Malta Unemployment Rate Rises to 3.4% in Q4

The unemployment rate in Malta rose to 3.4% in the fourth quarter of 2025 from a revised 3.1% in the same period last year. The number of unemployed individuals increased by 1,387 to 11,544, while the number of inactive persons grew by 2,699 to 165,967. Women accounted for 58.3% of the total inactive population, with those aged over 65 representing the largest share. The main reason for inactivity was people reaching retirement age or opting for early retirement (43.7%). Meanwhile, the employment rate edged up to 79.8% from 79.7%, with the number of employed persons rising by 9,465 to 330,614. The activity rate for the quarter also went up to 82.7% from 82.2% a year earlier, with the highest participation recorded among those aged 25 to 54 (91.9%).

The unemployment rate in Malta dropped to 2.7% in the third quarter of 2025 from a revised 3.2% in the same period last year. The number of unemployed individuals decreased by 1,005 to 9,434, while the number of inactive persons declined by 2,352 to 158,304. Women accounted for 58.6% of the total inactive population, and those aged over 65 made up the highest share of inactive persons. The main reason for inactivity relates to persons reaching retirement age or taking up early retirement (42.8%). Meanwhile, the employment rate rose to 81.6% from 80%, with the number of employed persons increasing by 15,598 to 337,234. The activity rate for the quarter went up to 84% from 82.7% a year earlier, with the highest rate recorded among persons aged 25 to 54 (92.8%).

The unemployment rate in Malta fell to 2.9% in the second quarter of 2025 from 3.2% in the corresponding period of the previous year. The number of unemployed individuals declined by 404 year-on-year to 9,978, while the number of inactive persons dropped by 749 to 163,517. Meanwhile, the employment rate rose to 79.9% from 78.5% in the second quarter of 2025, as the number of employed persons increased by 14,187 to 329,334. The activity rate for the quarter rose to 82.3%, compared to 81.1% a year earlier, with the highest rate recorded among individuals aged 25 to 54 (91.7%).