Malta's regional division consists of 2 regions that serve as the country's first-level administrative subdivisions in a two-tier system. These regions function primarily for statistical purposes and coordination of certain governmental services rather than as autonomous governing bodies with independent legislative powers. The regional structure helps organize the delivery of public services, facilitates data collection for national planning, and provides a framework for implementing EU regional policies and fund distribution. Each region encompasses multiple local councils, which constitute the second administrative level and handle day-to-day municipal governance. The regions assist in coordinating activities across local councils and serve as an intermediate administrative layer between the national government and local authorities.