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Economy of Dominican Republic vs Malaysia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

The Dominican Republic has a GDP of $124B compared to $422B for Malaysia, ranking 63/197 and 38/197 by economy size, respectively.

The Dominican Republic has $73.1B in government debt (58.8% of GDP), compared to $296B (70.1% of GDP) in Malaysia.

Dominican Republic vs Malaysia GDP by year

Dominican Republic
Malaysia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Dominican Republic Malaysia
2024 $124,282,245,639 $422,227,005,429
2023 $120,456,239,154 $399,949,418,753
2022 $113,478,087,135 $407,830,525,990
2021 $94,850,719,517 $373,784,553,030
2020 $78,546,672,407 $337,456,163,961
2019 $89,146,130,745 $365,177,721,022
2018 $84,994,732,049 $358,788,845,713
2017 $79,070,274,743 $319,109,094,160
2016 $75,552,902,636 $301,256,033,870
2015 $70,966,782,572 $301,355,266,965
2014 $67,014,329,100 $338,066,095,097
2013 $62,555,417,415 $323,276,235,524
2012 $60,561,635,556 $314,443,047,642
2011 $57,948,261,616 $297,951,668,675
2010 $53,801,053,353 $255,017,638,456
2009 $48,223,781,477 $202,257,453,037
2008 $48,091,433,554 $230,811,614,370
2007 $43,965,458,509 $193,549,569,478
2006 $37,879,830,084 $162,692,258,307
2005 $35,777,560,684 $143,534,405,819
2004 $22,322,387,382 $124,749,473,684
2003 $21,403,167,848 $110,202,368,421
2002 $27,137,440,786 $100,845,526,316
2001 $25,601,823,688 $92,783,947,368
2000 $24,305,780,629 $93,789,736,842
1999 $22,136,579,397 $79,148,421,053
1998 $21,672,215,547 $72,167,498,981
1997 $20,017,450,041 $100,005,323,302
1996 $18,241,622,548 $100,855,393,910
1995 $16,637,370,839 $88,705,342,903
1994 $14,644,734,599 $74,478,356,958
1993 $13,081,042,400 $66,894,966,969
1992 $11,605,382,504 $59,167,550,163
1991 $9,824,483,340 $49,143,148,094
1990 $7,073,675,545 $44,024,585,240
1989 $6,686,593,060 $38,847,965,293
1988 $5,374,299,981 $35,272,109,220
1987 $5,827,050,753 $32,181,210,158
1986 $6,122,128,558 $27,734,111,400
1985 $5,044,579,979 $31,199,633,353
1984 $11,594,000,000 $33,942,897,422
1983 $9,220,600,000 $30,347,442,111
1982 $8,267,400,000 $26,804,493,635
1981 $7,561,300,000 $25,004,285,792
1980 $6,761,300,000 $24,488,224,677
1979 $5,498,800,000 $21,213,264,962
1978 $4,734,400,000 $16,358,079,862
1977 $4,587,100,000 $13,139,488,633
1976 $3,951,500,000 $11,050,234,599
1975 $3,599,200,000 $9,298,800,799
1974 $2,925,700,000 $9,496,204,302
1973 $2,344,800,000 $7,662,902,678
1972 $1,987,400,000 $5,043,347,250
1971 $1,666,500,000 $4,244,395,956
1970 $1,485,500,000 $3,864,145,667
1969 $1,230,500,000 $3,664,552,041
1968 $1,079,100,000 $3,330,371,551
1967 $1,034,800,000 $3,188,924,677
1966 $983,900,000 $3,143,517,944
1965 $888,100,000 $2,956,337,669
1964 $1,025,599,900 $2,674,423,922
1963 $940,799,900 $2,510,110,348
1962 $824,100,000 $2,001,489,602
1961 $654,100,200 $1,901,856,123
1960 $672,399,700 $1,916,229,477

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

GeoRank.org/economy/dominican-republic/malaysia | CC BY

GDP per capita in Dominican Republic vs Malaysia by year

Dominican Republic
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Malaysia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Dominican Republic Malaysia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $10,876 $27,542 $11,874 $38,779
2023 $10,630 $25,840 $11,386 $36,467
2022 $10,104 $24,626 $11,755 $34,420
2021 $8,527 $22,053 $10,903 $29,823
2020 $7,135 $18,998 $9,958 $27,475
2019 $8,183 $19,767 $10,920 $28,934
2018 $7,883 $17,995 $10,902 $27,794
2017 $7,413 $16,846 $9,863 $26,416
2016 $7,160 $16,282 $9,477 $25,286
2015 $6,801 $14,804 $9,649 $24,526
2014 $6,496 $13,465 $11,013 $24,307
2013 $6,137 $12,414 $10,714 $23,161
2012 $6,014 $11,777 $10,601 $22,639
2011 $5,827 $11,695 $10,217 $21,324
2010 $5,479 $11,246 $8,899 $20,193
2009 $4,974 $10,382 $7,191 $18,923
2008 $5,024 $10,346 $8,372 $19,480
2007 $4,650 $9,951 $7,169 $18,617
2006 $4,055 $9,130 $6,158 $17,426
2005 $3,878 $8,215 $5,556 $16,371
2004 $2,452 $7,375 $4,939 $15,416
2003 $2,383 $7,098 $4,465 $14,387
2002 $3,066 $7,158 $4,184 $13,656
2001 $2,936 $6,848 $3,944 $13,072
2000 $2,831 $6,639 $4,084 $13,027
1999 $2,621 $6,305 $3,528 $11,980
1998 $2,608 $5,963 $3,294 $11,398
1997 $2,449 $5,618 $4,679 $12,469
1996 $2,271 $5,161 $4,837 $11,709
1995 $2,109 $4,871 $4,363 $10,720
1994 $1,892 $4,599 $3,758 $9,806
1993 $1,722 $4,474 $3,462 $9,018
1992 $1,558 $4,151 $3,141 $8,224
1991 $1,346 $3,722 $2,679 $7,583
1990 $989 $3,641 $2,469 $6,887
1989 $955 - $2,244 -
1988 $784 - $2,100 -
1987 $868 - $1,977 -
1986 $932 - $1,760 -
1985 $784 - $2,046 -
1984 $1,844 - $2,300 -
1983 $1,500 - $2,124 -
1982 $1,376 - $1,938 -
1981 $1,288 - $1,866 -
1980 $1,180 - $1,886 -
1979 $984 - $1,680 -
1978 $868 - $1,327 -
1977 $863 - $1,092 -
1976 $763 - $940 -
1975 $713 - $811 -
1974 $595 - $848 -
1973 $490 - $701 -
1972 $427 - $472 -
1971 $368 - $407 -
1970 $338 - $380 -
1969 $287.7 - $368 -
1968 $259.6 - $342 -
1967 $256.2 - $335 -
1966 $250.9 - $339 -
1965 $233.2 - $326 -
1964 $277.3 - $303 -
1963 $262.2 - $291.8 -
1962 $236.8 - $238.8 -
1961 $193.9 - $232.9 -
1960 $205.7 - $240.8 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/dominican-republic/malaysia | CC BY

The Dominican Republic's GDP per capita is $10,876, ranking 83/197, compared to $11,874 in Malaysia, ranking 79/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the Dominican Republic ranks 76th at $27,542, while Malaysia ranks 60th at $38,779.

Economic indicators

Dominican Republic Malaysia
Gross domestic product
$124B
2024
$422B
2024
GDP rank
63/197
2024
38/197
2024
GDP growth
4.95%
2023-2024
5.11%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$10,876
2024
$11,874
2024
GDP per capita rank
83/197
2024
79/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$27,542
2024
$38,779
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
76/197
2024
60/197
2024
Government debt
$73.1B
2024
$296B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
58.8%
2024
70.1%
2024
Government debt per person
$6,394
2024
$8,322
2024
Government debt per person rank
71/185
2024
62/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$6,547
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%
29.5%
2024
30.9%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
2.3%
2024
2.3%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
19.5%
2024
23.9%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
3.3%
2023-2024
1.83%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
5.5%
2025
2.75%
2025
Unemployment rate
5.31%
2024
3.93%
2022
Population
11637906
36512221

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Dominican Republic
Spending

Debt
Malaysia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Dominican Republic Malaysia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 19.5% 58.8% 23.9% 70.1%
2023 19.1% 60.5% 24.9% 69.7%
2022 18.5% 59.6% 24.6% 65.5%
2021 18.4% 62.8% 24.5% 69.2%
2020 22.2% 71.8% 25% 67.7%
2019 17.8% 53.5% 23.6% 57.1%
2018 16.5% 50.8% 22.8% 55.6%
2017 17.3% 49.5% 22% 54.4%
2016 17% 46.7% 22.9% 55.8%
2015 16.7% 44.8% 24.7% 57%
2014 17% 45% 26% 55.4%
2013 18.5% 46.8% 27.8% 55.7%
2012 19.8% 42.4% 28.5% 53.8%
2011 16% 39.1% 27.1% 51.9%
2010 16.1% 37.4% 26.6% 51.2%
2009 16.2% 36.8% 30.9% 50.4%
2008 18.5% 33.6% 26.9% 39.4%
2007 16.3% 32.9% 25.9% 39.3%
2006 17% 36% 25.6% 39.7%
2005 15.5% 38.3% 24.5% 40.8%
2004 17.3% 34.3% 25.9% 42%
2003 17.2% 48.2% 28.1% 41.4%
2002 16.5% 21.5% 27.1% 39.5%
2001 14.9% 20.4% 28.2% 38.1%
2000 14.1% 16.7% 25.6% 32.5%
1999 13.4% 16% 24.6% 34.4%
1998 12.6% 13.2% 23.1% 33.6%
1997 13.2% 13.8% 21.2% 29.6%
1996 11.4% 23% 22.4% 32.8%
1995 11% 25.7% 22.6% 38.2%
1994 12.1% 28.5% 23.3% 43.7%
1993 13% 36.1% 24.6% 51.1%
1992 10.4% 38.5% 28.2% 59.1%
1991 8.65% 47.3% 27.4% 67.3%
1990 9.1% 84.7% 30.5% 74.1%
1989 11.3% 62.5% - -
1988 12.8% 77% - -
1987 11.2% 86.9% - -
1986 10.4% 63.8% - -
1985 9.8% 66.3% - -
1984 9.32% 28.9% - -
1983 10.2% 32.9% - -
1982 10.2% 33.1% - -
1981 12.1% 29.8% - -
1980 12.8% 15.2% - -
1979 13.8% 24% - -
1978 12.3% 20.9% - -
1977 11.4% 16.4% - -
1976 12.5% 15.6% - -
1975 13.7% 13.1% - -
1974 14.6% 14.6% - -
1973 13.7% 14.6% - -
1972 14.1% 16.4% - -
1971 13.8% 17.8% - -
1970 13.3% 18% - -
1969 15.5% 17.4% - -
1968 15.5% 18.1% - -
1967 15% 16.2% - -
1966 15.2% 14.5% - -
1965 12.8% - - -
1964 16.7% - - -
1963 15.1% - - -
1962 15.7% - - -
1961 20% - - -
1960 20.1% - - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1996, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/dominican-republic/malaysia | CC BY

In 2024, the Dominican Republic's government spending was $24.2B, accounting for 19.5% of its GDP, while Malaysia spent $101B, or 23.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 58.8% in the Dominican Republic and 70.1% in Malaysia, ranking 83/185 and 58/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Dominican Republic

Malaysia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Dominican Republic Malaysia
2024 -3.09% -3.95%
2023 -3.28% -3.97%
2022 -3.25% -4.56%
2021 -2.92% -6.03%
2020 -7.94% -4.9%
2019 -3.46% -2.01%
2018 -2.17% -2.64%
2017 -3.12% -2.41%
2016 -3.11% -2.6%
2015 -0.03% -2.55%
2014 -2.76% -2.63%
2013 -4.41% -3.48%
2012 -6.26% -3.1%
2011 -3.07% -3.57%
2010 -2.97% -4.32%
2009 -2.9% -5.88%
2008 -3.43% -3.4%
2007 0.28% -2.57%
2006 -1.69% -2.6%
2005 -0.71% -2.83%
2004 -3.6% -3.35%
2003 -4.24% -4.6%
2002 -2.28% -3.96%
2001 -0.73% -4.36%
2000 -0.86% -6.05%
1999 -0.79% -3%
1998 -0.29% -0.63%
1997 -0.64% 4.84%
1996 0.14% 3.27%
1995 0.82% 3.1%
1994 -0.39% 5.45%
1993 -0.16% 3.44%
1992 2.35% 1.81%
1991 0.11% 1.6%
1990 0.39% 0.15%
1989 -0.09% -
1988 -1.68% -
1987 -0.75% -
1986 -0.57% -
1985 -1.27% -
1984 -0.95% -
1983 -1.74% -
1982 -2.4% -
1981 -1.92% -
1980 -1.82% -
1979 -3.26% -
1978 -0.82% -
1977 0.15% -
1976 -0.22% -
1975 1.37% -
1974 -0.93% -
1973 -0.53% -
1972 -1.73% -
1971 -0.85% -
1970 -0.68% -
1969 -0.99% -
1968 -0.99% -
1967 -1.68% -
1966 -2.14% -
1965 -1.84% -
1964 -1.36% -
1963 -0.39% -
1962 -1.17% -
1961 -3% -
1960 -0.61% -
1959 -0.29% -
1958 -1.29% -
1957 0.21% -
1956 -0.05% -
1955 1.47% -
1954 1.43% -
1953 2.79% -
1952 0% -
1951 -2.58% -
1950 -3.66% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1950–1996, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/dominican-republic/malaysia | CC BY

In 2024, the Dominican Republic's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $3.84B, equivalent to 3.09% of GDP. This compares to Malaysia's deficit of $16.7B, or 3.95% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, the Dominican Republic recorded a fiscal deficit in 29 of those years, while Malaysia ran a deficit in 27 years. On average, the Dominican Republic posted an annual deficit equal to 2.01% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.07% of GDP for Malaysia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Dominican Republic

Malaysia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Dominican Republic Malaysia
2024 3.3% 1.83%
2023 4.79% 2.49%
2022 8.81% 3.38%
2021 8.24% 2.48%
2020 3.78% -1.14%
2019 1.81% 0.66%
2018 3.56% 0.88%
2017 3.28% 3.87%
2016 1.61% 2.09%
2015 0.84% 2.1%
2014 3% 3.14%
2013 4.83% 2.11%
2012 3.69% 1.66%
2011 5.8% 3.17%
2010 6.33% 1.62%
2009 1.44% 0.58%
2008 10.6% 5.44%
2007 6.14% 2.03%
2006 7.57% 3.61%
2005 4.19% 2.98%
2004 51.5% 1.42%
2003 27.4% 1.09%
2002 5.22% 1.81%
2001 8.88% 1.42%
2000 7.72% 1.53%
1999 6.47% 2.74%
1998 4.83% 5.27%
1997 8.3% 2.66%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/dominican-republic/malaysia | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, the Dominican Republic has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 7.64%, compared with 2.25% in Malaysia. In 2024, inflation was 3.3% in the Dominican Republic and 1.83% in Malaysia.

Top exports between countries

Dominican Republic
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $22.3M
Raw materials & minerals $13.4M
Metals $1.92M
Machinery & equipment $1.26M
Chemicals & pharma $391K
Textiles & consumer goods $153K
Animal & marine products $61K
Wood & paper products $46K
Malaysia
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $18.8M
Textiles & consumer goods $7.21M
Raw materials & minerals $6.3M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $5.62M
Wood & paper products $5.2M
Chemicals & pharma $4.04M
Miscellaneous $1.28M
Metals $255K
Precious metals & jewellery $65K
Raw agricultural goods $16K

Balance of trade

Dominican Republic Malaysia
Current account balance
-$4.17B
2024
$7.15B
2024
Current account balance ranking
163/190
2024
26/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-3.35%
2024
+1.69%
2024
Goods imports
$29.8B
2024
$223B
2024
Goods exports
$13.9B
2024
$248B
2024
Service imports
$6.34B
2024
$56.4B
2024
Service exports
$14.7B
2024
$53.4B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
29%
2024
66%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
22.8%
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.

Dominican Republic Malaysia
Economic freedom 63.8 68
Economic freedom ranking 77/197 51/197
Property rights 53.9 62.7
Government integrity 39.8 52.9
Judicial effectiveness 58 63.4
Tax burden 84.4 83.5
Government spending 89.1 82
Fiscal health 76.6 62.5
Business freedom 71.4 79.6
Labor freedom 53.2 55.4
Monetary freedom 72.1 80.8
Trade freedom 67.4 83
Investment freedom 60 60
Financial freedom 40 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Dominican Republic
Malaysia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Dominican Republic Malaysia
2026 63.8 68
2025 64.3 67.1
2024 62.9 65.7
2023 62.6 67.3
2022 63 68.1
2021 62.1 74.4
2020 60.9 74.7
2019 61 74
2018 61.6 74.5
2017 62.9 73.8
2016 61 71.5
2015 61 70.8
2014 61.3 69.6
2013 59.7 66.1
2012 60.2 66.4
2011 60 66.3
2010 60.3 64.8
2009 59.2 64.6
2008 57.7 63.9
2007 56.8 63.8
2006 56.3 61.6
2005 55.1 61.9
2004 54.6 59.9
2003 57.8 61.1
2002 58.6 60.1
2001 59.1 60.2
2000 59 66
1999 58.1 68.9
1998 58.1 68.2
1997 53.5 66.8
1996 58.1 69.9
1995 55.8 71.9

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

GeoRank.org/economy/dominican-republic/malaysia | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for the Dominican Republic is 63.8, ranking 77/197, compared to 68 for Malaysia, ranking 51/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Dominican Republic Malaysia
Services, % of GDP
59.8%
2024
53.7%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
28.7%
2024
37%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
4.45%
2024
8.13%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$117B
2024
$414B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$26,050
2024
$37,450
2024
Total reserves including gold
$13.5B
2024
$116B
2024
Total reserves ranking
71/177
2024
24/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$4.52B
2024
-$2.55B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$4.48B
2024
$15.6B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
-$47.3M
2024
$13B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
5.62%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
19%
2024
5.8%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
27%
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/dominican-republic/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 (1950–1996, 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 (2021–2024, 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.