Since joining the European Union in 2004, and following a series of financial and social reforms, Malta’s resulting growing economic attractiveness has contributed to a significant increase in migration, leading to a more multicultural society. The population grew from 422,509 in 2013 to 550,693 by 2026.
Close to 50 different nationalities are represented in Maltese society, with a wide variety of South American, African and Southeast Asian citizens.
Malta has no legally recognised ethnic, linguistic or religious minorities. However, the rapidly
growing migrant communities and mixed-heritage Maltese are minorities in effect. As noted by Damian Spiteri, with foreign nationals making up 22.2% of the population in 2025, policy plays a crucial role in supporting positive integration in the long-term.
As highlighted by Gellel, Arvanitidou and Rossi in an article for the project ‘Living Together: Towards Understanding Each Other’s Culture’, carried out by the University of Malta, “the increase in the population of foreigners residing in Malta has multiple implications, particularly with regard to the social composition of the community and possibly its effect on social cohesion”.
The State of the Nation survey*, reporting on aspects reflecting the national situation, also noted that between 2022 and 2026 one witnessed a steady decline in positive responses to the question ‘Are you comfortable with the mix of cultures in our society?’ The sustained influx of foreign nationals, both from Europe as well as Third Country Nationals, may contribute to a general sense of unease with growing multiculturalism. Young people aged between 26-35 are the most comfortable cohort with the mix of cultures in Maltese society, although there have been no significant shifts in perception.
Earlier, according to the 2020 Eurobarometer report, 62% of respondents stated that the main issue facing Malta was migration, followed by environment, climate and energy issues (37%), and rising prices and inflation (19%). The lMigrant Integration Policy Index (MIPEX 2025 and 2020) https://mipex.eu/#:~:text=The Migrant Integration Policy Index %28MIPEX%29 is a,integration of migrants in all the countries analysed.reports that the public in Malta has fewer positive attitudes towards immigrants than on average in other European countries.
After a significant improvement in Malta’s integration policies (+5 points) between 2014 and 2019, progress has since stagnated. The country’s halfway favourable approach to integration is reflected in its consistent overall score of 48 on the 100-point MIPEX scale. The score is largely consistent across policy areas ranging from slightly unfavorable to halfway favorable.
Since 2023, Malta has been working on a new integration strategy to replace the first one, which was in effect from 2018 to 2023. In early 2025 Malta launched its second National Integration Strategy and Action Plan (2025–2030), following extensive public consultation in 2023 and building on its 2018–2023 predecessor. The strategy targets all migrants, including third-country nationals, beneficiaries of international protection, and future generations, with measures tailored by gender, age, sexuality, ability, employment status, and family situation. Key reforms include mandatory pre-departure orientation, faster access to services through legal amendments, expansion of the I Belong programme, and the introduction of digital integration tools.
Labour migration reforms initiated in 2025 aim to balance economic needs with worker protections, while broader efforts seek to professionalise integration through upgraded service delivery mechanisms. However, despite ambitious policies and wide consultation, restrictive nationality rules remain a significant barrier to long-term inclusion.
The National Cultural Policy 2021 (NCP 2021) emphasises the principle of the right to culture, stating that culture is “a dynamic force that can help negotiate integration and fight exclusion by engendering wellbeing for strong communities and a resilient cohesive society.” NCP 2021 acknowledges the influence of the UNESCO Declaration on Cultural Diversity and the Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions. NCP 2021 aims to develop more meaningful links between the creative economy and the cultural diversity within Maltese society.
There have been a number of further, recent developments. These include:
The Malta Crafts Foundation took part in the ‘NEXT – Young NEETs shaping EXpectations for the future of Europe’ project. Discussions with the active participation of youths from across the partner countries, namely Bulgaria, Cyprus, Germany, Italy, Latvia, Poland, Portugal, and Malta focused on prejudice and stereotypes, pointing out how unaware we often are of the existence of certain biases we may have formed. The project is co-funded by the EU through the Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values (CERV) programme.
Earlier ,Valletta’s designation as the 2018 European Capital of Culture (ECoC) aimed to enhance community engagement in cultural development, drawing inspiration from the Baukultur concept in the 2018 Davos Declaration.
From the field of international cultural cooperation, Malta’s participation in, and hosting of, a number of networks and meetings, has contributed to implementing policy aimed at fostering a positive context for cultural diversity. Among these are the Cultural Routes as recognised by the Council of Europe. In 2023 Malta joined the Enlarged Partial Agreement and in 2025 closed its presidency of the Council of Europe by hosting sixteen routes at its final policy event.
The first Council of Europe cultural route to be established in Malta, the Phoenicians’ Route, fosters intercultural dialogue in the Mediterranean through tourism, focusing on intangible heritage. It highlights the educational and social aspects of the Route, in Malta, as from 2017. The Route in Malta has collaborated with the Malta Mediterranean Literature Festival organized by Inizjamed, a cultural association dedicated to literature established in the early 2000s, connecting historical intercultural dialogue with contemporary cultural, artistic, and social needs. The same collaboration led to several Creative Europe, Erasmus and other projects focusing on cultural diversity and intercultural dialogue.
The collaboration has extended to the Local Councils Association, representing all localities in Malta and Gozo, the University of Malta and Heritage Malta, to highlight and initiate best practices and future recommendations for intercultural dialogue, European collaboration, and innovation in cultural and tourism activities in Malta.
The other cultural routes present in Malta are the European Route of Ceramics, the Historic Cafés Route, the Saint James Way, the European Route of Megalithic Cultures and the European Route of Ceramics.
The year 2024 saw important developments regarding cultural and intercultural mediators in Malta. With regard to integration needs, the Human Rights Directorate addresses the integration needs that cultural mediators are addressing. Efforts highlight the importance of cultural mediators in helping migrants navigate challenges such as language barriers, socio-cultural differences, and discrimination. A Diploma in Education for Cultural Mediation has been established to train more individuals in this field.
The year 2025 saw Malta preside over the Council of Europe, addressing important elements in the diversity agenda through conferences, exchanges and joint projects.
Regarding healthcare, the Migrant Health Liaison Office has been training cultural mediators to assist in healthcare settings. These mediators help bridge communication gaps between migrants and healthcare providers, ensuring that cultural and linguistic barriers do not hinder access to medical services. The training program includes sessions, role plays, and assessments to prepare mediators for their roles.
Regarding campaigns, the Maltin Bħalek campaign is an online series by MaltaToday media group that features interviews with black and minority ethnic youths in Malta. The series sheds light on the experiences and challenges faced by these young individuals. The series includes interviews with various individuals from different walks of life, such as footballers, singers, nurses, student activists and call centre employees. It has been a powerful initiative that highlights the importance of diversity and the need for greater understanding and acceptance in society.
The Cultural Commission of the Church in Malta, led by the Delegate for Culture, focuses on fostering intercultural dialogue and integration through several key initiatives. These include:
- Interdisciplinary Practice: Collaborating across various fields to create a holistic approach to cultural engagement;
- Interfaith Dialogue: Promoting understanding and cooperation between different religious communities;
- International Reach: Building connections with cultural and religious organizations worldwide;
- Intercultural Exchange: Encouraging the sharing of cultural practices and traditions to enhance mutual understanding
When the Papal visit of Francis I to Malta in 2022, the Cultural Commission worked with civil society and media partners to facilitate programmes for intercultural and interfaith dialogue including cultural and artistic components.
These efforts are part of the Church’s broader mission to engage with the cultural sector and promote a path to beauty within the local context.
Furthermore, there are several notable examples of interfaith expression and dialogue in Malta. These include:
- Interfaith Children’s Dialogue: Organised by the Malta Foundation for the Wellbeing of Society, this initiative creates safe spaces for children and young people from different faiths to come together and discuss how their faith helps them become better people. This programme aims to nurture a culture of dialogue and promote an inclusive society;
- National Interfaith Declaration: In 2019, during World Interfaith Harmony Week, a meeting of all faith leaders in Malta led to the signing of the first national interfaith declaration. This event was organised by Her Excellency Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca, the then President of Malta, to celebrate diversity and harmony between different religions and faith traditions.
* Marmarà, Vincent; Bondì, Lou. 2026, 2025, 2024. L-Istat tan-Nazzjon. Midsea Books
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