Skip to content

Economy of Bangladesh vs Malaysia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Bangladesh has a GDP of $456B compared to $472B for Malaysia, ranking 38/197 and 35/197 by economy size, respectively.

Bangladesh has $192B in government debt (42% of GDP), compared to $334B (70.7% of GDP) in Malaysia.

Bangladesh vs Malaysia GDP by year

Bangladesh
Malaysia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Bangladesh Malaysia
2025 $456,319,229,256 $472,193,128,645
2024 $450,119,432,069 $422,227,005,429
2023 $437,415,333,018 $399,949,418,753
2022 $460,131,689,083 $407,830,525,990
2021 $416,271,647,911 $373,784,553,030
2020 $373,979,442,362 $337,456,163,961
2019 $351,231,654,604 $365,177,721,022
2018 $321,362,752,442 $358,788,845,713
2017 $293,732,446,625 $319,109,094,160
2016 $265,224,515,675 $301,256,033,870
2015 $195,146,608,978 $301,355,266,965
2014 $172,886,611,654 $338,066,095,097
2013 $149,998,957,434 $323,276,235,524
2012 $133,310,747,603 $314,443,047,642
2011 $128,607,482,310 $297,951,668,675
2010 $115,275,540,051 $255,017,638,456
2009 $102,475,158,191 $202,257,453,037
2008 $91,636,997,371 $230,811,614,370
2007 $79,611,644,975 $193,549,569,478
2006 $71,795,736,172 $162,692,258,307
2005 $69,476,001,239 $143,534,405,819
2004 $65,108,544,250 $124,749,473,684
2003 $60,158,929,188 $110,202,368,421
2002 $54,724,081,491 $100,845,526,316
2001 $53,991,289,844 $92,783,947,368
2000 $53,369,787,319 $93,789,736,842
1999 $51,270,569,884 $79,148,421,053
1998 $49,984,559,471 $72,167,498,981
1997 $48,244,309,133 $100,005,323,302
1996 $46,438,484,108 $100,855,393,910
1995 $37,939,748,769 $88,705,342,903
1994 $33,768,660,883 $74,478,356,958
1993 $33,166,519,418 $66,894,966,969
1992 $31,708,874,594 $59,167,550,163
1991 $30,957,483,950 $49,143,148,094
1990 $31,598,340,778 $44,024,585,240
1989 $28,781,715,189 $38,847,965,293
1988 $26,579,005,558 $35,272,109,220
1987 $24,298,032,258 $32,181,210,158
1986 $21,774,033,333 $27,734,111,400
1985 $22,278,423,077 $31,199,633,353
1984 $18,920,840,000 $33,942,897,422
1983 $17,609,048,822 $30,347,442,111
1982 $18,525,399,202 $26,804,493,635
1981 $20,249,694,002 $25,004,285,792
1980 $18,138,049,096 $24,488,224,677
1979 $15,565,480,322 $21,213,264,962
1978 $13,281,767,143 $16,358,079,862
1977 $9,651,149,302 $13,139,488,633
1976 $10,117,113,333 $11,050,234,599
1975 $19,448,348,073 $9,298,800,799
1974 $12,512,460,520 $9,496,204,302
1973 $8,086,725,729 $7,662,902,678
1972 $6,288,245,867 $5,043,347,250
1971 $8,751,843,188 $4,244,395,956
1970 $8,992,722,167 $3,864,145,667
1969 $8,471,006,438 $3,664,552,041
1968 $7,483,685,771 $3,330,371,551
1967 $7,253,575,688 $3,188,924,677
1966 $6,439,687,854 $3,143,517,944
1965 $5,906,636,792 $2,956,337,669
1964 $5,386,054,833 $2,674,423,922
1963 $5,319,458,563 $2,510,110,348
1962 $5,081,413,542 $2,001,489,602
1961 $4,817,580,375 $1,901,856,123
1960 $4,274,894,083 $1,916,229,477

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/bangladesh/malaysia | CC BY

GDP per capita in Bangladesh vs Malaysia by year

Bangladesh
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Malaysia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Bangladesh Malaysia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $2,597 - $13,125 -
2024 $2,593 $9,647 $11,874 $38,779
2023 $2,551 $9,148 $11,386 $36,467
2022 $2,716 $8,451 $11,755 $34,420
2021 $2,483 $7,441 $10,903 $29,823
2020 $2,249 $6,641 $9,958 $27,475
2019 $2,130 $6,047 $10,920 $28,934
2018 $1,965 $5,490 $10,902 $27,794
2017 $1,811 $4,883 $9,863 $26,416
2016 $1,649 $4,579 $9,477 $25,286
2015 $1,224 $4,212 $9,649 $24,526
2014 $1,094 $3,973 $11,013 $24,307
2013 $958 $3,691 $10,714 $23,161
2012 $860 $3,434 $10,601 $22,639
2011 $837 $3,051 $10,217 $21,324
2010 $757 $2,834 $8,899 $20,193
2009 $679 $2,675 $7,191 $18,923
2008 $613 $2,555 $8,372 $19,480
2007 $538 $2,388 $7,169 $18,617
2006 $490 $2,195 $6,158 $17,426
2005 $480 $2,020 $5,556 $16,371
2004 $456 $1,862 $4,939 $15,416
2003 $427 $1,746 $4,465 $14,387
2002 $394 $1,659 $4,184 $13,656
2001 $395 $1,598 $3,944 $13,072
2000 $397 $1,512 $4,084 $13,027
1999 $388 $1,430 $3,528 $11,980
1998 $386 $1,373 $3,294 $11,398
1997 $379 $1,315 $4,679 $12,469
1996 $372 $1,261 $4,837 $11,709
1995 $309 $1,206 $4,363 $10,720
1994 $280.6 $1,145 $3,758 $9,806
1993 $280.8 $1,099 $3,462 $9,018
1992 $273.5 $1,045 $3,141 $8,224
1991 $272.1 $987 $2,679 $7,583
1990 $283.1 $941 $2,469 $6,887
1989 $263 - $2,244 -
1988 $247.9 - $2,100 -
1987 $231.5 - $1,977 -
1986 $212.1 - $1,760 -
1985 $222.2 - $2,046 -
1984 $193.4 - $2,300 -
1983 $184.7 - $2,124 -
1982 $199.6 - $1,938 -
1981 $224.2 - $1,866 -
1980 $206.1 - $1,886 -
1979 $181.1 - $1,680 -
1978 $158.3 - $1,327 -
1977 $117.9 - $1,092 -
1976 $126.7 - $940 -
1975 $249.8 - $811 -
1974 $165 - $848 -
1973 $109.7 - $701 -
1972 $87.8 - $472 -
1971 $124.5 - $407 -
1970 $130.2 - $380 -
1969 $125.9 - $368 -
1968 $114.4 - $342 -
1967 $114.2 - $335 -
1966 $104.4 - $339 -
1965 $98.6 - $326 -
1964 $92.6 - $303 -
1963 $94.1 - $291.8 -
1962 $92.6 - $238.8 -
1961 $90.4 - $232.9 -
1960 $82.5 - $240.8 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/bangladesh/malaysia | CC BY

Bangladesh's GDP per capita is $2,597, ranking 151/197, compared to $13,125 in Malaysia, ranking 78/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Bangladesh ranks 135th at $9,647, while Malaysia ranks 60th at $38,779.

Economic indicators

Bangladesh Malaysia
Gross domestic product
$456B
2025
$472B
2025
GDP rank
38/197
2025
35/197
2025
GDP growth
3.49%
2024-2025
5.17%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$2,597
2025
$13,125
2025
GDP per capita rank
151/197
2025
78/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$9,647
2024
$38,779
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
135/197
2024
60/197
2024
Government debt
$192B
2025
$334B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
42%
2025
70.7%
2025
Government debt per person
$1,092
2025
$9,273
2025
Government debt per person rank
143/185
2025
62/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,829
2026
$11,034
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$26.2B
2025
$487B
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
19
2026
Income share by richest 10%
25.5%
2022
30.9%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
3.7%
2022
2.3%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
10.9%
2025
23.4%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
10%
2024-2025
1.38%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
10%
2024
2.75%
2025
Unemployment rate
3.64%
2024
3.9%
2022
Population
178936470
36600906

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Bangladesh
Spending

Debt
Malaysia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Bangladesh Malaysia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 10.9% 42% 23.4% 70.7%
2024 12% 41% 24% 69.8%
2023 12.6% 39.7% 25% 69.7%
2022 13% 37.9% 24.6% 65.5%
2021 12.9% 35.6% 24.5% 69.2%
2020 13.3% 34.5% 25% 67.7%
2019 13.6% 32% 23.6% 57.1%
2018 13% 29.6% 22.8% 55.6%
2017 12.2% 28.3% 22% 54.4%
2016 11.6% 27.7% 22.9% 55.8%
2015 11.5% 28.2% 24.7% 57%
2014 11.7% 28.7% 26% 55.4%
2013 12.1% 28.3% 27.8% 55.7%
2012 11.7% 29.1% 28.5% 53.8%
2011 11.5% 29.4% 27.1% 51.9%
2010 10.6% 29.6% 26.6% 51.2%
2009 10.6% 33% 30.9% 50.4%
2008 11.5% 33.9% 26.9% 39.4%
2007 9.63% 35% 25.9% 39.3%
2006 10.1% 35.3% 25.6% 39.7%
2005 10.3% 35.6% 24.5% 40.8%
2004 9.88% 36.6% 25.9% 42%
2003 10.2% 37% 28.1% 41.4%
2002 10.4% 38.9% 27.1% 39.5%
2001 10.7% 37.1% 28.2% 38.1%
2000 9.76% 31.2% 25.6% 32.5%
1999 8.66% 32.7% 24.6% 34.4%
1998 9.82% 31.1% 23.1% 33.6%
1997 9.89% 29.1% 21.2% 29.6%
1996 9.79% 31% 22.4% 32.8%
1995 10.5% 32.9% 22.6% 38.2%
1994 10% 35.5% 23.3% 43.7%
1993 9.74% 34.1% 24.6% 51.1%
1992 8.8% 33.1% 28.2% 59.1%
1991 8.86% 31.8% 27.4% 67.3%
1990 9.14% 31.5% 30.5% 74.1%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1990–2002, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/bangladesh/malaysia | CC BY

In 2025, Bangladesh's government spending was $49.6B, accounting for 10.9% of its GDP, while Malaysia spent $111B, or 23.4% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 42% in Bangladesh and 70.7% in Malaysia, ranking 124/185 and 56/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Bangladesh

Malaysia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Bangladesh Malaysia
2025 -2.93% -3.54%
2024 -3.7% -3.45%
2023 -4.39% -4.11%
2022 -4.53% -4.56%
2021 -3.56% -6.03%
2020 -4.84% -4.9%
2019 -5.41% -2.01%
2018 -4.07% -2.64%
2017 -4.17% -2.41%
2016 -3.16% -2.6%
2015 -3.29% -2.55%
2014 -2.62% -2.63%
2013 -2.86% -3.48%
2012 -2.56% -3.1%
2011 -2.96% -3.57%
2010 -2.23% -4.32%
2009 -2.68% -5.88%
2008 -3.36% -3.4%
2007 -1.86% -2.57%
2006 -2.15% -2.6%
2005 -2.4% -2.83%
2004 -2.21% -3.35%
2003 -1.96% -4.6%
2002 -2.3% -3.96%
2001 -3.44% -4.36%
2000 -2.5% -6.05%
1999 -1.35% -3%
1998 -2.2% -0.63%
1997 -1.94% 4.84%
1996 -2.01% 3.27%
1995 -0.38% 3.1%
1994 0.03% 5.45%
1993 0.43% 3.44%
1992 0.36% 1.81%
1991 0.44% 1.6%
1990 -0.15% 0.15%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/bangladesh/malaysia | CC BY

In 2025, Bangladesh's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $13.4B, equivalent to 2.93% of GDP. This compares to Malaysia's deficit of $16.7B, or 3.54% of GDP.

Over the past 36 years, Bangladesh recorded a fiscal deficit in 32 of those years, while Malaysia ran a deficit in 28 years. On average, Bangladesh posted an annual deficit equal to 2.47% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.1% of GDP for Malaysia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Bangladesh

Malaysia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Bangladesh Malaysia
2025 10% 1.38%
2024 9.7% 1.83%
2023 9% 2.49%
2022 6.1% 3.38%
2021 5.6% 2.48%
2020 5.6% -1.14%
2019 5.5% 0.66%
2018 5.8% 0.88%
2017 5.4% 3.87%
2016 5.9% 2.09%
2015 6.4% 2.1%
2014 7.3% 3.14%
2013 6.8% 2.11%
2012 8.9% 1.66%
2011 8.8% 3.17%
2010 7.3% 1.62%
2009 6.7% 0.58%
2008 9.9% 5.44%
2007 7.2% 2.03%
2006 7.2% 3.61%
2005 6.5% 2.98%
2004 8.1% 1.42%
2003 3.9% 1.09%
2002 2.4% 1.81%
2001 1.8% 1.42%
2000 3.6% 1.53%
1999 8.9% 2.74%
1998 6.7% 5.27%
1997 2.7% 2.66%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/bangladesh/malaysia | CC BY

Over the past 29 years, Bangladesh has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.54%, compared with 2.22% in Malaysia. In 2025, inflation was 10% in Bangladesh and 1.38% in Malaysia.

Top exports between countries

Bangladesh
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $175M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $55.9M
Raw agricultural goods $17.8M
Raw materials & minerals $7.5M
Machinery & equipment $6.31M
Chemicals & pharma $3.11M
Animal & marine products $1.85M
Metals $1.35M
Wood & paper products $558K
Miscellaneous $262K
Malaysia
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $1.51B
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $252M
Chemicals & pharma $185M
Metals $161M
Machinery & equipment $106M
Textiles & consumer goods $82.8M
Wood & paper products $34.3M
Animal & marine products $17.3M
Miscellaneous $4.35M
Raw agricultural goods $2.16M

Balance of trade

Bangladesh Malaysia
Current account balance
-$239M
2025
$7.15B
2024
Current account balance ranking
93/190
2025
29/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-0.05%
2025
+1.69%
2024
Goods imports
$66B
2025
$223B
2024
Goods exports
$43.8B
2025
$248B
2024
Service imports
$14.7B
2025
$56.4B
2024
Service exports
$8.42B
2025
$53.4B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
16.8%
2025
65.4%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
11.1%
2025
71%
2025

Economic freedom indices

The indices of economic freedom below are issued by the Heritage Foundation. Higher scores indicate stronger economic health.

Bangladesh Malaysia
Economic freedom 54.8 68
Economic freedom ranking 131/197 51/197
Property rights 32.1 62.7
Government integrity 22.7 52.9
Judicial effectiveness 36.7 63.4
Tax burden 79.9 83.5
Government spending 95.3 82
Fiscal health 68.4 62.5
Business freedom 52.7 79.6
Labor freedom 50.5 55.4
Monetary freedom 65.8 80.8
Trade freedom 63 83
Investment freedom 50 60
Financial freedom 40 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Bangladesh
Malaysia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Bangladesh Malaysia
2026 54.8 68
2025 54.7 67.1
2024 54.4 65.7
2023 54.4 67.3
2022 52.7 68.1
2021 56.5 74.4
2020 56.4 74.7
2019 55.6 74
2018 55.1 74.5
2017 55 73.8
2016 53.3 71.5
2015 53.9 70.8
2014 54.1 69.6
2013 52.6 66.1
2012 53.2 66.4
2011 53 66.3
2010 51.1 64.8
2009 47.5 64.6
2008 44.2 63.9
2007 46.7 63.8
2006 52.9 61.6
2005 47.5 61.9
2004 50 59.9
2003 49.3 61.1
2002 51.9 60.1
2001 51.2 60.2
2000 48.9 66
1999 50 68.9
1998 52 68.2
1997 49.9 66.8
1996 51.1 69.9
1995 40.9 71.9

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/bangladesh/malaysia | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Bangladesh is 54.8, ranking 131/197, compared to 68 for Malaysia, ranking 51/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Bangladesh Malaysia
Services, % of GDP
52.1%
2025
54.8%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
34%
2025
35.7%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
11.4%
2025
8.22%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$499B
2025
$445B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$10,710
2025
$40,070
2025
Total reserves including gold
$28.6B
2025
$126B
2025
Total reserves ranking
58/177
2025
25/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.84B
2025
-$2.55B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.28B
2024
$15.6B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$34.1M
2024
$13B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.83%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
18.7%
2022
5.1%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
28.5%
2025
20.5%
2025

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/bangladesh/malaysia | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

Help us show the world through your eyes

Share a photo of your city and help others discover what it looks like to live there. Your contribution makes our data come alive.

Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. TradeMap (2018–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1990–2002, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)

Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) — you’re free to copy, share, remix, adapt, and use even commercially as long as you give appropriate credit and clearly indicate if you made changes. Other sources may be subject to different license terms.

The current account balance is the sum of net trade in goods and services, net earnings from cross-border investments, and net transfer payments. It reflects a country's economic transactions with the rest of the world and is a fundamental component of the balance of payments. A surplus indicates that a country exports more than it imports, while a deficit shows the opposite.

Gross National Income (GNI) measures a country's total income. It encompasses income earned by residents, businesses, and foreign sources, defined as employee compensation and investment profits. GNI adds product taxes not included elsewhere and subtracts subsidies. It accounts for income from residents working abroad but excludes earnings from foreigners within the country.

A negative value for Net Foreign Direct Investment indicates a country is a net receiver of investments, as foreign inflows exceed outflows after Balance of Payments adjustments. A positive value indicates a net provider, with outflows exceeding inflows. Inflows are credits (increasing foreign claims on domestic assets), while outflows are debits (increasing domestic assets abroad).

Foreign direct investment (FDI, net inflows) shows how much capital foreign investors bring into a country after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of overseas companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in the reporting country. A positive number means more capital entered the country than was withdrawn, while a negative number means foreign investors pulled out more than they invested.

Foreign direct investment (FDI, net outflows) shows how much capital residents of a country invest abroad after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of domestic companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in other countries. A positive number means more capital was invested abroad than withdrawn, while a negative number means residents pulled back more than they invested.

Principal and interest payments to the IMF in currency, goods, or services on long-term debt expressed as a share of GNI.

Formerly gross domestic investment, gross capital formation measures the share of a country’s economic output invested in fixed assets, including buildings, machinery, and infrastructure. It indicates how much of the economy is devoted to building productive capacity.