0
103=Malta0.0
103=Turkmenistan0.0
103=Bangladesh0.0
103=Qatar0.0
103=Kuwait0.0
Europe Avg8.11
World Avg3.82
q=176.

8. National Culture

#charity #corruption #happiness #morals #politics

World Giving Index
Higher is better
55
Pos.2022
%55
1Indonesia68.0
2Kenya61.0
3USA59.0
...
29=Denmark46.0
29=Uganda46.0
31Bahrain45.0
32=Malta45.0
32=Singapore45.0
32=Macedonia45.0
32=Venezuela45.0
32=Norway45.0
Europe Avg39.0
World Avg39.6
q=125.
Corruption
Higher is better
56
Pos.2022
Points56
1Denmark90.0
2=Finland87.0
2=New Zealand87.0
...
52Cyprus52.0
53=Greece52.0
54Rwanda51.0
55=Malta51.0
55=Saudi Arabia51.0
57Croatia50.0
58=Mauritius50.0
59Namibia49.0
Europe Avg57.61
World Avg42.98
q=180.

Thoughout the 2000s, Malta's score on the Corruption Perception Index declined terribly; it was amongst the 10 countries with the worse rise in perceived corruption that decade.

Happiness
Higher is better
57
Pos.2018
Score57
1Finland7.6
2Norway7.6
3Denmark7.6
...
19UK6.8
20UAE6.8
21Czechia6.7
22Malta6.6
23France6.5
24Mexico6.5
25Chile6.5
26Taiwan6.4
Europe Avg6.06
World Avg5.38
q=156.
Creativity & Culture
Lower is better
33
Pos.2017
Rank33
1Belgium1
2Netherlands2
3Estonia3
...
25Canada25
26Italy26
27Mauritius27
28Malta28
29Singapore29
30Spain30
31Romania31
32Costa Rica32
Europe Avg35.0
World Avg82.0
q=163.
Open Trading, Aid & Development
Lower is better
33
Pos.2017
Rank33
1Ireland1
2Denmark2
3Sweden3
...
39Bulgaria39
40Turkey40
41Marshall Islands41
42Malta42
43Morocco43
44Fiji44
45Bosnia & Herzegovina45
46Poland46
Europe Avg42.6
World Avg82.0
q=163.

9. Peace Versus Instability

Peacekeeping & Security
Lower is better
33
Pos.2017
Rank33
1Samoa1
2S. Africa2
3Tunisia3
...
121Kyrgyzstan121
122Guinea122
123Israel123
124Malta124
125Burundi125
126Barbados126
127Chad127
128Montenegro128
Europe Avg84.6
World Avg82.0
q=163.
Refugees & UN Treaties
Lower is better
33
Pos.2017
Rank33
1Austria1
2Germany2
3Netherlands3
4Sweden4
5Malta5
6Australia6
7Norway7
8Finland8
9Denmark9
10Switzerland10
11Canada11
12UK12
Europe Avg37.8
World Avg82.0
q=163.

10. Economic Inequality and Poverty

#capitalism #economics #health #inequality #life_expectancy #social_development

Inequality in Life Expectancy
Lower is better58
Pos.201958
1Iceland2.40
2=Singapore2.50
2=Hong Kong2.50
...
33New Zealand4.30
34Belarus4.40
35=Canada4.60
35=Malta4.60
37Serbia4.90
38Slovakia5.00
39Cuba5.10
40UAE5.20
Europe Avg4.86
World Avg14.59
q=184.
Income Inequality (Gini Coefficient)
Lower is better59
Pos.2017
%59
1Ukraine25.0
2=Belarus25.4
2=Slovenia25.4
...
17Timor-Leste (E. Timor)28.7
18Albania29.0
19Sweden29.2
20Malta29.4
21Iraq29.5
22Hungary30.4
23Austria30.5
24=Sao Tome & Principe30.8
Europe Avg31.5
World Avg38.1
q=152.

11. Religion and Beliefs

#buddhism #christianity #hinduism #islam #judaism

Data from the Pew Forum, a professional polling outfit, states that in 2010 the religious makeup of this country was as follows in the table below60:

Christian97%
Muslim0.2%
Hindu0.2%
Buddhist0.1%
Folk Religion0.1%
Jewish0.1%
Unaffiliated2.5%

The CIA World Factbook has slightly different data, and states simply: Roman Catholic (official) 98%61.

Thankfully, Malta repealed its biased blasphemy laws in 2016 July with Bill 133, although the Catholic Church in Malta campaigned heavily to retain it. Archbishop Charles Sciculna in particular took to Twitter, worried that people would now be free to analyse Catholic beliefs and make fun of them without legal repurcusions. This was a step forwards, but, the Catholic Church is still far too entwined in national infrastructure, and much work still has to be done to allow freedom of belief in a neutral public sphere.

The International Humanist and Ethical Union produced a report in 2012 entitled "Freedom of Thought" (2012)62, in which they document bias and prejudice at the national level that is based on religion, belief and/or lack of belief. Their entry for Malta states:

The constitution and other laws protect freedom of religion or belief. However, Article 2 of the Maltese Constitution states: (1) The religion of Malta is the Roman Catholic Apostolic Religion. (2) The authorities of the Roman Catholic Apostolic Church have the duty and the right to teach which principles are right and which are wrong. (3) Religious teaching of the Roman Catholic Apostolic Faith shall be provided in all state schools as part of compulsory education.

As a result of this state endorsement of a particular religion, one third of all primary and secondary students attend Catholic schools, which the state fully funds as per a 1993 concordat between Malta and the Vatican. Owing to certain historical factors, church schools have over the past thirty years obtained a reputation of being educationally better than state schools. This has led to a reinforcing cycle as more educationally-motivated parents send their children to church schools, leading to these schools obtaining better results (and therefore more funding) than state schools. The number of students attending church schools is increasing as the church embarks on a school building program aided by government funds.

Religion in secondary schools is taught by teachers dedicated to that subject. These teachers have to be given a "Certificate of Suitability" by the local church and there have been instances where these certificates have been revoked due to a teacher not living an "exemplary" life based upon Catholic values. In primary schools, teachers have to teach religion along with other subjects and the church can still object to a teacher regarding suitability though no certificate needs to be given prior to a teacherbeing engaged in teaching primary school.

Although teachers in church schools are paid by the State, they are selected and employed by the church school management. There have been reported instances of teachers not being hired, or else even being fired by church schools, owing to disapproval over their lifestyle. Unfortunately, it is difficult to gain concrete evidence of such instances.

"Freedom of Thought" by IHEU (2012)63

Links:

The EU has acted on behalf of its member states on many occasions to support, foster, fund and encourage human rights protections in every region of the world, with agreement of its member states through the European Parliament. The protections of workers' rights and their harmonisations (which stops companies moving staff to countries with the weakest laws) has had great effect in stopping workforce abuse64. According to Human Rights Watch's comprehensive review for the year 2017, in addition to vocal and public pronouncements on poor human rights records of many countries, the EU has also acted through economic sanctions, political pressure and used other means to incentivize the adoption of human rights protections, even if these measures harm EU trading65. It is to Malta's credit that it supports the EU in these actions.