Band club membership across Malta and Gozo increased by 4.8% in 2025, while the clubs collectively recorded €11.8 million in current income against €9.2 million in current expenditure.
According to the latest statistics published by the National Statistics Office, the 91 registered band clubs had a total of 26,683 members in 2025—an increase of 1,212 members over the previous year.
The clubs generated an estimated current surplus of approximately €2.6 million before capital expenditure. Capital expenditure amounted to almost €2.5 million, meaning that most of the surplus was reinvested in buildings, equipment and other assets. The figures are subject to rounding.
Band clubs obtain their income from donations, fundraising, public and European funding, property rentals and the sale of assets, including buildings, land, machinery and musical instruments.
The number of resident band players increased by 6.3%, from 1,918 in 2024 to 2,038 in 2025. The number of trainee players increased at a faster rate of 8.7%, rising from 1,876 to 2,040.
Band clubs also had 1,085 committee members and 21,520 ordinary members. Membership increased across every category.
Women accounted for almost one-third of total membership. Female participation was highest among trainee players, at 38.5%, but women made up only 13.7% of band-club committee members.
The number of qualified music instructors increased by 8%, from 386 to 417. Band clubs provided tuition to more than 2,000 students, with children and young people aged between ten and 17 accounting for 775 students, or 38% of the total.
More than 1,300 performances were held during the year, with almost one-third taking place outside the respective band club’s locality or abroad.
The South Eastern district remained the main centre of band-club activity. It accounted for 21.6% of all resident players and 39.5% of trainee players. Clubs in the district also accounted for 31.3% of total expenditure and 27.3% of total income.
Nearly all band clubs had their own Band Commission, while 71.4% operated a Youth Committee. More than half—53.8%—also had a Fireworks Committee.
The figures were collected through a census covering all 91 registered band clubs in Malta and Gozo. The NSO received responses from every club, although the data remain based on self-reporting by the organisations themselves.
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