Residential building permits surge by 43% in Q2 2025

During the second quarter of 2025, a total of 3,027 new dwellings were approved, representing a 42.9 per cent increase compared to the same period in 2024, according to figures released by the National Statistics Office (NSO).

A total of 598 building permits were issued, marking a 40 per cent year-on-year rise, with each permit averaging just over five dwellings.

Apartments dominate approvals

Apartments continued to account for the lion’s share of new developments, making up 70.6 per cent (2,138 units) of all approved dwellings. These were followed by penthouses (453), maisonettes (296), terraced houses (91), and other residential units such as villas, farmhouses and bungalows (49).

The Northern Harbour district registered the highest number of approvals with 751 new dwellings, while the Southern Harbour district recorded the lowest at 401. Year-on-year, approvals in Malta surged by 51 per cent, while Gozo and Comino registered a modest seven per cent increase.

The Western district saw the sharpest growth at 123 per cent, more than doubling its approved dwellings compared to Q2 2024.

Localities leading development

At the locality level, San Pawl il-Baħar topped the list with 321 new dwellings approved, followed by L-Imsida (183), Fgura (164), Rabat (Gozo) (141), and Żebbuġ (Malta) (137).

Other localities with notable activity included Żabbar (124), Għaxaq (108), and Mosta (103).

These figures signal continued momentum in Malta’s construction sector, with strong growth in residential development across most regions. While apartment building remains the dominant trend, the data suggests increased diversification across housing types.