Malta has the highest population density of any European Union member state.
Recent Eurostat figures put Malta’s density at about 1,817 people per square kilometre, far above the EU average of roughly 110. The Netherlands ranks second at about 530 people per square kilometre, followed by Belgium at about 389. Malta’s position reflects both its small land area and its substantial population.
The country consists chiefly of Malta and Gozo, with the tiny island of Comino also part of the archipelago. Much of the population is concentrated around the main island’s urbanized northeastern districts, especially the harbour region. This makes everyday crowding more noticeable than a national average alone suggests.
Population density is not the same as total population. Luxembourg, Belgium, and the Netherlands can seem plausible because they are densely settled, but all have considerably more land area. Malta’s figures can also change slightly between editions as Eurostat updates population and land-area data.