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Economy of Malaysia vs Pakistan compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Malaysia has a GDP of $472B compared to $407B for Pakistan, ranking 35/197 and 41/197 by economy size, respectively.

Malaysia has $334B in government debt (70.7% of GDP), compared to $297B (72.8% of GDP) in Pakistan.

Malaysia vs Pakistan GDP by year

Malaysia
Pakistan
1x
Year GDP, current $
Malaysia Pakistan
2025 $472,193,128,645 $407,307,214,476
2024 $422,227,005,429 $371,747,087,751
2023 $399,949,418,753 $336,686,348,609
2022 $407,830,525,990 $374,890,295,667
2021 $373,784,553,030 $348,516,647,445
2020 $337,456,163,961 $300,425,609,818
2019 $365,177,721,022 $320,909,472,771
2018 $358,788,845,713 $356,128,166,705
2017 $319,109,094,160 $339,205,534,861
2016 $301,256,033,870 $313,630,000,130
2015 $301,355,266,965 $299,963,590,535
2014 $338,066,095,097 $271,390,474,858
2013 $323,276,235,524 $258,657,231,672
2012 $314,443,047,642 $250,106,966,105
2011 $297,951,668,675 $230,586,581,060
2010 $255,017,638,456 $196,709,621,850
2009 $202,257,453,037 $187,337,783,856
2008 $230,811,614,370 $202,203,748,584
2007 $193,549,569,478 $184,140,869,997
2006 $162,692,258,307 $161,871,385,506
2005 $143,534,405,819 $145,208,562,961
2004 $124,749,473,684 $132,216,048,339
2003 $110,202,368,421 $112,371,913,741
2002 $100,845,526,316 $97,923,302,809
2001 $92,783,947,368 $97,145,618,480
2000 $93,789,736,842 $99,484,802,345
1999 $79,148,421,053 $62,973,857,069
1998 $72,167,498,981 $62,191,955,814
1997 $100,005,323,302 $62,433,340,468
1996 $100,855,393,910 $63,320,170,084
1995 $88,705,342,903 $60,636,071,684
1994 $74,478,356,958 $52,293,470,813
1993 $66,894,966,969 $51,809,999,353
1992 $59,167,550,163 $48,884,671,947
1991 $49,143,148,094 $45,625,336,680
1990 $44,024,585,240 $40,010,423,970
1989 $38,847,965,293 $40,171,106,279
1988 $35,272,109,220 $38,472,742,808
1987 $32,181,210,158 $33,351,529,275
1986 $27,734,111,400 $31,899,070,056
1985 $31,199,633,353 $31,144,920,844
1984 $33,942,897,422 $31,151,825,467
1983 $30,347,442,111 $28,691,889,764
1982 $26,804,493,635 $30,725,971,564
1981 $25,004,285,792 $28,100,606,061
1980 $24,488,224,677 $23,654,444,444
1979 $21,213,264,962 $19,688,383,838
1978 $16,358,079,862 $17,811,515,152
1977 $13,139,488,633 $15,126,060,606
1976 $11,050,234,599 $13,168,080,808
1975 $9,298,800,799 $11,230,606,061
1974 $9,496,204,302 $8,899,191,919
1973 $7,662,902,678 $6,383,429,490
1972 $5,043,347,250 $9,415,016,360
1971 $4,244,395,956 $10,665,896,682
1970 $3,864,145,667 $10,027,509,450
1969 $3,664,552,041 $8,683,116,338
1968 $3,330,371,551 $8,041,999,160
1967 $3,188,924,677 $7,464,510,710
1966 $3,143,517,944 $6,561,108,778
1965 $2,956,337,669 $5,929,231,415
1964 $2,674,423,922 $5,204,955,901
1963 $2,510,110,348 $4,630,827,383
1962 $2,001,489,602 $4,310,163,797
1961 $1,901,856,123 $4,118,647,627
1960 $1,916,229,477 $3,749,265,015

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

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

GDP per capita in Malaysia vs Pakistan by year

Malaysia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Pakistan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Malaysia Pakistan
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $13,125 - $1,596 -
2024 $11,874 $38,779 $1,479 $6,252
2023 $11,386 $36,467 $1,360 $6,014
2022 $11,755 $34,420 $1,538 $5,920
2021 $10,903 $29,823 $1,455 $5,367
2020 $9,958 $27,475 $1,278 $5,048
2019 $10,920 $28,934 $1,390 $5,038
2018 $10,902 $27,794 $1,569 $4,979
2017 $9,863 $26,416 $1,519 $4,790
2016 $9,477 $25,286 $1,425 $4,631
2015 $9,649 $24,526 $1,380 $4,480
2014 $11,013 $24,307 $1,267 $4,313
2013 $10,714 $23,161 $1,225 $4,174
2012 $10,601 $22,639 $1,204 $4,047
2011 $10,217 $21,324 $1,132 $3,880
2010 $8,899 $20,193 $987 $3,786
2009 $7,191 $18,923 $964 $3,777
2008 $8,372 $19,480 $1,067 $3,721
2007 $7,169 $18,617 $998 $3,672
2006 $6,158 $17,426 $901 $3,515
2005 $5,556 $16,371 $828 $3,293
2004 $4,939 $15,416 $772 $3,048
2003 $4,465 $14,387 $672 $2,822
2002 $4,184 $13,656 $600 $2,688
2001 $3,944 $13,072 $610 $2,644
2000 $4,084 $13,027 $642 $2,565
1999 $3,528 $11,980 $418 $2,475
1998 $3,294 $11,398 $424 $2,419
1997 $4,679 $12,469 $438 $2,398
1996 $4,837 $11,709 $457 $2,401
1995 $4,363 $10,720 $451 $2,315
1994 $3,758 $9,806 $400 $2,224
1993 $3,462 $9,018 $408 $2,160
1992 $3,141 $8,224 $396 $2,132
1991 $2,679 $7,583 $380 $1,992
1990 $2,469 $6,887 $344 $1,895
1989 $2,244 - $358 -
1988 $2,100 - $354 -
1987 $1,977 - $317 -
1986 $1,760 - $314 -
1985 $2,046 - $317 -
1984 $2,300 - $327 -
1983 $2,124 - $311 -
1982 $1,938 - $345 -
1981 $1,866 - $328 -
1980 $1,886 - $287.4 -
1979 $1,680 - $249.2 -
1978 $1,327 - $233.4 -
1977 $1,092 - $204.7 -
1976 $940 - $183.9 -
1975 $811 - $161.7 -
1974 $848 - $132 -
1973 $701 - $97.5 -
1972 $472 - $148.1 -
1971 $407 - $172.5 -
1970 $380 - $166.7 -
1969 $368 - $148.5 -
1968 $342 - $141.6 -
1967 $335 - $135.2 -
1966 $339 - $122.2 -
1965 $326 - $113.6 -
1964 $303 - $102.5 -
1963 $291.8 - $93.7 -
1962 $238.8 - $89.5 -
1961 $232.9 - $87.8 -
1960 $240.8 - $82 -

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

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

Malaysia's GDP per capita is $13,125, ranking 78/197, compared to $1,596 in Pakistan, ranking 164/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Malaysia ranks 60th at $38,779, while Pakistan ranks 150th at $6,252.

Economic indicators

Malaysia Pakistan
Gross domestic product
$472B
2025
$407B
2025
GDP rank
35/197
2025
41/197
2025
GDP growth
5.17%
2024-2025
3.7%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$13,125
2025
$1,596
2025
GDP per capita rank
78/197
2025
164/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$38,779
2024
$6,252
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
60/197
2024
150/197
2024
Government debt
$334B
2025
$297B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
70.7%
2025
72.8%
2025
Government debt per person
$9,273
2025
$1,162
2025
Government debt per person rank
62/185
2025
138/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$11,034
2026
$1,775
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$487B
2025
$70.3B
2025
Number of billionaires
19
2026
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
30.9%
2021
27.7%
2024
Income share by poorest 10%
2.3%
2021
3.4%
2024
Government expenditure, % of GDP
23.4%
2025
21.2%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
1.38%
2024-2025
3.55%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
2.75%
2025
11.5%
2026
Unemployment rate
3.9%
2022
6.96%
2025
Population
36600906
261421997

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Malaysia
Spending

Debt
Pakistan
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Malaysia Pakistan
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 23.4% 70.7% 21.2% 72.8%
2024 24% 69.8% 19.4% 70.2%
2023 25% 69.7% 19.3% 78.5%
2022 24.6% 65.5% 20% 77.3%
2021 24.5% 69.2% 18.5% 74.7%
2020 25% 67.7% 20.3% 80.8%
2019 23.6% 57.1% 19.1% 78.7%
2018 22.8% 55.6% 19.1% 66.3%
2017 22% 54.4% 19.1% 62.1%
2016 22.9% 55.8% 17.7% 62.1%
2015 24.7% 57% 17.8% 59.1%
2014 26% 55.4% 18.1% 58.8%
2013 27.8% 55.7% 19.5% 59.2%
2012 28.5% 53.8% 19.4% 58.4%
2011 27.1% 51.9% 17.9% 56.2%
2010 26.6% 51.2% 18.3% 56.7%
2009 30.9% 50.4% 17.3% 54.6%
2008 26.9% 39.4% 18% 49.5%
2007 25.9% 39.3% 16.1% 44.2%
2006 25.6% 39.7% 14.5% 46.2%
2005 24.5% 40.8% 13% 47.9%
2004 25.9% 42% 12.1% 50.6%
2003 28.1% 41.4% 12.9% 56.3%
2002 27.1% 39.5% 14.4% 60.5%
2001 28.2% 38.1% 12.9% 65.1%
2000 25.6% 32.5% 13.8% 61.7%
1999 24.6% 34.4% 13.2% 60.7%
1998 23.1% 33.6% 14.1% 53.8%
1997 21.2% 29.6% 13.7% 52.8%
1996 22.4% 32.8% 15% 52.5%
1995 22.6% 38.2% 14% 52.3%
1994 23.3% 43.7% 14.5% 58.5%
1993 24.6% 51.1% 17% 57.9%
1992 28.2% 59.1% 22.6% 53.3%
1991 27.4% 67.3% 21.4% 55.8%
1990 30.5% 74.1% 23.9% 48.3%
1989 - - 26.1% 46.6%
1988 - - 27.9% 45%
1987 - - 29.5% 44.4%
1986 - - 27.6% 43.1%
1985 - - 28.3% 37%
1984 - - 25.4% 33.4%
1983 - - 24.8% 33.6%
1982 - - 24.5% 33.8%
1981 - - 21.6% 29.7%
1980 - - 22% 33.3%
1979 - - 25.3% 36.8%
1978 - - 25.5% 36.1%
1977 - - 20.4% 36.4%
1976 - - 21% 35.8%
1975 - - 20.4% 32.1%
1974 - - 15.3% 38%
1973 - - 13.9% 43.4%
1972 - - 13.5% 88.7%
1971 - - 22.1% 33.2%
1970 - - 23.6% 31.6%
1969 - - 15.6% 29.1%
1968 - - 13.7% 27.5%
1967 - - 12.9% 25.9%
1966 - - 12.2% 25.1%
1965 - - 11.2% 22.7%
1964 - - 12.1% 21.3%
1963 - - 14.7% 19.2%
1962 - - 11.8% 16.6%
1961 - - 10.6% 19.6%
1960 - - 10% 19.5%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1993, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Malaysia's government spending was $111B, accounting for 23.4% of its GDP, while Pakistan spent $86.4B, or 21.2% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 70.7% in Malaysia and 72.8% in Pakistan, ranking 56/185 and 53/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Malaysia

Pakistan
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Malaysia Pakistan
2025 -3.54% -5.37%
2024 -3.45% -6.79%
2023 -4.11% -7.76%
2022 -4.56% -7.84%
2021 -6.03% -6.04%
2020 -4.9% -7.03%
2019 -2.01% -7.79%
2018 -2.64% -5.67%
2017 -2.41% -5.17%
2016 -2.6% -3.92%
2015 -2.55% -4.74%
2014 -2.63% -4.37%
2013 -3.48% -7.48%
2012 -3.1% -7.74%
2011 -3.57% -6.23%
2010 -4.32% -5.42%
2009 -5.88% -4.53%
2008 -3.4% -5.94%
2007 -2.57% -4.23%
2006 -2.6% -2.79%
2005 -2.83% -2.29%
2004 -3.35% -1.29%
2003 -4.6% -0.12%
2002 -3.96% -2.64%
2001 -4.36% -2.45%
2000 -6.05% -3.21%
1999 -3% -3.07%
1998 -0.63% -4.46%
1997 4.84% -3.87%
1996 3.27% -4.33%
1995 3.1% -3.9%
1994 5.45% -3.63%
1993 3.44% -5.53%
1992 1.81% -11.3%
1991 1.6% -10.8%
1990 0.15% -11.9%
1989 - -7.01%
1988 - -9.35%
1987 - -11.7%
1986 - -9.79%
1985 - -10.6%
1984 - -8.9%
1983 - -7.55%
1982 - -8.24%
1981 - -5.83%
1980 - -5.32%
1979 - -11.6%
1978 - -12.4%
1977 - -8.74%
1976 - -9.05%
1975 - -8.97%
1974 - -4.45%
1973 - -3.99%
1972 - -3.16%
1971 - -7.45%
1970 - -10.8%
1969 - -7.08%
1968 - -5.56%
1967 - -4.27%
1966 - -4.48%
1965 - -3.28%
1964 - -4.89%
1963 - -6.55%
1962 - -3.39%
1961 - -4.6%
1960 - -3.83%
1959 - -3.71%
1958 - -4.2%
1957 - -2.21%
1956 - -2.36%
1955 - -2%
1954 - -3.18%
1953 - -2.66%
1952 - -0.73%
1951 - 0.63%
1950 - -1.24%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1950–1992, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/malaysia/pakistan | 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 Pakistan's deficit of $21.9B, or 5.37% of GDP.

Over the past 36 years, Malaysia recorded a fiscal deficit in 28 of those years, while Pakistan ran a deficit in 36 years. On average, Malaysia posted an annual deficit equal to 2.1% of GDP, compared to deficit of 5.32% of GDP for Pakistan.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Malaysia

Pakistan
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Malaysia Pakistan
2025 1.38% 3.55%
2024 1.83% 12.6%
2023 2.49% 30.8%
2022 3.38% 19.9%
2021 2.48% 9.5%
2020 -1.14% 9.74%
2019 0.66% 10.6%
2018 0.88% 5.08%
2017 3.87% 4.09%
2016 2.09% 3.77%
2015 2.1% 2.53%
2014 3.14% 7.19%
2013 2.11% 7.69%
2012 1.66% 9.68%
2011 3.17% 11.9%
2010 1.62% 12.9%
2009 0.58% 13.6%
2008 5.44% 20.3%
2007 2.03% 7.6%
2006 3.61% 7.92%
2005 2.98% 9.06%
2004 1.42% 7.44%
2003 1.09% 2.91%
2002 1.81% 3.29%
2001 1.42% 3.15%
2000 1.53% 4.37%
1999 2.74% 4.14%
1998 5.27% 6.23%
1997 2.66% 11.4%

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

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

Over the past 29 years, Malaysia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.22%, compared with 9.07% in Pakistan. In 2025, inflation was 1.38% in Malaysia and 3.55% in Pakistan.

Top exports between countries

Malaysia
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $745M
Chemicals & pharma $179M
Transport & tourism services $122M
Machinery & equipment $116M
Raw materials & minerals $63.3M
Textiles & consumer goods $31M
Metals $29.8M
Wood & paper products $19.5M
IT & IP services $3.71M
Raw agricultural goods $3.47M
Pakistan
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $165M
Textiles & consumer goods $70.7M
Raw materials & minerals $56.6M
Animal & marine products $22.8M
Metals $12.4M
Chemicals & pharma $7.22M
Machinery & equipment $5.06M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $4.65M
Wood & paper products $2.37M
Miscellaneous $54K

Balance of trade

Malaysia Pakistan
Current account balance
$7.15B
2024
-$448M
2025
Current account balance ranking
29/190
2024
102/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
+1.69%
2024
-0.11%
2025
Goods imports
$223B
2024
$62.6B
2025
Goods exports
$248B
2024
$31.5B
2025
Service imports
$56.4B
2024
$12B
2025
Service exports
$53.4B
2024
$9.09B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
65.4%
2025
17.2%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
71%
2025
9.99%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Malaysia Pakistan
Economic freedom 68 48.9
Economic freedom ranking 51/197 168/197
Property rights 62.7 25.7
Government integrity 52.9 26.3
Judicial effectiveness 63.4 27.6
Tax burden 83.5 78.2
Government spending 82 88.5
Fiscal health 62.5 10.1
Business freedom 79.6 54.4
Labor freedom 55.4 51.7
Monetary freedom 80.8 54.1
Trade freedom 83 70.4
Investment freedom 60 60
Financial freedom 50 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Malaysia
Pakistan
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Malaysia Pakistan
2026 68 48.9
2025 67.1 49.1
2024 65.7 49.5
2023 67.3 49.4
2022 68.1 48.8
2021 74.4 51.7
2020 74.7 54.8
2019 74 55
2018 74.5 54.4
2017 73.8 52.8
2016 71.5 55.9
2015 70.8 55.6
2014 69.6 55.2
2013 66.1 55.1
2012 66.4 54.7
2011 66.3 55.1
2010 64.8 55.2
2009 64.6 57
2008 63.9 55.6
2007 63.8 57.2
2006 61.6 57.9
2005 61.9 53.3
2004 59.9 54.9
2003 61.1 55
2002 60.1 55.8
2001 60.2 56
2000 66 56.4
1999 68.9 53
1998 68.2 53.2
1997 66.8 56
1996 69.9 58.4
1995 71.9 57.6

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Malaysia is 68, ranking 51/197, compared to 48.9 for Pakistan, ranking 168/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Malaysia Pakistan
Services, % of GDP
54.8%
2025
50.9%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
35.7%
2025
20.1%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
8.22%
2025
23%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$445B
2025
$382B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$40,070
2025
$6,430
2025
Total reserves including gold
$126B
2025
$26.5B
2025
Total reserves ranking
25/177
2025
62/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$2.55B
2024
-$1.58B
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$15.6B
2024
$2.66B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$13B
2024
$84M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
4.5%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
5.1%
2023
21.9%
2018
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
20.5%
2025
14.3%
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/pakistan | 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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1950–1993, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. TradeMap (2024–2025, 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.