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Economy of Malaysia vs Solomon Islands compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Malaysia has a GDP of $422B compared to $1.58B for the Solomon Islands, ranking 38/197 and 182/197 by economy size, respectively.

Malaysia has $296B in government debt (70.1% of GDP), compared to $350M (22.1% of GDP) in the Solomon Islands.

Malaysia vs Solomon Islands GDP by year

Malaysia
Solomon Islands
1x
Year GDP, current $
Malaysia Solomon Islands
2024 $422,227,005,429 $1,583,964,704
2023 $399,949,418,753 $1,506,124,566
2022 $407,830,525,990 $1,466,670,930
2021 $373,784,553,030 $1,558,312,104
2020 $337,456,163,961 $1,536,143,428
2019 $365,177,721,022 $1,619,150,564
2018 $358,788,845,713 $1,615,473,250
2017 $319,109,094,160 $1,469,790,526
2016 $301,256,033,870 $1,379,486,291
2015 $301,355,266,965 $1,307,908,814
2014 $338,066,095,097 $1,335,576,763
2013 $323,276,235,524 $1,285,905,958
2012 $314,443,047,642 $1,185,217,634
2011 $297,951,668,675 $1,063,898,227
2010 $255,017,638,456 $898,128,551
2009 $202,257,453,037 $805,557,289
2008 $230,811,614,370 $776,335,523
2007 $193,549,569,478 $695,291,218
2006 $162,692,258,307 $617,257,458
2005 $143,534,405,819 $552,881,357
2004 $124,749,473,684 $468,000,121
2003 $110,202,368,421 $417,666,639
2002 $100,845,526,316 $346,406,739
2001 $92,783,947,368 $409,508,553
2000 $93,789,736,842 $419,842,674
1999 $79,148,421,053 $488,024,514
1998 $72,167,498,981 $457,579,840
1997 $100,005,323,302 $526,554,006
1996 $100,855,393,910 $510,586,430
1995 $88,705,342,903 $469,443,202
1994 $74,478,356,958 $402,837,005
1993 $66,894,966,969 $300,746,361
1992 $59,167,550,163 $269,034,596
1991 $49,143,148,094 $227,540,473
1990 $44,024,585,240 $214,877,667
1989 $38,847,965,293 $172,882,411
1988 $35,272,109,220 $176,494,394
1987 $32,181,210,158 $155,128,542
1986 $27,734,111,400 $147,620,048
1985 $31,199,633,353 $165,524,943
1984 $33,942,897,422 $181,570,474
1983 $30,347,442,111 $181,220,399
1982 $26,804,493,635 $192,902,019
1981 $25,004,285,792 $193,750,541
1980 $24,488,224,677 $182,852,107
1979 $21,213,264,962 $151,276,496
1978 $16,358,079,862 $111,027,427
1977 $13,139,488,633 $93,145,283
1976 $11,050,234,599 $83,100,834
1975 $9,298,800,799 $74,620,320
1974 $9,496,204,302 $84,539,332
1973 $7,662,902,678 $55,272,109
1972 $5,043,347,250 $40,606,712
1971 $4,244,395,956 $50,056,883
1970 $3,864,145,667 -
1969 $3,664,552,041 $28,606,411
1968 $3,330,371,551 $28,084,253
1967 $3,188,924,677 $25,203,524
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/solomon-islands | CC BY

GDP per capita in Malaysia vs Solomon Islands by year

Malaysia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Solomon Islands
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Malaysia Solomon Islands
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $11,874 $38,779 $1,934 $2,675
2023 $11,386 $36,467 $1,883 $2,597
2022 $11,755 $34,420 $1,878 $2,496
2021 $10,903 $29,823 $2,043 $2,450
2020 $9,958 $27,475 $2,063 $2,405
2019 $10,920 $28,934 $2,224 $2,512
2018 $10,902 $27,794 $2,278 $2,494
2017 $9,863 $26,416 $2,144 $2,454
2016 $9,477 $25,286 $2,083 $2,421
2015 $9,649 $24,526 $2,045 $2,354
2014 $11,013 $24,307 $2,165 $2,377
2013 $10,714 $23,161 $2,161 $2,394
2012 $10,601 $22,639 $2,066 $2,320
2011 $10,217 $21,324 $1,924 $2,306
2010 $8,899 $20,193 $1,685 $2,182
2009 $7,191 $18,923 $1,555 $2,021
2008 $8,372 $19,480 $1,526 $1,989
2007 $7,169 $18,617 $1,390 $1,869
2006 $6,158 $17,426 $1,256 $1,786
2005 $5,556 $16,371 $1,144 $1,693
2004 $4,939 $15,416 $986 $1,556
2003 $4,465 $14,387 $896 $1,433
2002 $4,184 $13,656 $757 $1,344
2001 $3,944 $13,072 $912 $1,387
2000 $4,084 $13,027 $953 $1,503
1999 $3,528 $11,980 $1,134 $1,754
1998 $3,294 $11,398 $1,092 $1,785
1997 $4,679 $12,469 $1,292 $1,793
1996 $4,837 $11,709 $1,289 $1,830
1995 $4,363 $10,720 $1,220 $1,820
1994 $3,758 $9,806 $1,078 $1,668
1993 $3,462 $9,018 $829 $1,556
1992 $3,141 $8,224 $764 $1,505
1991 $2,679 $7,583 $666 $1,346
1990 $2,469 $6,887 $648 $1,266
1989 $2,244 - $538 -
1988 $2,100 - $567 -
1987 $1,977 - $515 -
1986 $1,760 - $506 -
1985 $2,046 - $586 -
1984 $2,300 - $665 -
1983 $2,124 - $686 -
1982 $1,938 - $756 -
1981 $1,866 - $786 -
1980 $1,886 - $768 -
1979 $1,680 - $658 -
1978 $1,327 - $500 -
1977 $1,092 - $434 -
1976 $940 - $401 -
1975 $811 - $372 -
1974 $848 - $433 -
1973 $701 - $291.3 -
1972 $472 - $219.5 -
1971 $407 - $277.1 -
1970 $380 - - -
1969 $368 - $165.9 -
1968 $342 - $166.9 -
1967 $335 - $153.5 -
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/solomon-islands | CC BY

Malaysia's GDP per capita is $11,874, ranking 79/197, compared to $1,934 in the Solomon Islands, ranking 157/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Malaysia ranks 60th at $38,779, while the Solomon Islands ranks 183rd at $2,675.

Economic indicators

Malaysia Solomon Islands
Gross domestic product
$422B
2024
$1.58B
2024
GDP rank
38/197
2024
182/197
2024
GDP growth
5.11%
2023-2024
3%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$11,874
2024
$1,934
2024
GDP per capita rank
79/197
2024
157/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$38,779
2024
$2,675
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
60/197
2024
183/197
2024
Government debt
$296B
2024
$350M
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
70.1%
2024
22.1%
2024
Government debt per person
$8,322
2024
$427
2024
Government debt per person rank
62/185
2024
169/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$11,005
2026
$1,776
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
29.2%
2012
Income share by poorest 10%
2.3%
2021
2.8%
2012
Government expenditure, % of GDP
23.9%
2024
35.8%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.83%
2023-2024
4.32%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
2.75%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
3.93%
2022
0.69%
2013
Population
36512221
863951

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Malaysia
Spending

Debt
Solomon Islands
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Malaysia Solomon Islands
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 23.9% 70.1% 35.8% 22.1%
2023 24.9% 69.7% 40.1% 20.3%
2022 24.6% 65.5% 40.8% 15.5%
2021 24.5% 69.2% 37.8% 15.9%
2020 25% 67.7% 40.4% 12.8%
2019 23.6% 57.1% 35.6% 7.82%
2018 22.8% 55.6% 34.8% 7.95%
2017 22% 54.4% 40.4% 8.77%
2016 22.9% 55.8% 39.6% 7.54%
2015 24.7% 57% 41.5% 7.88%
2014 26% 55.4% 39.8% 10.1%
2013 27.8% 55.7% 41.8% 11.6%
2012 28.5% 53.8% 29.4% 13.3%
2011 27.1% 51.9% 27% 18.3%
2010 26.6% 51.2% 23.9% 22.9%
2009 30.9% 50.4% 24.8% 18.9%
2008 26.9% 39.4% 27% 28.9%
2007 25.9% 39.3% 23.7% 33%
2006 25.6% 39.7% 19.9% 42.3%
2005 24.5% 40.8% 17% 44.7%
2004 25.9% 42% 14.7% 58.2%
2003 28.1% 41.4% 14.9% 61.3%
2002 27.1% 39.5% 16.7% 65.7%
2001 28.2% 38.1% 18.1% 52.8%
2000 25.6% 32.5% 18.7% 44.3%
1999 24.6% 34.4% 18.7% 42%
1998 23.1% 33.6% 15.5% 39.5%
1997 21.2% 29.6% 19.3% 25.9%
1996 22.4% 32.8% 24.2% -
1995 22.6% 38.2% 24.7% -
1994 23.3% 43.7% 30.2% -
1993 24.6% 51.1% 33.2% -
1992 28.2% 59.1% 35.1% -
1991 27.4% 67.3% 39.4% -
1990 30.5% 74.1% 30% -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/malaysia/solomon-islands | CC BY

In 2024, Malaysia's government spending was $101B, accounting for 23.9% of its GDP, while the Solomon Islands spent $567M, or 35.8% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 70.1% in Malaysia and 22.1% in the Solomon Islands, ranking 58/185 and 173/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Malaysia

Solomon Islands
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Malaysia Solomon Islands
2024 -3.95% -3.08%
2023 -3.97% -3.81%
2022 -4.56% -2.51%
2021 -6.03% -1.86%
2020 -4.9% -2.44%
2019 -2.01% -1.52%
2018 -2.64% 1.49%
2017 -2.41% -2.27%
2016 -2.6% -3.56%
2015 -2.55% 0.81%
2014 -2.63% 2.13%
2013 -3.48% 3.57%
2012 -3.1% 4.63%
2011 -3.57% 6.22%
2010 -4.32% 6.02%
2009 -5.88% 2.35%
2008 -3.4% 1.94%
2007 -2.57% 15.3%
2006 -2.6% 13%
2005 -2.83% 13.4%
2004 -3.35% 17%
2003 -4.6% 10.6%
2002 -3.96% -4.35%
2001 -4.36% -2.4%
2000 -6.05% -2.93%
1999 -3% -0.32%
1998 -0.63% 5.04%
1997 4.84% 2.14%
1996 3.27% 3.73%
1995 3.1% 3.19%
1994 5.45% 4.33%
1993 3.44% 2.45%
1992 1.81% 4.13%
1991 1.6% 0.14%
1990 0.15% 0.58%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/malaysia/solomon-islands | 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 the Solomon Islands' deficit of $48.8M, or 3.08% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Malaysia recorded a fiscal deficit in 27 of those years, while the Solomon Islands ran a deficit in 12 years. On average, Malaysia posted an annual deficit equal to 2.07% of GDP, compared to surplus of 2.66% of GDP for the Solomon Islands.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Malaysia

Solomon Islands
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Malaysia Solomon Islands
2024 1.83% 4.32%
2023 2.49% 5.89%
2022 3.38% 5.52%
2021 2.48% -0.12%
2020 -1.14% 2.96%
2019 0.66% 1.63%
2018 0.88% 3.46%
2017 3.87% 0.49%
2016 2.09% 0.51%
2015 2.1% -0.57%
2014 3.14% 5.17%
2013 2.11% 5.39%
2012 1.66% 5.91%
2011 3.17% 7.34%
2010 1.62% 1.05%
2009 0.58% 7.09%
2008 5.44% 17.3%
2007 2.03% 7.67%
2006 3.61% 11.2%
2005 2.98% 7.33%
2004 1.42% 6.99%
2003 1.09% 8.27%
2002 1.81% 10.9%
2001 1.42% 6.93%
2000 1.53% 7.89%
1999 2.74% 8.02%
1998 5.27% 12.4%
1997 2.66% 8.08%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/malaysia/solomon-islands | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Malaysia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.25%, compared with 6.04% in the Solomon Islands. In 2024, inflation was 1.83% in Malaysia and 4.32% in the Solomon Islands.

Top exports between countries

Malaysia
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $7.96M
Machinery & equipment $6.98M
Raw materials & minerals $4.09M
Chemicals & pharma $2.95M
Metals $1.19M
Textiles & consumer goods $519K
Wood & paper products $488K
Miscellaneous $224K
Raw agricultural goods $28K
Animal & marine products $8K
Solomon Islands
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $8.48M
Metals $115K
Machinery & equipment $95K
Wood & paper products $82K
Animal & marine products $1K

Balance of trade

Malaysia Solomon Islands
Current account balance
$7.15B
2024
-$66.2M
2024
Current account balance ranking
26/190
2024
87/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+1.69%
2024
-4.18%
2024
Goods imports
$223B
2024
$609M
2024
Goods exports
$248B
2024
$510M
2024
Service imports
$56.4B
2024
$248M
2024
Service exports
$53.4B
2024
$133M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
66%
2024
70.8%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
71.3%
2024
40.6%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Malaysia Solomon Islands
Economic freedom 68 53.7
Economic freedom ranking 51/197 137/197
Property rights 62.7 55.8
Government integrity 52.9 42.7
Judicial effectiveness 63.4 59.1
Tax burden 83.5 71.3
Government spending 82 54.6
Fiscal health 62.5 83.3
Business freedom 79.6 52.3
Labor freedom 55.4 60.4
Monetary freedom 80.8 76.5
Trade freedom 83 43.6
Investment freedom 60 15
Financial freedom 50 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Malaysia
Solomon Islands
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Malaysia Solomon Islands
2026 68 53.7
2025 67.1 56.3
2024 65.7 55
2023 67.3 56.9
2022 68.1 56.5
2021 74.4 56.5
2020 74.7 52.9
2019 74 54.6
2018 74.5 57.5
2017 73.8 55
2016 71.5 47
2015 70.8 47
2014 69.6 46.2
2013 66.1 45
2012 66.4 46.2
2011 66.3 45.9
2010 64.8 42.9
2009 64.6 46
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/solomon-islands | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Malaysia is 68, ranking 51/197, compared to 53.7 for the Solomon Islands, ranking 137/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Malaysia Solomon Islands
Services, % of GDP
53.7%
2024
46.9%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
37%
2024
23.4%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
8.13%
2024
29.7%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$414B
2024
$1.57B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$37,450
2024
$2,680
2024
Total reserves including gold
$116B
2024
$688M
2023
Total reserves ranking
24/177
2024
149/177
2023
Net foreign direct investment
-$2.55B
2024
$19.9M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$15.6B
2024
$33M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$13B
2024
$52.9M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
1.64%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
5.8%
2023
12.7%
2012
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
22%
2024
19.5%
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/solomon-islands | 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 (2018–2024, 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.