Maltese settlement in the United States, 1945-64

Abstract

One of the major results of the post-war period was an ‘exodus’ of the Maltese population, which led to significant benefits for a small and overpopulated country like Malta, which was eased of population pressure. The lack of employment opportunities in industries from the 19th century down to Independence together with the social problems as a result of WWII forced such mass emigration. At times emigration caused an excessive disturbance in the gender and age distribution of the population as well as a drain on skilled manpower. In the case of the Maltese Islands, due to a ‘preponderance’ of male emigration in the early post-war years, a state of affairs gradually developed wherein the number of females exceeded that of men, meaning that a larger number lived a life of celibacy. In regard to manpower, mass emigration could create awkward situations in the Islands’ economy if a proper balance was not maintained in the labour force to meet economic requirements. Such problems had to be faced if increasing population pressure was to be relieved through a sustained emigration movement. The primary requirements towards a solution for these two obstacles were the encouragement and promotion of female emigration and faster development in education, especially in the fields of technical education and industrial training. One could argue that Malta’s vulnerability due to its huge dependence on the British in Malta was evident during years of economic opportunities and times of crisis led Britain to diverge its military actions in the Mediterranean basin. In times of war, the Naval Dockyard was in full swing and merchants could sell their products to the thousands of British servicemen on the Islands. At this time, Malta experienced relative prosperity. When the British lost interest in the island, thousands of people became unemployed and merchants were out of business.This confirms that Malta’s national economy was closely linked to that of Britain and ‘Britain’s struggle for economic revival [was] Malta’s struggle, too.’