Malta Census: Only 6.3% Of Non-Maltese Residents Are Of African Origin
Results of the 2021 National Statistics Office Census revealed that amongst foreign nationals residing in Malta, just 6.3% were of African Origin.
This figure pales in comparison to the proportion of non-Maltese residents originating in Asia – 22.2%. The proportion of self-identified Arab non-Maltese respondents was 6.0%.
These results may be surprising to some and could show that intolerance of African people in the Maltese isles is as overblown and misdirected as it is xenophobic and racist.
According to a damning Faculty of Social Wellbeing survey of opinions amongst the Maltese population – also conducted in 2021 – 48% of the Maltese population stated that immigrants in Malta are a burden to the country.
This survey was funded through the European Commission and found that more than one-third of respondents said they would consider it “absolutely unacceptable” for an African immigrant to marry a member of their family.
Given that there are actually fairly few residents in Malta who are of African origin, there is arguably fairly little chance of these individuals having to challenge their racist beliefs through a family member’s “unacceptable” nuptials.
The same survey found that the majority – 45.8% – of respondents claimed they would be comfortable if immigrants were to live close to their homes.
The popular perception of Malta’s demographics might be somewhat skewed by the disproportionate concentration of all foreign nationals in three main localities: St Paul’s Bay, Sliema, and Msida.
There is little evidence to support any claims of intentional racial segregation, yet those living in these localities will inevitably be living a different Maltese experience to those elsewhere.
The largest proportion – 58.1% – of non-Maltese nationals residing in Malta self-reported being Caucasian. It would perhaps be interesting to explore whether the Maltese population regards Caucasian and non-Caucasian migrants in Malta to be equally burdensome upon the nation’s resources.
Over the past five years, the proportion of immigrants from Asia has increased more rapidly than any other group. The growing population of Asian residents is unfortunately associated with reports of exploitative business practices which appear to be affecting people of colour disproportionately, across many different industries.
“More than one in five residents is foreign. With 115,449 non-Maltese persons residing in Malta on Census Day, there has been an increase of more than five times the share of foreigners since 2011.”
Malta’s racial demographics are shifting rapidly. It is often difficult for the individual to gauge them accurately. Living in the bubble of our own social position may be keeping us from accessing a comprehensive view of the country around us.
These shifting demographics and the disproportionate concentration of non-Maltese nationals in three key localities may necessitate increased political and cultural efforts aimed toward enhanced social cohesion across racial lines.
Are you surprised by these figures?
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