Total waste generation in Malta
Malta: Total waste generation was 3,733 tonnes in 2022. ◆ Volatile
Total waste generation in Malta, 2004–2022
Source: United Nations Statistics Division and United Nations Environment Programme – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in tonnes.
Analysis
The most recent figure for total waste generation in Malta is 3,733 tonnes, measured in 2022.
The figure is down 68.5% on the previous year and up 37.8% over ten years.
Over the whole period, total waste generation in Malta peaked at 12,292 tonnes in 2018 and was at its lowest, 7 tonnes, in 2006.
That places Malta 51st out of 62 countries with data for 2022, putting it in the bottom quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Total waste generation in Malta, year by year
| Year | tonnes | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 36 tonnes | — |
| 2006 | 7 tonnes | -80.6% |
| 2008 | 2,667 tonnes | +38000.0% |
| 2010 | 2,887 tonnes | +8.2% |
| 2012 | 2,709 tonnes | -6.2% |
| 2014 | 3,018 tonnes | +11.4% |
| 2016 | 10,565 tonnes | +250.1% |
| 2018 | 12,292 tonnes | +16.3% |
| 2020 | 11,851 tonnes | -3.6% |
| 2022 | 3,733 tonnes | -68.5% |
Malta compared with similar countries
- Malta's 3,733 tonnes is below the median for high income countries, which is 293,977 tonnes, 1% of the median. (39 countries reporting)
- Malta's 3,733 tonnes is below the median for Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, which is 445,212 tonnes, 1% of the median. (6 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 903.33 tonnes | 7 tonnes | 2,667 tonnes | 3 |
| 2010s | 6,294 tonnes | 2,709 tonnes | 12,292 tonnes | 5 |
| 2020s | 7,792 tonnes | 3,733 tonnes | 11,851 tonnes | 2 |
Countries ranked near Malta
More environment data for Malta
- Historical exposure to drought — Land soil moisture anomaly -1.15 Percentage change (2025)
- Historical exposure to drought — Cropland soil moisture anomaly -1.15 Percentage change (2025)
- Standard Deviation, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Standard Deviation 0.365 °C (2025)
- Temperature change 2.16 °C (2025)
- Total greenhouse gas emissions excluding LULUCF (Mt CO2e), annual 0.8269 % change on previous year (2024)
- Total greenhouse gas emissions excluding LULUCF (Mt CO2e), per unit 0 Mt CO2e per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Total greenhouse gas emissions excluding LULUCF (Mt CO2e), per capita 0 Mt CO2e per person (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Agriculture (Mt CO2e), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Agriculture (Mt CO2e), per unit of GDP 0 Mt CO2e per US$ of GDP (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is total waste generation in Malta?
- Total waste generation in Malta was 3,733 tonnes in 2022, according to United Nations Statistics Division and United Nations Environment Programme – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest total waste generation recorded in Malta?
- The highest recorded value was 12,292 tonnes in 2018.
- What is the lowest total waste generation recorded in Malta?
- The lowest recorded value was 7 tonnes in 2006.
- How does Malta rank for total waste generation?
- Malta ranks 51st out of 62 countries with data for 2022.
- Is total waste generation rising or falling in Malta?
- Over the last ten years it is up 37.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Malta data come from?
- The figures come from United Nations Statistics Division and United Nations Environment Programme – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Total waste generation. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 10 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
Total waste generation, by activity (Tonnes).