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Economy of Malaysia vs Sierra Leone compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Malaysia has a GDP of $422B compared to $6.97B for Sierra Leone, ranking 38/197 and 160/197 by economy size, respectively.

Malaysia has $296B in government debt (70.1% of GDP), compared to $2.91B (41.7% of GDP) in Sierra Leone.

Malaysia vs Sierra Leone GDP by year

Malaysia
Sierra Leone
1x
Year GDP, current $
Malaysia Sierra Leone
2024 $422,227,005,429 $6,971,127,235
2023 $399,949,418,753 $6,415,852,767
2022 $407,830,525,990 $7,121,125,278
2021 $373,784,553,030 $7,166,931,485
2020 $337,456,163,961 $6,688,307,703
2019 $365,177,721,022 $6,523,577,594
2018 $358,788,845,713 $6,390,514,689
2017 $319,109,094,160 $5,749,846,528
2016 $301,256,033,870 $6,084,297,211
2015 $301,355,266,965 $6,788,352,975
2014 $338,066,095,097 $7,686,138,791
2013 $323,276,235,524 $7,502,762,863
2012 $314,443,047,642 $6,141,666,509
2011 $297,951,668,675 $4,861,632,885
2010 $255,017,638,456 $4,262,805,967
2009 $202,257,453,037 $3,953,403,098
2008 $230,811,614,370 $4,157,895,298
2007 $193,549,569,478 $3,632,957,611
2006 $162,692,258,307 $3,263,697,467
2005 $143,534,405,819 $2,545,275,313
2004 $124,749,473,684 $2,237,350,687
2003 $110,202,368,421 $2,142,618,046
2002 $100,845,526,316 $1,933,863,911
2001 $92,783,947,368 $1,681,473,894
2000 $93,789,736,842 $635,866,404
1999 $79,148,421,053 $669,386,624
1998 $72,167,498,981 $672,368,187
1997 $100,005,323,302 $850,232,760
1996 $100,855,393,910 $941,709,423
1995 $88,705,342,903 $870,740,292
1994 $74,478,356,958 $911,853,802
1993 $66,894,966,969 $768,867,883
1992 $59,167,550,163 $679,940,814
1991 $49,143,148,094 $779,981,987
1990 $44,024,585,240 $649,644,098
1989 $38,847,965,293 $932,974,420
1988 $35,272,109,220 $1,055,083,933
1987 $32,181,210,158 $660,106,336
1986 $27,734,111,400 $490,181,457
1985 $31,199,633,353 $856,890,459
1984 $33,942,897,422 $1,087,471,862
1983 $30,347,442,111 $995,104,305
1982 $26,804,493,635 $1,295,361,886
1981 $25,004,285,792 $1,114,830,472
1980 $24,488,224,677 $1,100,685,845
1979 $21,213,264,962 $1,109,374,911
1978 $16,358,079,862 $960,728,339
1977 $13,139,488,633 $691,777,584
1976 $11,050,234,599 $594,895,942
1975 $9,298,800,799 $679,336,344
1974 $9,496,204,302 $648,590,643
1973 $7,662,902,678 $575,230,724
1972 $5,043,347,250 $465,381,340
1971 $4,244,395,956 $419,549,305
1970 $3,864,145,667 $434,410,974
1969 $3,664,552,041 $408,690,163
1968 $3,330,371,551 $329,859,732
1967 $3,188,924,677 $348,795,303
1966 $3,143,517,944 $375,479,850
1965 $2,956,337,669 $359,379,856
1964 $2,674,423,922 $371,847,461
1963 $2,510,110,348 $348,547,279
1962 $2,001,489,602 $342,721,416
1961 $1,901,856,123 $327,834,191
1960 $1,916,229,477 $322,009,962

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

GeoRank.org/economy/malaysia/sierra-leone | CC BY

GDP per capita in Malaysia vs Sierra Leone by year

Malaysia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Sierra Leone
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Malaysia Sierra Leone
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $11,874 $38,779 $807 $3,522
2023 $11,386 $36,467 $758 $3,368
2022 $11,755 $34,420 $860 $3,144
2021 $10,903 $29,823 $885 $2,849
2020 $9,958 $27,475 $845 $2,719
2019 $10,920 $28,934 $844 $2,704
2018 $10,902 $27,794 $846 $2,640
2017 $9,863 $26,416 $779 $2,501
2016 $9,477 $25,286 $844 $2,635
2015 $9,649 $24,526 $965 $2,560
2014 $11,013 $24,307 $1,118 $2,762
2013 $10,714 $23,161 $1,117 $2,701
2012 $10,601 $22,639 $938 $2,317
2011 $10,217 $21,324 $761 $2,043
2010 $8,899 $20,193 $685 $1,900
2009 $7,191 $18,923 $653 $1,814
2008 $8,372 $19,480 $705 $1,824
2007 $7,169 $18,617 $632 $1,770
2006 $6,158 $17,426 $580 $1,698
2005 $5,556 $16,371 $463 $1,615
2004 $4,939 $15,416 $418 $1,541
2003 $4,465 $14,387 $414 $1,458
2002 $4,184 $13,656 $389 $1,360
2001 $3,944 $13,072 $358 $1,121
2000 $4,084 $13,027 $143.7 $1,242
1999 $3,528 $11,980 $155 $1,167
1998 $3,294 $11,398 $156.5 $1,180
1997 $4,679 $12,469 $199.9 $1,157
1996 $4,837 $11,709 $224.3 $1,225
1995 $4,363 $10,720 $208.4 $1,187
1994 $3,758 $9,806 $218.5 $1,266
1993 $3,462 $9,018 $185 $1,269
1992 $3,141 $8,224 $163.2 $1,220
1991 $2,679 $7,583 $183.7 $1,445
1990 $2,469 $6,887 $154.8 $1,382
1989 $2,244 - $231.3 -
1988 $2,100 - $268.2 -
1987 $1,977 - $172.4 -
1986 $1,760 - $131.5 -
1985 $2,046 - $235.5 -
1984 $2,300 - $306 -
1983 $2,124 - $285.8 -
1982 $1,938 - $380 -
1981 $1,866 - $334 -
1980 $1,886 - $336 -
1979 $1,680 - $346 -
1978 $1,327 - $305 -
1977 $1,092 - $224.2 -
1976 $940 - $196.4 -
1975 $811 - $228.4 -
1974 $848 - $222.1 -
1973 $701 - $200.6 -
1972 $472 - $165.4 -
1971 $407 - $151.8 -
1970 $380 - $160.2 -
1969 $368 - $153.6 -
1968 $342 - $126.3 -
1967 $335 - $136.1 -
1966 $339 - $149.3 -
1965 $326 - $145.6 -
1964 $303 - $153.4 -
1963 $291.8 - $146.3 -
1962 $238.8 - $146.3 -
1961 $232.9 - $142.3 -
1960 $240.8 - $142 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/malaysia/sierra-leone | CC BY

Malaysia's GDP per capita is $11,874, ranking 79/197, compared to $807 in Sierra Leone, ranking 186/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Malaysia ranks 60th at $38,779, while Sierra Leone ranks 171st at $3,522.

Economic indicators

Malaysia Sierra Leone
Gross domestic product
$422B
2024
$6.97B
2024
GDP rank
38/197
2024
160/197
2024
GDP growth
5.11%
2023-2024
4.29%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$11,874
2024
$807
2024
GDP per capita rank
79/197
2024
186/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$38,779
2024
$3,522
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
60/197
2024
171/197
2024
Government debt
$296B
2024
$2.91B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
70.1%
2024
41.7%
2024
Government debt per person
$8,322
2024
$337
2024
Government debt per person rank
62/185
2024
174/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$11,005
2026
$2,915
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
29.4%
2018
Income share by poorest 10%
2.3%
2021
3.4%
2018
Government expenditure, % of GDP
23.9%
2024
15.6%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.83%
2023-2024
28.4%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
2.75%
2025
18.8%
2025
Unemployment rate
3.93%
2022
3.19%
2018
Population
36512221
9049533

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Malaysia
Spending

Debt
Sierra Leone
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Malaysia Sierra Leone
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 23.9% 70.1% 15.6% 41.7%
2023 24.9% 69.7% 15.4% 49.5%
2022 24.6% 65.5% 16.7% 54%
2021 24.5% 69.2% 16.8% 47.1%
2020 25% 67.7% 15.6% 46.4%
2019 23.6% 57.1% 13.3% 45.3%
2018 22.8% 55.6% 13.7% 44.2%
2017 22% 54.4% 15% 44.2%
2016 22.9% 55.8% 14.9% 38.9%
2015 24.7% 57% 13.1% 28.4%
2014 26% 55.4% 13.5% 26.8%
2013 27.8% 55.7% 11.4% 22.3%
2012 28.5% 53.8% 13.5% 24.1%
2011 27.1% 51.9% 13.2% 25.8%
2010 26.6% 51.2% 12.5% 28.9%
2009 30.9% 50.4% 11.3% 31.1%
2008 26.9% 39.4% 10.3% 46.1%
2007 25.9% 39.3% 8.1% 26.4%
2006 25.6% 39.7% 9.97% 61.9%
2005 24.5% 40.8% 10.9% 78.9%
2004 25.9% 42% 11.1% 93.2%
2003 28.1% 41.4% 11.7% 99.8%
2002 27.1% 39.5% 12.6% 99.8%
2001 28.2% 38.1% 12% 113.5%
2000 25.6% 32.5% 10.3% -
1999 24.6% 34.4% - -
1998 23.1% 33.6% - -
1997 21.2% 29.6% - -
1996 22.4% 32.8% - -
1995 22.6% 38.2% - -
1994 23.3% 43.7% - -
1993 24.6% 51.1% - -
1992 28.2% 59.1% - -
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/sierra-leone | CC BY

In 2024, Malaysia's government spending was $101B, accounting for 23.9% of its GDP, while Sierra Leone spent $1.09B, or 15.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 70.1% in Malaysia and 41.7% in Sierra Leone, ranking 58/185 and 128/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Malaysia

Sierra Leone
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Malaysia Sierra Leone
2024 -3.95% -4.53%
2023 -3.97% -4.99%
2022 -4.56% -5.93%
2021 -6.03% -4.35%
2020 -4.9% -3.5%
2019 -2.01% -1.95%
2018 -2.64% -3.57%
2017 -2.41% -5.61%
2016 -2.6% -5.41%
2015 -2.55% -2.86%
2014 -2.63% -2.77%
2013 -3.48% -1.74%
2012 -3.1% -3.41%
2011 -3.57% -2.78%
2010 -4.32% -3.09%
2009 -5.88% -1.51%
2008 -3.4% -2.22%
2007 -2.57% 12.6%
2006 -2.6% -0.93%
2005 -2.83% -1.17%
2004 -3.35% -1.46%
2003 -4.6% -2.78%
2002 -3.96% -3.03%
2001 -4.36% -3.22%
2000 -6.05% -1.94%
1999 -3% -
1998 -0.63% -
1997 4.84% -
1996 3.27% -
1995 3.1% -
1994 5.45% -
1993 3.44% -
1992 1.81% -
1991 1.6% -
1990 0.15% -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/malaysia/sierra-leone | 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 Sierra Leone's deficit of $316M, or 4.53% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Malaysia recorded a fiscal deficit in 25 of those years, while Sierra Leone ran a deficit in 24 years. On average, Malaysia posted an annual deficit equal to 3.69% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.49% of GDP for Sierra Leone.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Malaysia

Sierra Leone
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Malaysia Sierra Leone
2024 1.83% 28.4%
2023 2.49% 47.7%
2022 3.38% 27.2%
2021 2.48% 11.9%
2020 -1.14% 13.4%
2019 0.66% 14.8%
2018 0.88% 16%
2017 3.87% 18.2%
2016 2.09% 10.9%
2015 2.1% 6.7%
2014 3.14% 4.6%
2013 2.11% 5.5%
2012 1.66% 6.6%
2011 3.17% 6.8%
2010 1.62% 7.2%
2009 0.58% 7.5%
2008 5.44% 8.2%
2007 2.03% 17%
2006 3.61% 10.5%
2005 2.98% 13.7%
2004 1.42% 12.9%
2003 1.09% 4%
2002 1.81% 0.1%
2001 1.42% 2.6%
2000 1.53% -0.9%
1999 2.74% 34.1%
1998 5.27% 36%
1997 2.66% 14.6%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/malaysia/sierra-leone | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Malaysia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.25%, compared with 13.8% in Sierra Leone. In 2024, inflation was 1.83% in Malaysia and 28.4% in Sierra Leone.

Top exports between countries

Malaysia
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $14M
Machinery & equipment $1.86M
Wood & paper products $855K
Chemicals & pharma $752K
Raw materials & minerals $316K
Animal & marine products $313K
Textiles & consumer goods $154K
Metals $139K
Raw agricultural goods $36K
Miscellaneous $32K
Sierra Leone
Export category Export value

Balance of trade

Malaysia Sierra Leone
Current account balance
$7.15B
2024
-$606M
2023
Current account balance ranking
26/190
2024
109/190
2023
Current account balance, % of GDP
+1.69%
2024
-9.45%
2023
Goods imports
$223B
2024
$1.92B
2023
Goods exports
$248B
2024
$1.34B
2023
Service imports
$56.4B
2024
$348M
2023
Service exports
$53.4B
2024
$42.5M
2023
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
66%
2024
23.3%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
71.3%
2024
17.3%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Malaysia Sierra Leone
Economic freedom 68 49.6
Economic freedom ranking 51/197 165/197
Property rights 62.7 32.9
Government integrity 52.9 35.8
Judicial effectiveness 63.4 42
Tax burden 83.5 88.2
Government spending 82 92.4
Fiscal health 62.5 54.1
Business freedom 79.6 44.8
Labor freedom 55.4 38.2
Monetary freedom 80.8 53.6
Trade freedom 83 63.6
Investment freedom 60 30
Financial freedom 50 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Malaysia
Sierra Leone
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Malaysia Sierra Leone
2026 68 49.6
2025 67.1 48
2024 65.7 44.6
2023 67.3 50.2
2022 68.1 52
2021 74.4 51.7
2020 74.7 48
2019 74 47.5
2018 74.5 51.8
2017 73.8 52.6
2016 71.5 52.3
2015 70.8 51.7
2014 69.6 50.5
2013 66.1 48.3
2012 66.4 49.1
2011 66.3 49.6
2010 64.8 47.9
2009 64.6 47.8
2008 63.9 48.3
2007 63.8 47
2006 61.6 45.2
2005 61.9 44.8
2004 59.9 43.6
2003 61.1 42.2
2002 60.1 -
2001 60.2 -
2000 66 44.2
1999 68.9 47.2
1998 68.2 47.7
1997 66.8 45
1996 69.9 52.3
1995 71.9 49.8

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

GeoRank.org/economy/malaysia/sierra-leone | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Malaysia is 68, ranking 51/197, compared to 49.6 for Sierra Leone, ranking 165/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Malaysia Sierra Leone
Services, % of GDP
53.7%
2024
42.6%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
37%
2024
25.6%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
8.13%
2024
29.2%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$414B
2024
$7.08B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$37,450
2024
$3,490
2024
Total reserves including gold
$116B
2024
$433M
2024
Total reserves ranking
24/177
2024
160/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$2.55B
2024
-$241M
2023
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$15.6B
2024
$122M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$13B
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
2.22%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
5.8%
2023
56.8%
2018
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
22%
2024
20.5%
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/sierra-leone | 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.

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.