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Economy of Malaysia vs Moldova compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Malaysia has a GDP of $422B compared to $18.2B for Moldova, ranking 38/197 and 134/197 by economy size, respectively.

Malaysia has $296B in government debt (70.1% of GDP), compared to $7.06B (38.8% of GDP) in Moldova.

Malaysia vs Moldova GDP by year

Malaysia
Moldova
1x
Year GDP, current $
Malaysia Moldova
2024 $422,227,005,429 $18,200,340,854
2023 $399,949,418,753 $16,711,906,746
2022 $407,830,525,990 $14,525,337,524
2021 $373,784,553,030 $13,691,869,264
2020 $337,456,163,961 $11,530,746,234
2019 $365,177,721,022 $11,736,797,055
2018 $358,788,845,713 $11,252,353,421
2017 $319,109,094,160 $9,514,404,016
2016 $301,256,033,870 $7,980,917,076
2015 $301,355,266,965 $7,797,667,197
2014 $338,066,095,097 $9,402,090,138
2013 $323,276,235,524 $9,496,717,876
2012 $314,443,047,642 $8,709,138,635
2011 $297,951,668,675 $8,414,352,020
2010 $255,017,638,456 $6,974,982,370
2009 $202,257,453,037 $5,439,434,272
2008 $230,811,614,370 $6,054,824,248
2007 $193,549,569,478 $4,401,173,152
2006 $162,692,258,307 $3,408,255,451
2005 $143,534,405,819 $2,988,342,907
2004 $124,749,473,684 $2,598,249,556
2003 $110,202,368,421 $1,980,907,435
2002 $100,845,526,316 $1,661,818,168
2001 $92,783,947,368 $1,480,673,594
2000 $93,789,736,842 $1,288,429,392
1999 $79,148,421,053 $1,170,782,957
1998 $72,167,498,981 $1,698,717,505
1997 $100,005,323,302 $1,930,081,169
1996 $100,855,393,910 $1,695,122,174
1995 $88,705,342,903 $1,752,999,370
1994 $74,478,356,958 $1,702,314,268
1993 $66,894,966,969 $2,371,813,324
1992 $59,167,550,163 $2,319,243,436
1991 $49,143,148,094 $3,094,565,871
1990 $44,024,585,240 $3,592,857,043
1989 $38,847,965,293 -
1988 $35,272,109,220 -
1987 $32,181,210,158 -
1986 $27,734,111,400 -
1985 $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 (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

GDP per capita in Malaysia vs Moldova by year

Malaysia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Moldova
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Malaysia Moldova
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $11,874 $38,779 $7,576 $18,615
2023 $11,386 $36,467 $6,800 $17,747
2022 $11,755 $34,420 $5,744 $16,453
2021 $10,903 $29,823 $5,275 $15,682
2020 $9,958 $27,475 $4,376 $13,527
2019 $10,920 $28,934 $4,405 $13,413
2018 $10,902 $27,794 $4,156 $11,868
2017 $9,863 $26,416 $3,453 $11,252
2016 $9,477 $25,286 $2,847 $10,326
2015 $9,649 $24,526 $2,750 $9,198
2014 $11,013 $24,307 $3,290 $8,643
2013 $10,714 $23,161 $3,321 $8,233
2012 $10,601 $22,639 $3,045 $7,255
2011 $10,217 $21,324 $2,941 $6,833
2010 $8,899 $20,193 $2,437 $6,323
2009 $7,191 $18,923 $1,898 $5,827
2008 $8,372 $19,480 $2,111 $6,153
2007 $7,169 $18,617 $1,531 $5,590
2006 $6,158 $17,426 $1,183 $5,271
2005 $5,556 $16,371 $1,034 $4,866
2004 $4,939 $15,416 $897 $4,378
2003 $4,465 $14,387 $682 $3,960
2002 $4,184 $13,656 $571 $3,633
2001 $3,944 $13,072 $507 $3,311
2000 $4,084 $13,027 $441 $3,045
1999 $3,528 $11,980 $399 $2,910
1998 $3,294 $11,398 $579 $2,965
1997 $4,679 $12,469 $657 $3,136
1996 $4,837 $11,709 $575 $3,021
1995 $4,363 $10,720 $594 $3,146
1994 $3,758 $9,806 $574 $3,111
1993 $3,462 $9,018 $797 $4,394
1992 $3,141 $8,224 $778 $4,337
1991 $2,679 $7,583 $1,038 $5,980
1990 $2,469 $6,887 $1,207 $6,895
1989 $2,244 - - -
1988 $2,100 - - -
1987 $1,977 - - -
1986 $1,760 - - -
1985 $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 (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Malaysia's GDP per capita is $11,874, ranking 79/197, compared to $7,576 in Moldova, ranking 99/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Malaysia ranks 60th at $38,779, while Moldova ranks 100th at $18,615.

Economic indicators

Malaysia Moldova
Gross domestic product
$422B
2024
$18.2B
2024
GDP rank
38/197
2024
134/197
2024
GDP growth
5.11%
2023-2024
0.1%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$11,874
2024
$7,576
2024
GDP per capita rank
79/197
2024
99/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$38,779
2024
$18,615
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
60/197
2024
100/197
2024
Government debt
$296B
2024
$7.06B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
70.1%
2024
38.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$8,322
2024
$2,938
2024
Government debt per person rank
62/185
2024
102/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$11,005
2026
$4,291
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$449B
2024
n/a
Number of billionaires
19
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
30.9%
2021
22.8%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
2.3%
2021
4.3%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
23.9%
2024
38%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.83%
2023-2024
4.68%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
2.75%
2025
6%
2025
Unemployment rate
3.93%
2022
1.43%
2024
Population
36512221
2341166

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Malaysia
Spending

Debt
Moldova
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Malaysia Moldova
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 23.9% 70.1% 38% 38.8%
2023 24.9% 69.7% 38.8% 34.9%
2022 24.6% 65.5% 36.6% 35%
2021 24.5% 69.2% 34.6% 33.6%
2020 25% 67.7% 36.7% 36.6%
2019 23.6% 57.1% 32% 28.8%
2018 22.8% 55.6% 31.5% 31.8%
2017 22% 54.4% 31% 34.9%
2016 22.9% 55.8% 30.5% 39.7%
2015 24.7% 57% 31.7% 42.1%
2014 26% 55.4% 33.8% 35.4%
2013 27.8% 55.7% 32.4% 30%
2012 28.5% 53.8% 33.7% 31.3%
2011 27.1% 51.9% 32.6% 24.2%
2010 26.6% 51.2% 34.1% 25.5%
2009 30.9% 50.4% 45.3% 32.6%
2008 26.9% 39.4% 41.5% 22.2%
2007 25.9% 39.3% 42.7% 28.3%
2006 25.6% 39.7% 40.3% 35%
2005 24.5% 40.8% 37.1% 40.4%
2004 25.9% 42% 34.8% 49.3%
2003 28.1% 41.4% 33.5% 68.1%
2002 27.1% 39.5% 30.7% 80.3%
2001 28.2% 38.1% 29.5% 85.4%
2000 25.6% 32.5% 34% 89.1%
1999 24.6% 34.4% 33% 150.7%
1998 23.1% 33.6% 39.1% 159.4%
1997 21.2% 29.6% 46% 89%
1996 22.4% 32.8% 43.3% 87.5%
1995 22.6% 38.2% 42% 79.5%
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 (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Malaysia's government spending was $101B, accounting for 23.9% of its GDP, while Moldova spent $6.91B, or 38% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 70.1% in Malaysia and 38.8% in Moldova, ranking 58/185 and 137/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Malaysia

Moldova
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Malaysia Moldova
2024 -3.95% -3.88%
2023 -3.97% -5.13%
2022 -4.56% -3.24%
2021 -6.03% -2.62%
2020 -4.9% -5.32%
2019 -2.01% -1.47%
2018 -2.64% -0.85%
2017 -2.41% -0.65%
2016 -2.6% -1.56%
2015 -2.55% -1.93%
2014 -2.63% -1.6%
2013 -3.48% -1.57%
2012 -3.1% -1.93%
2011 -3.57% -2.05%
2010 -4.32% -2.18%
2009 -5.88% -6.38%
2008 -3.4% -0.87%
2007 -2.57% 0.15%
2006 -2.6% -0.42%
2005 -2.83% 1.44%
2004 -3.35% 0.59%
2003 -4.6% 0.47%
2002 -3.96% -1.18%
2001 -4.36% -0.34%
2000 -6.05% -3.55%
1999 -3% -2.64%
1998 -0.63% -1.52%
1997 4.84% -7.47%
1996 3.27% -7.42%
1995 3.1% -2.58%
1994 5.45% -
1993 3.44% -
1992 1.81% -
1991 1.6% -
1990 0.15% -

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

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

In 2024, Malaysia's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $16.7B, equivalent to 3.95% of GDP. This compares to Moldova's deficit of $707M, or 3.88% of GDP.

Over the past 30 years, Malaysia recorded a fiscal deficit in 27 of those years, while Moldova ran a deficit in 26 years. On average, Malaysia posted an annual deficit equal to 2.83% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.26% of GDP for Moldova.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Malaysia

Moldova
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Malaysia Moldova
2024 1.83% 4.68%
2023 2.49% 13.4%
2022 3.38% 28.7%
2021 2.48% 5.11%
2020 -1.14% 3.77%
2019 0.66% 4.84%
2018 0.88% 3.05%
2017 3.87% 6.57%
2016 2.09% 6.36%
2015 2.1% 9.68%
2014 3.14% 5.09%
2013 2.11% 4.6%
2012 1.66% 4.55%
2011 3.17% 7.69%
2010 1.62% 7.48%
2009 0.58% -0.06%
2008 5.44% 12.8%
2007 2.03% 12.4%
2006 3.61% 12.8%
2005 2.98% 12%
2004 1.42% 12.5%
2003 1.09% 11.7%
2002 1.81% 5.3%
2001 1.42% 9.76%
2000 1.53% 31.3%
1999 2.74% 39.3%
1998 5.27% 7.7%
1997 2.66% 11.8%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Malaysia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.25%, compared with 10.5% in Moldova. In 2024, inflation was 1.83% in Malaysia and 4.68% in Moldova.

Top exports between countries

Malaysia
Export category Export value
Metals $2.77M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $193K
Machinery & equipment $69K
Chemicals & pharma $62K
Raw materials & minerals $47K
Wood & paper products $13K
Miscellaneous $6K
Precious metals & jewellery $3K
Textiles & consumer goods $1K
Moldova
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $3.39M
Chemicals & pharma $71K
Animal & marine products $63K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $10K
Textiles & consumer goods $9K
Machinery & equipment $6K
Precious metals & jewellery $3K
Metals $1K

Balance of trade

Malaysia Moldova
Current account balance
$7.15B
2024
-$3.01B
2024
Current account balance ranking
26/190
2024
156/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+1.69%
2024
-16.6%
2024
Goods imports
$223B
2024
$8.63B
2024
Goods exports
$248B
2024
$3.01B
2024
Service imports
$56.4B
2024
$1.8B
2024
Service exports
$53.4B
2024
$2.73B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
66%
2024
57.3%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
71.3%
2024
31.4%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Malaysia Moldova
Economic freedom 68 58.1
Economic freedom ranking 51/197 112/197
Property rights 62.7 40.4
Government integrity 52.9 45.1
Judicial effectiveness 63.4 32.4
Tax burden 83.5 87.9
Government spending 82 57.2
Fiscal health 62.5 70.3
Business freedom 79.6 68.3
Labor freedom 55.4 48.1
Monetary freedom 80.8 66
Trade freedom 83 76.8
Investment freedom 60 55
Financial freedom 50 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Malaysia
Moldova
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Malaysia Moldova
2026 68 58.1
2025 67.1 58.3
2024 65.7 57.1
2023 67.3 58.5
2022 68.1 61.3
2021 74.4 62.5
2020 74.7 62
2019 74 59.1
2018 74.5 58.4
2017 73.8 58
2016 71.5 57.4
2015 70.8 57.5
2014 69.6 57.3
2013 66.1 55.5
2012 66.4 54.4
2011 66.3 55.7
2010 64.8 53.7
2009 64.6 54.9
2008 63.9 57.9
2007 63.8 58.7
2006 61.6 58
2005 61.9 57.4
2004 59.9 57.1
2003 61.1 60
2002 60.1 57.4
2001 60.2 54.9
2000 66 59.6
1999 68.9 56.1
1998 68.2 53.5
1997 66.8 48.9
1996 69.9 52.5
1995 71.9 33

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Malaysia is 68, ranking 51/197, compared to 58.1 for Moldova, ranking 112/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Malaysia Moldova
Services, % of GDP
53.7%
2024
62.3%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
37%
2024
16.8%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
8.13%
2024
7.11%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$414B
2024
$16.5B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$37,450
2024
$18,710
2024
Total reserves including gold
$116B
2024
$5.48B
2024
Total reserves ranking
24/177
2024
96/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$2.55B
2024
-$360M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$15.6B
2024
$458M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$13B
2024
$98.4M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
6.22%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
5.8%
2023
31.6%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
22%
2024
21.1%
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/malaysia/moldova | 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 (2020–2024, 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.