@Malta:Economy
Economy-overview: Significant resources are limestone, a favorable geographic location, and a productive labor force. Malta produces only about 20% of its food needs, has limited freshwater supplies, and has no domestic energy sources. The economy is dependent on foreign trade, manufacturing (especially electronics and textiles), and tourism; the state-owned Malta drydocks employs about 3,800 people. In 1996, approximately 1 million tourists visited the island. Per capita GDP of $12,900 places Malta in the range of the less affluent EU countries. The island is divided politically over the question of joining the EU.
GDP: purchasing power parity-$4.9 billion (1997 est.)
GDP-real growth rate: 2.8% (1997 est.)
GDP-per capita: purchasing power parity-$12,900 (1997 est.)
GDP-composition by sector: agriculture: 5% industry: 34% services: 61% (1995 est.)
Inflation rate-consumer price index: 2.3% (1996)
Labor force: total: 148,085 (September 1996) by occupation: public services 34%, other services 32%, manufacturing and construction 22%, agriculture 2% (1996)
Unemployment rate: 3.7% (September 1996)
Budget: revenues: $1.3 billion expenditures: $1.5 billion, including capital expenditures of $219 million (1997 est.)