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Malta is the most densely populated country in the EU and one of the most densely populated countries in the world, with about 1,265 inhabitants per square kilometre (3,000 per square mile). This compares with about 32 per square kilometer (85 per square mile) for the United States. Inhabited since prehistoric times, Malta was first colonized by the Phoenicians. Subsequently, Arabs, Italians, Spanish, French and the British have influenced Maltese life and culture to varying degrees. Most of the foreign community in Malta, predominantly active or retired British nationals and their dependents, is centered on Sliema and surrounding modern suburbs. Roman Catholicism is established by law as the religion of Malta; however, full liberty of conscience and freedom of worship is guaranteed, and a number of faiths have places of worship on the island. Malta has two official languages--Maltese (a Semitic language heavily influenced by Italian) and English. Both languages are compulsory subjects in Maltese primary and secondary schools. The literacy rate has reached 93%, compared to 63% in 1946. Schooling is compulsory until age 16.

A census (held every 10 years) was held in November 2005.

Population: 400,214 (2006 est.)

Age structure:
0-14 years: 17.1% (male 35,264; female 33,368)
15-64 years: 69.1% (male 139,890; female 136,767)
65 years and over: 13.7% (male 23,554; female 31,371) (2006 est.)

Population growth rate: 0.42% (2006 est.)

Birth rate: 10.22 births/1,000 population (2006 est.)

Death rate: 8.1 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.)

Net migration rate: 2.05 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)

Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.75 male(s)/female
total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2006 est.)

Infant mortality rate: 3.86 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 79.01 years
male: 76.83 years
female: 81.31 years (2006 est.)

Total fertility rate: 1.5 children born/woman (2006 est.)

Nationality:
noun: Maltese (singular and plural)
adjective: Maltese

Ethnic groups: Maltese (descendants of ancient Carthaginians and Phoenicians, with strong elements of Italian and other Mediterranean stock)

Religions: Roman Catholic 91%

Languages: Maltese (official), English (official)

Literacy:
definition: age 10 and over can read and write
total population: 92.8%
male: 92%
female: 93.6% (2003 est.)

See also : Maltade:Bevölkerung Maltas

es:Demografía de Malta fr:Démographie de Malte pt:Demografia de Malta ru:Население Мальты