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Economy of Malaysia vs Qatar compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Malaysia has a GDP of $422B compared to $219B for Qatar, ranking 38/197 and 56/197 by economy size, respectively.

Malaysia has $296B in government debt (70.1% of GDP), compared to $90.2B (41.2% of GDP) in Qatar.

Malaysia vs Qatar GDP by year

Malaysia
Qatar
1x
Year GDP, current $
Malaysia Qatar
2024 $422,227,005,429 $219,162,637,363
2023 $399,949,418,753 $217,308,516,484
2022 $407,830,525,990 $235,709,340,659
2021 $373,784,553,030 $179,732,142,857
2020 $337,456,163,961 $144,411,538,462
2019 $365,177,721,022 $176,371,428,571
2018 $358,788,845,713 $183,335,164,835
2017 $319,109,094,160 $161,099,175,824
2016 $301,256,033,870 $151,732,142,857
2015 $301,355,266,965 $161,739,835,165
2014 $338,066,095,097 $206,224,725,275
2013 $323,276,235,524 $198,727,747,253
2012 $314,443,047,642 $186,833,516,484
2011 $297,951,668,675 $167,775,274,725
2010 $255,017,638,456 $123,627,197,802
2009 $202,257,453,037 $97,798,351,648
2008 $230,811,614,370 $115,270,054,945
2007 $193,549,569,478 $79,712,087,912
2006 $162,692,258,307 $60,882,142,857
2005 $143,534,405,819 $44,530,494,505
2004 $124,749,473,684 $31,734,065,934
2003 $110,202,368,421 $23,533,791,209
2002 $100,845,526,316 $19,363,736,264
2001 $92,783,947,368 $17,538,461,538
2000 $93,789,736,842 $17,759,890,110
1999 $79,148,421,053 $12,393,131,868
1998 $72,167,498,981 $10,255,495,027
1997 $100,005,323,302 $11,297,802,115
1996 $100,855,393,910 $9,059,340,385
1995 $88,705,342,903 $8,137,911,978
1994 $74,478,356,958 $7,374,450,769
1993 $66,894,966,969 $7,156,593,654
1992 $59,167,550,163 $7,646,153,984
1991 $49,143,148,094 $6,883,516,484
1990 $44,024,585,240 $7,360,439,423
1989 $38,847,965,293 $6,487,912,088
1988 $35,272,109,220 $6,038,187,033
1987 $32,181,210,158 $5,446,428,681
1986 $27,734,111,400 $5,053,021,951
1985 $31,199,633,353 $6,153,296,456
1984 $33,942,897,422 $6,704,395,824
1983 $30,347,442,111 $6,467,582,308
1982 $26,804,493,635 $7,596,703,214
1981 $25,004,285,792 $8,661,263,764
1980 $24,488,224,677 $7,829,165,262
1979 $21,213,264,962 $5,632,962,997
1978 $16,358,079,862 $4,052,000,413
1977 $13,139,488,633 $3,617,564,638
1976 $11,050,234,599 $3,284,273,987
1975 $9,298,800,799 $2,512,773,166
1974 $9,496,204,302 $2,401,403,227
1973 $7,662,902,678 $793,885,560
1972 $5,043,347,250 $510,262,500
1971 $4,244,395,956 $387,703,106
1970 $3,864,145,667 $301,791,302
1969 $3,664,552,041 -
1968 $3,330,371,551 -
1967 $3,188,924,677 -
1966 $3,143,517,944 -
1965 $2,956,337,669 -
1964 $2,674,423,922 -
1963 $2,510,110,348 -
1962 $2,001,489,602 -
1961 $1,901,856,123 -
1960 $1,916,229,477 -

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

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

GDP per capita in Malaysia vs Qatar by year

Malaysia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Qatar
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Malaysia Qatar
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $11,874 $38,779 $76,689 $126,046
2023 $11,386 $36,467 $81,817 $129,368
2022 $11,755 $34,420 $88,701 $122,921
2021 $10,903 $29,823 $71,752 $116,833
2020 $9,958 $27,475 $51,684 $82,149
2019 $10,920 $28,934 $66,841 $107,503
2018 $10,902 $27,794 $71,040 $110,033
2017 $9,863 $26,416 $63,280 $99,358
2016 $9,477 $25,286 $61,254 $89,935
2015 $9,649 $24,526 $68,985 $102,546
2014 $11,013 $24,307 $95,841 $148,389
2013 $10,714 $23,161 $103,697 $169,203
2012 $10,601 $22,639 $108,470 $180,939
2011 $10,217 $21,324 $103,262 $174,620
2010 $8,899 $20,193 $76,463 $151,646
2009 $7,191 $18,923 $60,786 $125,898
2008 $8,372 $19,480 $80,781 $126,015
2007 $7,169 $18,617 $65,954 $124,056
2006 $6,158 $17,426 $62,582 $127,181
2005 $5,556 $16,371 $53,950 $115,250
2004 $4,939 $15,416 $41,036 $110,958
2003 $4,465 $14,387 $31,602 $94,120
2002 $4,184 $13,656 $27,227 $93,177
2001 $3,944 $13,072 $25,871 $89,805
2000 $4,084 $13,027 $27,535 $88,849
1999 $3,528 $11,980 $20,234 $84,690
1998 $3,294 $11,398 $17,665 $84,486
1997 $4,679 $12,469 $20,523 $79,219
1996 $4,837 $11,709 $17,125 $62,331
1995 $4,363 $10,720 $15,823 $60,321
1994 $3,758 $9,806 $14,765 $59,415
1993 $3,462 $9,018 $14,770 $59,125
1992 $3,141 $8,224 $16,280 $60,387
1991 $2,679 $7,583 $15,133 $54,759
1990 $2,469 $6,887 $16,722 $55,659
1989 $2,244 - $15,243 -
1988 $2,100 - $14,682 -
1987 $1,977 - $13,719 -
1986 $1,760 - $13,213 -
1985 $2,046 - $16,815 -
1984 $2,300 - $19,272 -
1983 $2,124 - $19,616 -
1982 $1,938 - $24,385 -
1981 $1,866 - $29,505 -
1980 $1,886 - $28,375 -
1979 $1,680 - $21,777 -
1978 $1,327 - $16,757 -
1977 $1,092 - $16,058 -
1976 $940 - $15,710 -
1975 $811 - $13,014 -
1974 $848 - $13,540 -
1973 $701 - $4,905 -
1972 $472 - $3,483 -
1971 $407 - $2,952 -
1970 $380 - $2,594 -
1969 $368 - - -
1968 $342 - - -
1967 $335 - - -
1966 $339 - - -
1965 $326 - - -
1964 $303 - - -
1963 $291.8 - - -
1962 $238.8 - - -
1961 $232.9 - - -
1960 $240.8 - - -

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

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

Malaysia's GDP per capita is $11,874, ranking 79/197, compared to $76,689 in Qatar, ranking 11/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Malaysia ranks 60th at $38,779, while Qatar ranks 5th at $126,046.

Economic indicators

Malaysia Qatar
Gross domestic product
$422B
2024
$219B
2024
GDP rank
38/197
2024
56/197
2024
GDP growth
5.11%
2023-2024
2.36%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$11,874
2024
$76,689
2024
GDP per capita rank
79/197
2024
11/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$38,779
2024
$126,046
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
60/197
2024
5/197
2024
Government debt
$296B
2024
$90.2B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
70.1%
2024
41.2%
2024
Government debt per person
$8,322
2024
$31,579
2024
Government debt per person rank
62/185
2024
23/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$11,005
2026
$35,660
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$449B
2024
$170M
2024
Number of millionaires n/a
26,163
2025
Number of billionaires
19
2025
2
2025
Income share by richest 10%
30.9%
2021
25.8%
2017
Income share by poorest 10%
2.3%
2021
2.6%
2017
Government expenditure, % of GDP
23.9%
2024
26%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.83%
2023-2024
1.27%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
2.75%
2025
4.1%
2025
Unemployment rate
3.93%
2022
0.13%
2022
Population
36512221
2999260

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Malaysia
Spending

Debt
Qatar
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Malaysia Qatar
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 23.9% 70.1% 26% 41.2%
2023 24.9% 69.7% 27.3% 43.7%
2022 24.6% 65.5% 24.3% 42.6%
2021 24.5% 69.2% 29.4% 58.4%
2020 25% 67.7% 34.7% 72.6%
2019 23.6% 57.1% 32.5% 62.1%
2018 22.8% 55.6% 28.9% 52.2%
2017 22% 54.4% 34.7% 51.6%
2016 22.9% 55.8% 40.1% 46.7%
2015 24.7% 57% 38.6% 35.5%
2014 26% 55.4% 32.3% 24.9%
2013 27.8% 55.7% 28.3% 30.9%
2012 28.5% 53.8% 31% 32.1%
2011 27.1% 51.9% 28.5% 33.5%
2010 26.6% 51.2% 32% 30.4%
2009 30.9% 50.4% 36.4% 36%
2008 26.9% 39.4% 23.5% 11.4%
2007 25.9% 39.3% 29.5% 9.37%
2006 25.6% 39.7% 29.5% 13.9%
2005 24.5% 40.8% 29% 19.1%
2004 25.9% 42% 29.9% 30.1%
2003 28.1% 41.4% 28.5% 38.8%
2002 27.1% 39.5% 31.6% 47.7%
2001 28.2% 38.1% 32.1% 59.2%
2000 25.6% 32.5% 29.8% 51.6%
1999 24.6% 34.4% 42.4% 81.8%
1998 23.1% 33.6% 55.1% 76.6%
1997 21.2% 29.6% 47.6% 54.4%
1996 22.4% 32.8% 55.2% 57.8%
1995 22.6% 38.2% 52.2% 50.2%
1994 23.3% 43.7% 59.8% 54.8%
1993 24.6% 51.1% 62.8% 46.3%
1992 28.2% 59.1% 54.2% 19.9%
1991 27.4% 67.3% 57.5% 21.8%
1990 30.5% 74.1% 50% 12.6%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Malaysia's government spending was $101B, accounting for 23.9% of its GDP, while Qatar spent $56.9B, or 26% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 70.1% in Malaysia and 41.2% in Qatar, ranking 58/185 and 130/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Malaysia

Qatar
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Malaysia Qatar
2024 -3.95% 0.69%
2023 -3.97% 5.56%
2022 -4.56% 10.4%
2021 -6.03% 0.24%
2020 -4.9% -2.13%
2019 -2.01% 1%
2018 -2.64% 2.26%
2017 -2.41% -6.82%
2016 -2.6% -9.2%
2015 -2.55% 18.4%
2014 -2.63% 13.4%
2013 -3.48% 19.3%
2012 -3.1% 8.55%
2011 -3.57% 5.24%
2010 -4.32% 4.6%
2009 -5.88% 14.1%
2008 -3.4% 9.49%
2007 -2.57% 10.3%
2006 -2.6% 8.39%
2005 -2.83% 9.8%
2004 -3.35% 17.7%
2003 -4.6% 6.71%
2002 -3.96% 7.89%
2001 -4.36% 4.48%
2000 -6.05% 4.62%
1999 -3% -4.35%
1998 -0.63% -7%
1997 4.84% -9.4%
1996 3.27% -8.73%
1995 3.1% -5.78%
1994 5.45% -11.8%
1993 3.44% -9.53%
1992 1.81% -2.74%
1991 1.6% -2.57%
1990 0.15% 3.23%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/malaysia/qatar | 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 Qatar's surplus of $1.52B, or 0.69% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Malaysia recorded a fiscal deficit in 27 of those years, while Qatar ran a deficit in 12 years. On average, Malaysia posted an annual deficit equal to 2.07% of GDP, compared to surplus of 3.04% of GDP for Qatar.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Malaysia

Qatar
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Malaysia Qatar
2024 1.83% 1.27%
2023 2.49% 3.03%
2022 3.38% 5%
2021 2.48% 2.3%
2020 -1.14% -2.54%
2019 0.66% -0.67%
2018 0.88% 0.26%
2017 3.87% 0.39%
2016 2.09% 2.68%
2015 2.1% 1.81%
2014 3.14% 3.35%
2013 2.11% 3.22%
2012 1.66% 2.32%
2011 3.17% 1.14%
2010 1.62% -2.43%
2009 0.58% -4.86%
2008 5.44% 15.1%
2007 2.03% 13.8%
2006 3.61% 11.8%
2005 2.98% 8.81%
2004 1.42% 6.8%
2003 1.09% 2.26%
2002 1.81% 0.24%
2001 1.42% 1.47%
2000 1.53% 1.65%
1999 2.74% 2.18%
1998 5.27% 2.95%
1997 2.66% 4.83%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Malaysia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.25%, compared with 3.15% in Qatar. In 2024, inflation was 1.83% in Malaysia and 1.27% in Qatar.

Top exports between countries

Malaysia
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $60M
Machinery & equipment $52.8M
Raw materials & minerals $36.1M
Miscellaneous $28.9M
Metals $22.8M
Chemicals & pharma $19M
Textiles & consumer goods $8.08M
Wood & paper products $8.08M
Animal & marine products $1.53M
Raw agricultural goods $1.22M
Qatar
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $412M
Chemicals & pharma $69.6M
Metals $55.2M
Machinery & equipment $10.5M
Precious metals & jewellery $898K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $163K
Textiles & consumer goods $94K
Miscellaneous $83K
Animal & marine products $35K

Balance of trade

Malaysia Qatar
Current account balance
$7.15B
2024
$37.9B
2024
Current account balance ranking
26/190
2024
16/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+1.69%
2024
+17.3%
2024
Goods imports
$223B
2024
$32.6B
2024
Goods exports
$248B
2024
$95B
2024
Service imports
$56.4B
2024
$37.1B
2024
Service exports
$53.4B
2024
$30.2B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
66%
2024
31.6%
2022
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
71.3%
2024
68.6%
2022

Economic freedom indices

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

Malaysia Qatar
Economic freedom 68 70.2
Economic freedom ranking 51/197 37/197
Property rights 62.7 66.2
Government integrity 52.9 53.5
Judicial effectiveness 63.4 41.5
Tax burden 83.5 99.9
Government spending 82 79.9
Fiscal health 62.5 96.6
Business freedom 79.6 68
Labor freedom 55.4 58.5
Monetary freedom 80.8 76
Trade freedom 83 81.8
Investment freedom 60 60
Financial freedom 50 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Malaysia
Qatar
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Malaysia Qatar
2026 68 70.2
2025 67.1 70.2
2024 65.7 68.8
2023 67.3 68.6
2022 68.1 67.7
2021 74.4 72
2020 74.7 72.3
2019 74 72.6
2018 74.5 72.6
2017 73.8 73.1
2016 71.5 70.7
2015 70.8 70.8
2014 69.6 71.2
2013 66.1 71.3
2012 66.4 71.3
2011 66.3 70.5
2010 64.8 69
2009 64.6 65.8
2008 63.9 62.2
2007 63.8 62.9
2006 61.6 62.4
2005 61.9 63.5
2004 59.9 66.5
2003 61.1 65.9
2002 60.1 61.9
2001 60.2 60
2000 66 62
1999 68.9 62
1998 68.2 -
1997 66.8 -
1996 69.9 -
1995 71.9 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Malaysia is 68, ranking 51/197, compared to 70.2 for Qatar, ranking 37/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Malaysia Qatar
Services, % of GDP
53.7%
2024
46.1%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
37%
2024
58.2%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
8.13%
2024
0.29%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$414B
2024
$221B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$37,450
2024
$121,900
2024
Total reserves including gold
$116B
2024
$54B
2024
Total reserves ranking
24/177
2024
40/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$2.55B
2024
$1.1B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$15.6B
2024
$460M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$13B
2024
$1.56B
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
5.8%
2023
n/a
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
22%
2024
30.6%
2022

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/qatar | 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. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. TradeMap (2022–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. 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.

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.