VALLETTA, June 5 (Xinhua) -- Malta's Gross domestic product (GDP) grew by 6.5 percent in the first quarter of this year when compared with the same quarter last year, figures issued by National Statistic Office (NSO) on Tuesday show.
GDP for the first quarter of 2018 amounted to 2,795 million euros, an increase of 171 million euros or 6.5 percent year-on-year. In real terms, GDP went up by 4.4 percent.
The increase was mainly generated by public administration and defense, social security, education, health and social work activities which increased by 40.2 million euros or 9.8 percent. It was followed by arts, entertainment and recreation, repair of household goods and other services which increased by 30.2 million euros or 9.4 percent.
Malta's Prime Minister Joseph Muscat tweeted, "In Q1, 2018 Malta economic growth confirmed at double EU rate."
