M-INSULAR - Final report
Final report
April 23, 2026
The final report of the M-INSULAR project examines the economic impacts of Malta’s geographic insularity and the structural challenges faced by small island economies. Undertaken as part of the ESPON Thematic Action Plan: Places Resilient to Crises, the project explored how factors such as limited market size, high transport costs and external economic dependence influence Malta’s competitiveness and resilience.
The research combined economic analysis with stakeholder engagement to assess key dimensions including infrastructure, human capital, governance and preparedness for shocks. The project provides evidence-based insights and policy recommendations to support more resilient and sustainable economic development in island territories.
This publication comes from an ESPON project
M-INSULAR – The Economic Costs of Malta’s Insularity
Project
June 13, 2025