Tech, logistics and industry shape Malta’s employment landscape

Foreign-controlled enterprises accounted for a relatively small share of employment in Malta's non-financial business economy in 2024 but continued to account for a substantial share of economic output, according to the latest figures from the National Statistics Office (NSO).

The data shows notable differences in the distribution of employment between locally controlled and foreign-controlled enterprises, particularly across different activity domains.

Among locally controlled enterprises, technological solutions, professional and business support activities accounted for the largest share of total employment, at 21.6 per cent.

This domain covers information and communication, professional, scientific and technical activities, and administrative and support services. These include activities such as publishing, software-related services, legal and management activities, renting and leasing, broadcasting and call centres.

The second-largest share among resident-controlled enterprises came from mobility, logistics and hospitality service activities, which accounted for 18.4 per cent of total employment.

This domain covers transport and storage, accommodation and food services, and real estate activities.

Among foreign-controlled enterprises, technological solutions, professional and business support activities accounted for 6.3 per cent of total employment, making it the largest foreign-controlled activity in the overall employment breakdown shown by the NSO.

The chart also shows that industry accounted for around 4.2 per cent of total employment among foreign-controlled enterprises, compared with 7.3 per cent among locally-controlled enterprises.

Industry covers mining and quarrying, manufacturing, electricity and gas supply, and water supply, sewerage, waste management and remediation activities.

Employee benefits expense also increased significantly in 2024, rising by €659.2 million to €6.33 billion.

Foreign-controlled enterprises recorded an 8.0 per cent increase in employee benefits expense, despite a 1.1 per cent decline in employment. Overall employment increased by 5.8 per cent, with employment among locally controlled enterprises rising by 7.4 per cent.

The employee benefits data show technological solutions, professional and business support activities as the largest category among both ownership groups. Among foreign-controlled enterprises, gambling and betting activities also accounted for a notable share of employee benefits expense.

Despite accounting for just 2.6 per cent of business units in Malta's non-financial business economy, foreign-controlled enterprises accounted for 62.0 per cent of total value of output in 2024.