4.
Cultural Profile of the
Northern Region
4.1.
Profile
4.1.1. Demographic profile
The Northern Region brings together the nine
north-western localities and has an area of around
82.07km² (31% of the total area of Malta). The
latest population statistics issued by the National
Statistics Office (2020) show that the region has a
population of 118,588 – which is equivalent to 23%
of Malta’s population - fairly distributed between
males and females. The compound annual growth
rate is 2.6%, which is the second highest for Malta
and Gozo after the Eastern Region. St Paul’s Bay
has a growth rate of 6.9% - the highest of all the
localities in Malta and Gozo. Population statistics
for 2020 show that the number of residents in the
region were as follows: Mellieħa (11,693), Mġarr
(3,985), Mosta (21,495), Naxxar (15,388), St Paul’s
Bay (31,789), Mtarfa (2,612), Ħ’Attard (11,774), Ħal
Balzan (4,741) and San Ġwann (15,111).
According to the 2021 population census,
20,285 residents in the region are aged 65 years
and over - this is equivalent to 21 % of the total
elderly population of Malta (National Statistics
Office, 2022). The region also has one of the highest
concentrations of non-Maltese residents. Around
80% of non-Maltese residents are workers aged
around 30 years who come to the island without
their families. This has substantial implications
for the region as it creates bottlenecks in the
educational system and housing market.
4.1.2. Economic profile
Culture-related expenditure by the region was
€142,365.81 in 2018 (the third highest in the
country). Coupled with the fact that the region
boasts a diverse spectrum of cultural assets,
ranging from seaside and countryside attractions
to leisure centres and historical sites, it is evident
that the region has ample opportunity to diversify its
activities for its core communities and beyond.
Nevertheless, there is a growing concern that urban
development within the region is posing a threat
to its cultural assets. The region also has one of
the highest percentages of persons experiencing
deprivation (20%).
4.1.3. Cultural profile
The 2019 Esprimi research on cultural initiatives by
Local Councils in the region indicates that the region
ranks second highest in terms of cultural events
organised by Local Councils (29 events in 2018). The
main events organised were the Commemoration
Day of the locality and organised cultural visits.
The survey findings show that many of the Local
Council representatives in the region (90%) were
not satisfied with the participation of citizens in the
events held and 67% were non-committal about the
23
Arts Council Malta