Malta: cost of living

How expensive is Malta compared with the EU?

Prices for household consumption in Malta were 93.1% of the EU average in 2024, according to the price level index for actual individual consumption from Eurostat. For GDP as a whole the index was 91.0.

Price levels vary by category. Food and non-alcoholic drinks were at 112.2, clothing and footwear at 101.5, transport at 82.6 and housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels at 80.1. Education was at 130.2. The index compares prices only, not incomes, so a lower price level does not by itself mean living costs are easier to meet.

Official sources: Eurostat: price level indices, Malta, 2024

How expensive is food in Malta?

Food and non-alcoholic drinks in Malta cost 112.2% of the EU average in 2024, according to the price level index from Eurostat. Milk, cheese and eggs were at 123.5, oils and fats at 130.5, fruit, vegetables and potatoes at 113.8, bread and cereals at 104.4, and meat at 98.4.

Food prices were rising slowly in 2026: the food and non-alcoholic drinks index was 1.6% higher in August 2026 than a year earlier, according to the harmonised index of consumer prices from Eurostat. The price level index compares prices across countries, while the inflation rate shows the change over time.

Official sources: Eurostat: price level indices, Malta, 2024 · Eurostat: HICP selected items, Malta

How expensive are restaurants in Malta?

Restaurants and hotels in Malta cost 88.7% of the EU average in 2024, according to the price level index from Eurostat. Alcoholic drinks were at 125.3.

Prices at restaurants, cafés and other food and drink outlets were rising faster than prices overall: they were 4.2% higher in August 2026 than a year earlier, after 4.8% in July, according to the harmonised index of consumer prices from Eurostat. Overall consumer prices rose 2.0% in August. The price level index is an average for the country and covers both restaurants and accommodation.

Official sources: Eurostat: price level indices, Malta, 2024 · Eurostat: HICP selected items, Malta

How much does electricity cost in Malta?

Households in Malta paid an average of EUR 0.1268 per kWh for electricity in the first half of 2026, including taxes, a provisional figure from Eurostat. In the second half of 2025 the price was EUR 0.1296.

The figure is for households using 2,500 to 4,999 kWh a year, the band Eurostat uses for comparisons between countries. Electricity prices in the consumer price index were unchanged from a year earlier in July and August 2026, according to Eurostat. In 2024, electricity, gas and other fuels cost 60.1% of the EU average, according to the price level index.

Official sources: Eurostat: HICP selected items, Malta · Eurostat: price level indices, Malta, 2024

How fast are prices rising in Malta?

2.4%: that is consumer price inflation in Malta for 2025, according to the IMF. Since 2005 it has ranged from 0.3% (2014) to 6.2% (2022). Across Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan the middle value was 1.9%, and Malta placed 7th highest of 18. World rank, highest first: 97th of 165.

How much do people in Malta spend?

The World Bank puts household consumption per person in Malta at $16,546 in 2025. No year since 2005 has been higher. It is 2nd highest of 11 in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, where the median is $2,629. World rank, highest first: 23rd of 124.

How many people in Malta live on under $3 a day?

The World Bank puts the share of people living on less than $3.00 a day in Malta at 0.4% in 2023. Since 2006 it has ranged from 0.0% (2013) to 0.5% (2006). World rank, highest first: 38th of 59.

What share of Malta lives below the poverty line?

According to the World Bank, the share of people below the national poverty line in Malta was 16.7% in 2021. Since 2005 it has ranged from 14.2% (2005) to 17.1% (2018). Worldwide: 44th of 72.

What is Malta's Gini coefficient?

The latest figure from the World Bank, for 2023, is 31.8. Its high point since 2006 was 2022, at 34.6; its low point was 2006, at 28.0. Worldwide: 37th of 59.

How many people in Malta face food insecurity?

The latest figure from the FAO, for 2024, is 9.0%. Its high point since 2015 was 2023, at 9.2%; its low point was 2018, at 4.3%. Across Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan the middle value was 24.2%, and Malta placed 11th highest of 13. Of 135 countries with 2024 data, 100th highest.