Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1546654
CONTINUES FROM PAGE 1 The figures come amid increas- ing concerns over Malta's eco- nomic model which is dependent on an ever-growing population to fuel demand. In February 2026, the Interna- tional Monetary Fund warned that Malta's labour-intensive eco- nomic growth model appears to be approaching its limits "due to infrastructure constraints, pop- ulation density, and tight labour markets, underscoring the need for a strategic pivot toward pro- ductivity-driven expansion." The report stressed that Malta can no longer rely on a contin- ued influx of foreign workers to sustain momentum, noting that the island now faces a population density 15 times greater than the EU average. The population-focused eco- nomic model is consistently blamed for the strain on Malta's infrastructure. Such symptoms are manifest in the increasing number of vehicles on Malta's roads and the summer power cuts that plague localities all over the islands. Such concerns are constantly echoed by countless NGOs and social partners, as the country's population reached 588,254 by the end of 2025. According to central bank sta- tistics published in August, do- mestic consumption remains the major factor behind Malta's GDP growth, as this increased by 4.5% in the first quarter of the year. Despite the yearly rise in the number of foreign workers, Mal- ta's businesses are the most likely in the EU to struggle to recruit workers. Maltese businesses are more likely than any other EU counterpart to recruit workers from outside the bloc. A Eurobarometer survey point to continued pressure on Malta's labour market despite years of economic growth and rising em- ployment. Last July, Prime Minister Robert Abela acknowledged that Malta's population will continue to in- crease in the coming years, but at a slower pace than before. Abela had stated that a yearly increase of some 14,000 people is sustainable if the economy stays strong. 2 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 23 SEPTEMBER 2026 NEWS 35K 30K 25K 20K 15K 10K 5K 0 2024 2025 14596 14596 7548 7548 2599 2599 4690 4690 16289 16289 8095 8095 2856 2856 5453 5453 Employment Education Family Other Reasons for residence permits Source: Eurostat Malta issued 32,693 residence permits for third-country nationals last year Six unregistered monkeys confiscated by Animal Welfare Malta ANIMAL Welfare Malta has confiscated six monkeys which had not been registered, despite an amnesty period during which owners were given an opportu- nity to regularise their status. The confiscated animals are Patas Monkeys and Grivet Monkeys. In 2025, government had an- nounced a period of amnesty, allowing to people with unreg- istered exotic animals to fall in line with the law. "The law is there to be respect- ed," animal welfare parliamen- tary secretary Alicia Bugeja Said stated in a Facebook post on Tuesday. She said the enforcement of animal welfare legislation re- mains a priority for govern- ment, stressing the importance of protecting animals while also safeguarding public safety. Animal Welfare Malta, the Malta Police Force and the En- vironment and Resources Au- thority (ERA) took part in the joint operation. KARL AZZOPARDI kazzopardi@mediatoday.com.mt Six monkeys were confiscated by the Animal Welfare Department India China (incl Hong Kong) Nepal Colombia Philippines 7014 3926 3824 2226 1973 Top 5 nationalities of residence permit recipients Source: Eurostat