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Economy of Malaysia vs Myanmar compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Malaysia has a GDP of $422B compared to $74.1B for Myanmar, ranking 38/197 and 85/197 by economy size, respectively.

Malaysia has $296B in government debt (70.1% of GDP), compared to $44B (59.3% of GDP) in Myanmar.

Malaysia vs Myanmar GDP by year

Malaysia
Myanmar
1x
Year GDP, current $
Malaysia Myanmar
2024 $422,227,005,429 $74,068,349,524
2023 $399,949,418,753 $66,757,619,000
2022 $407,830,525,990 $62,253,049,903
2021 $373,784,553,030 $66,345,291,149
2020 $337,456,163,961 $79,006,113,670
2019 $365,177,721,022 $75,065,106,243
2018 $358,788,845,713 $67,860,515,993
2017 $319,109,094,160 $66,053,040,475
2016 $301,256,033,870 $63,298,361,984
2015 $301,355,266,965 $59,607,290,408
2014 $338,066,095,097 $65,531,374,210
2013 $323,276,235,524 $60,269,732,855
2012 $314,443,047,642 $59,937,796,648
2011 $297,951,668,675 $59,977,326,086
2010 $255,017,638,456 $49,540,813,342
2009 $202,257,453,037 $36,906,181,381
2008 $230,811,614,370 $31,862,554,102
2007 $193,549,569,478 $20,182,477,481
2006 $162,692,258,307 $14,502,553,710
2005 $143,534,405,819 $11,986,972,419
2004 $124,749,473,684 $10,567,354,056
2003 $110,202,368,421 $10,467,109,978
2002 $100,845,526,316 $6,777,632,512
2001 $92,783,947,368 $6,477,790,688
2000 $93,789,736,842 $8,905,066,164
1999 $79,148,421,053 $8,486,832,801
1998 $72,167,498,981 $6,459,461,639
1997 $100,005,323,302 $4,722,288,496
1996 $100,855,393,910 $6,123,556,717
1995 $88,705,342,903 $5,289,174,943
1994 $74,478,356,958 $4,432,257,174
1993 $66,894,966,969 $3,163,020,035
1992 $59,167,550,163 $2,411,552,289
1991 $49,143,148,094 $2,069,832,687
1990 $44,024,585,240 $2,115,193,513
1989 $38,847,965,293 $2,013,448,229
1988 $35,272,109,220 $1,541,088,312
1987 $32,181,210,158 $1,562,448,077
1986 $27,734,111,400 $1,582,873,750
1985 $31,199,633,353 $1,478,908,173
1984 $33,942,897,422 $1,304,063,253
1983 $30,347,442,111 $1,381,573,615
1982 $26,804,493,635 $1,481,165,468
1981 $25,004,285,792 $1,111,000,765
1980 $24,488,224,677 $1,038,225,167
1979 $21,213,264,962 $952,265,043
1978 $16,358,079,862 $935,408,775
1977 $13,139,488,633 $873,579,932
1976 $11,050,234,599 $1,204,699,849
1975 $9,298,800,799 $1,061,107,354
1974 $9,496,204,302 $1,225,589,878
1973 $7,662,902,678 $719,754,655
1972 $5,043,347,250 $662,213,083
1971 $4,244,395,956 $587,448,405
1970 $3,864,145,667 $563,555,631
1969 $3,664,552,041 $571,854,215
1968 $3,330,371,551 $559,956,130
1967 $3,188,924,677 $420,359,036
1966 $3,143,517,944 $293,103,479
1965 $2,956,337,669 $367,053,117
1964 $2,674,423,922 $411,419,906
1963 $2,510,110,348 $598,998,419
1962 $2,001,489,602 $634,528,872
1961 $1,901,856,123 $605,581,577
1960 $1,916,229,477 $545,098,448

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

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

GDP per capita in Malaysia vs Myanmar by year

Malaysia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Myanmar
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Malaysia Myanmar
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $11,874 $38,779 $1,359 $5,997
2023 $11,386 $36,467 $1,233 $5,953
2022 $11,755 $34,420 $1,158 $5,732
2021 $10,903 $29,823 $1,243 $5,178
2020 $9,958 $27,475 $1,490 $5,741
2019 $10,920 $28,934 $1,426 $6,101
2018 $10,902 $27,794 $1,298 $5,581
2017 $9,863 $26,416 $1,273 $4,706
2016 $9,477 $25,286 $1,229 $4,460
2015 $9,649 $24,526 $1,167 $4,459
2014 $11,013 $24,307 $1,293 $4,376
2013 $10,714 $23,161 $1,199 $4,144
2012 $10,601 $22,639 $1,203 $3,845
2011 $10,217 $21,324 $1,214 $3,579
2010 $8,899 $20,193 $1,011 $3,348
2009 $7,191 $18,923 $758 $3,040
2008 $8,372 $19,480 $658 $2,748
2007 $7,169 $18,617 $419 $2,459
2006 $6,158 $17,426 $303 $2,153
2005 $5,556 $16,371 $252.7 $1,860
2004 $4,939 $15,416 $224.5 $1,601
2003 $4,465 $14,387 $224.3 $1,385
2002 $4,184 $13,656 $146.6 $1,204
2001 $3,944 $13,072 $141.5 $1,069
2000 $4,084 $13,027 $196.6 $949
1999 $3,528 $11,980 $189.5 $825
1998 $3,294 $11,398 $146 $742
1997 $4,679 $12,469 $108 $702
1996 $4,837 $11,709 $141.9 $661
1995 $4,363 $10,720 $124.1 $618
1994 $3,758 $9,806 $105.4 $573
1993 $3,462 $9,018 $76.2 $529
1992 $3,141 $8,224 $58.9 $494
1991 $2,679 $7,583 $51.2 $447
1990 $2,469 $6,887 $53.1 $441
1989 $2,244 - $51.3 -
1988 $2,100 - $39.9 -
1987 $1,977 - $41.1 -
1986 $1,760 - $42.4 -
1985 $2,046 - $40.4 -
1984 $2,300 - $36.3 -
1983 $2,124 - $39.3 -
1982 $1,938 - $43 -
1981 $1,866 - $32.8 -
1980 $1,886 - $31.2 -
1979 $1,680 - $29.2 -
1978 $1,327 - $29.3 -
1977 $1,092 - $27.9 -
1976 $940 - $39.2 -
1975 $811 - $35.2 -
1974 $848 - $41.4 -
1973 $701 - $24.8 -
1972 $472 - $23.3 -
1971 $407 - $21.1 -
1970 $380 - $20.7 -
1969 $368 - $21.5 -
1968 $342 - $21.5 -
1967 $335 - $16.5 -
1966 $339 - $11.8 -
1965 $326 - $15.1 -
1964 $303 - $17.3 -
1963 $291.8 - $25.8 -
1962 $238.8 - $27.9 -
1961 $232.9 - $27.3 -
1960 $240.8 - $25.1 -

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

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

Malaysia's GDP per capita is $11,874, ranking 79/197, compared to $1,359 in Myanmar, ranking 165/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Malaysia ranks 60th at $38,779, while Myanmar ranks 153rd at $5,997.

Economic indicators

Malaysia Myanmar
Gross domestic product
$422B
2024
$74.1B
2024
GDP rank
38/197
2024
85/197
2024
GDP growth
5.11%
2023-2024
-0.97%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$11,874
2024
$1,359
2024
GDP per capita rank
79/197
2024
165/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$38,779
2024
$5,997
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
60/197
2024
153/197
2024
Government debt
$296B
2024
$44B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
70.1%
2024
59.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$8,322
2024
$806
2024
Government debt per person rank
62/185
2024
150/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$11,005
2026
$1,646
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
25.5%
2017
Income share by poorest 10%
2.3%
2021
3.8%
2017
Government expenditure, % of GDP
23.9%
2024
20.7%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.83%
2023-2024
8.83%
2018-2019
Central bank interest rate
2.75%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
3.93%
2022
1.48%
2020
Population
36512221
55292116

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Malaysia
Spending

Debt
Myanmar
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Malaysia Myanmar
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 23.9% 70.1% 20.7% 59.3%
2023 24.9% 69.7% 21.4% 59.1%
2022 24.6% 65.5% 21.3% 56.1%
2021 24.5% 69.2% 20.9% 63.4%
2020 25% 67.7% 21.3% 49.1%
2019 23.6% 57.1% 20.5% 37.6%
2018 22.8% 55.6% 18.7% 39.9%
2017 22% 54.4% 19.7% 41.9%
2016 22.9% 55.8% 21.3% 35.7%
2015 24.7% 57% 23.7% 36.6%
2014 26% 55.4% 24.7% 34.5%
2013 27.8% 55.7% 23.9% 44.8%
2012 28.5% 53.8% 20% 48%
2011 27.1% 51.9% 15.6% 49.9%
2010 26.6% 51.2% 15.8% 54.4%
2009 30.9% 50.4% 14.4% 56.4%
2008 26.9% 39.4% 14.4% 59.8%
2007 25.9% 39.3% 15.7% 77.4%
2006 25.6% 39.7% 15.6% 103.1%
2005 24.5% 40.8% 14.6% 119%
2004 25.9% 42% 14.6% 126.6%
2003 28.1% 41.4% 14.3% 146%
2002 27.1% 39.5% 15.3% 190.6%
2001 28.2% 38.1% 19.1% 262%
2000 25.6% 32.5% 21.4% 164.5%
1999 24.6% 34.4% 22.8% 150.7%
1998 23.1% 33.6% 25.2% 208.6%
1997 21.2% 29.6% - -
1996 22.4% 32.8% - -
1995 22.6% 38.2% - -
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/myanmar | CC BY

In 2024, Malaysia's government spending was $101B, accounting for 23.9% of its GDP, while Myanmar spent $15.3B, or 20.7% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 70.1% in Malaysia and 59.3% in Myanmar, ranking 58/185 and 81/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Malaysia

Myanmar
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Malaysia Myanmar
2024 -3.95% -5.06%
2023 -3.97% -5.18%
2022 -4.56% -2.82%
2021 -6.03% -2.47%
2020 -4.9% -6.5%
2019 -2.01% -4.7%
2018 -2.64% -2.77%
2017 -2.41% -3.42%
2016 -2.6% -2.53%
2015 -2.55% -4.33%
2014 -2.63% -1.06%
2013 -3.48% -1.53%
2012 -3.1% -2.7%
2011 -3.57% -4.82%
2010 -4.32% -5.4%
2009 -5.88% -3.55%
2008 -3.4% -2.73%
2007 -2.57% -3.52%
2006 -2.6% -3.42%
2005 -2.83% -3.49%
2004 -3.35% -4.62%
2003 -4.6% -4.24%
2002 -3.96% -4.01%
2001 -4.36% -6.34%
2000 -6.05% -6.03%
1999 -3% -4.46%
1998 -0.63% -4.89%
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 (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/malaysia/myanmar | 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 Myanmar's deficit of $3.75B, or 5.06% of GDP.

Over the past 27 years, Malaysia recorded a fiscal deficit in 27 of those years, while Myanmar ran a deficit in 27 years. On average, Malaysia posted an annual deficit equal to 3.55% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.95% of GDP for Myanmar.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Malaysia

Myanmar
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Malaysia Myanmar
2024 1.83% -
2023 2.49% -
2022 3.38% -
2021 2.48% -
2020 -1.14% -
2019 0.66% 8.83%
2018 0.88% 6.87%
2017 3.87% 4.57%
2016 2.09% 6.93%
2015 2.1% 9.45%
2014 3.14% 4.95%
2013 2.11% 5.64%
2012 1.66% 1.47%
2011 3.17% 5.02%
2010 1.62% 7.72%
2009 0.58% 1.47%
2008 5.44% 26.8%
2007 2.03% 35%
2006 3.61% 20%
2005 2.98% 9.37%
2004 1.42% 4.53%
2003 1.09% 36.6%
2002 1.81% 57.1%
2001 1.42% 21.1%
2000 1.53% -0.11%
1999 2.74% 18.4%
1998 5.27% 51.5%
1997 2.66% 29.7%

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

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

Over the past 23 years, Malaysia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.34%, compared with 16.2% in Myanmar. In 2019, inflation was 1.83% in Malaysia and 8.83% in Myanmar.

Top exports between countries

Malaysia
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $435M
Metals $88.1M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $77.4M
Chemicals & pharma $41.7M
Machinery & equipment $18.8M
Animal & marine products $11M
Textiles & consumer goods $9.62M
Wood & paper products $8.66M
Miscellaneous $3.47M
Raw agricultural goods $449K
Myanmar
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $127M
Raw agricultural goods $45.2M
Textiles & consumer goods $25.8M
Machinery & equipment $20.3M
Animal & marine products $13.5M
Metals $12.1M
Chemicals & pharma $8.13M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $3.26M
Wood & paper products $2.2M
Miscellaneous $309K

Balance of trade

Malaysia Myanmar
Current account balance
$7.15B
2024
$67.7M
2019
Current account balance ranking
26/190
2024
71/190
2019
Current account balance, % of GDP
+1.69%
2024
+0.09%
2019
Goods imports
$223B
2024
$13.7B
2019
Goods exports
$248B
2024
$10.8B
2019
Service imports
$56.4B
2024
$3.66B
2019
Service exports
$53.4B
2024
$6.68B
2019
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
66%
2024
n/a
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
71.3%
2024
24.3%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Malaysia Myanmar
Economic freedom 68 44.5
Economic freedom ranking 51/197 180/197
Property rights 62.7 5.7
Government integrity 52.9 18.1
Judicial effectiveness 63.4 3.9
Tax burden 83.5 88.6
Government spending 82 86.6
Fiscal health 62.5 62.7
Business freedom 79.6 37.9
Labor freedom 55.4 53.2
Monetary freedom 80.8 57.5
Trade freedom 83 69.4
Investment freedom 60 30
Financial freedom 50 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Malaysia
Myanmar
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Malaysia Myanmar
2026 68 44.5
2025 67.1 43.7
2024 65.7 42.2
2023 67.3 46.5
2022 68.1 49.6
2021 74.4 55.2
2020 74.7 54
2019 74 53.6
2018 74.5 53.9
2017 73.8 52.5
2016 71.5 48.7
2015 70.8 46.9
2014 69.6 46.5
2013 66.1 39.2
2012 66.4 38.7
2011 66.3 37.8
2010 64.8 36.7
2009 64.6 37.7
2008 63.9 39.5
2007 63.8 41
2006 61.6 40
2005 61.9 40.5
2004 59.9 43.6
2003 61.1 44.9
2002 60.1 45.5
2001 60.2 46.1
2000 66 47.9
1999 68.9 46.4
1998 68.2 45.7
1997 66.8 45.4
1996 69.9 45.1
1995 71.9 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Malaysia is 68, ranking 51/197, compared to 44.5 for Myanmar, ranking 180/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Malaysia Myanmar
Services, % of GDP
53.7%
2024
41.4%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
37%
2024
37.8%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
8.13%
2024
20.8%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$414B
2024
$65.9B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$37,450
2024
$5,890
2024
Total reserves including gold
$116B
2024
$9.34B
2023
Total reserves ranking
24/177
2024
81/177
2023
Net foreign direct investment
-$2.55B
2024
-$1.74B
2019
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$15.6B
2024
$1.1B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$13B
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
1.31%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
5.8%
2023
24.8%
2017
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
22%
2024
n/a

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/myanmar | 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 (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.