According to the Central Bank's latest projections, Malta's GDP growth rate is expected to decline from 7.0% in 2022 to 4.0% in 2023.
The downward trend is predicted to continue, with projected growth rates of 3.8% in 2024 and 3.7% in 2025.
Revised upward from earlier forecasts, the current GDP growth prediction shows an increase of 0.3 percentage points in 2023 and 0.2 percentage points in both 2024 and 2025.
Net exports are expected to be the primary contributor to GDP growth in 2023.
The decline in imports, especially goods imports previously boosted by aviation sector investments, along with robust export growth, is anticipated to drive this performance.
Conversely, domestic demand is predicted to have a negative impact on growth due to high investment in 2022, setting a high base for comparison.
Are economic hardships on the horizon for Malta? Let's explore the potential implications of these projections.
While the projections raise concerns, it's important to note that Malta is still expected to maintain positive economic growth, albeit at a slower pace.