Malta as a Globalization Hotspot that No One Has Heard of

The local takeout burger place was manned by three youngish workers when I last visited. One yellow, one brown, and one black. Clearly from three different countries (none of which is Malta) and they communicate in perfect English amongst themselves and to their equally multicultural clientele and delivery personnel taking orders for various meal-order apps. This little spot is a perfect microcosm of modern-day Maltese society: a society that is, quite literally, full of people from around the world, working and living together to make the island economy tick along.

I would have never expected such diversity in, some would say, such a remote locale. The islands of little more than half a million people have no major companies headquartered (perhaps except some in the online gambling industry) and are geographically far from the heart of the European economy thousands of miles to its north in the likes of Switzerland, Germany, France, and the Netherlands. Yet, clearly observed just by going to shops, walking the streets, and riding the buses, hordes of Indians, Filipinos, Chinese, Africans, and Europeans of all stripes and backgrounds have made their home here.

And because of their presence, this remote outpost on the Mediterranean feels infinitely more vibrant than its location and small population would suggest. Walking down the streets of its tourist and commercial centers of Sliema and St. Julian, one sees bustling cafes and shoppers flanked by a constant stream of cars and pedestrians, urban scenes reminiscent of much larger cities of continental Europe. The sheer population density even outside the prime tourist summer seasons is no doubt because of the influx of foreigners who have at least temporarily made these towns their homes.

Granted, as one of these foreigners, it is easy to see the appeal. The sunny and warm weather, even in the middle of January (supposedly Malta's coldest month) makes for a constant feeling of being on holiday even for people who are working. Malta's status as a constituent state of the European Union no doubt makes it an appealing destination for those outside the bloc, who may see the islands as a springboard to greener pastures on the continent's major economies. The islands' British colonial heritage means English is widely spoken by everyone including the locals, making the language barrier low for newcomers.

Yes, it could be said that Malta is bustling because of factors outside its control: its pure fortune of being an easily accessible part of Europe. But the same could be said of many other parts of Europe as well. Malta is certainly not the only place with great weather or an English-proficient populace within the EU. But the fact that it has become, what I would call, a great global melting pot that remains relatively unknown, shows the enlightened attitude that the islanders have taken to migration and the idea of residing amongst people from around the world.

And as anti-immigration far-right parties rise to prominence in the likes of Germany, Netherlands, and Italy, it remains to be seen how much Malta can buck the trend of the coming xenophobic backlash within the EU. As the bloc strives to control the number of foreigners coming in, would Malta be a target for criticism in offering the supposed "backdoor" for many unwanted immigrants to get in and then move to other European countries? And how would Malta face the pressure to reduce its own immigration from countries many times its size?

Such political questions are not just for the elected leaders of Malta but for the entire orientation of European society. Some corners of Europe, with Malta being an exemplar, have decided to balance century-old traditions developed in relative isolation with the needs of globalization. That has brought prosperity to some parts of the continent that have in recent years looked stagnant in comparison with the more immigrant-friendly societies of the US, Canada, and Australia. But if Europe rolls back the pro-immigrant attitude, the likes of Malta may once again become isolated backwaters as foreigners depart.

Many, including those working the takeout store, certainly appreciate the opportunity to live and work here. While pay is not high by global standards, the tourist- and expatriate-oriented economy of the islands does offer plenty of employment opportunities for those countries where creating enough jobs for bulging populations has been a constant worry. And surely, if these foreigners depart, Malta will even be less appealing as a tourist destination, full of historical landmarks but no longer contrasting with the dynamism of its beautifully varied and young populace.