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Economy of Djibouti vs Malaysia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Djibouti has a GDP of $4.62B compared to $472B for Malaysia, ranking 164/197 and 35/197 by economy size, respectively.

Djibouti has $1.49B in government debt (32.1% of GDP), compared to $334B (70.7% of GDP) in Malaysia.

Djibouti vs Malaysia GDP by year

Djibouti
Malaysia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Djibouti Malaysia
2025 $4,624,533,092 $472,193,128,645
2024 $4,152,145,940 $422,227,005,429
2023 $3,898,447,007 $399,949,418,753
2022 $3,562,814,909 $407,830,525,990
2021 $3,392,796,953 $373,784,553,030
2020 $3,144,136,197 $337,456,163,961
2019 $3,088,851,450 $365,177,721,022
2018 $2,913,464,658 $358,788,845,713
2017 $2,762,581,334 $319,109,094,160
2016 $2,604,955,229 $301,256,033,870
2015 $2,424,391,785 $301,355,266,965
2014 $2,220,637,966 $338,066,095,097
2013 $2,044,440,443 $323,276,235,524
2012 $1,353,632,942 $314,443,047,642
2011 $1,239,144,502 $297,951,668,675
2010 $1,128,611,700 $255,017,638,456
2009 $1,049,110,685 $202,257,453,037
2008 $999,105,339 $230,811,614,370
2007 $847,918,929 $193,549,569,478
2006 $768,873,684 $162,692,258,307
2005 $708,633,195 $143,534,405,819
2004 $666,072,102 $124,749,473,684
2003 $622,044,666 $110,202,368,421
2002 $591,122,040 $100,845,526,316
2001 $572,417,441 $92,783,947,368
2000 $551,230,862 $93,789,736,842
1999 $536,080,148 $79,148,421,053
1998 $514,267,869 $72,167,498,981
1997 $502,675,542 $100,005,323,302
1996 $494,004,648 $100,855,393,910
1995 $497,723,961 $88,705,342,903
1994 $491,689,221 $74,478,356,958
1993 $466,048,469 $66,894,966,969
1992 $478,058,305 $59,167,550,163
1991 $462,421,999 $49,143,148,094
1990 $452,328,087 $44,024,585,240
1989 $409,220,087 $38,847,965,293
1988 $395,794,539 $35,272,109,220
1987 $373,371,738 $32,181,210,158
1986 - $27,734,111,400
1985 $340,989,528 $31,199,633,353
1984 - $33,942,897,422
1983 - $30,347,442,111
1982 - $26,804,493,635
1981 - $25,004,285,792
1980 - $24,488,224,677
1979 - $21,213,264,962
1978 - $16,358,079,862
1977 - $13,139,488,633
1976 - $11,050,234,599
1975 - $9,298,800,799
1974 - $9,496,204,302
1973 - $7,662,902,678
1972 - $5,043,347,250
1971 - $4,244,395,956
1970 - $3,864,145,667
1969 - $3,664,552,041
1968 - $3,330,371,551
1967 - $3,188,924,677
1966 - $3,143,517,944
1965 - $2,956,337,669
1964 - $2,674,423,922
1963 - $2,510,110,348
1962 - $2,001,489,602
1961 - $1,901,856,123
1960 - $1,916,229,477

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

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

GDP per capita in Djibouti vs Malaysia by year

Djibouti
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Malaysia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Djibouti Malaysia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $3,906 - $13,125 -
2024 $3,553 $7,810 $11,874 $38,779
2023 $3,381 $7,226 $11,386 $36,467
2022 $3,133 $6,621 $11,755 $34,420
2021 $3,026 $5,960 $10,903 $29,823
2020 $2,845 $5,527 $9,958 $27,475
2019 $2,837 $5,398 $10,920 $28,934
2018 $2,718 $5,083 $10,902 $27,794
2017 $2,619 $4,677 $9,863 $26,416
2016 $2,510 $4,432 $9,477 $25,286
2015 $2,376 $4,264 $9,649 $24,526
2014 $2,215 $3,978 $11,013 $24,307
2013 $2,076 $3,762 $10,714 $23,161
2012 $1,400 - $10,601 $22,639
2011 $1,306 - $10,217 $21,324
2010 $1,213 - $8,899 $20,193
2009 $1,151 - $7,191 $18,923
2008 $1,119 - $8,372 $19,480
2007 $970 - $7,169 $18,617
2006 $898 - $6,158 $17,426
2005 $844 - $5,556 $16,371
2004 $806 - $4,939 $15,416
2003 $765 - $4,465 $14,387
2002 $743 - $4,184 $13,656
2001 $742 - $3,944 $13,072
2000 $738 - $4,084 $13,027
1999 $740 - $3,528 $11,980
1998 $735 - $3,294 $11,398
1997 $748 - $4,679 $12,469
1996 $762 - $4,837 $11,709
1995 $786 - $4,363 $10,720
1994 $785 - $3,758 $9,806
1993 $759 - $3,462 $9,018
1992 $764 - $3,141 $8,224
1991 $733 - $2,679 $7,583
1990 $780 - $2,469 $6,887
1989 $782 - $2,244 -
1988 $817 - $2,100 -
1987 $822 - $1,977 -
1986 - - $1,760 -
1985 $847 - $2,046 -
1984 - - $2,300 -
1983 - - $2,124 -
1982 - - $1,938 -
1981 - - $1,866 -
1980 - - $1,886 -
1979 - - $1,680 -
1978 - - $1,327 -
1977 - - $1,092 -
1976 - - $940 -
1975 - - $811 -
1974 - - $848 -
1973 - - $701 -
1972 - - $472 -
1971 - - $407 -
1970 - - $380 -
1969 - - $368 -
1968 - - $342 -
1967 - - $335 -
1966 - - $339 -
1965 - - $326 -
1964 - - $303 -
1963 - - $291.8 -
1962 - - $238.8 -
1961 - - $232.9 -
1960 - - $240.8 -

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

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

Djibouti's GDP per capita is $3,906, ranking 136/197, compared to $13,125 in Malaysia, ranking 78/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Djibouti ranks 143rd at $7,810, while Malaysia ranks 60th at $38,779.

Economic indicators

Djibouti Malaysia
Gross domestic product
$4.62B
2025
$472B
2025
GDP rank
164/197
2025
35/197
2025
GDP growth
6.5%
2024-2025
5.17%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$3,906
2025
$13,125
2025
GDP per capita rank
136/197
2025
78/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$7,810
2024
$38,779
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
143/197
2024
60/197
2024
Government debt
$1.49B
2025
$334B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
32.1%
2025
70.7%
2025
Government debt per person
$1,255
2025
$9,273
2025
Government debt per person rank
135/185
2025
62/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,942
2026
$11,034
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$487B
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
19
2026
Income share by richest 10%
32.3%
2017
30.9%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
1.9%
2017
2.3%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
19.5%
2025
23.4%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
-0.3%
2024-2025
1.38%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate n/a
2.75%
2025
Unemployment rate
38.8%
2025
3.9%
2022
Population
1207325
36600906

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Djibouti
Spending

Debt
Malaysia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Djibouti Malaysia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 19.5% 32.1% 23.4% 70.7%
2024 21.3% 34% 24% 69.8%
2023 21.6% 35.6% 25% 69.7%
2022 21% 38.3% 24.6% 65.5%
2021 23.1% 40.3% 24.5% 69.2%
2020 25.8% 42.1% 25% 67.7%
2019 24.9% 41.1% 23.6% 57.1%
2018 25.9% 47.5% 22.8% 55.6%
2017 23.9% 48% 22% 54.4%
2016 25.9% 45.9% 22.9% 55.8%
2015 42% 40.3% 24.7% 57%
2014 29% 26.9% 26% 55.4%
2013 26.8% 24.6% 27.8% 55.7%
2012 26.5% 25% 28.5% 53.8%
2011 25.3% 25.7% 27.1% 51.9%
2010 26.6% 27.9% 26.6% 51.2%
2009 31% 29.5% 30.9% 50.4%
2008 28.8% 59.3% 26.9% 39.4%
2007 26.6% 56.6% 25.9% 39.3%
2006 23.8% 58.3% 25.6% 39.7%
2005 26.2% 60.3% 24.5% 40.8%
2004 26.7% 65.3% 25.9% 42%
2003 25.8% 66.3% 28.1% 41.4%
2002 23.4% 63.7% 27.1% 39.5%
2001 21% 58.1% 28.2% 38.1%
2000 23.2% 58.1% 25.6% 32.5%
1999 23.5% 58.5% 24.6% 34.4%
1998 24% 55.2% 23.1% 33.6%
1997 25% 56% 21.2% 29.6%
1996 23.7% 53.1% 22.4% 32.8%
1995 27% 50.9% 22.6% 38.2%
1994 30.9% - 23.3% 43.7%
1993 35.3% - 24.6% 51.1%
1992 34.9% - 28.2% 59.1%
1991 27.7% - 27.4% 67.3%
1990 30.2% - 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 (1995–2008, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Djibouti's government spending was $904M, accounting for 19.5% of its GDP, while Malaysia spent $111B, or 23.4% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 32.1% in Djibouti and 70.7% in Malaysia, ranking 150/185 and 56/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Djibouti

Malaysia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Djibouti Malaysia
2025 -0.7% -3.54%
2024 -2.69% -3.45%
2023 -3.47% -4.11%
2022 -1.48% -4.56%
2021 -3.05% -6.03%
2020 -2.58% -4.9%
2019 -0.98% -2.01%
2018 -1.98% -2.64%
2017 -0.21% -2.41%
2016 -0.76% -2.6%
2015 -15.5% -2.55%
2014 -6.92% -2.63%
2013 -0.34% -3.48%
2012 -2.04% -3.1%
2011 -1.18% -3.57%
2010 -1.04% -4.32%
2009 -3.88% -5.88%
2008 0.62% -3.4%
2007 -1.88% -2.57%
2006 0.26% -2.6%
2005 -1.18% -2.83%
2004 -3.67% -3.35%
2003 -4.13% -4.6%
2002 -4.56% -3.96%
2001 -3.61% -4.36%
2000 -3.97% -6.05%
1999 -5.2% -3%
1998 -3.59% -0.63%
1997 -2.86% 4.84%
1996 -1.77% 3.27%
1995 -5.13% 3.1%
1994 -4.97% 5.45%
1993 -7.1% 3.44%
1992 -6.13% 1.81%
1991 -0.86% 1.6%
1990 -3.25% 0.15%

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

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

In 2025, Djibouti's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $32.3M, equivalent to 0.7% of GDP. This compares to Malaysia's deficit of $16.7B, or 3.54% of GDP.

Over the past 36 years, Djibouti recorded a fiscal deficit in 34 of those years, while Malaysia ran a deficit in 28 years. On average, Djibouti posted an annual deficit equal to 3.11% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.1% of GDP for Malaysia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Djibouti

Malaysia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Djibouti Malaysia
2025 -0.3% 1.38%
2024 2.1% 1.83%
2023 1.4% 2.49%
2022 5.2% 3.38%
2021 1.2% 2.48%
2020 1.8% -1.14%
2019 3.3% 0.66%
2018 0.1% 0.88%
2017 0.6% 3.87%
2016 2.4% 2.09%
2015 -0.5% 2.1%
2014 1.3% 3.14%
2013 1.1% 2.11%
2012 4.2% 1.66%
2011 5.2% 3.17%
2010 2.5% 1.62%
2009 5.6% 0.58%
2008 8.7% 5.44%
2007 5.9% 2.03%
2006 3.5% 3.61%
2005 3.3% 2.98%
2004 2.4% 1.42%
2003 1.6% 1.09%
2002 1.4% 1.81%
2001 1.9% 1.42%
2000 1.2% 1.53%
1999 -0.4% 2.74%
1998 2.2% 5.27%
1997 2.5% 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/djibouti/malaysia | CC BY

Over the past 29 years, Djibouti has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.46%, compared with 2.22% in Malaysia. In 2025, inflation was -0.3% in Djibouti and 1.38% in Malaysia.

Top exports between countries

Djibouti
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $2.04M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $53K
Malaysia
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $244M
Chemicals & pharma $18.6M
Metals $9.24M
Animal & marine products $3.71M
Machinery & equipment $2.58M
Textiles & consumer goods $1.74M
Raw materials & minerals $1.3M
Wood & paper products $180K
Raw agricultural goods $9K
Miscellaneous $5K

Balance of trade

Djibouti Malaysia
Current account balance
$610M
2024
$7.15B
2024
Current account balance ranking
55/190
2024
29/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+14.7%
2024
+1.69%
2024
Goods imports
$4.04B
2024
$223B
2024
Goods exports
$4.08B
2024
$248B
2024
Service imports
$730M
2024
$56.4B
2024
Service exports
$1.17B
2024
$53.4B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
95.8%
2025
65.4%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
110.5%
2025
71%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Djibouti Malaysia
Economic freedom 56.3 68
Economic freedom ranking 122/197 51/197
Property rights 30.4 62.7
Government integrity 27.9 52.9
Judicial effectiveness 28.6 63.4
Tax burden 83.5 83.5
Government spending 86.7 82
Fiscal health 87.7 62.5
Business freedom 52.9 79.6
Labor freedom 57.5 55.4
Monetary freedom 70.6 80.8
Trade freedom 49.8 83
Investment freedom 50 60
Financial freedom 50 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Djibouti
Malaysia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Djibouti Malaysia
2026 56.3 68
2025 55.7 67.1
2024 55.8 65.7
2023 56.1 67.3
2022 55.3 68.1
2021 56.2 74.4
2020 52.9 74.7
2019 47.1 74
2018 45.1 74.5
2017 46.7 73.8
2016 56 71.5
2015 57.5 70.8
2014 55.9 69.6
2013 53.9 66.1
2012 53.9 66.4
2011 54.5 66.3
2010 51 64.8
2009 51.3 64.6
2008 51.2 63.9
2007 52.4 63.8
2006 53.2 61.6
2005 55.2 61.9
2004 55.6 59.9
2003 55.7 61.1
2002 57.8 60.1
2001 58.3 60.2
2000 55.1 66
1999 57.1 68.9
1998 55.9 68.2
1997 54.5 66.8
1996 - 69.9
1995 - 71.9

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Djibouti is 56.3, ranking 122/197, compared to 68 for Malaysia, ranking 51/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Djibouti Malaysia
Services, % of GDP
75.7%
2025
54.8%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
16.6%
2025
35.7%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
2.27%
2025
8.22%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$4.69B
2025
$445B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$8,660
2025
$40,070
2025
Total reserves including gold
$656M
2025
$126B
2025
Total reserves ranking
149/177
2025
25/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$67.8M
2024
-$2.55B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$67.8M
2024
$15.6B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$13B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
3.27%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
23%
2020
5.1%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
1.55%
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/djibouti/malaysia | CC BY

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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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1995–2008, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. TradeMap (2022–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  9. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, 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.