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Economy of Malaysia vs Pakistan compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Malaysia has a GDP of $422B compared to $372B for Pakistan, ranking 38/197 and 43/197 by economy size, respectively.

Malaysia has $296B in government debt (70.1% of GDP), compared to $262B (70.4% of GDP) in Pakistan.

Malaysia vs Pakistan GDP by year

Malaysia
Pakistan
1x
Year GDP, current $
Malaysia Pakistan
2024 $422,227,005,429 $371,570,000,121
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 (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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
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 (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Malaysia's GDP per capita is $11,874, ranking 79/197, compared to $1,479 in Pakistan, ranking 163/197. 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
$422B
2024
$372B
2024
GDP rank
38/197
2024
43/197
2024
GDP growth
5.11%
2023-2024
3.05%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$11,874
2024
$1,479
2024
GDP per capita rank
79/197
2024
163/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$38,779
2024
$6,252
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
60/197
2024
150/197
2024
Government debt
$296B
2024
$262B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
70.1%
2024
70.4%
2024
Government debt per person
$8,322
2024
$1,041
2024
Government debt per person rank
62/185
2024
140/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$11,005
2026
$1,668
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$449B
2024
$52.1B
2024
Number of billionaires
19
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
30.9%
2021
25.5%
2018
Income share by poorest 10%
2.3%
2021
4.2%
2018
Government expenditure, % of GDP
23.9%
2024
19.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.83%
2023-2024
12.6%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
2.75%
2025
10.5%
2025
Unemployment rate
3.93%
2022
6.96%
2025
Population
36512221
260356147

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
2024 23.9% 70.1% 19.5% 70.4%
2023 24.9% 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 (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1993, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Malaysia's government spending was $101B, accounting for 23.9% of its GDP, while Pakistan spent $72.4B, or 19.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 70.1% in Malaysia and 70.4% in Pakistan, ranking 58/185 and 56/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Malaysia

Pakistan
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Malaysia Pakistan
2024 -3.95% -6.81%
2023 -3.97% -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 (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1950–1992, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/malaysia/pakistan | 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 Pakistan's deficit of $25.3B, or 6.81% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Malaysia recorded a fiscal deficit in 27 of those years, while Pakistan ran a deficit in 35 years. On average, Malaysia posted an annual deficit equal to 2.07% 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
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 (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Over the past 28 years, Malaysia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.25%, compared with 9.26% in Pakistan. In 2024, inflation was 1.83% in Malaysia and 12.6% in Pakistan.

Top exports between countries

Malaysia
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $704M
Raw materials & minerals $170M
Chemicals & pharma $155M
Machinery & equipment $111M
Transport & tourism services $71M
Metals $41.4M
Textiles & consumer goods $37.5M
Wood & paper products $16.1M
IT & IP services $3.9M
Raw agricultural goods $2.79M
Pakistan
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $328M
Raw materials & minerals $76.9M
Textiles & consumer goods $66M
Animal & marine products $18.2M
Chemicals & pharma $8.9M
Metals $6.86M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $5.47M
Machinery & equipment $4.48M
Wood & paper products $1.49M
Miscellaneous $206K

Balance of trade

Malaysia Pakistan
Current account balance
$7.15B
2024
$496M
2024
Current account balance ranking
26/190
2024
63/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+1.69%
2024
+0.13%
2024
Goods imports
$223B
2024
$55.6B
2024
Goods exports
$248B
2024
$32.1B
2024
Service imports
$56.4B
2024
$11.2B
2024
Service exports
$53.4B
2024
$8.1B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
66%
2024
17.2%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
71.3%
2024
10.4%
2024

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 2026-03-09).

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
53.7%
2024
50.7%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
37%
2024
20.2%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
8.13%
2024
23.7%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$414B
2024
$358B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$37,450
2024
$6,100
2024
Total reserves including gold
$116B
2024
$18.4B
2024
Total reserves ranking
24/177
2024
63/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$2.55B
2024
-$2.58B
2024
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
5.8%
2023
21.9%
2018
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
22%
2024
13.2%
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/pakistan | 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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1950–1993, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2022–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  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.

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.