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Economy of Malaysia vs Saint Lucia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Malaysia has a GDP of $422B compared to $2.55B for Saint Lucia, ranking 38/197 and 173/197 by economy size, respectively.

Malaysia has $296B in government debt (70.1% of GDP), compared to $1.97B (77.2% of GDP) in Saint Lucia.

Malaysia vs Saint Lucia GDP by year

Malaysia
Saint Lucia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Malaysia Saint Lucia
2024 $422,227,005,429 $2,549,062,963
2023 $399,949,418,753 $2,430,166,667
2022 $407,830,525,990 $2,342,714,815
2021 $373,784,553,030 $1,867,185,185
2020 $337,456,163,961 $1,499,274,074
2019 $365,177,721,022 $2,095,344,444
2018 $358,788,845,713 $2,060,955,556
2017 $319,109,094,160 $1,998,503,704
2016 $301,256,033,870 $1,868,544,444
2015 $301,355,266,965 $1,807,640,741
2014 $338,066,095,097 $1,749,185,185
2013 $323,276,235,524 $1,660,392,593
2012 $314,443,047,642 $1,598,207,407
2011 $297,951,668,675 $1,568,370,370
2010 $255,017,638,456 $1,482,385,185
2009 $202,257,453,037 $1,401,507,889
2008 $230,811,614,370 $1,437,731,111
2007 $193,549,569,478 $1,336,088,815
2006 $162,692,258,307 $1,268,319,185
2005 $143,534,405,819 $1,135,555,556
2004 $124,749,473,684 $1,066,666,667
2003 $110,202,368,421 $987,407,407
2002 $100,845,526,316 $900,000,000
2001 $92,783,947,368 $892,592,593
2000 $93,789,736,842 $932,592,593
1999 $79,148,421,053 $921,851,852
1998 $72,167,498,981 $877,407,407
1997 $100,005,323,302 $805,925,926
1996 $100,855,393,910 $788,888,889
1995 $88,705,342,903 $762,962,963
1994 $74,478,356,958 $713,703,704
1993 $66,894,966,969 $684,814,815
1992 $59,167,550,163 $674,074,074
1991 $49,143,148,094 $613,703,704
1990 $44,024,585,240 $579,629,630
1989 $38,847,965,293 $486,666,667
1988 $35,272,109,220 $429,629,630
1987 $32,181,210,158 $375,555,556
1986 $27,734,111,400 $340,000,000
1985 $31,199,633,353 $284,444,444
1984 $33,942,897,422 $251,481,481
1983 $30,347,442,111 $197,037,037
1982 $26,804,493,635 $183,333,333
1981 $25,004,285,792 $194,444,444
1980 $24,488,224,677 $170,370,370
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 (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/malaysia/saint-lucia | CC BY

GDP per capita in Malaysia vs Saint Lucia by year

Malaysia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Saint Lucia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Malaysia Saint Lucia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $11,874 $38,779 $14,182 $27,567
2023 $11,386 $36,467 $13,555 $25,975
2022 $11,755 $34,420 $13,104 $24,599
2021 $10,903 $29,823 $10,459 $19,101
2020 $9,958 $27,475 $8,411 $14,912
2019 $10,920 $28,934 $11,794 $18,710
2018 $10,902 $27,794 $11,643 $17,433
2017 $9,863 $26,416 $11,333 $16,131
2016 $9,477 $25,286 $10,638 $15,307
2015 $9,649 $24,526 $10,335 $14,353
2014 $11,013 $24,307 $10,045 $14,403
2013 $10,714 $23,161 $9,577 $14,010
2012 $10,601 $22,639 $9,260 $13,443
2011 $10,217 $21,324 $9,129 $13,471
2010 $8,899 $20,193 $8,674 $12,718
2009 $7,191 $18,923 $8,251 $12,600
2008 $8,372 $19,480 $8,517 $12,969
2007 $7,169 $18,617 $7,964 $12,199
2006 $6,158 $17,426 $7,611 $11,758
2005 $5,556 $16,371 $6,863 $10,818
2004 $4,939 $15,416 $6,495 $10,610
2003 $4,465 $14,387 $6,059 $9,707
2002 $4,184 $13,656 $5,568 $9,205
2001 $3,944 $13,072 $5,570 $9,106
2000 $4,084 $13,027 $5,880 $9,314
1999 $3,528 $11,980 $5,883 $9,214
1998 $3,294 $11,398 $5,673 $8,965
1997 $4,679 $12,469 $5,282 $8,456
1996 $4,837 $11,709 $5,244 $8,490
1995 $4,363 $10,720 $5,148 $8,222
1994 $3,758 $9,806 $4,892 $8,041
1993 $3,462 $9,018 $4,765 $7,865
1992 $3,141 $8,224 $4,760 $7,753
1991 $2,679 $7,583 $4,399 $7,127
1990 $2,469 $6,887 $4,205 $6,951
1989 $2,244 - $3,565 -
1988 $2,100 - $3,182 -
1987 $1,977 - $2,819 -
1986 $1,760 - $2,591 -
1985 $2,046 - $2,202 -
1984 $2,300 - $1,979 -
1983 $2,124 - $1,576 -
1982 $1,938 - $1,489 -
1981 $1,866 - $1,605 -
1980 $1,886 - $1,428 -
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 (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/malaysia/saint-lucia | CC BY

Malaysia's GDP per capita is $11,874, ranking 79/197, compared to $14,182 in Saint Lucia, ranking 70/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Malaysia ranks 60th at $38,779, while Saint Lucia ranks 75th at $27,567.

Economic indicators

Malaysia Saint Lucia
Gross domestic product
$422B
2024
$2.55B
2024
GDP rank
38/197
2024
173/197
2024
GDP growth
5.11%
2023-2024
3.89%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$11,874
2024
$14,182
2024
GDP per capita rank
79/197
2024
70/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$38,779
2024
$27,567
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
60/197
2024
75/197
2024
Government debt
$296B
2024
$1.97B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
70.1%
2024
77.2%
2024
Government debt per person
$8,322
2024
$10,952
2024
Government debt per person rank
62/185
2024
52/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$11,005
2026
$10,412
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$449B
2024
n/a
Number of billionaires
19
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
30.9%
2021
34.1%
2015
Income share by poorest 10%
2.3%
2021
2.1%
2015
Government expenditure, % of GDP
23.9%
2024
24.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.83%
2023-2024
-0.11%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
2.75%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
3.93%
2022
10.1%
2024
Population
36512221
180638

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Malaysia
Spending

Debt
Saint Lucia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Malaysia Saint Lucia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 23.9% 70.1% 24.5% 77.2%
2023 24.9% 69.7% 25.6% 76.6%
2022 24.6% 65.5% 23% 74.4%
2021 24.5% 69.2% 27.4% 87%
2020 25% 67.7% 34.9% 100%
2019 23.6% 57.1% 25.1% 62.1%
2018 22.8% 55.6% 23.2% 60.5%
2017 22% 54.4% 23.3% 60.4%
2016 22.9% 55.8% 23% 61.3%
2015 24.7% 57% 23.7% 61.1%
2014 26% 55.4% 23.6% 62.4%
2013 27.8% 55.7% 25.4% 62.1%
2012 28.5% 53.8% 28% 60.8%
2011 27.1% 51.9% 27% 55.2%
2010 26.6% 51.2% 26% 53%
2009 30.9% 50.4% 24.5% 51%
2008 26.9% 39.4% 22.2% 46.7%
2007 25.9% 39.3% 22.6% 49.1%
2006 25.6% 39.7% 24.7% 48.6%
2005 24.5% 40.8% 26% 51.9%
2004 25.9% 42% 22.9% 49.6%
2003 28.1% 41.4% 22.9% 45.6%
2002 27.1% 39.5% 23.6% 48.8%
2001 28.2% 38.1% 22.1% 38.1%
2000 25.6% 32.5% 20.7% 32.5%
1999 24.6% 34.4% 20.9% 28.9%
1998 23.1% 33.6% 18.8% 29.4%
1997 21.2% 29.6% 19.5% 27.2%
1996 22.4% 32.8% 18.9% 24.1%
1995 22.6% 38.2% 19.2% 22.9%
1994 23.3% 43.7% 19.1% 23.8%
1993 24.6% 51.1% 21.8% 22.9%
1992 28.2% 59.1% 18.4% 22.2%
1991 27.4% 67.3% 18.4% 19.8%
1990 30.5% 74.1% 16.7% 17%
1989 - - 19% 18.1%
1988 - - 18.2% 18.6%
1987 - - 19.9% 19.6%
1986 - - 21.1% 17.2%
1985 - - 20.4% 17.1%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1985–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/malaysia/saint-lucia | CC BY

In 2024, Malaysia's government spending was $101B, accounting for 23.9% of its GDP, while Saint Lucia spent $625M, or 24.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 70.1% in Malaysia and 77.2% in Saint Lucia, ranking 58/185 and 46/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Malaysia

Saint Lucia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Malaysia Saint Lucia
2024 -3.95% -2.13%
2023 -3.97% -3.09%
2022 -4.56% -1.67%
2021 -6.03% -5.1%
2020 -4.9% -12%
2019 -2.01% -3.51%
2018 -2.64% -1.03%
2017 -2.41% -1.14%
2016 -2.6% -0.79%
2015 -2.55% -2.35%
2014 -2.63% -3.08%
2013 -3.48% -4.84%
2012 -3.1% -7.62%
2011 -3.57% -5.38%
2010 -4.32% -4.17%
2009 -5.88% -2.67%
2008 -3.4% -0.72%
2007 -2.57% -1.62%
2006 -2.6% -5.07%
2005 -2.83% -6.18%
2004 -3.35% -2.63%
2003 -4.6% -3.23%
2002 -3.96% -3.1%
2001 -4.36% -3.08%
2000 -6.05% -1.16%
1999 -3% 1.62%
1998 -0.63% 2.25%
1997 4.84% -1.13%
1996 3.27% -0.58%
1995 3.1% -0.13%
1994 5.45% -0.02%
1993 3.44% -0.26%
1992 1.81% -0.66%
1991 1.6% -0.43%
1990 0.15% 0.29%
1989 - 0.89%
1988 - 2.02%
1987 - 0.56%
1986 - -1.61%
1985 - -1.5%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1985–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/malaysia/saint-lucia | 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 Saint Lucia's deficit of $54.2M, or 2.13% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Malaysia recorded a fiscal deficit in 27 of those years, while Saint Lucia ran a deficit in 32 years. On average, Malaysia posted an annual deficit equal to 2.07% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.47% of GDP for Saint Lucia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Malaysia

Saint Lucia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Malaysia Saint Lucia
2024 1.83% -0.11%
2023 2.49% 4.07%
2022 3.38% 6.38%
2021 2.48% 2.41%
2020 -1.14% -1.76%
2019 0.66% 0.54%
2018 0.88% 1.94%
2017 3.87% 0.1%
2016 2.09% -3.08%
2015 2.1% -0.98%
2014 3.14% 3.52%
2013 2.11% 1.47%
2012 1.66% 4.18%
2011 3.17% 2.77%
2010 1.62% 3.25%
2009 0.58% -0.16%
2008 5.44% 5.55%
2007 2.03% 2.82%
2006 3.61% 2.4%
2005 2.98% 3.9%
2004 1.42% 1.46%
2003 1.09% 1.03%
2002 1.81% -0.26%
2001 1.42% 5.31%
2000 1.53% 3.71%
1999 2.74% 3.5%
1998 5.27% 3.2%
1997 2.66% -0.006%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/malaysia/saint-lucia | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Malaysia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.25%, compared with 2.04% in Saint Lucia. In 2024, inflation was 1.83% in Malaysia and -0.11% in Saint Lucia.

Top exports between countries

Malaysia
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $805K
Machinery & equipment $155K
Metals $118K
Chemicals & pharma $83K
Textiles & consumer goods $70K
Animal & marine products $39K
Raw materials & minerals $3K
Miscellaneous $1K
Saint Lucia
Export category Export value
Metals $5K

Balance of trade

Malaysia Saint Lucia
Current account balance
$7.15B
2024
-$64.1M
2024
Current account balance ranking
26/190
2024
86/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+1.69%
2024
-2.52%
2024
Goods imports
$223B
2024
$848M
2024
Goods exports
$248B
2024
$137M
2024
Service imports
$56.4B
2024
$598M
2024
Service exports
$53.4B
2024
$1.46B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
66%
2024
n/a
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
71.3%
2024
19%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Malaysia Saint Lucia
Economic freedom 68 67.5
Economic freedom ranking 51/197 57/197
Property rights 62.7 64.3
Government integrity 52.9 59.7
Judicial effectiveness 63.4 77.3
Tax burden 83.5 77.7
Government spending 82 82.6
Fiscal health 62.5 80
Business freedom 79.6 71.9
Labor freedom 55.4 65.2
Monetary freedom 80.8 81
Trade freedom 83 60
Investment freedom 60 50
Financial freedom 50 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Malaysia
Saint Lucia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Malaysia Saint Lucia
2026 68 67.5
2025 67.1 67
2024 65.7 62.2
2023 67.3 60.7
2022 68.1 64.3
2021 74.4 67.5
2020 74.7 68.2
2019 74 68.7
2018 74.5 67.6
2017 73.8 65
2016 71.5 70
2015 70.8 70.2
2014 69.6 70.7
2013 66.1 70.4
2012 66.4 71.3
2011 66.3 70.8
2010 64.8 70.5
2009 64.6 68.8
2008 63.9 -
2007 63.8 -
2006 61.6 -
2005 61.9 -
2004 59.9 -
2003 61.1 -
2002 60.1 -
2001 60.2 -
2000 66 -
1999 68.9 -
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/saint-lucia | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Malaysia is 68, ranking 51/197, compared to 67.5 for Saint Lucia, ranking 57/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Malaysia Saint Lucia
Services, % of GDP
53.7%
2024
75.9%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
37%
2024
9.75%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
8.13%
2024
1.13%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$414B
2024
$2.27B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$37,450
2024
$24,840
2024
Total reserves including gold
$116B
2024
$406M
2024
Total reserves ranking
24/177
2024
162/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$2.55B
2024
-$187M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$15.6B
2024
$187M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$13B
2024
-$350K
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
3.42%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
5.8%
2023
25%
2016
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
22%
2024
n/a

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/saint-lucia | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

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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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1985–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  6. TradeMap (2020–2024, 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.