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Economy of Bolivia vs Malaysia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Bolivia has a GDP of $54.9B compared to $422B for Malaysia, ranking 88/197 and 38/197 by economy size, respectively.

Bolivia has $53.8B in government debt (98% of GDP), compared to $296B (70.1% of GDP) in Malaysia.

Bolivia vs Malaysia GDP by year

Bolivia
Malaysia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Bolivia Malaysia
2024 $54,881,327,453 $422,227,005,429
2023 $52,340,206,946 $399,949,418,753
2022 $50,959,081,954 $407,830,525,990
2021 $47,877,892,402 $373,784,553,030
2020 $42,313,784,081 $337,456,163,961
2019 $49,056,643,589 $365,177,721,022
2018 $48,414,038,842 $358,788,845,713
2017 $45,927,439,595 $319,109,094,160
2016 $33,941,126,194 $301,256,033,870
2015 $33,000,198,249 $301,355,266,965
2014 $32,996,188,017 $338,066,095,097
2013 $30,659,338,886 $323,276,235,524
2012 $27,084,497,482 $314,443,047,642
2011 $23,963,164,697 $297,951,668,675
2010 $19,649,723,722 $255,017,638,456
2009 $17,339,992,194 $202,257,453,037
2008 $16,674,276,286 $230,811,614,370
2007 $13,120,108,008 $193,549,569,478
2006 $11,451,844,902 $162,692,258,307
2005 $9,549,122,905 $143,534,405,819
2004 $8,773,451,752 $124,749,473,684
2003 $8,082,399,640 $110,202,368,421
2002 $7,905,485,146 $100,845,526,316
2001 $8,141,516,928 $92,783,947,368
2000 $8,397,855,485 $93,789,736,842
1999 $8,285,064,435 $79,148,421,053
1998 $8,497,494,652 $72,167,498,981
1997 $7,925,736,821 $100,005,323,302
1996 $7,396,949,126 $100,855,393,910
1995 $6,715,161,732 $88,705,342,903
1994 $5,981,222,859 $74,478,356,958
1993 $5,734,699,489 $66,894,966,969
1992 $5,643,868,749 $59,167,550,163
1991 $5,343,262,457 $49,143,148,094
1990 $4,867,582,598 $44,024,585,240
1989 $4,715,973,437 $38,847,965,293
1988 $4,597,612,362 $35,272,109,220
1987 $4,347,956,338 $32,181,210,158
1986 $3,959,382,833 $27,734,111,400
1985 $5,377,276,555 $31,199,633,353
1984 $6,169,483,225 $33,942,897,422
1983 $5,422,656,823 $30,347,442,111
1982 $5,594,126,369 $26,804,493,635
1981 $5,891,598,695 $25,004,285,792
1980 $4,537,479,608 $24,488,224,677
1979 $4,421,336,383 $21,213,264,962
1978 $3,758,220,890 $16,358,079,862
1977 $3,227,436,282 $13,139,488,633
1976 $2,731,984,008 $11,050,234,599
1975 $2,404,697,651 $9,298,800,799
1974 $2,100,249,875 $9,496,204,302
1973 $1,262,968,516 $7,662,902,678
1972 $1,257,615,645 $5,043,347,250
1971 $1,095,622,896 $4,244,395,956
1970 $1,017,003,367 $3,864,145,667
1969 $929,629,630 $3,664,552,041
1968 $857,912,458 $3,330,371,551
1967 $755,808,081 $3,188,924,677
1966 $669,191,919 $3,143,517,944
1965 $604,377,104 $2,956,337,669
1964 $544,023,569 $2,674,423,922
1963 $482,828,283 $2,510,110,348
1962 $448,400,673 $2,001,489,602
1961 $410,101,010 $1,901,856,123
1960 $377,020,202 $1,916,229,477

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

GDP per capita in Bolivia vs Malaysia by year

Bolivia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Malaysia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Bolivia Malaysia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $4,421 $12,878 $11,874 $38,779
2023 $4,275 $12,892 $11,386 $36,467
2022 $4,219 $12,307 $11,755 $34,420
2021 $4,011 $11,202 $10,903 $29,823
2020 $3,581 $9,581 $9,958 $27,475
2019 $4,203 $11,005 $10,920 $28,934
2018 $4,207 $10,758 $10,902 $27,794
2017 $4,048 $10,420 $9,863 $26,416
2016 $3,036 $9,242 $9,477 $25,286
2015 $2,996 $8,757 $9,649 $24,526
2014 $3,041 $8,629 $11,013 $24,307
2013 $2,870 $8,069 $10,714 $23,161
2012 $2,576 $7,184 $10,601 $22,639
2011 $2,316 $6,598 $10,217 $21,324
2010 $1,930 $6,245 $8,899 $20,193
2009 $1,731 $6,024 $7,191 $18,923
2008 $1,693 $5,890 $8,372 $19,480
2007 $1,355 $5,537 $7,169 $18,617
2006 $1,203 $5,244 $6,158 $17,426
2005 $1,020 $4,938 $5,556 $16,371
2004 $953 $4,663 $4,939 $15,416
2003 $893 $4,433 $4,465 $14,387
2002 $888 $4,304 $4,184 $13,656
2001 $930 $4,205 $3,944 $13,072
2000 $976 $4,113 $4,084 $13,027
1999 $979 $3,991 $3,528 $11,980
1998 $1,022 $3,988 $3,294 $11,398
1997 $970 $3,822 $4,679 $12,469
1996 $922 $3,645 $4,837 $11,709
1995 $853 $3,494 $4,363 $10,720
1994 $774 $3,331 $3,758 $9,806
1993 $757 $3,177 $3,462 $9,018
1992 $760 $3,036 $3,141 $8,224
1991 $734 $2,981 $2,679 $7,583
1990 $683 $2,797 $2,469 $6,887
1989 $675 - $2,244 -
1988 $673 - $2,100 -
1987 $650 - $1,977 -
1986 $604 - $1,760 -
1985 $838 - $2,046 -
1984 $982 - $2,300 -
1983 $882 - $2,124 -
1982 $930 - $1,938 -
1981 $1,001 - $1,866 -
1980 $788 - $1,886 -
1979 $785 - $1,680 -
1978 $683 - $1,327 -
1977 $600 - $1,092 -
1976 $520 - $940 -
1975 $468 - $811 -
1974 $418 - $848 -
1973 $257.2 - $701 -
1972 $261.9 - $472 -
1971 $233.4 - $407 -
1970 $221.6 - $380 -
1969 $207.1 - $368 -
1968 $195.5 - $342 -
1967 $176.1 - $335 -
1966 $159.3 - $339 -
1965 $147.1 - $326 -
1964 $135.2 - $303 -
1963 $122.6 - $291.8 -
1962 $116.2 - $238.8 -
1961 $108.5 - $232.9 -
1960 $101.8 - $240.8 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Bolivia's GDP per capita is $4,421, ranking 125/197, compared to $11,874 in Malaysia, ranking 79/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Bolivia ranks 122nd at $12,878, while Malaysia ranks 60th at $38,779.

Economic indicators

Bolivia Malaysia
Gross domestic product
$54.9B
2024
$422B
2024
GDP rank
88/197
2024
38/197
2024
GDP growth
-1.12%
2023-2024
5.11%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$4,421
2024
$11,874
2024
GDP per capita rank
125/197
2024
79/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$12,878
2024
$38,779
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
122/197
2024
60/197
2024
Government debt
$53.8B
2024
$296B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
98%
2024
70.1%
2024
Government debt per person
$4,331
2024
$8,322
2024
Government debt per person rank
88/185
2024
62/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$4,720
2026
$11,005
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$449B
2024
Number of billionaires n/a
19
2025
Income share by richest 10%
31.3%
2023
30.9%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
1.8%
2023
2.3%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
39.8%
2024
23.9%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
5.1%
2023-2024
1.83%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
3.26%
2025
2.75%
2025
Unemployment rate
2.73%
2024
3.93%
2022
Population
12798112
36512221

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Bolivia
Spending

Debt
Malaysia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Bolivia Malaysia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 39.8% 98% 23.9% 70.1%
2023 38.7% 90.8% 24.9% 69.7%
2022 36% 80.1% 24.6% 65.5%
2021 34.8% 81.4% 24.5% 69.2%
2020 36.8% 78% 25% 67.7%
2019 36.1% 58.6% 23.6% 57.1%
2018 37.7% 53.1% 22.8% 55.6%
2017 38.6% 51.3% 22% 54.4%
2016 40% 46.5% 22.9% 55.8%
2015 44.5% 40.9% 24.7% 57%
2014 41.2% 37.6% 26% 55.4%
2013 35.4% 36.1% 27.8% 55.7%
2012 36% 35.4% 28.5% 53.8%
2011 35.4% 35.3% 27.1% 51.9%
2010 31.5% 37.6% 26.6% 51.2%
2009 33.2% 39.2% 30.9% 50.4%
2008 35.3% 36.8% 26.9% 39.4%
2007 32.7% 40% 25.9% 39.3%
2006 29.8% 54.4% 25.6% 39.7%
2005 33.2% 82.2% 24.5% 40.8%
2004 32.3% 89.8% 25.9% 42%
2003 32% 95.6% 28.1% 41.4%
2002 33.3% 86.7% 27.1% 39.5%
2001 32% 83% 28.2% 38.1%
2000 29.3% 74.3% 25.6% 32.5%
1999 29.4% 61.7% 24.6% 34.4%
1998 30% 61.2% 23.1% 33.6%
1997 28.3% 64.6% 21.2% 29.6%
1996 26% 72.4% 22.4% 32.8%
1995 25.8% 81.7% 22.6% 38.2%
1994 26.8% 87.6% 23.3% 43.7%
1993 27.2% 83.8% 24.6% 51.1%
1992 25.3% 92.4% 28.2% 59.1%
1991 24.2% 92.8% 27.4% 67.3%
1990 22.8% 102.9% 30.5% 74.1%
1989 24.4% 98% - -
1988 24% 115.9% - -
1987 24.4% 145.3% - -
1986 22.2% 149% - -
1985 21.8% 205.2% - -
1984 29% 166.5% - -
1983 32.1% 157.3% - -
1982 25% 155.4% - -
1981 16.6% 121.7% - -
1980 19.8% 100% - -
1979 18% 92% - -
1978 17.3% 82.5% - -
1977 18.6% 82.4% - -
1976 16.8% 68.9% - -
1975 14.4% 56.2% - -
1974 14.2% 52.7% - -
1973 14.1% 80.9% - -
1972 11.8% 77.7% - -
1971 11.3% 65.7% - -
1970 10% 63.9% - -
1969 12.3% - - -
1968 14.1% - - -
1967 13.1% - - -
1966 12.9% - - -
1965 12.9% - - -
1964 10.8% - - -
1963 10.8% - - -
1962 10.2% - - -
1961 10.7% - - -
1960 10.1% - - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Bolivia's government spending was $21.9B, accounting for 39.8% of its GDP, while Malaysia spent $101B, or 23.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 98% in Bolivia and 70.1% in Malaysia, ranking 26/185 and 58/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Bolivia

Malaysia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Bolivia Malaysia
2024 -10.6% -3.95%
2023 -10.9% -3.97%
2022 -7.12% -4.56%
2021 -9.33% -6.03%
2020 -12.7% -4.9%
2019 -7.25% -2.01%
2018 -8.17% -2.64%
2017 -7.86% -2.41%
2016 -7.24% -2.6%
2015 -6.93% -2.55%
2014 -3.41% -2.63%
2013 0.6% -3.48%
2012 1.72% -3.1%
2011 0.83% -3.57%
2010 1.62% -4.32%
2009 2.63% -5.88%
2008 3.53% -3.4%
2007 -1.54% -2.57%
2006 4.47% -2.6%
2005 -2.24% -2.83%
2004 -5.54% -3.35%
2003 -7.88% -4.6%
2002 -8.79% -3.96%
2001 -6.82% -4.36%
2000 -3.73% -6.05%
1999 -3.84% -3%
1998 -5.1% -0.63%
1997 -3.28% 4.84%
1996 -1.9% 3.27%
1995 -1.82% 3.1%
1994 -3% 5.45%
1993 -6.1% 3.44%
1992 -4.4% 1.81%
1991 -4.2% 1.6%
1990 -4.4% 0.15%
1989 -5.5% -
1988 -6.5% -
1987 -7.7% -
1986 -2.7% -
1985 -9.8% -
1984 -25.4% -
1983 -19.8% -
1982 -15.9% -
1981 -12.3% -
1980 -15.3% -
1979 -11.2% -
1978 -9.97% -
1977 -11.2% -
1976 -1.15% -
1975 -2.33% -
1974 -1.87% -
1973 -3.72% -
1972 -3.69% -
1971 -3.67% -
1970 -1.92% -
1969 -4.16% -
1968 -5.67% -
1967 -4.29% -
1966 -3.55% -
1965 -4.12% -
1964 -2.68% -
1963 -3.02% -
1962 -2.8% -
1961 -2.81% -
1960 -3.35% -
1959 -4.32% -
1958 -2.95% -
1957 -1.11% -
1956 -0.11% -
1955 0.33% -
1954 0.006% -
1953 -0.48% -
1952 -0.94% -
1951 -0.42% -
1950 -1.17% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1950–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Bolivia's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $5.83B, equivalent to 10.6% of GDP. This compares to Malaysia's deficit of $16.7B, or 3.95% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Bolivia recorded a fiscal deficit in 28 of those years, while Malaysia ran a deficit in 27 years. On average, Bolivia posted an annual deficit equal to 4.31% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.07% of GDP for Malaysia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Bolivia

Malaysia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Bolivia Malaysia
2024 5.1% 1.83%
2023 2.58% 2.49%
2022 1.75% 3.38%
2021 0.74% 2.48%
2020 0.94% -1.14%
2019 1.84% 0.66%
2018 2.27% 0.88%
2017 2.82% 3.87%
2016 3.62% 2.09%
2015 4.06% 2.1%
2014 5.77% 3.14%
2013 5.74% 2.11%
2012 4.52% 1.66%
2011 9.88% 3.17%
2010 2.5% 1.62%
2009 3.35% 0.58%
2008 14% 5.44%
2007 8.71% 2.03%
2006 4.28% 3.61%
2005 5.39% 2.98%
2004 4.44% 1.42%
2003 3.34% 1.09%
2002 0.93% 1.81%
2001 1.59% 1.42%
2000 4.61% 1.53%
1999 2.16% 2.74%
1998 7.67% 5.27%
1997 4.71% 2.66%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Over the past 28 years, Bolivia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 4.26%, compared with 2.25% in Malaysia. In 2024, inflation was 5.1% in Bolivia and 1.83% in Malaysia.

Top exports between countries

Bolivia
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $2.61M
Metals $1.4M
Machinery & equipment $1.18M
Raw agricultural goods $1.05M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $859K
Animal & marine products $418K
Precious metals & jewellery $28K
Chemicals & pharma $9K
Textiles & consumer goods $4K
Miscellaneous $3K
Malaysia
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $21.2M
Machinery & equipment $709K
Animal & marine products $574K
Raw materials & minerals $394K
Raw agricultural goods $366K
Chemicals & pharma $339K
Textiles & consumer goods $175K
Wood & paper products $85K
Metals $48K
Precious metals & jewellery $44K

Balance of trade

Bolivia Malaysia
Current account balance
-$1.41B
2024
$7.15B
2024
Current account balance ranking
132/190
2024
26/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-2.56%
2024
+1.69%
2024
Goods imports
$9.15B
2024
$223B
2024
Goods exports
$8.93B
2024
$248B
2024
Service imports
$2.35B
2024
$56.4B
2024
Service exports
$1.14B
2024
$53.4B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
25.5%
2024
66%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
21.4%
2024
71.3%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Bolivia Malaysia
Economic freedom 42.4 68
Economic freedom ranking 184/197 51/197
Property rights 20.2 62.7
Government integrity 27.1 52.9
Judicial effectiveness 29.5 63.4
Tax burden 86.4 83.5
Government spending 56.3 82
Fiscal health 0.8 62.5
Business freedom 53.6 79.6
Labor freedom 52.2 55.4
Monetary freedom 67.1 80.8
Trade freedom 60.6 83
Investment freedom 15 60
Financial freedom 40 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Bolivia
Malaysia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Bolivia Malaysia
2026 42.4 68
2025 44.1 67.1
2024 43.5 65.7
2023 43.4 67.3
2022 43 68.1
2021 42.7 74.4
2020 42.8 74.7
2019 42.3 74
2018 44.1 74.5
2017 47.7 73.8
2016 47.4 71.5
2015 46.8 70.8
2014 48.4 69.6
2013 47.9 66.1
2012 50.2 66.4
2011 50 66.3
2010 49.4 64.8
2009 53.6 64.6
2008 53.1 63.9
2007 54.2 63.8
2006 57.8 61.6
2005 58.4 61.9
2004 64.5 59.9
2003 64.3 61.1
2002 65.1 60.1
2001 68 60.2
2000 65 66
1999 65.6 68.9
1998 68.8 68.2
1997 65.1 66.8
1996 65.2 69.9
1995 56.8 71.9

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Bolivia is 42.4, ranking 184/197, compared to 68 for Malaysia, ranking 51/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Bolivia Malaysia
Services, % of GDP
53.4%
2024
53.7%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
31.3%
2024
37%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
8.83%
2024
8.13%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$51.7B
2024
$414B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$12,620
2024
$37,450
2024
Total reserves including gold
$1.98B
2024
$116B
2024
Total reserves ranking
127/177
2024
24/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$113M
2024
-$2.55B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$387M
2024
$15.6B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$133M
2024
$13B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
3.41%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
36.5%
2023
5.8%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
17.9%
2024
22%
2024

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08).

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

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1950–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2022–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)

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.