Morning Briefing
Malta’s education workforce expands by 1.3%
The number of teaching and non-teaching staff employed in Malta’s formal education sector increased by 1.3% during the 2024–2025 academic year, reaching 20,448, according to figures published by the National Statistics Office. Women accounted for 70.2% of the workforce, although men made up 59.5% of academic staff at tertiary level. Teaching and academic personnel increased by 1.9% to 10,664, while non-teaching staff rose by 0.7% to 9,784. The number of foreign classroom teachers increased by 3.8%, with Maltese nationals continuing to represent the majority of teaching and academic staff across most levels of education. Foreign nationals accounted for 23.9% of tertiary-level teaching and academic staff, rising to 41.5% in private institutions. Teacher aides remained the largest non-teaching category, numbering 5,028, or 51.4% of the total. (The Malta Independent)
OPM says Caruana’s population report was never given to PM Abela
The Office of the Prime Minister has denied that Finance Minister Clyde Caruana ever presented Prime Minister Robert Abela with a report warning of the long-term consequences of Malta’s rapid population growth. An OPM spokesperson revealed that the document was never submitted to Abela or to the Cabinet. Caruana has said he prepared the report in 2018, while heading Jobsplus, after Joseph Muscat asked him to examine the effects of population growth on infrastructure, traffic, healthcare and education. He subsequently warned that Malta’s population could reach 800,000 by 2040 without intervention. Former minister Evarist Bartolo also said the report never reached Cabinet. The OPM maintained that labour market policy must be decided collectively by Cabinet, pointing to the 2024 labour migration policy. It also warned that restricting access to foreign workers could have serious consequences for businesses seeking to expand, while arguing that Malta must avoid employing more workers than its economy requires. (Times of Malta)
Non-EU students face €1,200 in government fees under Budget 2027 proposals
Third-country nationals (TCNs) coming to Malta to study could face at least €1,200 in government fees from next year under proposed changes in the Budget Measures Implementation Bill. The cost of a student residence permit would increase tenfold, from €50 to €500, while renewals would cost €150. Long-stay study visas would also become more expensive, with standard service fees rising from €100 to €300 and extended services from €150 to €400. A new annual infrastructure contribution of €400 would bring the minimum cost to €1,200 for students using the standard visa service and €1,300 for those opting for the extended service. Previously, the combined charges amounted to around €150 and €200 respectively. The measures form part of the Government’s wider efforts to reduce dependence on foreign workers and manage population growth. (The Malta Independent)