Maltese economy forecast to grow by 3.8% this year
Malta’s economy is expected to remain resilient, with GDP projected to grow by 3.8% in 2026, according to the Central Bank’s latest forecasts.Growth is expected to be driven largely by strong private consumption, while the forecast for 2026 has been revised up by 0.1 percentage points. Inflation is expected to ease to 2.2% this year, down from 2.4% in 2025, partly reflecting lower food inflation. It may rise slightly in 2027 amid geopolitical tensions and Middle East supply disruptions before returning to 2.2% by 2028. The government deficit is forecast to narrow from 2.2% of GDP in 2026 to 1.6% in 2028, while debt is expected to fall to 44.2% of GDP. Risks remain linked to the Middle East conflict, supply pressures and energy support measures. (TVM News)
More than 3,100 new homes approved in three months
A total of 3,126 new dwellings were approved during the second quarter of 2026, an increase of 3.3% compared with the same period last year, according to the National Statistics Office. The 539 building permits issued during the quarter represented a 9.9% drop year-on-year, meaning that more homes were approved on average under each permit. The average stood at 5.8 dwellings per permit. Apartments continued to dominate residential development, accounting for 2,253 of all approved dwellings, or 72.1% of the total. They were followed by 464 penthouses, 295 maisonettes and 93 terraced houses, while 21 other residential units were also approved. (The Malta Independent)
Refurbished Ta’ Qali animal hospital to train future vets
The refurbished Ta’ Qali animal hospital will soon begin serving as a clinical training centre for students enrolled in Malta’s new veterinary programmes at MCAST. Education Minister Byron Camilleri visited the facility as final preparations continue ahead of the next academic year. Students following a Master of Science in Veterinary Medicine and a Bachelor of Science in Animal Management and Veterinary Nursing will receive practical training at the hospital, which will also operate as an animal care facility. Camilleri said the investment would give students hands-on experience ranging from diagnostic procedures to surgical interventions. The development forms part of wider efforts to establish veterinary education in Malta. MCAST has also worked with the University of Barcelona, with the first group of Maltese students already completing a month of clinical training there. (Times of Malta)
