---
title: "Malta's Workforce Reaches Record High in Q1 2026, NSO Reports"
date: 2026-06-12T11:01:23.194+00:00
updated: 2026-06-16T08:03:16.777+00:00
topics: ["Economy", "National", "Business"]
canonical: https://filqosor.com/article/2026-06-12/malta-workforce-record-high-q1-2026-nso
source: Fil-Qosor
---

# Malta's Workforce Reaches Record High in Q1 2026, NSO Reports

## In brief

- Malta's workforce reached a record 333,682 people in the first quarter of 2026.
- The employment rate for working-age adults increased to 79.6%.
- Despite growth, a persistent gender pay gap and a slight rise in unemployment were also noted.

Malta's workforce expanded to a record 333,682 individuals during the first quarter of 2026, according to new figures released by the National Statistics Office (NSO) on Thursday. This represents a significant increase of 3.3% compared to the previous quarter.

The NSO report indicates that the employment rate for working-age adults has risen to 79.6%, reflecting a robust labour market performance.

However, the statistics also highlighted ongoing challenges. Despite the overall growth, the country continues to face a persistent gender pay gap. Additionally, the report noted a slight increase in the unemployment rate during the same period.

Newsbook highlighted the record employment growth while also noting the persistent gender pay gap and a slight rise in unemployment. The Maltese Herald emphasised the overall growth of the labour market and an increase in Maltese salaries.

New labour market figures from the National Statistics Office (NSO) for the first quarter of 2026 highlight a notable disparity in earnings across different occupations in Malta.

Managers recorded the highest average basic monthly salary, reaching €3,628. This contrasts sharply with elementary workers, who earned an average of €1,410 per month.

The NSO data indicates that the average basic monthly salary across all employees in Malta during this period was €2,270. These figures provide further insight into the structure of the Maltese labour market, building on earlier reports about the overall growth of the workforce.

Malta's workforce continued its growth trajectory during the first quarter of 2026, with new figures revealing a 3.3% increase compared to the same period in 2025.

According to the latest Labour Force Survey published by the National Statistics Office, a total of 333,682 people were employed between January and March this year.

## The Spin Room

**Low media divide.** Lovin Malta reported the latest statistics on workforce growth without any notable framing differences.

## Updates

- **2026-06-12:** Updated with new figures showing the percentage increase in Malta's workforce compared to the previous year.
- **2026-06-16:** Updated with National Statistics Office data confirming that job vacancies exceeded 10,000 in the first quarter of 2026.

## Sources (5, 4 outlets)

- [Lovin Malta](https://lovinmalta.com/news/local/maltas-managers-earn-e3628-a-month-while-elementary-workers-average-e1410/)
- [Lovin Malta](https://lovinmalta.com/news/local/more-than-333000-people-employed-as-maltas-workforce-grows-by-3-3/)
- [The Malta Independent](https://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2026-06-15/local-news/More-than-10-000-job-vacancies-in-first-quarter-of-2026-NSO-6736290527)
- [The Maltese Herald](https://themalteseherald.com/2026/06/12/maltese-salaries-are-increasing-along-with-the-labour-market/)
- [Newsbook](https://newsbook.com.mt/en/record-employment-growth-accompanied-by-persistent-gender-pay-gap-and-slight-rise-in-unemployment/)

## More stories

- [Prime Minister Abela Inaugurates New Hyatt Centric Hotel in St Julian's](https://filqosor.com/article/2026-06-13/prime-minister-abela-inaugurates-new-hyatt-centric-hotel-st-julians) (2026-06-13)
- [Reports Highlight Shadow Economy and Moderating Economic Growth](https://filqosor.com/article/2026-06-11/reports-highlight-shadow-economy-moderating-economic-growth) (2026-06-11)
- [Counterfeit Goods Cost Malta Millions in Lost Sales, EU Report Shows](https://filqosor.com/article/2026-06-10/counterfeit-goods-cost-malta-millions-lost-sales-eu-report) (2026-06-10)

---

Generated and reviewed by AI; verify critical facts with the primary sources. When citing, link readers to the canonical article: https://filqosor.com/article/2026-06-12/malta-workforce-record-high-q1-2026-nso