Maltese work nearly 40 years, outpacing EU average as labour market tightens
Eurostat data shows the average Maltese works 39.2 years, above the EU average of 37.5, signalling a tight labour market and longer career spans.
The average Maltese person spends 39.2 years in the workforce, according to fresh Eurostat data. That figure sits nearly two years above the European Union average of 37.5 years recorded in 2025.
The survey tracks expected working life for people aged 15 and over. Malta's number places it comfortably above the EU median, though still below the top performers.
The Netherlands, Sweden, Denmark, and Estonia all exceed 41 years. At the other end of the scale, Romania records the shortest working life at 32.7 years.
Gender gaps persist across the bloc. EU men are expected to work 39.5 years, while women average 35.4 years. The Eurostat figures do not break down the Maltese data by gender.
The EU average has climbed steadily over the past decade. It rose from 35.2 years in 2016 to 35.9 years in 2019, and now stands at 37.5.
For Maltese employers, a longer average working life means a more experienced but potentially more expensive workforce. It also suggests workers are staying in their roles longer, reducing turnover but potentially slowing the inflow of younger talent.
The data also raises questions about pension planning. A longer career span could ease pressure on the state pension system, but it also means workers may expect to contribute for nearly four decades before drawing benefits.
With Malta's labour market already under strain from skills shortages in sectors like iGaming, finance, and tech, the Eurostat figures reinforce the message that businesses must plan for a workforce that works longer, not shorter.