9 answers, 3 from Malta's own official bodies, with a link to each figure.
Malta's government spent 4.7% of GDP on education in 2024, according to Eurostat.
The figure covers general government spending on education at all levels, classified by function under the international COFOG system. It includes pre-primary, primary, secondary and tertiary education and related services. It does not include private spending by households, such as fees for private schools. Because it is a share of GDP, the ratio can fall when the economy grows quickly even if spending in euros rises. Malta's real GDP grew 5.3% in 2024, according to Eurostat.
8.6% of people aged 18 to 24 in Malta were early leavers from education and training in 2025, according to Eurostat, down from 9.5% in 2024.
Early leavers are young people who have completed at most lower secondary education and are not in any further education or training. The EU has a target of reducing the share below 9% by 2030, and Malta's 2025 figure is below that level. The data come from the EU Labour Force Survey, so they are estimates based on a sample.
37.7% of people aged 25 to 64 in Malta had completed tertiary education in 2025, according to Eurostat. 32.3% had upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education as their highest level, and 30.1% had at most lower secondary education.
Younger adults are more likely to have degrees: 47.7% of people aged 25 to 34 had tertiary education in 2025, up from 47.1% in 2024, according to Eurostat. The data come from the EU Labour Force Survey and refer to people in private households.
The figures below use one definition for every country, so they can differ from national figures.
According to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics, net primary school enrolment in Malta was 99.5% in 2017. Since 2011 it has ranged from 98.5% (2016) to 99.8% (2012). Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan median: 95.2%; Malta is 2nd highest of 15. Worldwide: 7th of 134.
According to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics, gross secondary school enrolment in Malta was 103.0% in 2023. Its high point since 2005 was 2010, at 105.1%; its low point was 2016, at 92.2%. Across Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan the middle value was 89.9%, and Malta placed 2nd highest of 14. Of 138 countries with 2023 data, 38th highest.
In 2023, gross tertiary enrolment in Malta was 80.5%, according to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics. That is the highest since at least 2005. Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan median: 50.9%; Malta is 1st highest of 12. World rank, highest first: 21st of 120.
In 2022, government spending on education in Malta was 4.7% of GDP, according to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Since 2007 it has ranged from 4.3% of GDP (2017) to 7.6% of GDP (2011). Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan median: 4.5% of GDP; Malta is 6th highest of 12. World rank, highest first: 57th of 155.
According to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics, the number of primary pupils per teacher in Malta was 13 in 2017. Its high point since 2005 was 2005, at 18; its low point was 2012, at 11. Across Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan the middle value was 19, and Malta placed 10th highest of 16. World rank, highest first: 98th of 130.
The latest figure from the UNESCO Institute for Statistics, for 2023, is 97.1%. Since 2005 it has ranged from 95.6% (2009) to 102.7% (2005). Across Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan the middle value was 95.4%, and Malta placed 6th highest of 14. Worldwide: 57th of 131.
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