VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Malta’s economic growth has slowed, with tourism and consumer confidence remaining strong while the property market weakens and inflation rises, according to the Central Bank of Malta’s latest economic update published on Thursday.

Tourism expenditure increased by 14.9% in August, driven by higher spending per tourist per night, despite shorter stays.

Consumer confidence also remained strong, particularly regarding households’ ability to make major purchases over the coming year. Industrial production and services recorded marginal growth in recent months.

However, business conditions remained below their long-term average, while residential building permits continued to decline following a period of exceptional growth.

Although commercial permits increased in September, residential deeds and promise-of-sale agreements fell, signalling a slowdown in the property market.

Malta’s unemployment rate remained stable at 3.4%, with 1,328 people registered as unemployed in August. This represented an increase of 301 people compared with the same month in 2025.

Meanwhile, inflation rose from 2% in August to 2.4% in September, largely driven by higher food prices, particularly vegetables, and increased service costs. Despite the increase, Malta’s inflation rate remained comfortably below the euro area average, where rising energy prices continued to exert pressure.

– Photo Pexels –
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews