Provisional figures for 2022 show that there were 58,386 active business units in Malta, an increase of 2.2 per cent, or 1,253 active business units, over 2021.

The Wholesale, retail trade and repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles sector (NACE G) accounted for 17.7 per cent of the active business units; Professional, scientific and technical activities (NACE M) accounted for 13.6 per cent, whilst Construction (NACE F) accounted for 9.8 per cent.

Compared to the situation a year earlier, micro business units employing between 0 and 9 persons increased by 2.0 per cent, while small business units employing between 10 and 49 persons, increased by 5.0 per cent. Medium-sized business units employing between 50 and 249 persons increased by 4.9 per cent. Business units employing more than 250 persons increased by 11.5 per cent.

In 2022, 69.1 per cent of the active business units were sole proprietors and partnerships, 28.6 per cent were limited liability companies or public limited liability companies, while 2.3 per cent were non-profit organisations, cooperatives, corporations, branches or joint ventures.

Provisional figures indicate that there were 20,033 employers in Malta in 2022, an increase of 5.5 per cent, over the previous year. In 2022, 56.0 per cent of the employers were limited liability companies or public limited liability companies, while 41.0 per cent were sole proprietors and partnerships.