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Economy of Malaysia vs Panama compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Malaysia has a GDP of $472B compared to $90.5B for Panama, ranking 35/197 and 82/197 by economy size, respectively.

Malaysia has $334B in government debt (70.7% of GDP), compared to $51.2B (56.6% of GDP) in Panama.

Malaysia vs Panama GDP by year

Malaysia
Panama
1x
Year GDP, current $
Malaysia Panama
2025 $472,193,128,645 $90,462,600,000
2024 $422,227,005,429 $86,523,959,100
2023 $399,949,418,753 $83,812,155,200
2022 $407,830,525,990 $76,479,304,500
2021 $373,784,553,030 $67,396,392,500
2020 $337,456,163,961 $57,059,846,500
2019 $365,177,721,022 $69,778,991,200
2018 $358,788,845,713 $67,316,471,200
2017 $319,109,094,160 $64,327,688,800
2016 $301,256,033,870 $59,760,858,700
2015 $301,355,266,965 $55,767,806,100
2014 $338,066,095,097 $51,427,104,900
2013 $323,276,235,524 $46,949,496,500
2012 $314,443,047,642 $41,595,439,700
2011 $297,951,668,675 $35,687,738,300
2010 $255,017,638,456 $30,231,009,500
2009 $202,257,453,037 $27,791,215,500
2008 $230,811,614,370 $25,721,328,000
2007 $193,549,569,478 $21,717,433,800
2006 $162,692,258,307 $18,659,721,500
2005 $143,534,405,819 $16,623,906,700
2004 $124,749,473,684 $15,100,203,400
2003 $110,202,368,421 $13,603,456,000
2002 $100,845,526,316 $12,800,851,300
2001 $92,783,947,368 $12,252,906,300
2000 $93,789,736,842 $11,966,497,000
1999 $79,148,421,053 $11,660,704,800
1998 $72,167,498,981 $11,019,557,700
1997 $100,005,323,302 $10,058,854,400
1996 $100,855,393,910 $9,197,503,300
1995 $88,705,342,903 $9,573,813,700
1994 $74,478,356,958 $9,365,289,800
1993 $66,894,966,969 $8,782,585,400
1992 $59,167,550,163 $8,042,337,700
1991 $49,143,148,094 $7,074,675,500
1990 $44,024,585,240 $6,433,967,000
1989 $38,847,965,293 $5,918,469,800
1988 $35,272,109,220 $5,902,783,400
1987 $32,181,210,158 $6,827,665,300
1986 $27,734,111,400 $6,797,834,200
1985 $31,199,633,353 $6,541,517,100
1984 $33,942,897,422 $6,183,387,100
1983 $30,347,442,111 $5,923,755,900
1982 $26,804,493,635 $5,769,767,900
1981 $25,004,285,792 $5,222,421,500
1980 $24,488,224,677 $4,614,086,400
1979 $21,213,264,962 $3,704,551,600
1978 $16,358,079,862 $3,244,558,600
1977 $13,139,488,633 $2,738,261,900
1976 $11,050,234,599 $2,588,106,000
1975 $9,298,800,799 $2,435,304,100
1974 $9,496,204,302 $2,188,307,600
1973 $7,662,902,678 $1,913,793,400
1972 $5,043,347,250 $1,673,411,700
1971 $4,244,395,956 $1,523,917,200
1970 $3,864,145,667 $1,351,006,400
1969 $3,664,552,041 $1,221,305,700
1968 $3,330,371,551 $1,112,791,100
1967 $3,188,924,677 $1,034,376,400
1966 $3,143,517,944 $928,833,000
1965 $2,956,337,669 $852,485,300
1964 $2,674,423,922 $776,137,500
1963 $2,510,110,348 $722,784,500
1962 $2,001,489,602 $652,120,900
1961 $1,901,856,123 $599,026,300
1960 $1,916,229,477 $537,147,100

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

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

GDP per capita in Malaysia vs Panama by year

Malaysia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Panama
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Malaysia Panama
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $13,125 - $19,790 -
2024 $11,874 $38,779 $19,161 $41,369
2023 $11,386 $36,467 $18,797 $39,813
2022 $11,755 $34,420 $17,379 $36,333
2021 $10,903 $29,823 $15,510 $30,933
2020 $9,958 $27,475 $13,291 $27,017
2019 $10,920 $28,934 $16,478 $33,240
2018 $10,902 $27,794 $16,151 $32,464
2017 $9,863 $26,416 $15,695 $33,533
2016 $9,477 $25,286 $14,832 $30,277
2015 $9,649 $24,526 $14,083 $27,245
2014 $11,013 $24,307 $13,213 $24,376
2013 $10,714 $23,161 $12,273 $21,924
2012 $10,601 $22,639 $11,065 $19,473
2011 $10,217 $21,324 $9,662 $17,474
2010 $8,899 $20,193 $8,331 $15,573
2009 $7,191 $18,923 $7,797 $14,766
2008 $8,372 $19,480 $7,348 $14,705
2007 $7,169 $18,617 $6,318 $13,333
2006 $6,158 $17,426 $5,529 $11,685
2005 $5,556 $16,371 $5,018 $10,511
2004 $4,939 $15,416 $4,645 $9,592
2003 $4,465 $14,387 $4,265 $8,801
2002 $4,184 $13,656 $4,091 $8,370
2001 $3,944 $13,072 $3,992 $8,197
2000 $4,084 $13,027 $3,975 $8,097
1999 $3,528 $11,980 $3,950 $7,749
1998 $3,294 $11,398 $3,808 $7,408
1997 $4,679 $12,469 $3,546 $6,895
1996 $4,837 $11,709 $3,308 $6,421
1995 $4,363 $10,720 $3,514 $6,182
1994 $3,758 $9,806 $3,508 $6,073
1993 $3,462 $9,018 $3,358 $5,902
1992 $3,141 $8,224 $3,140 $5,582
1991 $2,679 $7,583 $2,821 $5,150
1990 $2,469 $6,887 $2,620 $4,651
1989 $2,244 - $2,462 -
1988 $2,100 - $2,509 -
1987 $1,977 - $2,966 -
1986 $1,760 - $3,019 -
1985 $2,046 - $2,972 -
1984 $2,300 - $2,875 -
1983 $2,124 - $2,819 -
1982 $1,938 - $2,811 -
1981 $1,866 - $2,605 -
1980 $1,886 - $2,357 -
1979 $1,680 - $1,938 -
1978 $1,327 - $1,738 -
1977 $1,092 - $1,503 -
1976 $940 - $1,457 -
1975 $811 - $1,406 -
1974 $848 - $1,296 -
1973 $701 - $1,164 -
1972 $472 - $1,046 -
1971 $407 - $979 -
1970 $380 - $893 -
1969 $368 - $830 -
1968 $342 - $778 -
1967 $335 - $745 -
1966 $339 - $689 -
1965 $326 - $651 -
1964 $303 - $611 -
1963 $291.8 - $587 -
1962 $238.8 - $546 -
1961 $232.9 - $516 -
1960 $240.8 - $477 -

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

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

Malaysia's GDP per capita is $13,125, ranking 78/197, compared to $19,790 in Panama, ranking 62/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Malaysia ranks 60th at $38,779, while Panama ranks 56th at $41,369.

Economic indicators

Malaysia Panama
Gross domestic product
$472B
2025
$90.5B
2025
GDP rank
35/197
2025
82/197
2025
GDP growth
5.17%
2024-2025
4.35%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$13,125
2025
$19,790
2025
GDP per capita rank
78/197
2025
62/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$38,779
2024
$41,369
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
60/197
2024
56/197
2024
Government debt
$334B
2025
$51.2B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
70.7%
2025
56.6%
2025
Government debt per person
$9,273
2025
$11,198
2025
Government debt per person rank
62/185
2025
56/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$11,034
2026
$11,056
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$487B
2025
$27.2B
2025
Number of billionaires
19
2026
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
30.9%
2021
37.6%
2024
Income share by poorest 10%
2.3%
2021
1.2%
2024
Government expenditure, % of GDP
23.4%
2025
20.9%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
1.38%
2024-2025
-0.19%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
2.75%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
3.9%
2022
8.31%
2025
Population
36600906
4654479

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Malaysia
Spending

Debt
Panama
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Malaysia Panama
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 23.4% 70.7% 20.9% 56.6%
2024 24% 69.8% 23.1% 57.8%
2023 25% 69.7% 21.4% 54.4%
2022 24.6% 65.5% 21.3% 56.2%
2021 24.5% 69.2% 23.7% 58%
2020 25% 67.7% 27% 62.4%
2019 23.6% 57.1% 20.5% 42.5%
2018 22.8% 55.6% 21.7% 36.3%
2017 22% 54.4% 21.1% 34.3%
2016 22.9% 55.8% 21.3% 34%
2015 24.7% 57% 21.4% 34.1%
2014 26% 55.4% 22.9% 32.9%
2013 27.8% 55.7% 23.6% 30.8%
2012 28.5% 53.8% 23% 31.3%
2011 27.1% 51.9% 23.7% 35.9%
2010 26.6% 51.2% 24.4% 38.5%
2009 30.9% 50.4% 22.9% 39.5%
2008 26.9% 39.4% 23% 40.6%
2007 25.9% 39.3% 22.2% 48.2%
2006 25.6% 39.7% 22.4% 56.1%
2005 24.5% 40.8% 23.2% 61.5%
2004 25.9% 42% 24.4% 61.5%
2003 28.1% 41.4% 25.7% 59.9%
2002 27.1% 39.5% 25.1% 60.9%
2001 28.2% 38.1% 25.2% 62.1%
2000 25.6% 32.5% 24.7% 58%
1999 24.6% 34.4% 25.2% 60.4%
1998 23.1% 33.6% 25.9% 64.3%
1997 21.2% 29.6% 24.8% 67.3%
1996 22.4% 32.8% 24.3% 73.6%
1995 22.6% 38.2% 29.3% 86.7%
1994 23.3% 43.7% 28.5% 88.7%
1993 24.6% 51.1% 33.8% 83.6%
1992 28.2% 59.1% 27.8% 91.2%
1991 27.4% 67.3% 20.9% 103.7%
1990 30.5% 74.1% 41.5% 112.7%
1989 - - 43% 104.4%
1988 - - 41.8% 105%
1987 - - 40.1% 92.2%
1986 - - 38.6% 84%
1985 - - 39.7% 82.5%
1984 - - 44% 82.5%
1983 - - 44.6% 86.6%
1982 - - 48% 80.9%
1981 - - 30.7% 68.7%
1980 - - 30.5% 69.4%
1979 - - 35% 78.9%
1978 - - 27.6% 83.1%
1977 - - 16.9% 77.7%
1976 - - 15.9% 69.7%
1975 - - 15.3% 52.6%
1974 - - 15.3% 37.6%
1973 - - 14.4% 32.6%
1972 - - 15.6% 29.5%
1971 - - 15% 26.2%
1970 - - 22.4% 25.7%
1969 - - 20.5% 23.2%
1968 - - 14.2% 18%
1967 - - 14.9% 17.8%
1966 - - 14% 17.9%
1965 - - 13.2% 18.7%
1964 - - 14.1% 20%
1963 - - 19.1% 22.6%
1962 - - 16.4% 19.8%
1961 - - 18.9% 20.5%
1960 - - 16.6% 21%

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/panama | CC BY

In 2025, Malaysia's government spending was $111B, accounting for 23.4% of its GDP, while Panama spent $18.9B, or 20.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 70.7% in Malaysia and 56.6% in Panama, ranking 56/185 and 84/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Malaysia

Panama
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Malaysia Panama
2025 -3.54% -3.67%
2024 -3.45% -6.23%
2023 -4.11% -3.9%
2022 -4.56% -3.98%
2021 -6.03% -6.45%
2020 -4.9% -9.68%
2019 -2.01% -2.74%
2018 -2.64% -2.76%
2017 -2.41% -1.8%
2016 -2.6% -1.76%
2015 -2.55% -2.17%
2014 -2.63% -3.04%
2013 -3.48% -2.4%
2012 -3.1% -1.32%
2011 -3.57% -1.97%
2010 -4.32% -1.69%
2009 -5.88% -0.91%
2008 -3.4% 0.38%
2007 -2.57% 3.17%
2006 -2.6% 0.53%
2005 -2.83% -2.29%
2004 -3.35% -4.54%
2003 -4.6% -2.41%
2002 -3.96% -1.03%
2001 -4.36% -0.45%
2000 -6.05% 2.22%
1999 -3% -0.71%
1998 -0.63% -1.23%
1997 4.84% 1.39%
1996 3.27% 2.81%
1995 3.1% 2.61%
1994 5.45% 2.4%
1993 3.44% -9.4%
1992 1.81% -2.62%
1991 1.6% -0.6%
1990 0.15% -3.65%
1989 - -13.6%
1988 - -13.5%
1987 - -1.7%
1986 - -1%
1985 - -2.57%
1984 - -7.56%
1983 - -7.62%
1982 - -13.3%
1981 - -6.77%
1980 - -5.17%
1979 - -12.1%
1978 - -5.21%
1977 - -1.61%
1976 - -2.65%
1975 - -0.74%
1974 - -0.6%
1973 - -0.01%
1972 - -1.17%
1971 - -0.51%
1970 - -8.02%
1969 - -7.56%
1968 - -1.5%
1967 - -1.97%
1966 - -1.18%
1965 - -1.17%
1964 - -2.51%
1963 - -6.71%
1962 - -3.01%
1961 - -5.45%
1960 - -3.05%
1959 - -3.79%
1958 - -1.62%
1957 - -0.89%
1956 - -3.69%
1955 - -1.33%
1954 - -0.2%
1953 - -0.55%
1952 - -3.84%
1951 - -2.54%
1950 - -3.89%
1949 - -1%
1948 - -1.21%
1947 - -1.94%
1946 - -3.19%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1946–1993, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/malaysia/panama | 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 Panama's deficit of $3.32B, or 3.67% of GDP.

Over the past 36 years, Malaysia recorded a fiscal deficit in 28 of those years, while Panama ran a deficit in 28 years. On average, Malaysia posted an annual deficit equal to 2.1% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.94% of GDP for Panama.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Malaysia

Panama
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Malaysia Panama
2025 1.38% -0.19%
2024 1.83% 0.69%
2023 2.49% 1.49%
2022 3.38% 2.86%
2021 2.48% 1.63%
2020 -1.14% -1.55%
2019 0.66% -0.36%
2018 0.88% 0.76%
2017 3.87% 0.88%
2016 2.09% 0.74%
2015 2.1% 0.14%
2014 3.14% 2.63%
2013 2.11% 4.03%
2012 1.66% 5.7%
2011 3.17% 5.88%
2010 1.62% 3.49%
2009 0.58% 2.41%
2008 5.44% 8.76%
2007 2.03% 4.17%
2006 3.61% 2.46%
2005 2.98% 2.86%
2004 1.42% 0.47%
2003 1.09% 0.39%
2002 1.81% 1.01%
2001 1.42% 0.31%
2000 1.53% 1.5%
1999 2.74% 1.25%
1998 5.27% 0.56%
1997 2.66% 1.32%

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

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

Over the past 29 years, Malaysia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.22%, compared with 1.94% in Panama. In 2025, inflation was 1.38% in Malaysia and -0.19% in Panama.

Top exports between countries

Malaysia
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $58.2M
Textiles & consumer goods $25.4M
Chemicals & pharma $9.22M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $7.57M
Raw materials & minerals $4.45M
Miscellaneous $4.06M
Precious metals & jewellery $2.36M
Metals $869K
Wood & paper products $17K
Animal & marine products $12K
Panama
Export category Export value
Metals $694K
Raw agricultural goods $629K
Animal & marine products $520K
Chemicals & pharma $274K
Textiles & consumer goods $212K
Machinery & equipment $109K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $101K
Precious metals & jewellery $86K
Wood & paper products $10K

Balance of trade

Malaysia Panama
Current account balance
$7.15B
2024
-$169M
2025
Current account balance ranking
29/190
2024
91/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
+1.69%
2024
-0.19%
2025
Goods imports
$223B
2024
$28.2B
2025
Goods exports
$248B
2024
$18.6B
2025
Service imports
$56.4B
2024
$5.91B
2025
Service exports
$53.4B
2024
$20.2B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
65.4%
2025
39.3%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
71%
2025
44.4%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Malaysia Panama
Economic freedom 68 64.9
Economic freedom ranking 51/197 70/197
Property rights 62.7 56.7
Government integrity 52.9 37.4
Judicial effectiveness 63.4 49.6
Tax burden 83.5 86.1
Government spending 82 85.5
Fiscal health 62.5 51.8
Business freedom 79.6 72.6
Labor freedom 55.4 60.9
Monetary freedom 80.8 78.2
Trade freedom 83 80.2
Investment freedom 60 60
Financial freedom 50 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Malaysia
Panama
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Malaysia Panama
2026 68 64.9
2025 67.1 65.5
2024 65.7 64.1
2023 67.3 63.8
2022 68.1 65.4
2021 74.4 66.2
2020 74.7 67.2
2019 74 67.2
2018 74.5 67
2017 73.8 66.3
2016 71.5 64.8
2015 70.8 64.1
2014 69.6 63.4
2013 66.1 62.5
2012 66.4 65.2
2011 66.3 64.9
2010 64.8 64.8
2009 64.6 64.7
2008 63.9 64.7
2007 63.8 64.6
2006 61.6 65.6
2005 61.9 64.3
2004 59.9 65.3
2003 61.1 68.4
2002 60.1 68.5
2001 60.2 70.6
2000 66 71.6
1999 68.9 72.6
1998 68.2 72.6
1997 66.8 72.4
1996 69.9 71.8
1995 71.9 71.6

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Malaysia is 68, ranking 51/197, compared to 64.9 for Panama, ranking 70/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Malaysia Panama
Services, % of GDP
54.8%
2025
70%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
35.7%
2025
24.9%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
8.22%
2025
2.62%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$445B
2025
$87.5B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$40,070
2025
$41,770
2025
Total reserves including gold
$126B
2025
$6.24B
2025
Total reserves ranking
25/177
2025
93/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$2.55B
2024
-$1.81B
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$15.6B
2024
$2.09B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$13B
2024
$84.3M
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
5.1%
2023
21.7%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
20.5%
2025
33.5%
2024

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/panama | 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 (1946–1993, 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 (2022–2025, 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.

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.