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Economy of Malaysia vs Paraguay compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Malaysia has a GDP of $422B compared to $44.5B for Paraguay, ranking 38/197 and 98/197 by economy size, respectively.

Malaysia has $296B in government debt (70.1% of GDP), compared to $19.9B (44.8% of GDP) in Paraguay.

Malaysia vs Paraguay GDP by year

Malaysia
Paraguay
1x
Year GDP, current $
Malaysia Paraguay
2024 $422,227,005,429 $44,458,118,397
2023 $399,949,418,753 $43,118,053,175
2022 $407,830,525,990 $41,952,910,858
2021 $373,784,553,030 $39,950,899,939
2020 $337,456,163,961 $35,432,178,068
2019 $365,177,721,022 $37,925,338,329
2018 $358,788,845,713 $40,225,448,341
2017 $319,109,094,160 $38,997,129,474
2016 $301,256,033,870 $36,089,700,223
2015 $301,355,266,965 $36,211,447,840
2014 $338,066,095,097 $40,377,929,296
2013 $323,276,235,524 $38,501,122,141
2012 $314,443,047,642 $33,271,921,136
2011 $297,951,668,675 $33,756,238,766
2010 $255,017,638,456 $27,260,886,405
2009 $202,257,453,037 $22,355,151,162
2008 $230,811,614,370 $24,615,267,664
2007 $193,549,569,478 $17,856,393,235
2006 $162,692,258,307 $13,429,430,050
2005 $143,534,405,819 $10,737,500,188
2004 $124,749,473,684 $9,624,440,836
2003 $110,202,368,421 $7,691,367,471
2002 $100,845,526,316 $7,196,260,657
2001 $92,783,947,368 $8,495,806,432
2000 $93,789,736,842 $8,855,705,140
1999 $79,148,421,053 $8,837,070,236
1998 $72,167,498,981 $9,260,481,572
1997 $100,005,323,302 $9,965,225,678
1996 $100,855,393,910 $9,788,391,781
1995 $88,705,342,903 $9,062,131,475
1994 $74,478,356,958 $7,870,982,005
1993 $66,894,966,969 $7,249,533,620
1992 $59,167,550,163 $7,157,424,031
1991 $49,143,148,094 $6,984,367,763
1990 $44,024,585,240 $5,812,114,523
1989 $38,847,965,293 $4,757,732,200
1988 $35,272,109,220 $4,255,683,528
1987 $32,181,210,158 $3,971,044,724
1986 $27,734,111,400 $3,723,993,943
1985 $31,199,633,353 $3,282,449,236
1984 $33,942,897,422 $4,502,462,807
1983 $30,347,442,111 $5,673,248,726
1982 $26,804,493,635 $5,419,411,765
1981 $25,004,285,792 $5,624,515,873
1980 $24,488,224,677 $4,448,087,302
1979 $21,213,264,962 $3,416,777,778
1978 $16,358,079,862 $2,559,857,143
1977 $13,139,488,633 $2,092,158,730
1976 $11,050,234,599 $1,698,960,317
1975 $9,298,800,799 $1,511,420,635
1974 $9,496,204,302 $1,333,475,397
1973 $7,662,902,678 $995,531,746
1972 $5,043,347,250 $769,039,683
1971 $4,244,395,956 $664,571,429
1970 $3,864,145,667 $594,611,111
1969 $3,664,552,041 $556,293,651
1968 $3,330,371,551 $517,650,794
1967 $3,188,924,677 $492,674,603
1966 $3,143,517,944 $465,888,889
1965 $2,956,337,669 $443,587,302
1964 $2,674,423,922 $408,349,206
1963 $2,510,110,348 $383,904,762
1962 $2,001,489,602 $360,698,413
1961 $1,901,856,123 $322,053,713
1960 $1,916,229,477 $288,884,368

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

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

GDP per capita in Malaysia vs Paraguay by year

Malaysia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Paraguay
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Malaysia Paraguay
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $11,874 $38,779 $6,416 $18,524
2023 $11,386 $36,467 $6,300 $17,564
2022 $11,755 $34,420 $6,206 $16,347
2021 $10,903 $29,823 $5,977 $15,406
2020 $9,958 $27,475 $5,365 $14,309
2019 $10,920 $28,934 $5,821 $14,150
2018 $10,902 $27,794 $6,258 $14,139
2017 $9,863 $26,416 $6,152 $13,977
2016 $9,477 $25,286 $5,775 $13,329
2015 $9,649 $24,526 $5,879 $12,679
2014 $11,013 $24,307 $6,652 $12,607
2013 $10,714 $23,161 $6,436 $12,137
2012 $10,601 $22,639 $5,642 $10,954
2011 $10,217 $21,324 $5,805 $11,442
2010 $8,899 $20,193 $4,751 $10,893
2009 $7,191 $18,923 $3,942 $9,802
2008 $8,372 $19,480 $4,385 $9,867
2007 $7,169 $18,617 $3,212 $9,179
2006 $6,158 $17,426 $2,439 $8,561
2005 $5,556 $16,371 $1,971 $8,007
2004 $4,939 $15,416 $1,786 $7,686
2003 $4,465 $14,387 $1,444 $7,276
2002 $4,184 $13,656 $1,368 $6,924
2001 $3,944 $13,072 $1,638 $6,916
2000 $4,084 $13,027 $1,736 $6,937
1999 $3,528 $11,980 $1,766 $7,080
1998 $3,294 $11,398 $1,890 $7,227
1997 $4,679 $12,469 $2,079 $7,299
1996 $4,837 $11,709 $2,088 $7,040
1995 $4,363 $10,720 $1,979 $6,966
1994 $3,758 $9,806 $1,760 $6,542
1993 $3,462 $9,018 $1,662 $6,234
1992 $3,141 $8,224 $1,683 $5,952
1991 $2,679 $7,583 $1,685 $5,873
1990 $2,469 $6,887 $1,440 $5,637
1989 $2,244 - $1,211 -
1988 $2,100 - $1,114 -
1987 $1,977 - $1,069 -
1986 $1,760 - $1,031 -
1985 $2,046 - $935 -
1984 $2,300 - $1,319 -
1983 $2,124 - $1,710 -
1982 $1,938 - $1,680 -
1981 $1,866 - $1,793 -
1980 $1,886 - $1,457 -
1979 $1,680 - $1,149 -
1978 $1,327 - $883 -
1977 $1,092 - $740 -
1976 $940 - $616 -
1975 $811 - $562 -
1974 $848 - $508 -
1973 $701 - $389 -
1972 $472 - $308 -
1971 $407 - $272.1 -
1970 $380 - $249 -
1969 $368 - $238.2 -
1968 $342 - $226.8 -
1967 $335 - $220.9 -
1966 $339 - $213.9 -
1965 $326 - $208.7 -
1964 $303 - $197 -
1963 $291.8 - $189.9 -
1962 $238.8 - $182.8 -
1961 $232.9 - $167.1 -
1960 $240.8 - $153.4 -

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

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

Malaysia's GDP per capita is $11,874, ranking 79/197, compared to $6,416 in Paraguay, ranking 109/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Malaysia ranks 60th at $38,779, while Paraguay ranks 102nd at $18,524.

Economic indicators

Malaysia Paraguay
Gross domestic product
$422B
2024
$44.5B
2024
GDP rank
38/197
2024
98/197
2024
GDP growth
5.11%
2023-2024
4.25%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$11,874
2024
$6,416
2024
GDP per capita rank
79/197
2024
109/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$38,779
2024
$18,524
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
60/197
2024
102/197
2024
Government debt
$296B
2024
$19.9B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
70.1%
2024
44.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$8,322
2024
$2,872
2024
Government debt per person rank
62/185
2024
103/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$11,005
2026
$6,136
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$449B
2024
$313M
1999
Number of billionaires
19
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
30.9%
2021
35%
2024
Income share by poorest 10%
2.3%
2021
2%
2024
Government expenditure, % of GDP
23.9%
2024
21%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.83%
2023-2024
3.84%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
2.75%
2025
6%
2024
Unemployment rate
3.93%
2022
5.69%
2024
Population
36512221
7120169

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Malaysia
Spending

Debt
Paraguay
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Malaysia Paraguay
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 23.9% 70.1% 21% 44.8%
2023 24.9% 69.7% 21.5% 41.1%
2022 24.6% 65.5% 20.2% 40.5%
2021 24.5% 69.2% 20.4% 37.5%
2020 25% 67.7% 22.6% 36.9%
2019 23.6% 57.1% 20.1% 25.8%
2018 22.8% 55.6% 18.5% 22.3%
2017 22% 54.4% 18.1% 19.8%
2016 22.9% 55.8% 17.7% 19.4%
2015 24.7% 57% 18% 18.6%
2014 26% 55.4% 17.1% 15.6%
2013 27.8% 55.7% 17.1% 13.5%
2012 28.5% 53.8% 17.6% 12.3%
2011 27.1% 51.9% 14.7% 11.1%
2010 26.6% 51.2% 13.3% 13%
2009 30.9% 50.4% 14.3% 14.9%
2008 26.9% 39.4% 11.8% 16%
2007 25.9% 39.3% 13.1% 16.8%
2006 25.6% 39.7% 14.1% 21%
2005 24.5% 40.8% 14% 28.3%
2004 25.9% 42% 14% 36%
2003 28.1% 41.4% 14.6% 37.5%
2002 27.1% 39.5% 17.6% 50.5%
2001 28.2% 38.1% 19% 37.1%
2000 25.6% 32.5% 19.6% 33.6%
1999 24.6% 34.4% 19.2% 32%
1998 23.1% 33.6% 18% 22.1%
1997 21.2% 29.6% 18.1% 18%
1996 22.4% 32.8% 16.9% 16.8%
1995 22.6% 38.2% 15.7% 17.6%
1994 23.3% 43.7% 14.5% 18.7%
1993 24.6% 51.1% 12.9% 26.6%
1992 28.2% 59.1% 13% 34.4%
1991 27.4% 67.3% 11.4% 49.4%
1990 30.5% 74.1% 10.5% 67%
1989 - - 11.8% 52.9%
1988 - - 9.75% 58.9%
1987 - - 10.1% 68.7%
1986 - - 9.25% 57.1%
1985 - - 11.4% 54.7%
1984 - - 13% 31%
1983 - - 13% 22.6%
1982 - - 13.2% 21.3%
1981 - - 13.3% 17.4%
1980 - - 11.6% 17.4%
1979 - - 11.7% 19.7%
1978 - - 11.9% 20.9%
1977 - - 11.2% 18.8%
1976 - - 9.8% 14.1%
1975 - - 10.5% 12.6%
1974 - - 9.44% 12.5%
1973 - - 11.2% 15.4%
1972 - - 12.5% 18.2%
1971 - - 12.3% 18.9%
1970 - - 13.3% 19.2%
1969 - - 14% -
1968 - - 13.5% -
1967 - - 12.2% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1967–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Malaysia's government spending was $101B, accounting for 23.9% of its GDP, while Paraguay spent $9.33B, or 21% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 70.1% in Malaysia and 44.8% in Paraguay, ranking 58/185 and 120/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Malaysia

Paraguay
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Malaysia Paraguay
2024 -3.95% -2.12%
2023 -3.97% -3.81%
2022 -4.56% -2.64%
2021 -6.03% -3.39%
2020 -4.9% -5.72%
2019 -2.01% -2.44%
2018 -2.64% -1.01%
2017 -2.41% -0.44%
2016 -2.6% -0.37%
2015 -2.55% -0.44%
2014 -2.63% -0.27%
2013 -3.48% -1.16%
2012 -3.1% -0.58%
2011 -3.57% 1.29%
2010 -4.32% 1.54%
2009 -5.88% 0.59%
2008 -3.4% 2.29%
2007 -2.57% 1.27%
2006 -2.6% 0.91%
2005 -2.83% 0.74%
2004 -3.35% 1.33%
2003 -4.6% -0.07%
2002 -3.96% -1.89%
2001 -4.36% 0.07%
2000 -6.05% -0.55%
1999 -3% 2.67%
1998 -0.63% 4.28%
1997 4.84% 3%
1996 3.27% 2.43%
1995 3.1% 2.78%
1994 5.45% 4.59%
1993 3.44% 4.27%
1992 1.81% 3.1%
1991 1.6% 3.41%
1990 0.15% 7.56%
1989 - 5.48%
1988 - 3.01%
1987 - 2.68%
1986 - 3.08%
1985 - 0.85%
1984 - -0.42%
1983 - 0.27%
1982 - 1.52%
1981 - 0.15%
1980 - 3.4%
1979 - 4.13%
1978 - -3.42%
1977 - -0.19%
1976 - -0.06%
1975 - -1.24%
1974 - 1.67%
1973 - -0.91%
1972 - -2.51%
1971 - -1.25%
1970 - -1.26%
1969 - -1.62%
1968 - -2.34%
1967 - -1.7%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1967–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/malaysia/paraguay | 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 Paraguay's deficit of $942M, or 2.12% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Malaysia recorded a fiscal deficit in 27 of those years, while Paraguay ran a deficit in 16 years. On average, Malaysia posted an annual deficit equal to 2.07% of GDP, compared to surplus of 0.61% of GDP for Paraguay.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Malaysia

Paraguay
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Malaysia Paraguay
2024 1.83% 3.84%
2023 2.49% 4.63%
2022 3.38% 9.77%
2021 2.48% 4.79%
2020 -1.14% 1.77%
2019 0.66% 2.76%
2018 0.88% 3.98%
2017 3.87% 3.6%
2016 2.09% 4.09%
2015 2.1% 3.13%
2014 3.14% 5.03%
2013 2.11% 2.68%
2012 1.66% 3.68%
2011 3.17% 8.25%
2010 1.62% 4.65%
2009 0.58% 2.59%
2008 5.44% 10.2%
2007 2.03% 8.13%
2006 3.61% 9.59%
2005 2.98% 6.81%
2004 1.42% 4.32%
2003 1.09% 14.2%
2002 1.81% 10.5%
2001 1.42% 7.27%
2000 1.53% 8.98%
1999 2.74% 6.75%
1998 5.27% 11.6%
1997 2.66% 6.95%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Malaysia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.25%, compared with 6.23% in Paraguay. In 2024, inflation was 1.83% in Malaysia and 3.84% in Paraguay.

Top exports between countries

Malaysia
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $80.3M
Raw materials & minerals $1.68M
Metals $679K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $664K
Textiles & consumer goods $640K
Miscellaneous $232K
Chemicals & pharma $204K
Wood & paper products $168K
Animal & marine products $2K
Paraguay
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $22.2M
Metals $1.84M
Machinery & equipment $542K
Raw agricultural goods $531K
Animal & marine products $75K
Chemicals & pharma $72K
Precious metals & jewellery $28K
Wood & paper products $27K

Balance of trade

Malaysia Paraguay
Current account balance
$7.15B
2024
-$1.53B
2024
Current account balance ranking
26/190
2024
133/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+1.69%
2024
-3.44%
2024
Goods imports
$223B
2024
$15.8B
2024
Goods exports
$248B
2024
$14.9B
2024
Service imports
$56.4B
2024
$2.54B
2024
Service exports
$53.4B
2024
$2.65B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
66%
2024
39.6%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
71.3%
2024
37.2%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Malaysia Paraguay
Economic freedom 68 66.4
Economic freedom ranking 51/197 61/197
Property rights 62.7 44.2
Government integrity 52.9 27.3
Judicial effectiveness 63.4 38.4
Tax burden 83.5 95.9
Government spending 82 86.9
Fiscal health 62.5 83
Business freedom 79.6 72
Labor freedom 55.4 44.1
Monetary freedom 80.8 76.5
Trade freedom 83 78.4
Investment freedom 60 80
Financial freedom 50 70

Economic freedom comparison by year

Malaysia
Paraguay
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Malaysia Paraguay
2026 68 66.4
2025 67.1 65.2
2024 65.7 60.1
2023 67.3 61
2022 68.1 62.9
2021 74.4 62.6
2020 74.7 63
2019 74 61.8
2018 74.5 62.1
2017 73.8 62.4
2016 71.5 61.5
2015 70.8 61.1
2014 69.6 62
2013 66.1 61.1
2012 66.4 61.8
2011 66.3 62.3
2010 64.8 61.3
2009 64.6 61
2008 63.9 60
2007 63.8 58.3
2006 61.6 55.6
2005 61.9 53.4
2004 59.9 56.7
2003 61.1 58.2
2002 60.1 59.6
2001 60.2 60.3
2000 66 64
1999 68.9 63.7
1998 68.2 65.2
1997 66.8 67.3
1996 69.9 67.1
1995 71.9 65.9

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Malaysia is 68, ranking 51/197, compared to 66.4 for Paraguay, ranking 61/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Malaysia Paraguay
Services, % of GDP
53.7%
2024
48.7%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
37%
2024
32.5%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
8.13%
2024
10.7%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$414B
2024
$43.7B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$37,450
2024
$17,930
2024
Total reserves including gold
$116B
2024
$9.89B
2023
Total reserves ranking
24/177
2024
76/177
2023
Net foreign direct investment
-$2.55B
2024
-$335M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$15.6B
2024
$1.1B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$13B
2024
$166M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
4.58%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
5.8%
2023
20.1%
2024
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
22%
2024
22.8%
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/paraguay | 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 (1967–1989, 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 (2021–2024, 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.