The Maltese Diaspora
With migration from the Maltese Islands being so rife post WW2, the Maltese diaspora has become quite vast. Estimating the exact population size of the Maltese diaspora has always been a challenge. In round figures it is estimated that there are about 120,000 first generation and 300,000 second and third generation Maltese living overseas, making a total diaspora population of about 420,000, as large as the population of the Maltese Islands.
The main host countries are Australia, Canada, USA, UK and NZ. The biggest Maltese community outside Malta is in Australia, with the State of Victoria having the largest number of Maltese. The State of New South Wales comes in a close second.
In the United States of America, the largest Maltese communities can be found in Detroit, New York and San Francisco.
There are various definitions for Maltese living outside of the Maltese Islands.
- Maltese migrants to Australia or Maltese Australians are Maltese born migrants, known also as first generation Maltese.
- Second Generation and subsequent generations of Maltese born migrants in Australia are considered as Australians of Maltese descent
- Maltese migrants to the USA or Maltese Americans are Maltese born migrants.
- Second Generation and subsequent generations of Maltese born migrants in USA are considered as Americans of Maltese descent
The majority of Maltese born migrants maintain strong political ties with Malta.
Following the Convention for Maltese Living Abroad in 2010, the Federation of Maltese Living Abroad (FMLA) was formally established, with representatives from various countries.
In 2011, the Council for Maltese Living Abroad was set up. The Council for Maltese Living Abroad is made up of representatives of Maltese communities as well as experts in the field of migration and it was set up with the approval of the House of Representatives. The Council is represented by 5 experts from Australia, Canada, UK, Europe and Malta and council members from Australia, USA, Canada, Europe and Malta. The Council will also strive to set up a Maltese Cultural Institute.
The next Convention for Maltese Living Abroad is going to be held in 2015.