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Economy of Gabon vs Malaysia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Gabon has a GDP of $20.9B compared to $422B for Malaysia, ranking 127/197 and 38/197 by economy size, respectively.

Gabon has $15.2B in government debt (72.7% of GDP), compared to $296B (70.1% of GDP) in Malaysia.

Gabon vs Malaysia GDP by year

Gabon
Malaysia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Gabon Malaysia
2024 $20,895,684,426 $422,227,005,429
2023 $19,388,372,071 $399,949,418,753
2022 $20,440,655,695 $407,830,525,990
2021 $19,444,935,097 $373,784,553,030
2020 $15,342,236,164 $337,456,163,961
2019 $16,874,405,465 $365,177,721,022
2018 $16,867,326,402 $358,788,845,713
2017 $14,929,487,485 $319,109,094,160
2016 $14,023,890,265 $301,256,033,870
2015 $14,383,107,763 $301,355,266,965
2014 $18,203,966,896 $338,066,095,097
2013 $17,595,744,798 $323,276,235,524
2012 $17,170,464,016 $314,443,047,642
2011 $18,210,307,744 $297,951,668,675
2010 $14,372,593,020 $255,017,638,456
2009 $12,113,699,068 $202,257,453,037
2008 $15,571,348,344 $230,811,614,370
2007 $12,455,409,587 $193,549,569,478
2006 $10,327,598,306 $162,692,258,307
2005 $9,582,783,991 $143,534,405,819
2004 $7,770,219,008 $124,749,473,684
2003 $6,511,903,365 $110,202,368,421
2002 $5,335,451,100 $100,845,526,316
2001 $5,023,265,413 $92,783,947,368
2000 $5,080,483,629 $93,789,736,842
1999 $4,662,992,036 $79,148,421,053
1998 $4,483,417,310 $72,167,498,981
1997 $5,326,817,115 $100,005,323,302
1996 $5,694,040,003 $100,855,393,910
1995 $4,958,845,648 $88,705,342,903
1994 $4,190,819,344 $74,478,356,958
1993 $4,378,645,081 $66,894,966,969
1992 $5,592,390,827 $59,167,550,163
1991 $5,402,919,785 $49,143,148,094
1990 $5,952,293,765 $44,024,585,240
1989 $4,186,411,464 $38,847,965,293
1988 $3,834,503,376 $35,272,109,220
1987 $3,281,797,043 $32,181,210,158
1986 $3,403,638,189 $27,734,111,400
1985 $3,339,914,757 $31,199,633,353
1984 $3,561,451,561 $33,942,897,422
1983 $3,391,275,732 $30,347,442,111
1982 $3,618,007,841 $26,804,493,635
1981 $3,862,269,121 $25,004,285,792
1980 $4,279,637,942 $24,488,224,677
1979 $3,030,251,120 $21,213,264,962
1978 $2,389,479,272 $16,358,079,862
1977 $2,809,349,069 $13,139,488,633
1976 $3,009,409,974 $11,050,234,599
1975 $2,157,592,940 $9,298,800,799
1974 $1,544,216,002 $9,496,204,302
1973 $722,780,701 $7,662,902,678
1972 $430,508,359 $5,043,347,250
1971 $381,687,073 $4,244,395,956
1970 $323,802,476 $3,864,145,667
1969 $318,124,701 $3,664,552,041
1968 $294,468,564 $3,330,371,551
1967 $271,543,680 $3,188,924,677
1966 $245,849,781 $3,143,517,944
1965 $226,474,286 $2,956,337,669
1964 $215,679,855 $2,674,423,922
1963 $154,480,244 $2,510,110,348
1962 $182,796,536 $2,001,489,602
1961 $167,637,907 $1,901,856,123
1960 $141,468,978 $1,916,229,477

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

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

GDP per capita in Gabon vs Malaysia by year

Gabon
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Malaysia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Gabon Malaysia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $8,230 $21,510 $11,874 $38,779
2023 $7,803 $20,756 $11,386 $36,467
2022 $8,409 $19,993 $11,755 $34,420
2021 $8,181 $18,524 $10,903 $29,823
2020 $6,606 $14,477 $9,958 $27,475
2019 $7,441 $15,950 $10,920 $28,934
2018 $7,624 $15,432 $10,902 $27,794
2017 $6,922 $14,797 $9,863 $26,416
2016 $6,677 $13,998 $9,477 $25,286
2015 $7,047 $14,306 $9,649 $24,526
2014 $9,201 $14,854 $11,013 $24,307
2013 $9,198 $14,498 $10,714 $23,161
2012 $9,297 $14,620 $10,601 $22,639
2011 $10,219 $14,784 $10,217 $21,324
2010 $8,357 $14,015 $8,899 $20,193
2009 $7,291 $13,384 $7,191 $18,923
2008 $9,689 $13,734 $8,372 $19,480
2007 $8,004 $14,391 $7,169 $18,617
2006 $6,847 $13,637 $6,158 $17,426
2005 $6,548 $14,028 $5,556 $16,371
2004 $5,466 $13,638 $4,939 $15,416
2003 $4,711 $13,564 $4,465 $14,387
2002 $3,966 $13,369 $4,184 $13,656
2001 $3,836 $13,556 $3,944 $13,072
2000 $3,983 $13,326 $4,084 $13,027
1999 $3,751 $13,629 $3,528 $11,980
1998 $3,700 $15,138 $3,294 $11,398
1997 $4,509 $14,837 $4,679 $12,469
1996 $4,943 $14,147 $4,837 $11,709
1995 $4,415 $13,750 $4,363 $10,720
1994 $3,828 $13,164 $3,758 $9,806
1993 $4,106 $12,757 $3,462 $9,018
1992 $5,386 $12,312 $3,141 $8,224
1991 $5,345 $12,760 $2,679 $7,583
1990 $6,051 $11,952 $2,469 $6,887
1989 $4,374 - $2,244 -
1988 $4,119 - $2,100 -
1987 $3,624 - $1,977 -
1986 $3,865 - $1,760 -
1985 $3,898 - $2,046 -
1984 $4,273 - $2,300 -
1983 $4,182 - $2,124 -
1982 $4,584 - $1,938 -
1981 $5,026 - $1,866 -
1980 $5,718 - $1,886 -
1979 $4,155 - $1,680 -
1978 $3,360 - $1,327 -
1977 $4,048 - $1,092 -
1976 $4,441 - $940 -
1975 $3,258 - $811 -
1974 $2,384 - $848 -
1973 $1,140 - $701 -
1972 $693 - $472 -
1971 $627 - $407 -
1970 $543 - $380 -
1969 $545 - $368 -
1968 $515 - $342 -
1967 $482 - $335 -
1966 $443 - $339 -
1965 $415 - $326 -
1964 $400 - $303 -
1963 $290.7 - $291.8 -
1962 $348 - $238.8 -
1961 $323 - $232.9 -
1960 $276.1 - $240.8 -

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

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

Gabon's GDP per capita is $8,230, ranking 93/197, compared to $11,874 in Malaysia, ranking 79/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Gabon ranks 90th at $21,510, while Malaysia ranks 60th at $38,779.

Economic indicators

Gabon Malaysia
Gross domestic product
$20.9B
2024
$422B
2024
GDP rank
127/197
2024
38/197
2024
GDP growth
3.39%
2023-2024
5.11%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$8,230
2024
$11,874
2024
GDP per capita rank
93/197
2024
79/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$21,510
2024
$38,779
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
90/197
2024
60/197
2024
Government debt
$15.2B
2024
$296B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
72.7%
2024
70.1%
2024
Government debt per person
$5,985
2024
$8,322
2024
Government debt per person rank
75/185
2024
62/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$5,368
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%
27.7%
2017
30.9%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
2.2%
2017
2.3%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
24.8%
2024
23.9%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.17%
2023-2024
1.83%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
2.75%
2025
Unemployment rate
20.4%
2010
3.93%
2022
Population
2663339
36512221

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Gabon
Spending

Debt
Malaysia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Gabon Malaysia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 24.8% 72.7% 23.9% 70.1%
2023 21.5% 70.6% 24.9% 69.7%
2022 19.7% 65.6% 24.6% 65.5%
2021 17.3% 72.9% 24.5% 69.2%
2020 19.8% 83% 25% 67.7%
2019 17.4% 59.8% 23.6% 57.1%
2018 17.1% 62.3% 22.8% 55.6%
2017 18.1% 62.9% 22% 54.4%
2016 21.8% 64.5% 22.9% 55.8%
2015 22.3% 44.7% 24.7% 57%
2014 23.8% 34.1% 26% 55.4%
2013 34.7% 31.1% 27.8% 55.7%
2012 23.9% 21.4% 28.5% 53.8%
2011 22.1% 21.4% 27.1% 51.9%
2010 23.1% 21.3% 26.6% 51.2%
2009 22.6% 26% 30.9% 50.4%
2008 18.9% 20.1% 26.9% 39.4%
2007 19.4% 39.2% 25.9% 39.3%
2006 21.1% 34.9% 25.6% 39.7%
2005 20.8% 41.7% 24.5% 40.8%
2004 20.9% 60.3% 25.9% 42%
2003 21.2% 70.2% 28.1% 41.4%
2002 25.7% 81.1% 27.1% 39.5%
2001 27.8% 81% 28.2% 38.1%
2000 20.3% 72.5% 25.6% 32.5%
1999 25.5% 73.1% 24.6% 34.4%
1998 45.5% 87.6% 23.1% 33.6%
1997 29.7% 57% 21.2% 29.6%
1996 22.2% 64.5% 22.4% 32.8%
1995 25.1% 73.4% 22.6% 38.2%
1994 23.9% 71.3% 23.3% 43.7%
1993 26.9% 90.1% 24.6% 51.1%
1992 26.5% 87.9% 28.2% 59.1%
1991 25.1% 89.3% 27.4% 67.3%
1990 22.6% 90% 30.5% 74.1%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Gabon's government spending was $5.18B, accounting for 24.8% of its GDP, while Malaysia spent $101B, or 23.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 72.7% in Gabon and 70.1% in Malaysia, ranking 51/185 and 58/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Gabon

Malaysia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Gabon Malaysia
2024 -3.84% -3.95%
2023 1.79% -3.97%
2022 -0.89% -4.56%
2021 -1.93% -6.03%
2020 -2.19% -4.9%
2019 2.13% -2.01%
2018 -0.21% -2.64%
2017 -1.7% -2.41%
2016 -4.71% -2.6%
2015 -1.12% -2.55%
2014 5.98% -2.63%
2013 -3.07% -3.48%
2012 6.2% -3.1%
2011 1.41% -3.57%
2010 2.7% -4.32%
2009 6.77% -5.88%
2008 11% -3.4%
2007 8.06% -2.57%
2006 8.67% -2.6%
2005 7.98% -2.83%
2004 6.99% -3.35%
2003 7.75% -4.6%
2002 3.72% -3.96%
2001 4.07% -4.36%
2000 11.1% -6.05%
1999 1.11% -3%
1998 -13.1% -0.63%
1997 1.41% 4.84%
1996 2.12% 3.27%
1995 2.64% 3.1%
1994 -1.53% 5.45%
1993 -5.35% 3.44%
1992 -4.9% 1.81%
1991 -2.03% 1.6%
1990 -3.83% 0.15%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Gabon's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $802M, equivalent to 3.84% of GDP. This compares to Malaysia's deficit of $16.7B, or 3.95% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Gabon recorded a fiscal deficit in 15 of those years, while Malaysia ran a deficit in 27 years. On average, Gabon posted an annual surplus equal to 1.52% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.07% of GDP for Malaysia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Gabon

Malaysia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Gabon Malaysia
2024 1.17% 1.83%
2023 3.63% 2.49%
2022 4.23% 3.38%
2021 1.09% 2.48%
2020 1.35% -1.14%
2019 2.46% 0.66%
2018 4.75% 0.88%
2017 2.65% 3.87%
2016 2.11% 2.09%
2015 -0.34% 2.1%
2014 4.69% 3.14%
2013 0.51% 2.11%
2012 2.65% 1.66%
2011 1.26% 3.17%
2010 1.46% 1.62%
2009 1.89% 0.58%
2008 5.26% 5.44%
2007 5.03% 2.03%
2006 -1.41% 3.61%
2005 3.71% 2.98%
2004 0.41% 1.42%
2003 2.24% 1.09%
2002 0.04% 1.81%
2001 2.14% 1.42%
2000 0.5% 1.53%
1999 -1.94% 2.74%
1998 1.45% 5.27%
1997 3.97% 2.66%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Gabon has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.03%, compared with 2.25% in Malaysia. In 2024, inflation was 1.17% in Gabon and 1.83% in Malaysia.

Top exports between countries

Gabon
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $631M
Wood & paper products $311K
Metals $298K
Chemicals & pharma $217K
Machinery & equipment $115K
Raw agricultural goods $44K
Textiles & consumer goods $22K
Precious metals & jewellery $2K
Animal & marine products $1K
Malaysia
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $5.69M
Machinery & equipment $5.4M
Animal & marine products $2.22M
Chemicals & pharma $2.1M
Textiles & consumer goods $1.5M
Raw materials & minerals $1.13M
Metals $281K
Wood & paper products $23K
Miscellaneous $20K
Precious metals & jewellery $6K

Balance of trade

Gabon Malaysia
Current account balance
$141M
2015
$7.15B
2024
Current account balance ranking
66/190
2015
26/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+0.98%
2015
+1.69%
2024
Goods imports
$3.17B
2015
$223B
2024
Goods exports
$5.11B
2015
$248B
2024
Service imports
$1.88B
2015
$56.4B
2024
Service exports
$277M
2015
$53.4B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
27.5%
2024
66%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
64.6%
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.

Gabon Malaysia
Economic freedom 56.6 68
Economic freedom ranking 120/197 51/197
Property rights 30 62.7
Government integrity 22.6 52.9
Judicial effectiveness 19.9 63.4
Tax burden 76.5 83.5
Government spending 85.5 82
Fiscal health 87.9 62.5
Business freedom 63.6 79.6
Labor freedom 55.4 55.4
Monetary freedom 80.9 80.8
Trade freedom 57.4 83
Investment freedom 60 60
Financial freedom 40 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Gabon
Malaysia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Gabon Malaysia
2026 56.6 68
2025 56.3 67.1
2024 56.9 65.7
2023 56.1 67.3
2022 55.8 68.1
2021 58.1 74.4
2020 56.7 74.7
2019 56.3 74
2018 58 74.5
2017 58.6 73.8
2016 59 71.5
2015 58.3 70.8
2014 57.8 69.6
2013 57.8 66.1
2012 56.4 66.4
2011 56.7 66.3
2010 55.4 64.8
2009 55 64.6
2008 54.2 63.9
2007 54.8 63.8
2006 56.1 61.6
2005 54.8 61.9
2004 57.1 59.9
2003 58.7 61.1
2002 58 60.1
2001 55 60.2
2000 58.2 66
1999 60.5 68.9
1998 59.2 68.2
1997 58.8 66.8
1996 55.7 69.9
1995 57.5 71.9

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Gabon is 56.6, ranking 120/197, compared to 68 for Malaysia, ranking 51/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Gabon Malaysia
Services, % of GDP
36.8%
2024
53.7%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
52.9%
2024
37%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
6.56%
2024
8.13%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$19.8B
2024
$414B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$20,400
2024
$37,450
2024
Total reserves including gold
$1.45B
2023
$116B
2024
Total reserves ranking
136/177
2023
24/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$25.3M
2015
-$2.55B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.14B
2024
$15.6B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
-$33.8M
2019
$13B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
5.67%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
33.4%
2017
5.8%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
19.1%
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/gabon/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. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. TradeMap (2022–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. 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.