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Economy of Madagascar vs Malaysia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Madagascar has a GDP of $19.6B compared to $472B for Malaysia, ranking 136/197 and 35/197 by economy size, respectively.

Madagascar has $9.56B in government debt (48.7% of GDP), compared to $334B (70.7% of GDP) in Malaysia.

Madagascar vs Malaysia GDP by year

Madagascar
Malaysia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Madagascar Malaysia
2025 $19,620,352,036 $472,193,128,645
2024 $17,592,832,696 $422,227,005,429
2023 $16,036,707,976 $399,949,418,753
2022 $15,342,178,598 $407,830,525,990
2021 $14,354,731,964 $373,784,553,030
2020 $13,051,441,204 $337,456,163,961
2019 $14,104,664,679 $365,177,721,022
2018 $13,760,033,282 $358,788,845,713
2017 $13,176,313,594 $319,109,094,160
2016 $11,848,613,858 $301,256,033,870
2015 $11,323,020,701 $301,355,266,965
2014 $12,522,957,399 $338,066,095,097
2013 $12,423,555,455 $323,276,235,524
2012 $11,578,975,062 $314,443,047,642
2011 $11,551,819,618 $297,951,668,675
2010 $9,982,711,338 $255,017,638,456
2009 $9,616,879,409 $202,257,453,037
2008 $10,725,137,724 $230,811,614,370
2007 $8,524,620,890 $193,549,569,478
2006 $6,395,712,491 $162,692,258,307
2005 $5,859,269,753 $143,534,405,819
2004 $5,064,732,626 $124,749,473,684
2003 $6,372,498,890 $110,202,368,421
2002 $5,351,701,663 $100,845,526,316
2001 $5,438,332,602 $92,783,947,368
2000 $4,629,247,204 $93,789,736,842
1999 $4,277,903,780 $79,148,421,053
1998 $4,401,967,633 $72,167,498,981
1997 $4,262,965,420 $100,005,323,302
1996 $4,931,861,039 $100,855,393,910
1995 $3,838,100,904 $88,705,342,903
1994 $3,522,227,092 $74,478,356,958
1993 $4,063,298,919 $66,894,966,969
1992 $3,714,966,678 $59,167,550,163
1991 $3,254,713,056 $49,143,148,094
1990 $3,931,334,875 $44,024,585,240
1989 $3,175,638,333 $38,847,965,293
1988 $3,189,456,965 $35,272,109,220
1987 $3,212,900,556 $32,181,210,158
1986 $4,347,989,788 $27,734,111,400
1985 $3,802,557,895 $31,199,633,353
1984 $3,905,938,481 $33,942,897,422
1983 $4,686,457,031 $30,347,442,111
1982 $4,784,977,326 $26,804,493,635
1981 $4,759,333,998 $25,004,285,792
1980 $5,201,818,348 $24,488,224,677
1979 $3,463,565,854 $21,213,264,962
1978 $2,669,755,115 $16,358,079,862
1977 $2,358,930,406 $13,139,488,633
1976 $2,181,844,179 $11,050,234,599
1975 $2,283,049,215 $9,298,800,799
1974 $1,917,508,190 $9,496,204,302
1973 $1,653,062,335 $7,662,902,678
1972 $1,341,590,690 $5,043,347,250
1971 $1,199,507,631 $4,244,395,956
1970 $1,111,859,571 $3,864,145,667
1969 $1,056,391,056 $3,664,552,041
1968 $1,031,669,637 $3,330,371,551
1967 $956,436,932 $3,188,924,677
1966 $900,264,585 $3,143,517,944
1965 $833,563,473 $2,956,337,669
1964 $802,482,184 $2,674,423,922
1963 $759,345,864 $2,510,110,348
1962 $739,286,908 $2,001,489,602
1961 $699,161,945 $1,901,856,123
1960 $673,081,725 $1,916,229,477

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

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

GDP per capita in Madagascar vs Malaysia by year

Madagascar
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Malaysia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Madagascar Malaysia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $599 - $13,125 -
2024 $550 $1,884 $11,874 $38,779
2023 $514 $1,808 $11,386 $36,467
2022 $504 $1,717 $11,755 $34,420
2021 $483 $1,577 $10,903 $29,823
2020 $451 $1,490 $9,958 $27,475
2019 $500 $1,612 $10,920 $28,934
2018 $500 $1,547 $10,902 $27,794
2017 $492 $1,547 $9,863 $26,416
2016 $454 $1,562 $9,477 $25,286
2015 $445 $1,497 $9,649 $24,526
2014 $506 $1,499 $11,013 $24,307
2013 $515 $1,473 $10,714 $23,161
2012 $494 $1,464 $10,601 $22,639
2011 $506 $1,475 $10,217 $21,324
2010 $450 $1,464 $8,899 $20,193
2009 $446 $1,480 $7,191 $18,923
2008 $513 $1,577 $8,372 $19,480
2007 $420 $1,493 $7,169 $18,617
2006 $324 $1,416 $6,158 $17,426
2005 $306 $1,343 $5,556 $16,371
2004 $272.2 $1,280 $4,939 $15,416
2003 $353 $1,219 $4,465 $14,387
2002 $305 $1,121 $4,184 $13,656
2001 $319 $1,299 $3,944 $13,072
2000 $280.3 $1,236 $4,084 $13,027
1999 $267.4 $1,194 $3,528 $11,980
1998 $284.2 $1,162 $3,294 $11,398
1997 $284.4 $1,142 $4,679 $12,469
1996 $340 $1,119 $4,837 $11,709
1995 $273.1 $1,111 $4,363 $10,720
1994 $258.7 $1,104 $3,758 $9,806
1993 $308 $1,116 $3,462 $9,018
1992 $290.2 $1,101 $3,141 $8,224
1991 $262 $1,096 $2,679 $7,583
1990 $326 $1,166 $2,469 $6,887
1989 $271.3 - $2,244 -
1988 $280.5 - $2,100 -
1987 $290.8 - $1,977 -
1986 $405 - $1,760 -
1985 $364 - $2,046 -
1984 $385 - $2,300 -
1983 $476 - $2,124 -
1982 $501 - $1,938 -
1981 $513 - $1,866 -
1980 $578 - $1,886 -
1979 $396 - $1,680 -
1978 $315 - $1,327 -
1977 $286.9 - $1,092 -
1976 $273.5 - $940 -
1975 $295 - $811 -
1974 $255.3 - $848 -
1973 $226.8 - $701 -
1972 $189.6 - $472 -
1971 $174.6 - $407 -
1970 $166.6 - $380 -
1969 $162.9 - $368 -
1968 $163.6 - $342 -
1967 $155.9 - $335 -
1966 $150.7 - $339 -
1965 $143.2 - $326 -
1964 $141.5 - $303 -
1963 $137.4 - $291.8 -
1962 $137.3 - $238.8 -
1961 $133.3 - $232.9 -
1960 $131.7 - $240.8 -

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

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

Madagascar's GDP per capita is $599, ranking 194/197, compared to $13,125 in Malaysia, ranking 78/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Madagascar ranks 187th at $1,884, while Malaysia ranks 60th at $38,779.

Economic indicators

Madagascar Malaysia
Gross domestic product
$19.6B
2025
$472B
2025
GDP rank
136/197
2025
35/197
2025
GDP growth
3%
2024-2025
5.17%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$599
2025
$13,125
2025
GDP per capita rank
194/197
2025
78/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,884
2024
$38,779
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
187/197
2024
60/197
2024
Government debt
$9.56B
2025
$334B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
48.7%
2025
70.7%
2025
Government debt per person
$292
2025
$9,273
2025
Government debt per person rank
179/185
2025
62/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,285
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%
29.6%
2021
30.9%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
2.9%
2021
2.3%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
13.5%
2025
23.4%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
8.05%
2024-2025
1.38%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate n/a
2.75%
2025
Unemployment rate
3.19%
2022
3.9%
2022
Population
33936132
36600906

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Madagascar
Spending

Debt
Malaysia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Madagascar Malaysia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 13.5% 48.7% 23.4% 70.7%
2024 16.1% 49.8% 24% 69.8%
2023 17.7% 52.1% 25% 69.7%
2022 16.2% 49.8% 24.6% 65.5%
2021 13.9% 49.4% 24.5% 69.2%
2020 16.4% 52.9% 25% 67.7%
2019 15.4% 41.3% 23.6% 57.1%
2018 14.4% 42.9% 22.8% 55.6%
2017 14.9% 40.1% 22% 54.4%
2016 13.5% 40.3% 22.9% 55.8%
2015 13% 44.1% 24.7% 57%
2014 12.6% 37.8% 26% 55.4%
2013 12.7% 36.2% 27.8% 55.7%
2012 11.5% 30.4% 28.5% 53.8%
2011 12% 29.9% 27.1% 51.9%
2010 12.3% 32.3% 26.6% 51.2%
2009 12.5% 34.9% 30.9% 50.4%
2008 15.7% 31% 26.9% 39.4%
2007 16.1% 28.2% 25.9% 39.3%
2006 18.5% 32.2% 25.6% 39.7%
2005 18.4% 74.4% 24.5% 40.8%
2004 21.7% 81.9% 25.9% 42%
2003 16.6% 85.9% 28.1% 41.4%
2002 12.4% 86.7% 27.1% 39.5%
2001 15.3% 82.1% 28.2% 38.1%
2000 15.3% 90.2% 25.6% 32.5%
1999 15.5% 104.1% 24.6% 34.4%
1998 16.9% 108.5% 23.1% 33.6%
1997 14.5% 89.7% 21.2% 29.6%
1996 14.4% 98.7% 22.4% 32.8%
1995 14.5% 95.8% 22.6% 38.2%
1994 16.7% 96% 23.3% 43.7%
1993 17.1% 105.2% 24.6% 51.1%
1992 16.2% 110.9% 28.2% 59.1%
1991 13.5% 113.8% 27.4% 67.3%
1990 13.3% 92.7% 30.5% 74.1%
1989 15.5% 122% - -
1988 11.4% 126.6% - -
1987 10.4% 127.5% - -
1986 11.1% 84.9% - -
1985 11.8% 82.7% - -
1984 13.9% 70.9% - -
1983 13.4% 57.5% - -
1982 14.3% 56.1% - -
1981 18.2% 51.5% - -
1980 22.7% 37.7% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1980–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Madagascar's government spending was $2.65B, accounting for 13.5% of its GDP, while Malaysia spent $111B, or 23.4% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 48.7% in Madagascar and 70.7% in Malaysia, ranking 109/185 and 56/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Madagascar

Malaysia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Madagascar Malaysia
2025 -2.21% -3.54%
2024 -2.49% -3.45%
2023 -4.15% -4.11%
2022 -5.45% -4.56%
2021 -2.83% -6.03%
2020 -3.96% -4.9%
2019 -1.42% -2.01%
2018 -1.34% -2.64%
2017 -2.1% -2.41%
2016 -1.11% -2.6%
2015 -2.85% -2.55%
2014 -1.96% -2.63%
2013 -3.4% -3.48%
2012 -2.24% -3.1%
2011 -2.04% -3.57%
2010 -0.76% -4.32%
2009 -2.26% -5.88%
2008 -1.72% -3.4%
2007 -2.31% -2.57%
2006 -5.71% -2.6%
2005 -2.47% -2.83%
2004 -4.23% -3.35%
2003 -3.32% -4.6%
2002 -4.09% -3.96%
2001 -3.61% -4.36%
2000 -2.35% -6.05%
1999 -2.42% -3%
1998 -5.31% -0.63%
1997 -2% 4.84%
1996 -3.97% 3.27%
1995 -5.09% 3.1%
1994 -7.23% 5.45%
1993 -6.34% 3.44%
1992 -5% 1.81%
1991 -4.4% 1.6%
1990 -0.49% 0.15%
1989 -3.35% -
1988 -0.57% -
1987 -2.12% -
1986 -2.24% -
1985 -2.39% -
1984 -6.09% -
1983 -6.04% -
1982 -6.97% -
1981 -9.97% -
1980 -11% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1980–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Madagascar's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $433M, equivalent to 2.21% of GDP. This compares to Malaysia's deficit of $16.7B, or 3.54% of GDP.

Over the past 36 years, Madagascar recorded a fiscal deficit in 36 of those years, while Malaysia ran a deficit in 28 years. On average, Madagascar posted an annual deficit equal to 3.18% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.1% of GDP for Malaysia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Madagascar

Malaysia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Madagascar Malaysia
2025 8.05% 1.38%
2024 7.61% 1.83%
2023 9.87% 2.49%
2022 8.16% 3.38%
2021 5.81% 2.48%
2020 4.2% -1.14%
2019 5.61% 0.66%
2018 8.59% 0.88%
2017 8.61% 3.87%
2016 6.04% 2.09%
2015 7.4% 2.1%
2014 6.08% 3.14%
2013 5.83% 2.11%
2012 5.71% 1.66%
2011 9.48% 3.17%
2010 9.25% 1.62%
2009 8.95% 0.58%
2008 9.3% 5.44%
2007 10.3% 2.03%
2006 10.8% 3.61%
2005 18.4% 2.98%
2004 14% 1.42%
2003 -1.7% 1.09%
2002 16.5% 1.81%
2001 7.92% 1.42%
2000 11.9% 1.53%
1999 9.93% 2.74%
1998 6.21% 5.27%
1997 4.49% 2.66%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 29 years, Madagascar has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 8.38%, compared with 2.22% in Malaysia. In 2025, inflation was 8.05% in Madagascar and 1.38% in Malaysia.

Top exports between countries

Madagascar
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $5.32M
Raw materials & minerals $2.52M
Animal & marine products $725K
Raw agricultural goods $690K
Machinery & equipment $302K
Textiles & consumer goods $152K
Metals $18K
Chemicals & pharma $13K
Malaysia
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $188M
Machinery & equipment $8.91M
Chemicals & pharma $6.17M
Animal & marine products $2.2M
Wood & paper products $1.65M
Textiles & consumer goods $1.02M
Raw materials & minerals $542K
Metals $25K
Precious metals & jewellery $21K
Miscellaneous $6K

Balance of trade

Madagascar Malaysia
Current account balance
-$749M
2024
$7.15B
2024
Current account balance ranking
110/190
2024
29/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-4.26%
2024
+1.69%
2024
Goods imports
$4.16B
2024
$223B
2024
Goods exports
$2.58B
2024
$248B
2024
Service imports
$1.27B
2024
$56.4B
2024
Service exports
$1.53B
2024
$53.4B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
32.9%
2025
65.4%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
21.3%
2025
71%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Madagascar Malaysia
Economic freedom 57 68
Economic freedom ranking 119/197 51/197
Property rights 39.8 62.7
Government integrity 26.8 52.9
Judicial effectiveness 33.7 63.4
Tax burden 90.5 83.5
Government spending 91.5 82
Fiscal health 68.8 62.5
Business freedom 37.3 79.6
Labor freedom 56.1 55.4
Monetary freedom 71.8 80.8
Trade freedom 67.6 83
Investment freedom 50 60
Financial freedom 50 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Madagascar
Malaysia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Madagascar Malaysia
2026 57 68
2025 57 67.1
2024 57.3 65.7
2023 58.9 67.3
2022 58.9 68.1
2021 57.7 74.4
2020 60.5 74.7
2019 56.6 74
2018 56.8 74.5
2017 57.4 73.8
2016 61.1 71.5
2015 61.7 70.8
2014 61.7 69.6
2013 62 66.1
2012 62.4 66.4
2011 61.2 66.3
2010 63.2 64.8
2009 62.2 64.6
2008 62.4 63.9
2007 61.1 63.8
2006 61 61.6
2005 63.1 61.9
2004 60.9 59.9
2003 62.8 61.1
2002 56.8 60.1
2001 53.9 60.2
2000 54.4 66
1999 52.8 68.9
1998 51.8 68.2
1997 53.8 66.8
1996 52.2 69.9
1995 51.6 71.9

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Madagascar is 57, ranking 119/197, compared to 68 for Malaysia, ranking 51/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Madagascar Malaysia
Services, % of GDP
48.8%
2025
54.8%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
23.9%
2025
35.7%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
21.7%
2025
8.22%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$18.2B
2025
$445B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,910
2025
$40,070
2025
Total reserves including gold
$2.78B
2024
$126B
2025
Total reserves ranking
122/177
2024
25/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$472M
2024
-$2.55B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$606M
2024
$15.6B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$134M
2024
$13B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.71%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
75.2%
2021
5.1%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
24.1%
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/madagascar/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 (1980–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. TradeMap (2023–2025, 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.