Tiny European country overrun with tourists warned there's no space left - 'sheer madness'

The island is a very popular destination (Image: Getty)

The mayor of a town in Malta has warned that the country is being swamped by too many foreigners. The archipelago is a very popular destination for tourists, welcoming millions each year.

Last year, over 3.56 million visitors descended on the island, a nearly 20% increase from 2023. The numbers are expected to increase in 2025, as the tourism industry rebounds strongly after the COVID-19 crisis. At the same time, Malta is seeing a growth in the number of foreigners moving to the island to live.

High rise towers under construction in Malta. (Image: Getty)

In 2023, it saw a net increase of 20,960 people due to migration, with 93.1% being non-EU nationals.

The foreign population share has surged from 5.5% in 2012 to 25.3% in 2022, a substantial rise.

To accommodate the increase in tourists and migrants, the government has sanctioned huge infrastructure projects. This involves the construction of residential buildings, new roads and hospitals - all of which should help boost the local economy.

However, Noel Muscat, the mayor of Swieqi, believes that all this activity is unsustainable and potentially poses an existential threat to the island.

In an opinion piece for the Times of Malta, he wrote: "It is very clear that for the foreseeable future Malta will be embracing the unlimited population growth model.

"Overdevelopment, overtourism, and overpopulation generate significant economic activity and consumption, which in turn produce revenue.

"However, they also put tremendous pressure and stress on the country’s infrastructure, environment, quality of life and finances.

"Is this increase sustainable? Is it necessary? Is it the only choice for Malta’s survival and prosperity? Or is this sheer madness?"

He added that government policy risked "destroying what makes us Maltese" and turning locals into 'foreigners' in their own country.

The politician warned that time was running out to change course and save the island from oblivion.