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Economy of Malaysia vs Samoa compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Malaysia has a GDP of $422B compared to $1.18B for Samoa, ranking 38/197 and 185/197 by economy size, respectively.

Malaysia has $296B in government debt (70.1% of GDP), compared to $296M (25.2% of GDP) in Samoa.

Malaysia vs Samoa GDP by year

Malaysia
Samoa
1x
Year GDP, current $
Malaysia Samoa
2024 $422,227,005,429 $1,175,749,786
2023 $399,949,418,753 $1,044,909,500
2022 $407,830,525,990 $889,554,712
2021 $373,784,553,030 $859,724,936
2020 $337,456,163,961 $868,884,903
2019 $365,177,721,022 $912,950,466
2018 $358,788,845,713 $878,448,433
2017 $319,109,094,160 $884,844,384
2016 $301,256,033,870 $843,924,797
2015 $301,355,266,965 $824,150,499
2014 $338,066,095,097 $796,683,520
2013 $323,276,235,524 $797,736,334
2012 $314,443,047,642 $773,141,661
2011 $297,951,668,675 $744,097,050
2010 $255,017,638,456 $680,260,907
2009 $202,257,453,037 $628,006,115
2008 $230,811,614,370 $641,346,192
2007 $193,549,569,478 $573,548,460
2006 $162,692,258,307 $499,923,758
2005 $143,534,405,819 $476,801,793
2004 $124,749,473,684 $407,747,565
2003 $110,202,368,421 $333,426,188
2002 $100,845,526,316 $281,790,134
2001 $92,783,947,368 $266,299,591
2000 $93,789,736,842 $258,856,140
1999 $79,148,421,053 $255,408,060
1998 $72,167,498,981 $269,485,244
1997 $100,005,323,302 $285,475,592
1996 $100,855,393,910 $249,907,869
1995 $88,705,342,903 $224,865,731
1994 $74,478,356,958 $221,098,107
1993 $66,894,966,969 $133,122,897
1992 $59,167,550,163 $132,303,041
1991 $49,143,148,094 $125,597,205
1990 $44,024,585,240 $125,766,270
1989 $38,847,965,293 $122,888,610
1988 $35,272,109,220 $133,016,065
1987 $32,181,210,158 $111,713,922
1986 $27,734,111,400 $100,947,849
1985 $31,199,633,353 $95,572,173
1984 $33,942,897,422 $109,200,934
1983 $30,347,442,111 $111,862,824
1982 $26,804,493,635 $121,221,652
1981 $25,004,285,792 $118,190,655
1980 $24,488,224,677 $125,747,038
1979 $21,213,264,962 $122,257,393
1978 $16,358,079,862 $108,223,444
1977 $13,139,488,633 $98,295,671
1976 $11,050,234,599 $85,003,078
1975 $9,298,800,799 $93,489,283
1974 $9,496,204,302 $93,549,611
1973 $7,662,902,678 $82,452,985
1972 $5,043,347,250 $62,566,116
1971 $4,244,395,956 $53,719,569
1970 $3,864,145,667 $45,208,338
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/samoa | CC BY

GDP per capita in Malaysia vs Samoa by year

Malaysia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Samoa
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Malaysia Samoa
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $11,874 $38,779 $5,393 $8,737
2023 $11,386 $36,467 $4,823 $8,195
2022 $11,755 $34,420 $4,132 $6,909
2021 $10,903 $29,823 $4,022 $6,350
2020 $9,958 $27,475 $4,100 $6,451
2019 $10,920 $28,934 $4,352 $6,638
2018 $10,902 $27,794 $4,232 $6,318
2017 $9,863 $26,416 $4,308 $6,280
2016 $9,477 $25,286 $4,147 $6,141
2015 $9,649 $24,526 $4,084 $5,682
2014 $11,013 $24,307 $3,983 $5,468
2013 $10,714 $23,161 $4,024 $5,387
2012 $10,601 $22,639 $3,935 $5,339
2011 $10,217 $21,324 $3,822 $5,494
2010 $8,899 $20,193 $3,524 $5,229
2009 $7,191 $18,923 $3,279 $4,906
2008 $8,372 $19,480 $3,374 $4,939
2007 $7,169 $18,617 $3,039 $4,713
2006 $6,158 $17,426 $2,663 $4,592
2005 $5,556 $16,371 $2,550 $4,379
2004 $4,939 $15,416 $2,189 $3,997
2003 $4,465 $14,387 $1,798 $3,792
2002 $4,184 $13,656 $1,528 $3,553
2001 $3,944 $13,072 $1,454 $3,335
2000 $4,084 $13,027 $1,425 $3,062
1999 $3,528 $11,980 $1,417 $2,871
1998 $3,294 $11,398 $1,506 $2,792
1997 $4,679 $12,469 $1,608 $2,722
1996 $4,837 $11,709 $1,419 $2,681
1995 $4,363 $10,720 $1,288 $2,478
1994 $3,758 $9,806 $1,277 $2,294
1993 $3,462 $9,018 $775 $2,323
1992 $3,141 $8,224 $777 $2,198
1991 $2,679 $7,583 $742 $2,166
1990 $2,469 $6,887 $744 $2,148
1989 $2,244 - $728 -
1988 $2,100 - $790 -
1987 $1,977 - $666 -
1986 $1,760 - $604 -
1985 $2,046 - $573 -
1984 $2,300 - $655 -
1983 $2,124 - $671 -
1982 $1,938 - $728 -
1981 $1,866 - $713 -
1980 $1,886 - $765 -
1979 $1,680 - $751 -
1978 $1,327 - $671 -
1977 $1,092 - $615 -
1976 $940 - $541 -
1975 $811 - $610 -
1974 $848 - $626 -
1973 $701 - $563 -
1972 $472 - $433 -
1971 $407 - $377 -
1970 $380 - $322 -
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/samoa | CC BY

Malaysia's GDP per capita is $11,874, ranking 79/197, compared to $5,393 in Samoa, ranking 117/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Malaysia ranks 60th at $38,779, while Samoa ranks 137th at $8,737.

Economic indicators

Malaysia Samoa
Gross domestic product
$422B
2024
$1.18B
2024
GDP rank
38/197
2024
185/197
2024
GDP growth
5.11%
2023-2024
4.75%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$11,874
2024
$5,393
2024
GDP per capita rank
79/197
2024
117/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$38,779
2024
$8,737
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
60/197
2024
137/197
2024
Government debt
$296B
2024
$296M
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
70.1%
2024
25.2%
2024
Government debt per person
$8,322
2024
$1,357
2024
Government debt per person rank
62/185
2024
135/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$11,005
2026
$3,750
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
31.3%
2013
Income share by poorest 10%
2.3%
2021
2.7%
2013
Government expenditure, % of GDP
23.9%
2024
26.3%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.83%
2023-2024
2.17%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
2.75%
2025
0.37%
2024
Unemployment rate
3.93%
2022
5.05%
2022
Population
36512221
220932

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Malaysia
Spending

Debt
Samoa
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Malaysia Samoa
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 23.9% 70.1% 26.3% 25.2%
2023 24.9% 69.7% 28.8% 31.8%
2022 24.6% 65.5% 31.1% 41%
2021 24.5% 69.2% 34.1% 45.4%
2020 25% 67.7% 30.5% 43.2%
2019 23.6% 57.1% 31.8% 44.3%
2018 22.8% 55.6% 30% 49.4%
2017 22% 54.4% 30.9% 46.7%
2016 22.9% 55.8% 27.3% 49%
2015 24.7% 57% 30.5% 56.4%
2014 26% 55.4% 35.3% 54.9%
2013 27.8% 55.7% 30.7% 54.1%
2012 28.5% 53.8% 33.6% 50.9%
2011 27.1% 51.9% 33.7% 41.5%
2010 26.6% 51.2% 29.4% 40.3%
2009 30.9% 50.4% 31.5% 33.3%
2008 26.9% 39.4% 27.7% 28.2%
2007 25.9% 39.3% 31.1% 31.5%
2006 25.6% 39.7% 27.7% 33.5%
2005 24.5% 40.8% 30.6% 34.2%
2004 25.9% 42% 27.3% 39.8%
2003 28.1% 41.4% 28.5% 42.8%
2002 27.1% 39.5% 30.7% 50.3%
2001 28.2% 38.1% 30% 53.8%
2000 25.6% 32.5% 30.4% 55.8%
1999 24.6% 34.4% 33.8% 59.4%
1998 23.1% 33.6% 28.1% 58.9%
1997 21.2% 29.6% 31% -
1996 22.4% 32.8% 38.9% -
1995 22.6% 38.2% 42.2% -
1994 23.3% 43.7% 54.1% -
1993 24.6% 51.1% 49.5% -
1992 28.2% 59.1% 43.4% -
1991 27.4% 67.3% - -
1990 30.5% 74.1% - -

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

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

In 2024, Malaysia's government spending was $101B, accounting for 23.9% of its GDP, while Samoa spent $310M, or 26.3% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 70.1% in Malaysia and 25.2% in Samoa, ranking 58/185 and 165/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Malaysia

Samoa
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Malaysia Samoa
2024 -3.95% 9.29%
2023 -3.97% 2.7%
2022 -4.56% 5.03%
2021 -6.03% 1.71%
2020 -4.9% 5.41%
2019 -2.01% 1.51%
2018 -2.64% 0.06%
2017 -2.41% -1.98%
2016 -2.6% -0.35%
2015 -2.55% -3.79%
2014 -2.63% -5.38%
2013 -3.48% -3.82%
2012 -3.1% -7.43%
2011 -3.57% -5.25%
2010 -4.32% -5.49%
2009 -5.88% -2.98%
2008 -3.4% -0.36%
2007 -2.57% 0.55%
2006 -2.6% -0.44%
2005 -2.83% 0.23%
2004 -3.35% -0.74%
2003 -4.6% -0.51%
2002 -3.96% -1.77%
2001 -4.36% -1.96%
2000 -6.05% -0.62%
1999 -3% 0.27%
1998 -0.63% 1.64%
1997 4.84% 1.92%
1996 3.27% 1.21%
1995 3.1% -5.82%
1994 5.45% -9.51%
1993 3.44% -13.2%
1992 1.81% -9.89%
1991 1.6% -
1990 0.15% -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/malaysia/samoa | 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 Samoa's surplus of $109M, or 9.29% of GDP.

Over the past 33 years, Malaysia recorded a fiscal deficit in 27 of those years, while Samoa ran a deficit in 20 years. On average, Malaysia posted an annual deficit equal to 2.24% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.51% of GDP for Samoa.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Malaysia

Samoa
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Malaysia Samoa
2024 1.83% 2.17%
2023 2.49% 7.92%
2022 3.38% 11%
2021 2.48% 3.13%
2020 -1.14% -1.57%
2019 0.66% 0.98%
2018 0.88% 4.2%
2017 3.87% 1.75%
2016 2.09% 1.3%
2015 2.1% 0.72%
2014 3.14% -0.41%
2013 2.11% 0.61%
2012 1.66% 2.05%
2011 3.17% 5.24%
2010 1.62% 0.78%
2009 0.58% 6.32%
2008 5.44% 11.6%
2007 2.03% 5.58%
2006 3.61% 3.7%
2005 2.98% 1.86%
2004 1.42% 16.3%
2003 1.09% 0.12%
2002 1.81% 8.05%
2001 1.42% 3.84%
2000 1.53% 0.97%
1999 2.74% 0.27%
1998 5.27% 2.22%
1997 2.66% 6.86%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Malaysia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.25%, compared with 3.84% in Samoa. In 2024, inflation was 1.83% in Malaysia and 2.17% in Samoa.

Top exports between countries

Malaysia
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $1.32M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1.26M
Machinery & equipment $639K
Textiles & consumer goods $406K
Wood & paper products $369K
Raw materials & minerals $361K
Metals $193K
Miscellaneous $72K
Precious metals & jewellery $25K
Animal & marine products $4K
Samoa
Export category Export value
Metals $91K
Machinery & equipment $45K
Chemicals & pharma $4K

Balance of trade

Malaysia Samoa
Current account balance
$7.15B
2024
$65.6M
2024
Current account balance ranking
26/190
2024
72/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+1.69%
2024
+5.58%
2024
Goods imports
$223B
2024
$448M
2024
Goods exports
$248B
2024
$42.2M
2024
Service imports
$56.4B
2024
$128M
2024
Service exports
$53.4B
2024
$327M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
66%
2024
48.9%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
71.3%
2024
30.7%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Malaysia Samoa
Economic freedom 68 68
Economic freedom ranking 51/197 52/197
Property rights 62.7 77.1
Government integrity 52.9 64.1
Judicial effectiveness 63.4 77.6
Tax burden 83.5 79.3
Government spending 82 75.2
Fiscal health 62.5 98.7
Business freedom 79.6 63.7
Labor freedom 55.4 73.7
Monetary freedom 80.8 69.4
Trade freedom 83 67.2
Investment freedom 60 40
Financial freedom 50 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Malaysia
Samoa
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Malaysia Samoa
2026 68 68
2025 67.1 66.6
2024 65.7 67.2
2023 67.3 68.3
2022 68.1 68.3
2021 74.4 61.9
2020 74.7 62.1
2019 74 62.2
2018 74.5 61.5
2017 73.8 58.4
2016 71.5 63.5
2015 70.8 61.9
2014 69.6 61.1
2013 66.1 57.1
2012 66.4 60.5
2011 66.3 60.6
2010 64.8 60.4
2009 64.6 59.5
2008 63.9 -
2007 63.8 -
2006 61.6 -
2005 61.9 -
2004 59.9 -
2003 61.1 -
2002 60.1 -
2001 60.2 63.1
2000 66 60.8
1999 68.9 58.7
1998 68.2 49.9
1997 66.8 51.5
1996 69.9 47.6
1995 71.9 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Malaysia is 68, ranking 51/197, compared to 68 for Samoa, ranking 52/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Malaysia Samoa
Services, % of GDP
53.7%
2024
69.4%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
37%
2024
10.6%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
8.13%
2024
9.8%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$414B
2024
$1.1B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$37,450
2024
$8,620
2024
Total reserves including gold
$116B
2024
$508M
2024
Total reserves ranking
24/177
2024
155/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$2.55B
2024
-$1.69M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$15.6B
2024
$3.74M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$13B
2024
$2.05M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
3.15%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
5.8%
2023
21.9%
2018
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
22%
2024
29%
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/samoa | 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 (2021–2024, 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.

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.