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Economy of Malaysia vs Romania compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Malaysia has a GDP of $472B compared to $429B for Romania, ranking 35/197 and 39/197 by economy size, respectively.

Malaysia has $334B in government debt (70.7% of GDP), compared to $260B (60.6% of GDP) in Romania.

Malaysia vs Romania GDP by year

Malaysia
Romania
1x
Year GDP, current $
Malaysia Romania
2025 $472,193,128,645 $428,677,977,855
2024 $422,227,005,429 $382,564,217,989
2023 $399,949,418,753 $347,757,995,759
2022 $407,830,525,990 $295,317,862,856
2021 $373,784,553,030 $285,072,444,957
2020 $337,456,163,961 $250,624,575,872
2019 $365,177,721,022 $250,080,428,512
2018 $358,788,845,713 $241,791,427,224
2017 $319,109,094,160 $210,147,385,855
2016 $301,256,033,870 $185,290,759,249
2015 $301,355,266,965 $177,885,131,240
2014 $338,066,095,097 $199,722,319,676
2013 $323,276,235,524 $189,798,603,751
2012 $314,443,047,642 $179,117,323,107
2011 $297,951,668,675 $192,623,977,894
2010 $255,017,638,456 $170,064,350,672
2009 $202,257,453,037 $174,110,532,659
2008 $230,811,614,370 $214,315,932,061
2007 $193,549,569,478 $174,588,782,939
2006 $162,692,258,307 $122,023,735,993
2005 $143,534,405,819 $98,454,380,120
2004 $124,749,473,684 $74,973,656,852
2003 $110,202,368,421 $57,806,384,143
2002 $100,845,526,316 $46,065,502,703
2001 $92,783,947,368 $40,395,116,581
2000 $93,789,736,842 $37,253,739,511
1999 $79,148,421,053 $35,953,156,754
1998 $72,167,498,981 $41,696,091,974
1997 $100,005,323,302 $35,575,214,078
1996 $100,855,393,910 $36,937,074,278
1995 $88,705,342,903 $37,430,162,103
1994 $74,478,356,958 $30,072,805,104
1993 $66,894,966,969 $26,361,160,450
1992 $59,167,550,163 $25,121,666,667
1991 $49,143,148,094 $28,850,634,900
1990 $44,024,585,240 $38,247,882,300
1989 $38,847,965,293 $41,450,777,202
1988 $35,272,109,220 $40,424,528,302
1987 $32,181,210,158 $38,067,567,568
1986 $27,734,111,400 -
1985 $31,199,633,353 -
1984 $33,942,897,422 -
1983 $30,347,442,111 -
1982 $26,804,493,635 -
1981 $25,004,285,792 -
1980 $24,488,224,677 -
1979 $21,213,264,962 -
1978 $16,358,079,862 -
1977 $13,139,488,633 -
1976 $11,050,234,599 -
1975 $9,298,800,799 -
1974 $9,496,204,302 -
1973 $7,662,902,678 -
1972 $5,043,347,250 -
1971 $4,244,395,956 -
1970 $3,864,145,667 -
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 (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

GDP per capita in Malaysia vs Romania by year

Malaysia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Romania
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Malaysia Romania
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $13,125 - $22,538 -
2024 $11,874 $38,779 $20,080 $49,077
2023 $11,386 $36,467 $18,244 $45,982
2022 $11,755 $34,420 $15,503 $41,979
2021 $10,903 $29,823 $14,908 $37,534
2020 $9,958 $27,475 $13,009 $34,194
2019 $10,920 $28,934 $12,910 $33,425
2018 $10,902 $27,794 $12,416 $29,383
2017 $9,863 $26,416 $10,728 $26,943
2016 $9,477 $25,286 $9,405 $23,905
2015 $9,649 $24,526 $8,977 $21,625
2014 $11,013 $24,307 $10,032 $20,633
2013 $10,714 $23,161 $9,498 $19,678
2012 $10,601 $22,639 $8,930 $19,808
2011 $10,217 $21,324 $9,561 $18,804
2010 $8,899 $20,193 $8,400 $17,355
2009 $7,191 $18,923 $8,548 $16,641
2008 $8,372 $19,480 $10,435 $16,782
2007 $7,169 $18,617 $8,360 $13,703
2006 $6,158 $17,426 $5,758 $11,554
2005 $5,556 $16,371 $4,618 $9,602
2004 $4,939 $15,416 $3,495 $8,989
2003 $4,465 $14,387 $2,679 $7,559
2002 $4,184 $13,656 $2,120 $7,162
2001 $3,944 $13,072 $1,825 $6,520
2000 $4,084 $13,027 $1,660 $5,850
1999 $3,528 $11,980 $1,600 $5,596
1998 $3,294 $11,398 $1,853 $5,545
1997 $4,679 $12,469 $1,577 $5,564
1996 $4,837 $11,709 $1,633 $5,746
1995 $4,363 $10,720 $1,650 $5,429
1994 $3,758 $9,806 $1,323 $4,995
1993 $3,462 $9,018 $1,158 $4,699
1992 $3,141 $8,224 $1,102 $4,515
1991 $2,679 $7,583 $1,254 $4,795
1990 $2,469 $6,887 $1,648 $5,280
1989 $2,244 - $1,790 -
1988 $2,100 - $1,753 -
1987 $1,977 - $1,659 -
1986 $1,760 - - -
1985 $2,046 - - -
1984 $2,300 - - -
1983 $2,124 - - -
1982 $1,938 - - -
1981 $1,866 - - -
1980 $1,886 - - -
1979 $1,680 - - -
1978 $1,327 - - -
1977 $1,092 - - -
1976 $940 - - -
1975 $811 - - -
1974 $848 - - -
1973 $701 - - -
1972 $472 - - -
1971 $407 - - -
1970 $380 - - -
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 (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Malaysia's GDP per capita is $13,125, ranking 78/197, compared to $22,538 in Romania, ranking 57/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Malaysia ranks 60th at $38,779, while Romania ranks 47th at $49,077.

Economic indicators

Malaysia Romania
Gross domestic product
$472B
2025
$429B
2025
GDP rank
35/197
2025
39/197
2025
GDP growth
5.17%
2024-2025
0.68%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$13,125
2025
$22,538
2025
GDP per capita rank
78/197
2025
57/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$38,779
2024
$49,077
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
60/197
2024
47/197
2024
Government debt
$334B
2025
$260B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
70.7%
2025
60.6%
2025
Government debt per person
$9,273
2025
$13,650
2025
Government debt per person rank
62/185
2025
48/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$11,034
2026
$13,510
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$487B
2025
$70.9B
2025
Number of billionaires
19
2026
6
2026
Income share by richest 10%
30.9%
2021
21.8%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
2.3%
2021
2.4%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
23.4%
2025
40.5%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
1.38%
2024-2025
7.3%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
2.75%
2025
6.5%
2024
Unemployment rate
3.9%
2022
6.1%
2025
Population
36600906
18912567

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Malaysia
Spending

Debt
Romania
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Malaysia Romania
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 23.4% 70.7% 40.5% 60.6%
2024 24% 69.8% 40% 57.5%
2023 25% 69.7% 37% 52.6%
2022 24.6% 65.5% 37.5% 51.9%
2021 24.5% 69.2% 37.2% 51.8%
2020 25% 67.7% 38.3% 49.5%
2019 23.6% 57.1% 33.4% 36.8%
2018 22.8% 55.6% 31.9% 36.4%
2017 22% 54.4% 31% 37.1%
2016 22.9% 55.8% 31.8% 39.5%
2015 24.7% 57% 34.2% 39.4%
2014 26% 55.4% 33.8% 40.5%
2013 27.8% 55.7% 34.2% 39.3%
2012 28.5% 53.8% 33.5% 36.2%
2011 27.1% 51.9% 35% 32.6%
2010 26.6% 51.2% 37.4% 30.2%
2009 30.9% 50.4% 36.3% 22.5%
2008 26.9% 39.4% 35.3% 13%
2007 25.9% 39.3% 34.6% 12.4%
2006 25.6% 39.7% 33.9% 12.7%
2005 24.5% 40.8% 32.3% 17.8%
2004 25.9% 42% 33.7% 21.3%
2003 28.1% 41.4% 31.8% 24.9%
2002 27.1% 39.5% 32.1% 27.4%
2001 28.2% 38.1% 33.2% 27.4%
2000 25.6% 32.5% 35% 29.6%
1999 24.6% 34.4% 35.1% 21.7%
1998 23.1% 33.6% 34.7% 16.5%
1997 21.2% 29.6% 33.5% 15%
1996 22.4% 32.8% 33.5% 11%
1995 22.6% 38.2% 34.4% 6.91%
1994 23.3% 43.7% 33.1% -
1993 24.6% 51.1% 33.5% -
1992 28.2% 59.1% 41.5% -
1991 27.4% 67.3% 38.3% -
1990 30.5% 74.1% 38.4% -
1989 - - 40.1% -
1988 - - 36.6% -
1987 - - 40.7% -
1986 - - 42.5% -
1985 - - 41.6% -
1984 - - 28.6% -
1983 - - 25.8% -
1982 - - 28.5% -
1981 - - 30.4% -
1980 - - 33.6% -
1979 - - 42% -
1978 - - 42.1% -
1977 - - 39.9% -
1976 - - 37.5% -
1975 - - 40.6% -
1974 - - 37.6% -
1973 - - 32.6% -
1972 - - 29.9% -
1971 - - 27.2% -
1970 - - 28.1% -
1969 - - 32.1% -
1968 - - 31.8% -
1967 - - 30.6% -
1966 - - 27.3% -
1965 - - 25.6% -
1964 - - 25.1% -
1963 - - 23.1% -
1962 - - 43.4% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1962–1999, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Malaysia's government spending was $111B, accounting for 23.4% of its GDP, while Romania spent $173B, or 40.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 70.7% in Malaysia and 60.6% in Romania, ranking 56/185 and 76/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Malaysia

Romania
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Malaysia Romania
2025 -3.54% -7.64%
2024 -3.45% -8.68%
2023 -4.11% -5.66%
2022 -4.56% -5.85%
2021 -6.03% -6.74%
2020 -4.9% -9.6%
2019 -2.01% -4.58%
2018 -2.64% -2.76%
2017 -2.41% -2.86%
2016 -2.6% -2.5%
2015 -2.55% -1.35%
2014 -2.63% -1.76%
2013 -3.48% -2.44%
2012 -3.1% -2.39%
2011 -3.57% -4.14%
2010 -4.32% -6.22%
2009 -5.88% -6.86%
2008 -3.4% -4.6%
2007 -2.57% -3.05%
2006 -2.6% -1.36%
2005 -2.83% -0.69%
2004 -3.35% -3.39%
2003 -4.6% -2.29%
2002 -3.96% -2.59%
2001 -4.36% -3.2%
2000 -6.05% -3.99%
1999 -3% -3.58%
1998 -0.63% -5.33%
1997 4.84% -5.19%
1996 3.27% -4.74%
1995 3.1% -3.32%
1994 5.45% -2.2%
1993 3.44% -0.35%
1992 1.81% -4.55%
1991 1.6% 3.23%
1990 0.15% 1.03%
1989 - -2.87%
1988 - 8.4%
1987 - 2.37%
1986 - 5.72%
1985 - 6.36%
1984 - 15.2%
1983 - 9.35%
1982 - 0.36%
1981 - 0.61%
1980 - -1.95%
1979 - 0%
1978 - 0%
1977 - 0.23%
1976 - 0.66%
1975 - 0.41%
1974 - 0.51%
1973 - 1.53%
1972 - 1.21%
1971 - 0.89%
1970 - 0.52%
1969 - 0.93%
1968 - 1.65%
1967 - 1.23%
1966 - 0.91%
1965 - -1.29%
1964 - -3.11%
1963 - -1.61%
1962 - -4.86%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1962–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/malaysia/romania | 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 Romania's deficit of $32.8B, or 7.64% of GDP.

Over the past 36 years, Malaysia recorded a fiscal deficit in 28 of those years, while Romania ran a deficit in 34 years. On average, Malaysia posted an annual deficit equal to 2.1% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.67% of GDP for Romania.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Malaysia

Romania
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Malaysia Romania
2025 1.38% 7.3%
2024 1.83% 5.6%
2023 2.49% 10.4%
2022 3.38% 13.8%
2021 2.48% 5%
2020 -1.14% 2.6%
2019 0.66% 3.8%
2018 0.88% 4.6%
2017 3.87% 1.3%
2016 2.09% -1.6%
2015 2.1% -0.6%
2014 3.14% 1.1%
2013 2.11% 4%
2012 1.66% 3.3%
2011 3.17% 5.8%
2010 1.62% 6.1%
2009 0.58% 5.6%
2008 5.44% 7.8%
2007 2.03% 4.8%
2006 3.61% 6.6%
2005 2.98% 9%
2004 1.42% 11.9%
2003 1.09% 15.4%
2002 1.81% 22.5%
2001 1.42% 34.5%
2000 1.53% 45.7%
1999 2.74% 45.8%
1998 5.27% 59.1%
1997 2.66% 154.8%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 29 years, Malaysia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.22%, compared with 17.1% in Romania. In 2025, inflation was 1.38% in Malaysia and 7.3% in Romania.

Top exports between countries

Malaysia
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $163M
Raw materials & minerals $16.3M
Chemicals & pharma $8.8M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $8.68M
Textiles & consumer goods $7.81M
Metals $1.65M
Wood & paper products $214K
Miscellaneous $133K
Precious metals & jewellery $25K
Raw agricultural goods $22K
Romania
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $21.9M
Machinery & equipment $18.1M
Business & finance services $12M
Wood & paper products $8.62M
IT & IP services $7.68M
Textiles & consumer goods $5.7M
Chemicals & pharma $4.7M
Transport & tourism services $2.83M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1.73M
Raw materials & minerals $1.53M

Balance of trade

Malaysia Romania
Current account balance
$7.15B
2024
-$33.9B
2025
Current account balance ranking
29/190
2024
186/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
+1.69%
2024
-7.9%
2025
Goods imports
$223B
2024
$139B
2025
Goods exports
$248B
2024
$102B
2025
Service imports
$56.4B
2024
$35.9B
2025
Service exports
$53.4B
2024
$50.1B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
65.4%
2025
40.7%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
71%
2025
35.5%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Malaysia Romania
Economic freedom 68 65.4
Economic freedom ranking 51/197 64/197
Property rights 62.7 81
Government integrity 52.9 50
Judicial effectiveness 63.4 67
Tax burden 83.5 89.1
Government spending 82 56.7
Fiscal health 62.5 21.4
Business freedom 79.6 74.4
Labor freedom 55.4 63.6
Monetary freedom 80.8 72.7
Trade freedom 83 79.4
Investment freedom 60 70
Financial freedom 50 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Malaysia
Romania
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Malaysia Romania
2026 68 65.4
2025 67.1 66.5
2024 65.7 64.4
2023 67.3 64.5
2022 68.1 67.1
2021 74.4 69.5
2020 74.7 69.7
2019 74 68.6
2018 74.5 69.4
2017 73.8 69.7
2016 71.5 65.6
2015 70.8 66.6
2014 69.6 65.5
2013 66.1 65.1
2012 66.4 64.4
2011 66.3 64.7
2010 64.8 64.2
2009 64.6 63.2
2008 63.9 61.7
2007 63.8 61.2
2006 61.6 58.2
2005 61.9 52.1
2004 59.9 50
2003 61.1 50.6
2002 60.1 48.7
2001 60.2 50
2000 66 52.1
1999 68.9 50.1
1998 68.2 54.4
1997 66.8 50.8
1996 69.9 46.2
1995 71.9 42.9

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Malaysia is 68, ranking 51/197, compared to 65.4 for Romania, ranking 64/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Malaysia Romania
Services, % of GDP
54.8%
2025
61.7%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
35.7%
2025
25.3%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
8.22%
2025
3%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$445B
2025
$384B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$40,070
2025
$49,550
2025
Total reserves including gold
$126B
2025
$90.6B
2025
Total reserves ranking
25/177
2025
31/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$2.55B
2024
-$8.57B
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$15.6B
2024
$7.16B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$13B
2024
$1.99B
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
5.1%
2023
19%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
20.5%
2025
25.9%
2025

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/romania | 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 (1962–1999, 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 (2023–2025, 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.