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Economy of Malaysia vs Namibia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Malaysia has a GDP of $422B compared to $13.4B for Namibia, ranking 38/197 and 147/197 by economy size, respectively.

Malaysia has $296B in government debt (70.1% of GDP), compared to $9.05B (67.7% of GDP) in Namibia.

Malaysia vs Namibia GDP by year

Malaysia
Namibia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Malaysia Namibia
2024 $422,227,005,429 $13,372,354,512
2023 $399,949,418,753 $12,408,271,449
2022 $407,830,525,990 $12,569,449,123
2021 $373,784,553,030 $12,402,486,184
2020 $337,456,163,961 $10,583,748,542
2019 $365,177,721,022 $12,541,928,303
2018 $358,788,845,713 $13,682,019,076
2017 $319,109,094,160 $12,895,153,371
2016 $301,256,033,870 $10,722,018,732
2015 $301,355,266,965 $11,335,161,084
2014 $338,066,095,097 $12,435,430,970
2013 $323,276,235,524 $12,043,307,277
2012 $314,443,047,642 $13,042,053,592
2011 $297,951,668,675 $12,523,359,441
2010 $255,017,638,456 $11,431,412,421
2009 $202,257,453,037 $8,938,847,189
2008 $230,811,614,370 $8,607,431,497
2007 $193,549,569,478 $8,839,536,476
2006 $162,692,258,307 $8,001,779,551
2005 $143,534,405,819 $7,248,374,838
2004 $124,749,473,684 $6,609,205,995
2003 $110,202,368,421 $4,926,439,384
2002 $100,845,526,316 $3,349,169,826
2001 $92,783,947,368 $3,557,341,215
2000 $93,789,736,842 $3,922,232,165
1999 $79,148,421,053 $3,868,551,730
1998 $72,167,498,981 $3,873,109,866
1997 $100,005,323,302 $4,154,989,950
1996 $100,855,393,910 $3,989,163,197
1995 $88,705,342,903 $3,978,514,206
1994 $74,478,356,958 $3,666,503,530
1993 $66,894,966,969 $3,251,188,833
1992 $59,167,550,163 $3,429,521,699
1991 $49,143,148,094 $2,996,869,281
1990 $44,024,585,240 $2,789,921,854
1989 $38,847,965,293 $2,535,135,798
1988 $35,272,109,220 $2,495,094,746
1987 $32,181,210,158 $2,300,068,217
1986 $27,734,111,400 $1,809,048,527
1985 $31,199,633,353 $1,608,237,350
1984 $33,942,897,422 $1,951,260,038
1983 $30,347,442,111 $2,297,400,688
1982 $26,804,493,635 $2,118,710,248
1981 $25,004,285,792 $2,249,908,578
1980 $24,488,224,677 $2,421,990,338
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/namibia | CC BY

GDP per capita in Malaysia vs Namibia by year

Malaysia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Namibia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Malaysia Namibia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $11,874 $38,779 $4,413 $11,687
2023 $11,386 $36,467 $4,188 $11,251
2022 $11,755 $34,420 $4,350 $10,663
2021 $10,903 $29,823 $4,413 $9,709
2020 $9,958 $27,475 $3,879 $9,354
2019 $10,920 $28,934 $4,732 $9,609
2018 $10,902 $27,794 $5,309 $9,854
2017 $9,863 $26,416 $5,144 $9,888
2016 $9,477 $25,286 $4,396 $10,200
2015 $9,649 $24,526 $4,774 $10,466
2014 $11,013 $24,307 $5,378 $10,365
2013 $10,714 $23,161 $5,347 $9,699
2012 $10,601 $22,639 $5,943 $9,364
2011 $10,217 $21,324 $5,835 $9,002
2010 $8,899 $20,193 $5,418 $8,538
2009 $7,191 $18,923 $4,303 $8,079
2008 $8,372 $19,480 $4,205 $8,125
2007 $7,169 $18,617 $4,379 $7,875
2006 $6,158 $17,426 $4,017 $7,374
2005 $5,556 $16,371 $3,686 $6,767
2004 $4,939 $15,416 $3,403 $6,480
2003 $4,465 $14,387 $2,569 $5,693
2002 $4,184 $13,656 $1,772 $5,433
2001 $3,944 $13,072 $1,916 $5,196
2000 $4,084 $13,027 $2,157 $5,129
1999 $3,528 $11,980 $2,178 $4,961
1998 $3,294 $11,398 $2,235 $4,852
1997 $4,679 $12,469 $2,460 $4,764
1996 $4,837 $11,709 $2,423 $4,612
1995 $4,363 $10,720 $2,483 $4,509
1994 $3,758 $9,806 $2,356 $4,376
1993 $3,462 $9,018 $2,155 $4,345
1992 $3,141 $8,224 $2,347 $4,452
1991 $2,679 $7,583 $2,117 $4,192
1990 $2,469 $6,887 $2,037 $3,875
1989 $2,244 - $1,967 -
1988 $2,100 - $2,063 -
1987 $1,977 - $1,969 -
1986 $1,760 - $1,599 -
1985 $2,046 - $1,466 -
1984 $2,300 - $1,830 -
1983 $2,124 - $2,214 -
1982 $1,938 - $2,097 -
1981 $1,866 - $2,267 -
1980 $1,886 - $2,468 -
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/namibia | CC BY

Malaysia's GDP per capita is $11,874, ranking 79/197, compared to $4,413 in Namibia, ranking 126/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Malaysia ranks 60th at $38,779, while Namibia ranks 128th at $11,687.

Economic indicators

Malaysia Namibia
Gross domestic product
$422B
2024
$13.4B
2024
GDP rank
38/197
2024
147/197
2024
GDP growth
5.11%
2023-2024
3.71%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$11,874
2024
$4,413
2024
GDP per capita rank
79/197
2024
126/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$38,779
2024
$11,687
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
60/197
2024
128/197
2024
Government debt
$296B
2024
$9.05B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
70.1%
2024
67.7%
2024
Government debt per person
$8,322
2024
$2,988
2024
Government debt per person rank
62/185
2024
100/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$11,005
2026
$6,197
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$449B
2024
$2.48B
2024
Number of billionaires
19
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
30.9%
2021
47.2%
2015
Income share by poorest 10%
2.3%
2021
1%
2015
Government expenditure, % of GDP
23.9%
2024
39.9%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.83%
2023-2024
4.2%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
2.75%
2025
6.5%
2025
Unemployment rate
3.93%
2022
19.9%
2018
Population
36512221
3173089

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Malaysia
Spending

Debt
Namibia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Malaysia Namibia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 23.9% 70.1% 39.9% 67.7%
2023 24.9% 69.7% 37% 67.2%
2022 24.6% 65.5% 36.6% 69.4%
2021 24.5% 69.2% 39.3% 69.6%
2020 25% 67.7% 41.5% 64.3%
2019 23.6% 57.1% 37.4% 57.6%
2018 22.8% 55.6% 36.3% 48.7%
2017 22% 54.4% 38.1% 43.8%
2016 22.9% 55.8% 41.8% 45.8%
2015 24.7% 57% 43.7% 42.1%
2014 26% 55.4% 41.8% 27.6%
2013 27.8% 55.7% 38.3% 26.1%
2012 28.5% 53.8% 35% 24.6%
2011 27.1% 51.9% 38.5% 27.4%
2010 26.6% 51.2% 33.5% 16.3%
2009 30.9% 50.4% 32% 15.9%
2008 26.9% 39.4% 28.4% 19.1%
2007 25.9% 39.3% 26.1% 19.4%
2006 25.6% 39.7% 27.4% 26.1%
2005 24.5% 40.8% 27.7% 26.9%
2004 25.9% 42% 28.4% 29.2%
2003 28.1% 41.4% 31.1% 27.1%
2002 27.1% 39.5% 29.8% 22.2%
2001 28.2% 38.1% 30.7% 24.4%
2000 25.6% 32.5% 30.1% 20.9%
1999 24.6% 34.4% 31.8% 21.8%
1998 23.1% 33.6% 31.3% 19.6%
1997 21.2% 29.6% 30.9% 17.7%
1996 22.4% 32.8% 30.4% 18.7%
1995 22.6% 38.2% 29.6% 18%
1994 23.3% 43.7% 28.7% 16.4%
1993 24.6% 51.1% 32.4% 17.2%
1992 28.2% 59.1% 32.8% 14.1%
1991 27.4% 67.3% 33% 11.8%
1990 30.5% 74.1% 30.2% 12.9%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1990–1992, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Malaysia's government spending was $101B, accounting for 23.9% of its GDP, while Namibia spent $5.34B, or 39.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 70.1% in Malaysia and 67.7% in Namibia, ranking 58/185 and 61/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Malaysia

Namibia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Malaysia Namibia
2024 -3.95% -3.59%
2023 -3.97% -3.14%
2022 -4.56% -6.33%
2021 -6.03% -8.68%
2020 -4.9% -8.07%
2019 -2.01% -5.49%
2018 -2.64% -5.09%
2017 -2.41% -4.99%
2016 -2.6% -9.3%
2015 -2.55% -8.3%
2014 -2.63% -6.44%
2013 -3.48% -4.69%
2012 -3.1% -3.1%
2011 -3.57% -7.09%
2010 -4.32% -4.98%
2009 -5.88% -0.4%
2008 -3.4% 3.48%
2007 -2.57% 6.01%
2006 -2.6% 3.41%
2005 -2.83% -0.31%
2004 -3.35% -2.67%
2003 -4.6% -4.47%
2002 -3.96% -1.38%
2001 -4.36% -2.01%
2000 -6.05% -0.79%
1999 -3% -1.88%
1998 -0.63% -2.76%
1997 4.84% -2.38%
1996 3.27% -3.7%
1995 3.1% -1.74%
1994 5.45% -0.57%
1993 3.44% -2.73%
1992 1.81% -2.55%
1991 1.6% -1.59%
1990 0.15% 1.08%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/malaysia/namibia | 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 Namibia's deficit of $480M, or 3.59% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Malaysia recorded a fiscal deficit in 27 of those years, while Namibia ran a deficit in 31 years. On average, Malaysia posted an annual deficit equal to 2.07% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.06% of GDP for Namibia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Malaysia

Namibia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Malaysia Namibia
2024 1.83% 4.2%
2023 2.49% 5.9%
2022 3.38% 6.1%
2021 2.48% 3.6%
2020 -1.14% 2.2%
2019 0.66% 3.7%
2018 0.88% 4.3%
2017 3.87% 6.1%
2016 2.09% 6.7%
2015 2.1% 3.4%
2014 3.14% 5.3%
2013 2.11% 5.6%
2012 1.66% 6.7%
2011 3.17% 5%
2010 1.62% 4.9%
2009 0.58% 9.5%
2008 5.44% 9.1%
2007 2.03% 6.5%
2006 3.61% 5%
2005 2.98% 2.3%
2004 1.42% 4.1%
2003 1.09% 7.2%
2002 1.81% 12.7%
2001 1.42% 10.2%
2000 1.53% 10.2%
1999 2.74% 9.4%
1998 5.27% 6.6%
1997 2.66% 9.7%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Over the past 28 years, Malaysia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.25%, compared with 6.29% in Namibia. In 2024, inflation was 1.83% in Malaysia and 4.2% in Namibia.

Top exports between countries

Malaysia
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $36.5M
Machinery & equipment $10.9M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $526K
Textiles & consumer goods $407K
Metals $404K
Chemicals & pharma $311K
Animal & marine products $145K
Miscellaneous $45K
Raw agricultural goods $3K
Precious metals & jewellery $1K
Namibia
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $8M
Raw materials & minerals $7.33M
Raw agricultural goods $1.04M
Miscellaneous $160K
Textiles & consumer goods $26K
Chemicals & pharma $2K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1K

Balance of trade

Malaysia Namibia
Current account balance
$7.15B
2024
-$1.89M
2024
Current account balance ranking
26/190
2024
78/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+1.69%
2024
-0.01%
2024
Goods imports
$223B
2024
$6.77B
2024
Goods exports
$248B
2024
$4.67B
2024
Service imports
$56.4B
2024
$2.47B
2024
Service exports
$53.4B
2024
$1.29B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
66%
2024
68%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
71.3%
2024
41.6%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Malaysia Namibia
Economic freedom 68 60.2
Economic freedom ranking 51/197 95/197
Property rights 62.7 63.1
Government integrity 52.9 51.5
Judicial effectiveness 63.4 67.2
Tax burden 83.5 66.4
Government spending 82 57.1
Fiscal health 62.5 60.5
Business freedom 79.6 58
Labor freedom 55.4 62.7
Monetary freedom 80.8 76.1
Trade freedom 83 69.8
Investment freedom 60 50
Financial freedom 50 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Malaysia
Namibia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Malaysia Namibia
2026 68 60.2
2025 67.1 58.7
2024 65.7 57.5
2023 67.3 57.7
2022 68.1 59.2
2021 74.4 62.6
2020 74.7 60.9
2019 74 58.7
2018 74.5 58.5
2017 73.8 62.5
2016 71.5 61.9
2015 70.8 59.6
2014 69.6 59.4
2013 66.1 60.3
2012 66.4 61.9
2011 66.3 62.7
2010 64.8 62.2
2009 64.6 62.4
2008 63.9 61.4
2007 63.8 63.5
2006 61.6 60.7
2005 61.9 61.4
2004 59.9 62.4
2003 61.1 67.3
2002 60.1 65.1
2001 60.2 64.8
2000 66 66.7
1999 68.9 66.1
1998 68.2 66.1
1997 66.8 61.6
1996 69.9 -
1995 71.9 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Malaysia is 68, ranking 51/197, compared to 60.2 for Namibia, ranking 95/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Malaysia Namibia
Services, % of GDP
53.7%
2024
54.5%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
37%
2024
28.9%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
8.13%
2024
7.29%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$414B
2024
$12.8B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$37,450
2024
$11,300
2024
Total reserves including gold
$116B
2024
$3.36B
2024
Total reserves ranking
24/177
2024
115/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$2.55B
2024
-$1.93M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$15.6B
2024
$1.97B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$13B
2024
$44.5M
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
5.8%
2023
17.4%
2015
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
22%
2024
25.6%
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/namibia | 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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1990–1992, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. 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.

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.