Overall home ownership stood at ~68% in 2024 (down from 74.7% in 2023). The 82% figure likely uses a restricted denominator.
Full analysis
The claim in context
At a national housing conference, the Prime Minister disputed the claim that Maltese residents are being priced out of property, asserting that home ownership in Malta and Gozo had reached 82% — "the highest to date." The figure was cited in the context of defending the government's record on housing affordability.
What the published data shows
The most recent EU-SILC release, alongside Tradingeconomics' index of Maltese ownership statistics, puts the actual rate around 68% in 2024 — a significant drop from 74.7% in 2023.
The 82% figure does not appear in any standard published series. The most plausible explanation is methodological — perhaps Maltese-headed households only, perhaps excluding short-term residents, perhaps using a non-SILC measure. Without that disclosure the headline number is misleading by 14 points.
Bottom line
Standard ownership measures put Malta's rate at around 68% and falling. The 82% figure either comes from a restricted denominator that was not disclosed or from a non-standard methodology. Either way, presented as a "Malta and Gozo" headline statistic, it overstates current ownership.
Sources
- NSO Malta — EU-SILC 2024 Salient Indicators nso.gov.mt
- Newsbook — Malta housing costs soar newsbook.com.mt