What are people in Malta most likely to die from, at each age?
Life expectancy at birth in Malta is about 81 years for men and 84 for women. But what threatens people most changes with age — and until late middle age it is rarely what people expect. Pick an age group for the full picture.
Top cause = the most likely cause of death over the next 10 years (on wider screens, with its share of all risk) · 10-year risk = chance of dying from any cause within 10 years, for someone in the middle of the age group.
Suicide, overdoses and alcohol are among the most preventable causes of death. If you or someone you love is struggling, call the national mental health helpline on 1579 — free and confidential, any time. Or find help at findahelpline.com.
Cancer screening in Malta
- Breast cancermammogram, ages 50–69 — free at the National Screening Centre (call 2122 7470 if you weren't invited)
- Colorectal cancerhome stool test (FIT), ages 50–74 — free at the National Screening Centre (call 2122 7470 if you weren't invited)
- Cervical cancerevery 3 years from 25, every 5 years from 50 — free for women born from 1980; if you were born earlier, ask your doctor
- Lung cancerif you smoke or smoked heavily, ages 50–74 — ask whether it's offered
Based on Malta's National Screening Centre programmes and European guidelines. Each cancer's page compares the programmes country by country.
Computed by Odainn from official Eurostat mortality statistics for Malta (2018, 2019 and 2023) — how we calculate. Educational, not medical advice.