Longer hours in Malta are often mentioned when discussing the country’s evolving labour market. Over the past decade, Malta has built a reputation as one of the European Union’s fastest-growing economies, with steady employment growth, expanding industries, and one of the lowest unemployment rates in Europe.
Yet beneath these positive indicators lies a contradiction that increasingly attracts attention from economists, policymakers, and workers alike.
People in Malta often work longer hours than many of their European counterparts. At the same time, wages remain relatively modest when compared with much of the European Union, particularly when measured against Western European economies.
This has led some observers to describe Malta’s situation as a labour paradox. A country where employment is plentiful and economic activity remains strong, yet the link between effort and income does not always follow the pattern seen in many wealthier European economies.
Understanding this paradox requires looking at three interconnected elements that shape Malta’s labour market: strong employment performance, relatively long working hours, and wage levels that remain below much of the EU average.
A Labour Market That Continues to Perform
Despite the debate around wages and working conditions, Malta’s labour market remains exceptionally strong.
Over the past decade the country has experienced steady employment growth driven by expansion in sectors such as tourism, financial services, gaming, construction, and professional services. Businesses across these industries continue to recruit actively, creating a labour market where demand for workers remains consistently high.
According to Malta’s National Statistics Office, the activity rate for people aged between 15 and 64 increased from 74.8 percent in 2019 to 81.8 percent in 2024. This reflects both economic growth and structural changes within the labour market, including greater workforce participation and an increasing number of foreign workers entering the economy.
Eurostat data confirms the same trend. Malta recorded one of the highest employment rates in the European Union in 2024, with 83 percent of people aged 20 to 64 in work.
At the same time unemployment remains remarkably low. The NSO reported that Malta’s unemployment rate stood at around 3.2 percent in 2024, significantly below the EU average of roughly 5.9 percent.
A labour market this tight inevitably creates pressure. Employers frequently report difficulties finding staff, and Malta has increasingly relied on foreign workers to sustain economic growth and fill labour shortages, a trend also highlighted in the European Commission’s Country Report on Malta.
The paradox begins when we examine how those jobs translate into working conditions, wages, and everyday living standards.
Working Hours in Malta Compared With Europe
Working hours provide the first part of the picture.
Across the European Union, the average actual working week for people aged 20 to 64 was around 36 hours in 2024 when both full-time and part-time workers are included. Malta’s figures tend to be higher.
Full-time employees typically work slightly above 40 hours per week on average. More importantly, extended working weeks are relatively common. Around 14.6 percent of workers in Malta report working more than 45 hours per week, placing the country among the EU states where longer working hours are more prevalent.
This does not necessarily mean Maltese workers are uniquely overworked. Instead, it reflects the structure of the local economy. Malta relies heavily on service industries, many sectors operate on demanding schedules, and part-time employment remains less common in certain industries compared with northern European countries.
As a result, longer working weeks have become a familiar part of Malta’s economic rhythm. For many households, working additional hours remains one of the most immediate ways to increase income.
Where Is the Demand?
So, when we look closer at Malta’s labour market, a natural question follows: where is the demand actually coming from?
The answer will not surprise many residents of the island. Some sectors appear again and again whenever labour shortages are discussed. Construction tends to lead the list, closely followed by tourism and hospitality, two industries that have become central to Malta’s economic growth.
But the story does not end with cranes and hotels. Healthcare, transport and logistics, financial services, and Malta’s growing tech industry are also facing strong demand for workers, adding further pressure to an already tight labour market.
Minimum Wage Across Europe Where Malta Stands
Wages represent the second piece of Malta’s labour paradox.
Minimum wages across the European Union vary widely. As of 2026, 22 EU member states have a statutory national minimum wage, while countries such as Denmark, Sweden, Austria, Finland, and Italy rely mainly on collective bargaining agreements.
Across the EU, minimum wages range from roughly €620 per month in Bulgaria to more than €2,700 in Luxembourg. Malta sits within the lower-middle group of EU minimum wage levels.
Monthly Minimum Wage in Selected EU Countries (2026)
| Country | Minimum Wage (€ per month) |
|---|---|
| 🇱🇺 Luxembourg | 2704 |
| 🇩🇪 Germany | 2222 |
| 🇳🇱 Netherlands | 2193 |
| 🇮🇪 Ireland | 2146 |
| 🇧🇪 Belgium | 2112 |
| 🇫🇷 France | 1801 |
| 🇪🇸 Spain | 1323 |
| 🇸🇮 Slovenia | 1278 |
| 🇨🇾 Cyprus | 1088 |
| 🇭🇷 Croatia | 1050 |
| 🇬🇷 Greece | 1026 |
| 🇲🇹 Malta | 994 |
| 🇨🇿 Czech Republic | 922 |
| 🇪🇪 Estonia | 886 |
| 🇭🇺 Hungary | 844 |
| 🇷🇴 Romania | 814 |
| 🇱🇻 Latvia | 700 |
| 🇧🇬 Bulgaria | 620 |
This comparison illustrates the gap clearly. Malta is not among the lowest-wage countries in the EU, but it remains well below many Western European economies where minimum wages are considerably higher.
For people considering relocation to Malta, this difference between nominal wages and purchasing power becomes an important factor when evaluating income expectations.
Average Earnings Tell a Similar Story
Minimum wage figures provide only one perspective. Average earnings tell a similar story.
Labour market data from EURES shows that the gross average monthly salary in Malta was approximately €2,269 in 2023. By comparison, the EU average stood at around €3,417.
Net earnings reveal a similar gap. Average take-home pay in Malta was estimated at roughly €1,705 per month compared with about €2,351 across the European Union.
Although wages in Malta have gradually increased over recent years, they have not grown at the same pace as in many other EU countries.
Taken together, these figures highlight the heart of Malta’s labour paradox. Employment is strong and workers often put in longer hours, yet income levels still lag behind much of the European Union.
Cost of Living The Missing Piece of the Puzzle
When discussing wages and working hours, another important factor cannot be ignored: the cost of living.
Over the past decade, Malta has experienced significant increases in housing prices and rental costs. Demand for accommodation has grown rapidly as the population expanded and more foreign workers moved to the island.
For many residents, rent has become the single largest monthly expense. In central areas such as Sliema, St Julian’s, or Gżira, a one-bedroom apartment can easily exceed €1,000 per month, while larger apartments in popular locations often range between €1,400 and €2,000 or more depending on size and location.
At the same time, everyday expenses such as groceries, utilities, and services have also increased as Malta’s economy expanded and inflation affected much of Europe. This is where Malta’s labour paradox becomes more visible. Workers may be employed and earning a steady income, but rising living costs can quickly absorb a large portion of those earnings. As a result, many households rely on longer working hours simply to maintain their standard of living.
For expatriates considering Malta as a place to live and work, understanding this balance between wages and living costs is essential.
Longer Hours in Malta: A Key Part of the Labour Market Debate
The discussion about Malta’s labour market increasingly extends beyond wages to include working hours and quality of life. In 2025 the issue gained political attention when Opposition Leader Alex Borg raised concerns about Malta’s long working culture during policy discussions on the future of work.
Borg suggested exploring pilot projects for a four-day working week, particularly within the public sector, arguing that Malta should focus more on productivity per hour rather than relying solely on longer working weeks.
The proposal quickly sparked debate. Employer organisations such as the Malta Employers’ Association warned that a shorter working week could prove difficult to implement in a labour market already facing labour shortages. The Malta Chamber of Commerce also raised concerns about competitiveness in sectors that rely heavily on shift work, including hospitality, manufacturing, and healthcare.
Although no policy changes have followed, the discussion has highlighted an important question within Malta’s evolving labour market:
Should economic growth continue to rely on longer working hours, or should the focus shift toward productivity and improved work-life balance?
The Real Question for Malta’s Labour Market
When rising living costs are added to the equation, the paradox becomes easier to understand. Strong employment keeps the economy moving, but it also creates a labour market where longer hours are often the quickest way to maintain income rather than increase productivity.
In other words, Malta’s economy has been very successful at creating work. The challenge now is ensuring that work becomes more productive and better rewarded.
For expatriates considering Malta as a place to live and work, the picture is therefore nuanced. Opportunities are plentiful and demand for workers remains strong, but understanding how wages, working hours, and living costs interact is essential when evaluating the island’s labour market.
The real question for Malta’s labour market is simple: should growth rely on longer working weeks, or on better-paid productivity?
Note from Expatax Malta
At Expatax Malta, we regularly analyse economic trends, tax developments, and regulatory changes that affect expatriates, entrepreneurs, and professionals living and working in Malta.
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