Malta 

Introduction

The Republic of Malta is a unitary state comprising an archipelago of islands, only three of which – Malta, Gozo and Comino – are inhabited. It has a total land area of 316 sq km1 with a population of 401,880. Most people live in Malta and Gozo. 

Malta has a strong system of lcoal government and ratified the European Charter of Local Self-Government in 1993.

The island of Malta is divided into 54 local councils, and Gozo into 14. The capital, Valletta, has its own city council.  

Local government contributed 1.2 per cent to GDP in 2001. 

Summary

Councils in Malta have direct responsibility for a range of street maintenance, planning and welfare services. They have a central and increasing role in providing citizens with information on public services and their rights. This role will be enhanced as part of the government’s e-government drive to streamline and improve public services. 

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