VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Around half of foreign workers in Malta leave the country within three years, according to a new study by the Central Bank.
The analysis shows that departures begin early — 10% leave within the first three months of employment, rising to 19% within six months and nearly one-third by the end of the first year. Only a small minority stay beyond six years.
Third-country nationals (TCNs) tend to remain longer than European Union citizens, though both groups experience high turnover. The study notes that EU nationals benefit from freedom of movement, while many TCNs use Malta as a stepping-stone to the wider European labour market.
Foreign worker inflows surged from under 10,000 in 2012 to about 42,000 in 2023, while exits also climbed sharply, peaking at 23,400 in 2024. Despite strong net migration, the study describes Malta’s foreign population as “highly transient.”
Managers were found to stay the longest, while clerical and service workers leave the soonest. Workers in health, education and administrative roles also tend to remain longer than those in hospitality and manufacturing.
The Central Bank warns that high turnover limits productivity gains, as many workers depart before their experience can benefit employers. It calls for policies that improve retention through social integration, affordable housing and clearer career pathways.
The government’s new labour migration policy — described as a “turning point” — aims to extend stays by easing permit renewals, rewarding training, and discouraging excessive staff turnover. The study concludes that success will depend on effective implementation and adaptability to evolving labour market conditions.
– photo IPA Agency –
(ITALPRESS).
