Skip to content

Economy of Malaysia vs Saudi Arabia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Malaysia has a GDP of $472B compared to $1.28T for Saudi Arabia, ranking 35/197 and 19/197 by economy size, respectively.

Malaysia has $334B in government debt (70.7% of GDP), compared to $405B (31.7% of GDP) in Saudi Arabia.

Malaysia vs Saudi Arabia GDP by year

Malaysia
Saudi Arabia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Malaysia Saudi Arabia
2025 $472,193,128,645 $1,276,942,933,333
2024 $422,227,005,429 $1,254,140,800,000
2023 $399,949,418,753 $1,218,584,800,000
2022 $407,830,525,990 $1,239,075,200,000
2021 $373,784,553,030 $982,661,066,667
2020 $337,456,163,961 $767,951,200,000
2019 $365,177,721,022 $888,890,133,333
2018 $358,788,845,713 $886,564,800,000
2017 $319,109,094,160 $741,266,133,333
2016 $301,256,033,870 $689,279,466,667
2015 $301,355,266,965 $693,414,400,000
2014 $338,066,095,097 $787,153,066,667
2013 $323,276,235,524 $769,755,733,333
2012 $314,443,047,642 $751,921,333,333
2011 $297,951,668,675 $680,660,800,000
2010 $255,017,638,456 $528,207,466,667
2009 $202,257,453,037 $429,097,866,667
2008 $230,811,614,370 $519,796,800,000
2007 $193,549,569,478 $415,964,509,673
2006 $162,692,258,307 $376,900,133,511
2005 $143,534,405,819 $328,459,608,764
2004 $124,749,473,684 $258,742,133,333
2003 $110,202,368,421 $215,807,733,333
2002 $100,845,526,316 $189,605,866,667
2001 $92,783,947,368 $184,137,600,000
2000 $93,789,736,842 $189,514,933,333
1999 $79,148,421,053 $161,717,066,667
1998 $72,167,498,981 $146,775,466,667
1997 $100,005,323,302 $165,963,684,913
1996 $100,855,393,910 $158,662,483,311
1995 $88,705,342,903 $143,343,124,166
1994 $74,478,356,958 $135,174,899,866
1993 $66,894,966,969 $132,967,957,276
1992 $59,167,550,163 $137,087,850,467
1991 $49,143,148,094 $132,223,230,975
1990 $44,024,585,240 $117,630,173,565
1989 $38,847,965,293 $95,344,459,279
1988 $35,272,109,220 $88,256,074,766
1987 $32,181,210,158 $85,695,861,148
1986 $27,734,111,400 $86,961,922,765
1985 $31,199,633,353 $103,897,846,494
1984 $33,942,897,422 $119,624,858,116
1983 $30,347,442,111 $129,171,635,311
1982 $26,804,493,635 $153,240,313,858
1981 $25,004,285,792 $184,291,360,139
1980 $24,488,224,677 $164,539,660,725
1979 $21,213,264,962 $111,858,444,786
1978 $16,358,079,862 $80,266,516,687
1977 $13,139,488,633 $74,188,986,586
1976 $11,050,234,599 $64,005,665,722
1975 $9,298,800,799 $46,773,208,643
1974 $9,496,204,302 $45,412,957,746
1973 $7,662,902,678 $14,947,435,499
1972 $5,043,347,250 $9,664,267,087
1971 $4,244,395,956 $7,184,806,909
1970 $3,864,145,667 $5,377,333,333
1969 $3,664,552,041 $4,485,777,644
1968 $3,330,371,551 $4,187,777,711
1967 $3,188,924,677 $3,257,022,223
1966 $3,143,517,944 $2,920,555,557
1965 $2,956,337,669 $2,647,955,558
1964 $2,674,423,922 $2,371,808,713
1963 $2,510,110,348 $2,207,393,172
1962 $2,001,489,602 $2,130,606,532
1961 $1,901,856,123 $1,920,811,284
1960 $1,916,229,477 $1,748,124,064

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/malaysia/saudi-arabia | CC BY

GDP per capita in Malaysia vs Saudi Arabia by year

Malaysia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Saudi Arabia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Malaysia Saudi Arabia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $13,125 - $34,537 -
2024 $11,874 $38,779 $35,528 $71,375
2023 $11,386 $36,467 $36,157 $71,565
2022 $11,755 $34,420 $38,510 $71,968
2021 $10,903 $29,823 $31,921 $62,690
2020 $9,958 $27,475 $24,339 $47,518
2019 $10,920 $28,934 $29,567 $59,560
2018 $10,902 $27,794 $29,360 $59,378
2017 $9,863 $26,416 $23,929 $53,120
2016 $9,477 $25,286 $22,268 $49,937
2015 $9,649 $24,526 $23,256 $53,931
2014 $11,013 $24,307 $27,805 $62,578
2013 $10,714 $23,161 $27,865 $62,203
2012 $10,601 $22,639 $28,733 $65,034
2011 $10,217 $21,324 $27,127 $64,125
2010 $8,899 $20,193 $22,028 $58,829
2009 $7,191 $18,923 $17,718 $54,787
2008 $8,372 $19,480 $22,320 $57,236
2007 $7,169 $18,617 $18,596 $55,030
2006 $6,158 $17,426 $17,564 $54,639
2005 $5,556 $16,371 $15,976 $53,548
2004 $4,939 $15,416 $13,154 $51,225
2003 $4,465 $14,387 $11,487 $48,078
2002 $4,184 $13,656 $10,586 $45,466
2001 $3,944 $13,072 $10,805 $47,381
2000 $4,084 $13,027 $11,715 $48,644
1999 $3,528 $11,980 $10,452 $47,495
1998 $3,294 $11,398 $9,836 $48,867
1997 $4,679 $12,469 $11,545 $48,796
1996 $4,837 $11,709 $11,472 $48,569
1995 $4,363 $10,720 $10,786 $48,052
1994 $3,758 $9,806 $10,602 $48,904
1993 $3,462 $9,018 $10,885 $49,503
1992 $3,141 $8,224 $11,730 $50,355
1991 $2,679 $7,583 $11,847 $49,295
1990 $2,469 $6,887 $11,055 $46,214
1989 $2,244 - $9,414 -
1988 $2,100 - $9,165 -
1987 $1,977 - $9,386 -
1986 $1,760 - $10,078 -
1985 $2,046 - $12,745 -
1984 $2,300 - $15,541 -
1983 $2,124 - $17,810 -
1982 $1,938 - $22,454 -
1981 $1,866 - $28,703 -
1980 $1,886 - $27,206 -
1979 $1,680 - $19,612 -
1978 $1,327 - $14,914 -
1977 $1,092 - $14,595 -
1976 $940 - $13,313 -
1975 $811 - $10,266 -
1974 $848 - $10,503 -
1973 $701 - $3,640 -
1972 $472 - $2,474 -
1971 $407 - $1,929 -
1970 $380 - $1,509 -
1969 $368 - $1,313 -
1968 $342 - $1,276 -
1967 $335 - $1,032 -
1966 $339 - $961 -
1965 $326 - $904 -
1964 $303 - $840 -
1963 $291.8 - $812 -
1962 $238.8 - $813 -
1961 $232.9 - $760 -
1960 $240.8 - $718 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/malaysia/saudi-arabia | CC BY

Malaysia's GDP per capita is $13,125, ranking 78/197, compared to $34,537 in Saudi Arabia, ranking 36/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Malaysia ranks 60th at $38,779, while Saudi Arabia ranks 24th at $71,375.

Economic indicators

Malaysia Saudi Arabia
Gross domestic product
$472B
2025
$1.28T
2025
GDP rank
35/197
2025
19/197
2025
GDP growth
5.17%
2024-2025
4.5%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$13,125
2025
$34,537
2025
GDP per capita rank
78/197
2025
36/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$38,779
2024
$71,375
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
60/197
2024
24/197
2024
Government debt
$334B
2025
$405B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
70.7%
2025
31.7%
2025
Government debt per person
$9,273
2025
$10,956
2025
Government debt per person rank
62/185
2025
57/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$11,034
2026
$22,010
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$487B
2025
$2.36T
2025
Number of millionaires n/a
348,000
2026
Number of billionaires
19
2026
15
2026
Income share by richest 10%
30.9%
2021
n/a
Income share by poorest 10%
2.3%
2021
n/a
Government expenditure, % of GDP
23.4%
2025
29%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
1.38%
2024-2025
2.08%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
2.75%
2025
4.25%
2025
Unemployment rate
3.9%
2022
3.24%
2025
Population
36600906
37955120

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Malaysia
Spending

Debt
Saudi Arabia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Malaysia Saudi Arabia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 23.4% 70.7% 29% 31.7%
2024 24% 69.8% 29.2% 25.9%
2023 25% 69.7% 28.3% 23%
2022 24.6% 65.5% 25.3% 21.3%
2021 24.5% 69.2% 28.2% 25.5%
2020 25% 67.7% 37.4% 29.7%
2019 23.6% 57.1% 31.8% 20.3%
2018 22.8% 55.6% 32.4% 16.8%
2017 22% 54.4% 30.9% 15.9%
2016 22.9% 55.8% 33.3% 12.2%
2015 24.7% 57% 38.5% 5.47%
2014 26% 55.4% 38.6% 1.5%
2013 27.8% 55.7% 34.5% 2.08%
2012 28.5% 53.8% 32.5% 2.97%
2011 27.1% 51.9% 32.4% 5.31%
2010 26.6% 51.2% 33% 8.43%
2009 30.9% 50.4% 37.1% 14%
2008 26.9% 39.4% 26.7% 12.1%
2007 25.9% 39.3% 29.5% 17.1%
2006 25.6% 39.7% 27.3% 25.8%
2005 24.5% 40.8% 28.2% 37.3%
2004 25.9% 42% 31.1% 62.9%
2003 28.1% 41.4% 33.1% 81.6%
2002 27.1% 39.5% 35.9% 96.4%
2001 28.2% 38.1% 36.9% 93.1%
2000 25.6% 32.5% 33.1% 86.7%
1999 24.6% 34.4% 30.3% 103%
1998 23.1% 33.6% 34.5% 101.5%
1997 21.2% 29.6% 35.6% 76.7%
1996 22.4% 32.8% 33.3% 75.2%
1995 22.6% 38.2% 32.4% 74.2%
1994 23.3% 43.7% 33.8% 67.9%
1993 24.6% 51.1% 37.7% 58.6%
1992 28.2% 59.1% 41.2% 47.8%
1991 27.4% 67.3% 34.9% 39.4%
1990 30.5% 74.1% 39.3% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/malaysia/saudi-arabia | CC BY

In 2025, Malaysia's government spending was $111B, accounting for 23.4% of its GDP, while Saudi Arabia spent $370B, or 29% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 70.7% in Malaysia and 31.7% in Saudi Arabia, ranking 56/185 and 151/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Malaysia

Saudi Arabia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Malaysia Saudi Arabia
2025 -3.54% -5.77%
2024 -3.45% -2.46%
2023 -4.11% -1.77%
2022 -4.56% 2.24%
2021 -6.03% -1.99%
2020 -4.9% -10.2%
2019 -2.01% -3.96%
2018 -2.64% -5.21%
2017 -2.41% -8.57%
2016 -2.6% -13.2%
2015 -2.55% -14.9%
2014 -2.63% -3.4%
2013 -3.48% 5.47%
2012 -3.1% 11.7%
2011 -3.57% 11.4%
2010 -4.32% 4.39%
2009 -5.88% -5.38%
2008 -3.4% 29.8%
2007 -2.57% 11.8%
2006 -2.6% 20.8%
2005 -2.83% 18%
2004 -3.35% 9.72%
2003 -4.6% 1.2%
2002 -3.96% -5.91%
2001 -4.36% -3.91%
2000 -6.05% 3.18%
1999 -3% -5.99%
1998 -0.63% -8.88%
1997 4.84% -2.51%
1996 3.27% -3.25%
1995 3.1% -5.12%
1994 5.45% -8.31%
1993 3.44% -9.33%
1992 1.81% -8.12%
1991 1.6% -3.28%
1990 0.15% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/malaysia/saudi-arabia | 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 Saudi Arabia's deficit of $73.7B, or 5.77% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Malaysia recorded a fiscal deficit in 28 of those years, while Saudi Arabia ran a deficit in 23 years. On average, Malaysia posted an annual deficit equal to 2.16% of GDP, compared to deficit of 0.34% of GDP for Saudi Arabia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Malaysia

Saudi Arabia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Malaysia Saudi Arabia
2025 1.38% 2.08%
2024 1.83% 1.69%
2023 2.49% 2.33%
2022 3.38% 2.47%
2021 2.48% 3.06%
2020 -1.14% 3.37%
2019 0.66% -1.19%
2018 0.88% 2.47%
2017 3.87% -0.83%
2016 2.09% 2.05%
2015 2.1% 1.22%
2014 3.14% 2.24%
2013 2.11% 3.51%
2012 1.66% 2.87%
2011 3.17% 5.83%
2010 1.62% 5.34%
2009 0.58% 5.06%
2008 5.44% 9.87%
2007 2.03% 4.17%
2006 3.61% 2.21%
2005 2.98% 0.48%
2004 1.42% 0.52%
2003 1.09% 0.61%
2002 1.81% 0.25%
2001 1.42% -1.12%
2000 1.53% -1.12%
1999 2.74% -1.33%
1998 5.27% -0.37%
1997 2.66% 0.06%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/malaysia/saudi-arabia | CC BY

Over the past 29 years, Malaysia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.22%, compared with 1.99% in Saudi Arabia. In 2025, inflation was 1.38% in Malaysia and 2.08% in Saudi Arabia.

Top exports between countries

Malaysia
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $353M
Machinery & equipment $307M
Metals $291M
Chemicals & pharma $128M
Textiles & consumer goods $64M
Raw materials & minerals $63.3M
Wood & paper products $34.4M
Animal & marine products $12.1M
Raw agricultural goods $8.02M
Miscellaneous $1.26M
Saudi Arabia
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $5.73B
Chemicals & pharma $507M
Machinery & equipment $207M
Metals $22.1M
Raw agricultural goods $11.9M
Animal & marine products $10.3M
Precious metals & jewellery $6.17M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $5.16M
Wood & paper products $2.85M
Textiles & consumer goods $2.75M

Balance of trade

Malaysia Saudi Arabia
Current account balance
$7.15B
2024
-$32.7B
2025
Current account balance ranking
29/190
2024
185/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
+1.69%
2024
-2.56%
2025
Goods imports
$223B
2024
$230B
2025
Goods exports
$248B
2024
$311B
2025
Service imports
$56.4B
2024
$129B
2025
Service exports
$53.4B
2024
$69.4B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
65.4%
2025
28.2%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
71%
2025
29.7%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Malaysia Saudi Arabia
Economic freedom 68 65.4
Economic freedom ranking 51/197 65/197
Property rights 62.7 51.4
Government integrity 52.9 52.7
Judicial effectiveness 63.4 38.2
Tax burden 83.5 99.2
Government spending 82 77
Fiscal health 62.5 97.9
Business freedom 79.6 71.2
Labor freedom 55.4 41.8
Monetary freedom 80.8 81.2
Trade freedom 83 73.8
Investment freedom 60 50
Financial freedom 50 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Malaysia
Saudi Arabia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Malaysia Saudi Arabia
2026 68 65.4
2025 67.1 64.4
2024 65.7 61.9
2023 67.3 58.3
2022 68.1 55.5
2021 74.4 66
2020 74.7 62.4
2019 74 60.7
2018 74.5 59.6
2017 73.8 64.4
2016 71.5 62.1
2015 70.8 62.1
2014 69.6 62.2
2013 66.1 60.6
2012 66.4 62.5
2011 66.3 66.2
2010 64.8 64.1
2009 64.6 64.3
2008 63.9 62.5
2007 63.8 60.9
2006 61.6 63
2005 61.9 63
2004 59.9 60.4
2003 61.1 63.2
2002 60.1 65.3
2001 60.2 62.2
2000 66 66.5
1999 68.9 65.5
1998 68.2 69.3
1997 66.8 68.7
1996 69.9 68.3
1995 71.9 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/malaysia/saudi-arabia | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Malaysia is 68, ranking 51/197, compared to 65.4 for Saudi Arabia, ranking 65/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Malaysia Saudi Arabia
Services, % of GDP
54.8%
2025
48.9%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
35.7%
2025
43%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
8.22%
2025
2.59%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$445B
2025
$1.33T
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$40,070
2025
$74,400
2025
Total reserves including gold
$126B
2025
$505B
2025
Total reserves ranking
25/177
2025
8/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$2.55B
2024
-$5.6B
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$15.6B
2024
$21.3B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$13B
2024
$27.6B
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
5.1%
2023
n/a
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
20.5%
2025
31.6%
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/saudi-arabia | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

Help us show the world through your eyes

Share a photo of your city and help others discover what it looks like to live there. Your contribution makes our data come alive.

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. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. TradeMap (2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. 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.