Malta was among the European Union’s top-performing economies during the first quarter of 2026, recording GDP growth of 1.1% compared to the previous quarter.According to new figures published by Eurostat, only Denmark performed better, with growth of 1.9%, while Malta shared second place with Estonia among all EU member states.The figures stand in sharp contrast to the wider European picture, with GDP falling by 0.1% across the EU and by 0.2% across the euro area during the same period.Malta also registered one of the strongest employment increases in Europe. The number of employed people rose by 1.0% during the first quarter of the year, making Malta the second-best performer in the EU behind Lithuania and ahead of Estonia.On an annual basis, Malta’s economy grew by 4.3% compared to the first quarter of 2025, while employment increased by 4.2% over the same period.Reacting to the figures, Prime Minister Robert Abela said the “positive certificates keep coming”, highlighting Malta’s 4.3% annual GDP growth rate.“Once again we are best in class. Growing at a rate 14 times the euro area average,” Abela said, arguing that “progressive policies are the best economic recipe”.The latest figures reinforce Malta’s position as one of the bloc’s fastest-growing economies, even as growth across much of Europe continues to slow.What do you make of this increase?•