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Economy of Malaysia vs Malta compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Malaysia has a GDP of $472B compared to $27.8B for Malta, ranking 35/197 and 118/197 by economy size, respectively.

Malaysia has $334B in government debt (70.7% of GDP), compared to $13B (46.8% of GDP) in Malta.

Malaysia vs Malta GDP by year

Malaysia
Malta
1x
Year GDP, current $
Malaysia Malta
2025 $472,193,128,645 $27,771,821,561
2024 $422,227,005,429 $25,042,712,191
2023 $399,949,418,753 $22,625,329,776
2022 $407,830,525,990 $18,938,869,147
2021 $373,784,553,030 $19,730,119,031
2020 $337,456,163,961 $16,404,655,808
2019 $365,177,721,022 $16,337,788,881
2018 $358,788,845,713 $16,153,785,817
2017 $319,109,094,160 $14,161,374,599
2016 $301,256,033,870 $12,025,777,078
2015 $301,355,266,965 $11,340,789,706
2014 $338,066,095,097 $11,888,029,752
2013 $323,276,235,524 $10,796,780,874
2012 $314,443,047,642 $9,609,530,619
2011 $297,951,668,675 $9,789,363,086
2010 $255,017,638,456 $9,097,044,301
2009 $202,257,453,037 $8,769,897,418
2008 $230,811,614,370 $9,172,399,573
2007 $193,549,569,478 $7,908,412,374
2006 $162,692,258,307 $6,749,838,862
2005 $143,534,405,819 $6,393,234,965
2004 $124,749,473,684 $6,104,141,501
2003 $110,202,368,421 $5,418,315,225
2002 $100,845,526,316 $4,455,127,398
2001 $92,783,947,368 $4,070,867,153
2000 $93,789,736,842 $4,036,809,767
1999 $79,148,421,053 $4,111,857,836
1998 $72,167,498,981 $4,010,111,652
1997 $100,005,323,302 $3,787,023,655
1996 $100,855,393,910 $3,822,547,151
1995 $88,705,342,903 $3,709,396,089
1994 $74,478,356,958 $2,998,505,428
1993 $66,894,966,969 $2,709,193,538
1992 $59,167,550,163 $3,021,942,759
1991 $49,143,148,094 $2,750,216,747
1990 $44,024,585,240 $2,547,328,748
1989 $38,847,965,293 $2,118,655,677
1988 $35,272,109,220 $2,019,503,068
1987 $32,181,210,158 $1,751,293,461
1986 $27,734,111,400 $1,435,038,441
1985 $31,199,633,353 $1,117,797,439
1984 $33,942,897,422 $1,101,807,023
1983 $30,347,442,111 $1,165,729,707
1982 $26,804,493,635 $1,234,474,404
1981 $25,004,285,792 $1,243,509,394
1980 $24,488,224,677 $1,250,198,601
1979 $21,213,264,962 $1,001,288,847
1978 $16,358,079,862 $793,673,402
1977 $13,139,488,633 $625,563,171
1976 $11,050,234,599 $527,936,989
1975 $9,298,800,799 $474,618,321
1974 $9,496,204,302 $376,081,124
1973 $7,662,902,678 $345,616,106
1972 $5,043,347,250 $295,106,628
1971 $4,244,395,956 $264,578,485
1970 $3,864,145,667 $250,728,796
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/malaysia/malta | CC BY

GDP per capita in Malaysia vs Malta by year

Malaysia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Malta
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Malaysia Malta
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $13,125 - $47,907 -
2024 $11,874 $38,779 $44,024 $69,864
2023 $11,386 $36,467 $40,933 $67,057
2022 $11,755 $34,420 $35,659 $60,589
2021 $10,903 $29,823 $38,078 $56,852
2020 $9,958 $27,475 $31,823 $49,972
2019 $10,920 $28,934 $32,422 $51,393
2018 $10,902 $27,794 $33,382 $48,178
2017 $9,863 $26,416 $30,317 $45,764
2016 $9,477 $25,286 $26,459 $41,000
2015 $9,649 $24,526 $25,530 $38,369
2014 $11,013 $24,307 $27,425 $35,206
2013 $10,714 $23,161 $25,416 $33,138
2012 $10,601 $22,639 $22,878 $30,716
2011 $10,217 $21,324 $23,517 $29,426
2010 $8,899 $20,193 $21,947 $28,909
2009 $7,191 $18,923 $21,262 $26,782
2008 $8,372 $19,480 $22,406 $26,654
2007 $7,169 $18,617 $19,444 $25,012
2006 $6,158 $17,426 $16,654 $23,219
2005 $5,556 $16,371 $15,831 $22,227
2004 $4,939 $15,416 $15,212 $21,566
2003 $4,465 $14,387 $13,594 $20,813
2002 $4,184 $13,656 $11,251 $19,532
2001 $3,944 $13,072 $10,358 $18,435
2000 $4,084 $13,027 $10,348 $18,214
1999 $3,528 $11,980 $10,609 $16,898
1998 $3,294 $11,398 $10,408 $16,219
1997 $4,679 $12,469 $9,893 $15,465
1996 $4,837 $11,709 $10,062 $14,661
1995 $4,363 $10,720 $9,828 $13,950
1994 $3,758 $9,806 $8,000 $12,938
1993 $3,462 $9,018 $7,296 $12,103
1992 $3,141 $8,224 $8,220 $11,429
1991 $2,679 $7,583 $7,559 $10,784
1990 $2,469 $6,887 $7,192 $10,086
1989 $2,244 - $6,041 -
1988 $2,100 - $5,814 -
1987 $1,977 - $5,084 -
1986 $1,760 - $4,195 -
1985 $2,046 - $3,322 -
1984 $2,300 - $3,333 -
1983 $2,124 - $3,527 -
1982 $1,938 - $3,788 -
1981 $1,866 - $3,898 -
1980 $1,886 - $3,948 -
1979 $1,680 - $3,196 -
1978 $1,327 - $2,559 -
1977 $1,092 - $2,038 -
1976 $940 - $1,727 -
1975 $811 - $1,560 -
1974 $848 - $1,245 -
1973 $701 - $1,144 -
1972 $472 - $976 -
1971 $407 - $874 -
1970 $380 - $828 -
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/malaysia/malta | CC BY

Malaysia's GDP per capita is $13,125, ranking 78/197, compared to $47,907 in Malta, ranking 28/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Malaysia ranks 60th at $38,779, while Malta ranks 25th at $69,864.

Economic indicators

Malaysia Malta
Gross domestic product
$472B
2025
$27.8B
2025
GDP rank
35/197
2025
118/197
2025
GDP growth
5.17%
2024-2025
3.96%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$13,125
2025
$47,907
2025
GDP per capita rank
78/197
2025
28/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$38,779
2024
$69,864
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
60/197
2024
25/197
2024
Government debt
$334B
2025
$13B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
70.7%
2025
46.8%
2025
Government debt per person
$9,273
2025
$22,407
2025
Government debt per person rank
62/185
2025
30/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$11,034
2026
$22,914
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$487B
2025
$5.35B
2025
Number of billionaires
19
2026
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
30.9%
2021
24.7%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
2.3%
2021
2.8%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
23.4%
2025
37%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
1.38%
2024-2025
2.36%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
2.75%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
3.9%
2022
3.1%
2025
Population
36600906
586345

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Malaysia
Spending

Debt
Malta
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Malaysia Malta
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 23.4% 70.7% 37% 46.8%
2024 24% 69.8% 37.4% 46%
2023 25% 69.7% 35.8% 46.8%
2022 24.6% 65.5% 38.4% 50.1%
2021 24.5% 69.2% 39.5% 49.6%
2020 25% 67.7% 42.1% 48.6%
2019 23.6% 57.1% 34.9% 39.2%
2018 22.8% 55.6% 34.5% 41.4%
2017 22% 54.4% 32.7% 45.6%
2016 22.9% 55.8% 35.5% 53.1%
2015 24.7% 57% 37.8% 55%
2014 26% 55.4% 39.6% 60.7%
2013 27.8% 55.7% 40.1% 64.9%
2012 28.5% 53.8% 41.7% 65.6%
2011 27.1% 51.9% 41.5% 68.9%
2010 26.6% 51.2% 40.1% 65%
2009 30.9% 50.4% 41.1% 66%
2008 26.9% 39.4% 42.1% 61.5%
2007 25.9% 39.3% 41.2% 62%
2006 25.6% 39.7% 42.5% 64.5%
2005 24.5% 40.8% 42.5% 70.2%
2004 25.9% 42% 42% 70.4%
2003 28.1% 41.4% 45.6% 68.6%
2002 27.1% 39.5% 43.6% 65.1%
2001 28.2% 38.1% 44.4% 70%
2000 25.6% 32.5% 42.9% 64.4%
1999 24.6% 34.4% - 69.8%
1998 23.1% 33.6% - 66.4%
1997 21.2% 29.6% - 60.8%
1996 22.4% 32.8% - 51.5%
1995 22.6% 38.2% - 45.3%
1994 23.3% 43.7% - -
1993 24.6% 51.1% - -
1992 28.2% 59.1% - -
1991 27.4% 67.3% - -
1990 30.5% 74.1% - -

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

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

In 2025, Malaysia's government spending was $111B, accounting for 23.4% of its GDP, while Malta spent $10.3B, or 37% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 70.7% in Malaysia and 46.8% in Malta, ranking 56/185 and 113/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Malaysia

Malta
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Malaysia Malta
2025 -3.54% -3.1%
2024 -3.45% -3.51%
2023 -4.11% -4.43%
2022 -4.56% -5.33%
2021 -6.03% -6.96%
2020 -4.9% -8.71%
2019 -2.01% 0.72%
2018 -2.64% 1.86%
2017 -2.41% 3.4%
2016 -2.6% 1.1%
2015 -2.55% -0.84%
2014 -2.63% -1.49%
2013 -3.48% -2.19%
2012 -3.1% -3.31%
2011 -3.57% -2.99%
2010 -4.32% -2.22%
2009 -5.88% -3.11%
2008 -3.4% -4.06%
2007 -2.57% -2.05%
2006 -2.6% -2.46%
2005 -2.83% -2.83%
2004 -3.35% -4.28%
2003 -4.6% -9.04%
2002 -3.96% -5.62%
2001 -4.36% -6.5%
2000 -6.05% -5.83%
1999 -3% -
1998 -0.63% -
1997 4.84% -
1996 3.27% -
1995 3.1% -
1994 5.45% -
1993 3.44% -
1992 1.81% -
1991 1.6% -
1990 0.15% -

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

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

In 2025, Malaysia's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $16.7B, equivalent to 3.54% of GDP. This compares to Malta's deficit of $861M, or 3.1% of GDP.

Over the past 26 years, Malaysia recorded a fiscal deficit in 26 of those years, while Malta ran a deficit in 22 years. On average, Malaysia posted an annual deficit equal to 3.67% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.22% of GDP for Malta.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Malaysia

Malta
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Malaysia Malta
2025 1.38% 2.36%
2024 1.83% 1.65%
2023 2.49% 5.09%
2022 3.38% 6.15%
2021 2.48% 1.5%
2020 -1.14% 0.64%
2019 0.66% 1.64%
2018 0.88% 1.16%
2017 3.87% 1.36%
2016 2.09% 0.64%
2015 2.1% 1.1%
2014 3.14% 0.31%
2013 2.11% 1.18%
2012 1.66% 2.38%
2011 3.17% 2.96%
2010 1.62% 1.52%
2009 0.58% 2.08%
2008 5.44% 4.26%
2007 2.03% 1.25%
2006 3.61% 2.77%
2005 2.98% 3.01%
2004 1.42% 2.79%
2003 1.09% 1.3%
2002 1.81% 2.19%
2001 1.42% 2.93%
2000 1.53% 2.37%
1999 2.74% 2.13%
1998 5.27% 2.39%
1997 2.66% 3.11%

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

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

Over the past 29 years, Malaysia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.22%, compared with 2.22% in Malta. In 2025, inflation was 1.38% in Malaysia and 2.36% in Malta.

Top exports between countries

Malaysia
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $9.43M
Textiles & consumer goods $3.56M
Miscellaneous $1.21M
Chemicals & pharma $1.03M
Raw materials & minerals $840K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $832K
Metals $155K
Wood & paper products $149K
Animal & marine products $8K
Precious metals & jewellery $5K
Malta
Export category Export value
Wood & paper products $9.36M
Transport & tourism services $8.53M
Business & finance services $2.3M
Machinery & equipment $2.04M
IT & IP services $1.42M
Chemicals & pharma $368K
Raw materials & minerals $281K
Manufacturing & construction services $237K
Government & miscellaneous services $118K
Metals $96K

Balance of trade

Malaysia Malta
Current account balance
$7.15B
2024
$1.78B
2024
Current account balance ranking
29/190
2024
45/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+1.69%
2024
+7.1%
2024
Goods imports
$223B
2024
$7.56B
2024
Goods exports
$248B
2024
$4.58B
2024
Service imports
$56.4B
2024
$17.4B
2024
Service exports
$53.4B
2024
$25B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
65.4%
2025
99.9%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
71%
2025
119.1%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Malaysia Malta
Economic freedom 68 68.2
Economic freedom ranking 51/197 49/197
Property rights 62.7 85.5
Government integrity 52.9 54.3
Judicial effectiveness 63.4 80.2
Tax burden 83.5 68.5
Government spending 82 58.4
Fiscal health 62.5 63.2
Business freedom 79.6 83.2
Labor freedom 55.4 62.6
Monetary freedom 80.8 73.1
Trade freedom 83 79.4
Investment freedom 60 60
Financial freedom 50 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Malaysia
Malta
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Malaysia Malta
2026 68 68.2
2025 67.1 66.8
2024 65.7 64.5
2023 67.3 67.5
2022 68.1 71.5
2021 74.4 70.2
2020 74.7 69.5
2019 74 68.6
2018 74.5 68.5
2017 73.8 67.7
2016 71.5 66.7
2015 70.8 66.5
2014 69.6 66.4
2013 66.1 67.5
2012 66.4 67
2011 66.3 65.7
2010 64.8 67.2
2009 64.6 66.1
2008 63.9 66
2007 63.8 66.1
2006 61.6 67.3
2005 61.9 68.9
2004 59.9 63.3
2003 61.1 61.1
2002 60.1 62.2
2001 60.2 62.9
2000 66 58.3
1999 68.9 59.3
1998 68.2 61.2
1997 66.8 57.9
1996 69.9 55.8
1995 71.9 56.3

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Malaysia is 68, ranking 51/197, compared to 68.2 for Malta, ranking 49/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Malaysia Malta
Services, % of GDP
54.8%
2025
81.3%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
35.7%
2025
10.1%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
8.22%
2025
0.47%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$445B
2025
$24B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$40,070
2025
$64,900
2025
Total reserves including gold
$126B
2025
$1.54B
2025
Total reserves ranking
25/177
2025
134/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$2.55B
2024
-$6.13B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$15.6B
2024
$42.6B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$13B
2024
$36.5B
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
5.1%
2023
16.7%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
20.5%
2025
18.7%
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/malaysia/malta | 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. TradeMap (2021–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. 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.

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.