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Economy of Malaysia vs Philippines compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Malaysia has a GDP of $422B compared to $462B for the Philippines, ranking 38/197 and 35/197 by economy size, respectively.

Malaysia has $296B in government debt (70.1% of GDP), compared to $261B (56.6% of GDP) in the Philippines.

Malaysia vs Philippines GDP by year

Malaysia
Philippines
1x
Year GDP, current $
Malaysia Philippines
2024 $422,227,005,429 $461,617,509,782
2023 $399,949,418,753 $437,055,627,244
2022 $407,830,525,990 $404,353,369,605
2021 $373,784,553,030 $394,087,359,848
2020 $337,456,163,961 $361,751,145,452
2019 $365,177,721,022 $376,823,402,239
2018 $358,788,845,713 $346,841,896,587
2017 $319,109,094,160 $328,480,736,803
2016 $301,256,033,870 $318,627,003,017
2015 $301,355,266,965 $306,445,871,242
2014 $338,066,095,097 $297,483,555,338
2013 $323,276,235,524 $283,902,828,589
2012 $314,443,047,642 $261,920,540,963
2011 $297,951,668,675 $234,216,730,291
2010 $255,017,638,456 $208,368,893,151
2009 $202,257,453,037 $175,974,755,881
2008 $230,811,614,370 $181,624,626,327
2007 $193,549,569,478 $155,980,408,673
2006 $162,692,258,307 $127,652,926,368
2005 $143,534,405,819 $107,419,977,318
2004 $124,749,473,684 $95,001,999,685
2003 $110,202,368,421 $87,039,092,974
2002 $100,845,526,316 $84,307,345,888
2001 $92,783,947,368 $78,921,234,458
2000 $93,789,736,842 $83,669,788,377
1999 $79,148,421,053 $85,640,171,045
1998 $72,167,498,981 $74,492,416,330
1997 $100,005,323,302 $94,106,317,565
1996 $100,855,393,910 $94,648,084,429
1995 $88,705,342,903 $84,644,328,727
1994 $74,478,356,958 $73,159,336,915
1993 $66,894,966,969 $62,036,529,147
1992 $59,167,550,163 $60,422,328,242
1991 $49,143,148,094 $51,784,144,943
1990 $44,024,585,240 $50,508,286,642
1989 $38,847,965,293 $48,513,773,721
1988 $35,272,109,220 $43,152,128,959
1987 $32,181,210,158 $37,791,488,666
1986 $27,734,111,400 $33,987,207,295
1985 $31,199,633,353 $34,961,486,348
1984 $33,942,897,422 $35,730,185,634
1983 $30,347,442,111 $37,759,179,895
1982 $26,804,493,635 $42,206,011,275
1981 $25,004,285,792 $40,499,388,869
1980 $24,488,224,677 $36,848,080,899
1979 $21,213,264,962 $31,218,296,292
1978 $16,358,079,862 $25,762,224,563
1977 $13,139,488,633 $22,283,109,803
1976 $11,050,234,599 $19,381,055,197
1975 $9,298,800,799 $16,875,240,684
1974 $9,496,204,302 $15,607,882,555
1973 $7,662,902,678 $11,412,449,735
1972 $5,043,347,250 $9,067,815,521
1971 $4,244,395,956 $8,375,075,630
1970 $3,864,145,667 $7,559,115,517
1969 $3,664,552,041 $9,571,800,653
1968 $3,330,371,551 $8,632,749,269
1967 $3,188,924,677 $7,724,873,935
1966 $3,143,517,944 $7,189,017,888
1965 $2,956,337,669 $6,517,349,772
1964 $2,674,423,922 $5,953,756,195
1963 $2,510,110,348 $5,505,023,238
1962 $2,001,489,602 $4,954,593,072
1961 $1,901,856,123 $8,171,194,425
1960 $1,916,229,477 $7,515,894,111

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

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

GDP per capita in Malaysia vs Philippines by year

Malaysia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Philippines
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Malaysia Philippines
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $11,874 $38,779 $3,985 $11,794
2023 $11,386 $36,467 $3,804 $10,986
2022 $11,755 $34,420 $3,548 $10,131
2021 $10,903 $29,823 $3,484 $8,858
2020 $9,958 $27,475 $3,228 $8,238
2019 $10,920 $28,934 $3,401 $8,924
2018 $10,902 $27,794 $3,169 $8,358
2017 $9,863 $26,416 $3,038 $7,774
2016 $9,477 $25,286 $2,985 $7,383
2015 $9,649 $24,526 $2,910 $6,894
2014 $11,013 $24,307 $2,867 $6,689
2013 $10,714 $23,161 $2,781 $6,373
2012 $10,601 $22,639 $2,615 $6,094
2011 $10,217 $21,324 $2,384 $5,705
2010 $8,899 $20,193 $2,163 $5,489
2009 $7,191 $18,923 $1,864 $5,157
2008 $8,372 $19,480 $1,959 $5,144
2007 $7,169 $18,617 $1,713 $4,923
2006 $6,158 $17,426 $1,426 $4,579
2005 $5,556 $16,371 $1,220 $4,289
2004 $4,939 $15,416 $1,100 $4,037
2003 $4,465 $14,387 $1,027 $3,761
2002 $4,184 $13,656 $1,015 $3,580
2001 $3,944 $13,072 $970 $3,469
2000 $4,084 $13,027 $1,051 $3,366
1999 $3,528 $11,980 $1,101 $3,229
1998 $3,294 $11,398 $983 $3,160
1997 $4,679 $12,469 $1,273 $3,221
1996 $4,837 $11,709 $1,311 $3,082
1995 $4,363 $10,720 $1,200 $2,926
1994 $3,758 $9,806 $1,060 $2,800
1993 $3,462 $9,018 $919 $2,684
1992 $3,141 $8,224 $917 $2,629
1991 $2,679 $7,583 $804 $2,621
1990 $2,469 $6,887 $804 $2,608
1989 $2,244 - $792 -
1988 $2,100 - $722 -
1987 $1,977 - $650 -
1986 $1,760 - $600 -
1985 $2,046 - $633 -
1984 $2,300 - $665 -
1983 $2,124 - $723 -
1982 $1,938 - $833 -
1981 $1,866 - $821 -
1980 $1,886 - $767 -
1979 $1,680 - $667 -
1978 $1,327 - $565 -
1977 $1,092 - $502 -
1976 $940 - $449 -
1975 $811 - $401 -
1974 $848 - $379 -
1973 $701 - $283.2 -
1972 $472 - $230.1 -
1971 $407 - $217.4 -
1970 $380 - $200.9 -
1969 $368 - $261.1 -
1968 $342 - $242.2 -
1967 $335 - $223.1 -
1966 $339 - $213.8 -
1965 $326 - $199.8 -
1964 $303 - $188.2 -
1963 $291.8 - $179.5 -
1962 $238.8 - $166.7 -
1961 $232.9 - $283.8 -
1960 $240.8 - $269.5 -

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

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

Malaysia's GDP per capita is $11,874, ranking 79/197, compared to $3,985 in the Philippines, ranking 130/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Malaysia ranks 60th at $38,779, while the Philippines ranks 127th at $11,794.

Economic indicators

Malaysia Philippines
Gross domestic product
$422B
2024
$462B
2024
GDP rank
38/197
2024
35/197
2024
GDP growth
5.11%
2023-2024
5.69%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$11,874
2024
$3,985
2024
GDP per capita rank
79/197
2024
130/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$38,779
2024
$11,794
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
60/197
2024
127/197
2024
Government debt
$296B
2024
$261B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
70.1%
2024
56.6%
2024
Government debt per person
$8,322
2024
$2,257
2024
Government debt per person rank
62/185
2024
117/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$11,005
2026
$3,407
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$449B
2024
$252B
2024
Number of billionaires
19
2025
15
2025
Income share by richest 10%
30.9%
2021
31.6%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
2.3%
2021
2.9%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
23.9%
2024
24.9%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.83%
2023-2024
3.21%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
2.75%
2025
4.75%
2025
Unemployment rate
3.93%
2022
2.41%
2023
Population
36512221
117991570

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Malaysia
Spending

Debt
Philippines
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Malaysia Philippines
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 23.9% 70.1% 24.9% 56.6%
2023 24.9% 69.7% 24.7% 56.5%
2022 24.6% 65.5% 25.9% 57.4%
2021 24.5% 69.2% 27.2% 57%
2020 25% 67.7% 25.9% 51.6%
2019 23.6% 57.1% 21.7% 37%
2018 22.8% 55.6% 20.9% 37.1%
2017 22% 54.4% 19.5% 38.1%
2016 22.9% 55.8% 19% 37.4%
2015 24.7% 57% 17.8% 39.7%
2014 26% 55.4% 16.8% 40.3%
2013 27.8% 55.7% 17.3% 43.9%
2012 28.5% 53.8% 17.7% 45.7%
2011 27.1% 51.9% 17.2% 45.4%
2010 26.6% 51.2% 18.3% 47.6%
2009 30.9% 50.4% 19.2% 49.8%
2008 26.9% 39.4% 17.9% 50%
2007 25.9% 39.3% 18.2% 50.2%
2006 25.6% 39.7% 18.3% 57.2%
2005 24.5% 40.8% 18.7% 64.7%
2004 25.9% 42% 19.4% 71.1%
2003 28.1% 41.4% 20.4% 71.4%
2002 27.1% 39.5% 20.6% 65.2%
2001 28.2% 38.1% 21% 59.5%
2000 25.6% 32.5% 20.8% 59.2%
1999 24.6% 34.4% 20.7% 54.2%
1998 23.1% 33.6% 20.3% 50.8%
1997 21.2% 29.6% 20.3% 56.9%
1996 22.4% 32.8% 19.6% 53.1%
1995 22.6% 38.2% 19.1% 60.8%
1994 23.3% 43.7% 19.7% 63.6%
1993 24.6% 51.1% 17.6% 73.9%
1992 28.2% 59.1% 18.4% 53.9%
1991 27.4% 67.3% 18% 55.6%
1990 30.5% 74.1% 18.8% 56.2%
1989 - - 15.7% 55.2%
1988 - - 15.9% 69%
1987 - - 15.7% 79.2%
1986 - - 13.5% 77.7%
1985 - - 11.3% 53.1%
1984 - - 10.1% 45.8%
1983 - - 12.2% 43.1%
1982 - - 12.8% 32.9%
1981 - - 13.7% 27.6%
1980 - - 13.4% 24.8%
1979 - - 11.9% 22.5%
1978 - - 13.3% 23.1%
1977 - - 13.3% 19.8%
1976 - - 13.8% 16.8%
1975 - - 15.1% 13%
1974 - - 10.7% 13.4%
1973 - - 14% 11.5%
1972 - - 13.4% 14.2%
1971 - - 11.2% 14.8%
1970 - - 10.4% 16.8%
1969 - - 11.5% 16.4%
1968 - - 11.2% 15.7%
1967 - - 10.2% 15.4%
1966 - - 9.77% 14.4%
1965 - - 9.48% 15%
1964 - - 9.66% 14.2%
1963 - - 10.4% 14.1%
1962 - - 10.8% 15.9%
1961 - - 9.6% 16.5%
1960 - - 10.1% 16.6%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1992, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Malaysia's government spending was $101B, accounting for 23.9% of its GDP, while the Philippines spent $115B, or 24.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 70.1% in Malaysia and 56.6% in the Philippines, ranking 58/185 and 93/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Malaysia

Philippines
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Malaysia Philippines
2024 -3.95% -3.78%
2023 -3.97% -4.38%
2022 -4.56% -5.48%
2021 -6.03% -6.23%
2020 -4.9% -5.55%
2019 -2.01% -1.5%
2018 -2.64% -1.48%
2017 -2.41% -0.75%
2016 -2.6% -0.74%
2015 -2.55% 0.14%
2014 -2.63% 1.32%
2013 -3.48% 0.37%
2012 -3.1% -0.22%
2011 -3.57% -0.38%
2010 -4.32% -2.25%
2009 -5.88% -2.57%
2008 -3.4% 0.02%
2007 -2.57% -0.28%
2006 -2.6% -0.05%
2005 -2.83% -1.62%
2004 -3.35% -2.81%
2003 -4.6% -3.49%
2002 -3.96% -3.71%
2001 -4.36% -3.49%
2000 -6.05% -3.27%
1999 -3% -2.29%
1998 -0.63% -1.31%
1997 4.84% 0.37%
1996 3.27% 0.54%
1995 3.1% -0.02%
1994 5.45% -0.44%
1993 3.44% 0.63%
1992 1.81% -0.43%
1991 1.6% -0.26%
1990 0.15% -1.52%
1989 - -1.64%
1988 - -2.71%
1987 - -1.06%
1986 - -0.55%
1985 - 0.71%
1984 - 0.64%
1983 - 0.1%
1982 - -0.88%
1981 - -1.09%
1980 - 0.56%
1979 - 1.54%
1978 - 0.05%
1977 - -0.42%
1976 - -0.55%
1975 - 0.13%
1974 - 5.94%
1973 - 2.49%
1972 - 3.39%
1971 - -0.96%
1970 - -0.31%
1969 - -2.67%
1968 - -2.33%
1967 - -1.35%
1966 - -0.74%
1965 - -1.53%
1964 - -0.99%
1963 - -0.68%
1962 - -0.43%
1961 - -0.29%
1960 - -1.06%
1959 - -0.15%
1958 - -0.21%
1957 - -0.56%
1956 - -0.77%
1955 - -1.3%
1954 - -0.79%
1953 - -0.88%
1952 - 0.49%
1951 - 1.5%
1950 - -0.19%
1949 - -2.33%
1948 - -0.65%
1947 - 0.05%
1946 - -2.54%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1946–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/malaysia/philippines | 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 the Philippines' deficit of $17.5B, or 3.78% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Malaysia recorded a fiscal deficit in 27 of those years, while the Philippines ran a deficit in 28 years. On average, Malaysia posted an annual deficit equal to 2.07% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.63% of GDP for the Philippines.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Malaysia

Philippines
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Malaysia Philippines
2024 1.83% 3.21%
2023 2.49% 5.98%
2022 3.38% 5.82%
2021 2.48% 3.93%
2020 -1.14% 2.39%
2019 0.66% 2.39%
2018 0.88% 5.31%
2017 3.87% 2.85%
2016 2.09% 1.25%
2015 2.1% 0.67%
2014 3.14% 3.6%
2013 2.11% 2.58%
2012 1.66% 3.03%
2011 3.17% 4.72%
2010 1.62% 3.79%
2009 0.58% 4.22%
2008 5.44% 8.26%
2007 2.03% 2.9%
2006 3.61% 5.49%
2005 2.98% 6.52%
2004 1.42% 4.83%
2003 1.09% 2.29%
2002 1.81% 2.72%
2001 1.42% 5.35%
2000 1.53% 3.98%
1999 2.74% 5.94%
1998 5.27% 9.23%
1997 2.66% 5.59%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Malaysia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.25%, compared with 4.24% in the Philippines. In 2024, inflation was 1.83% in Malaysia and 3.21% in the Philippines.

Top exports between countries

Malaysia
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $1.84B
Raw materials & minerals $1.55B
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1.22B
Chemicals & pharma $667M
Metals $412M
Textiles & consumer goods $233M
Transport & tourism services $123M
Wood & paper products $115M
IT & IP services $62.3M
Business & finance services $61M
Philippines
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $1.48B
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $439M
Raw materials & minerals $101M
Metals $98.2M
Chemicals & pharma $60.6M
Raw agricultural goods $14.8M
Textiles & consumer goods $9.29M
Miscellaneous $7.63M
Wood & paper products $4.94M
Animal & marine products $2.36M

Balance of trade

Malaysia Philippines
Current account balance
$7.15B
2024
-$18.3B
2024
Current account balance ranking
26/190
2024
183/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+1.69%
2024
-3.96%
2024
Goods imports
$223B
2024
$124B
2024
Goods exports
$248B
2024
$55.1B
2024
Service imports
$56.4B
2024
$37.6B
2024
Service exports
$53.4B
2024
$51.6B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
66%
2024
40.1%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
71.3%
2024
25.8%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Malaysia Philippines
Economic freedom 68 62.9
Economic freedom ranking 51/197 85/197
Property rights 62.7 45.8
Government integrity 52.9 35.4
Judicial effectiveness 63.4 41.8
Tax burden 83.5 78.3
Government spending 82 81
Fiscal health 62.5 60.5
Business freedom 79.6 69.2
Labor freedom 55.4 57.8
Monetary freedom 80.8 72.1
Trade freedom 83 83
Investment freedom 60 70
Financial freedom 50 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Malaysia
Philippines
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Malaysia Philippines
2026 68 62.9
2025 67.1 60.6
2024 65.7 59
2023 67.3 59.3
2022 68.1 61.1
2021 74.4 64.1
2020 74.7 64.5
2019 74 63.8
2018 74.5 65
2017 73.8 65.6
2016 71.5 63.1
2015 70.8 62.2
2014 69.6 60.1
2013 66.1 58.2
2012 66.4 57.1
2011 66.3 56.2
2010 64.8 56.3
2009 64.6 56.8
2008 63.9 56
2007 63.8 56
2006 61.6 56.3
2005 61.9 54.7
2004 59.9 59.1
2003 61.1 61.3
2002 60.1 60.7
2001 60.2 60.9
2000 66 62.5
1999 68.9 61.9
1998 68.2 62.8
1997 66.8 62.2
1996 69.9 60.2
1995 71.9 55

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Malaysia is 68, ranking 51/197, compared to 62.9 for the Philippines, ranking 85/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Malaysia Philippines
Services, % of GDP
53.7%
2024
63.2%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
37%
2024
27.7%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
8.13%
2024
9.08%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$414B
2024
$518B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$37,450
2024
$13,330
2024
Total reserves including gold
$116B
2024
$106B
2024
Total reserves ranking
24/177
2024
27/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$2.55B
2024
-$6.57B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$15.6B
2024
$9.44B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$13B
2024
$2.87B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
3.45%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
5.8%
2023
15.5%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
22%
2024
23.7%
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/philippines | 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 (1946–1992, 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.