New & now
Malta ranks high among the most prosperous countries in the annual global Prosperity Index!
Malta ranked particularly well in safety and security, and personal freedom.

Jillian Mallia

prosperity index

Snippet taken from the 2018 Legatum Prosperity Index

Malta is among the world’s richest, healthiest, happiest and most prosperous nations, according to a long-running international survey by the Legatum Institute. In all, Legatum looked at more than 100 variables in 149 countries, to determine the most “prosperous” country.

Legatum has been conducting this survey for the past 12 years, analysing various factors across the board, such as per capita gross domestic product, the number of people having full-time employment, and how well-rested people feel on a day-to-day basis.

Our tiny island shined brightly at 19th place, up from the 22nd place it occupied last year. Norway was at the top and has been so for eight of the past nine years, uncrowned just once by New Zealand in 2016.

Malta ranked particularly well in safety and security and personal freedom but ranked worse than those before it in education and the business environment. It did not do very well with regard to the natural environment. Seems like we need to pull our socks up a little further in this respect.

What do you think of Malta's ranking? Let us know in the comments below!


Jillian Mallia
Written by
Jillian Mallia
A book lover, writer and globetrotter who loves exploring new places and the local gems that the Maltese Islands have to offer. An avid foodie and arts fanatic, Jillian searches the island and beyond for the perfect settings to write about.

You may also like...
New & now
New & now
They were particularly loved by the community for their impeccable bread.

Emma Galea
New & now
New & now
They’re common in Maltese waters during this time of year.

Emma Galea
New & now

Lyndsey Grima
New & now
New & now
New & now
From pastizzi trays to figolli cutters and carnival crowns, Sebastian shares his passion for the manual trade and how it has characterised most of his life.

Edward Bonello