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Economy of Malaysia vs Syria compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Malaysia has a GDP of $472B compared to $20B for Syria, ranking 35/197 and 134/197 by economy size, respectively.

Malaysia has $334B in government debt (70.7% of GDP), compared to $18.4B (30% of GDP) in Syria.

Malaysia vs Syria GDP by year

Malaysia
Syria
1x
Year GDP, current $
Malaysia Syria
2025 $472,193,128,645 -
2024 $422,227,005,429 -
2023 $399,949,418,753 $19,993,439,950
2022 $407,830,525,990 $23,737,634,644
2021 $373,784,553,030 $14,892,885,528
2020 $337,456,163,961 $12,501,503,673
2019 $365,177,721,022 $22,583,046,645
2018 $358,788,845,713 $21,497,779,248
2017 $319,109,094,160 $16,369,842,725
2016 $301,256,033,870 $12,597,854,088
2015 $301,355,266,965 $16,466,861,435
2014 $338,066,095,097 $21,502,061,466
2013 $323,276,235,524 $21,361,254,635
2012 $314,443,047,642 $43,190,318,033
2011 $297,951,668,675 $67,539,433,544
2010 $255,017,638,456 $61,390,833,273
2009 $202,257,453,037 $54,111,721,044
2008 $230,811,614,370 $52,557,913,397
2007 $193,549,569,478 $40,465,331,020
2006 $162,692,258,307 $33,751,812,959
2005 $143,534,405,819 $28,858,937,499
2004 $124,749,473,684 $25,086,910,448
2003 $110,202,368,421 $21,828,144,686
2002 $100,845,526,316 $20,786,986,580
2001 $92,783,947,368 $20,078,599,626
2000 $93,789,736,842 $18,937,031,610
1999 $79,148,421,053 $15,873,875,969
1998 $72,167,498,981 $15,200,846,154
1997 $100,005,323,302 $14,505,233,463
1996 $100,855,393,910 $13,789,560,878
1995 $88,705,342,903 $11,396,706,587
1994 $74,478,356,958 $10,122,020,000
1993 $66,894,966,969 $13,695,962,055
1992 $59,167,550,163 $13,253,565,861
1991 $49,143,148,094 $12,981,833,333
1990 $44,024,585,240 $12,308,624,418
1989 $38,847,965,293 $9,853,395,762
1988 $35,272,109,220 $10,577,041,645
1987 $32,181,210,158 $11,356,215,543
1986 $27,734,111,400 $13,293,205,278
1985 $31,199,633,353 $16,403,539,893
1984 $33,942,897,422 $17,503,078,174
1983 $30,347,442,111 $17,589,277,143
1982 $26,804,493,635 $16,298,929,011
1981 $25,004,285,792 $15,518,201,335
1980 $24,488,224,677 $13,062,420,382
1979 $21,213,264,962 $9,929,681,529
1978 $16,358,079,862 $9,275,200,458
1977 $13,139,488,633 $7,696,011,396
1976 $11,050,234,599 $7,633,528,867
1975 $9,298,800,799 $6,826,980,444
1974 $9,496,204,302 $5,159,557,148
1973 $7,662,902,678 $3,239,487,516
1972 $5,043,347,250 $3,059,681,698
1971 $4,244,395,956 $2,589,851,325
1970 $3,864,145,667 $2,140,384,010
1969 $3,664,552,041 $2,245,011,515
1968 $3,330,371,551 $1,753,746,430
1967 $3,188,924,677 $1,580,229,799
1966 $3,143,517,944 $1,342,287,553
1965 $2,956,337,669 $1,472,036,540
1964 $2,674,423,922 $1,339,494,267
1963 $2,510,110,348 $1,200,447,408
1962 $2,001,489,602 $1,110,565,881
1961 $1,901,856,123 $945,244,972
1960 $1,916,229,477 $857,704,413

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

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

GDP per capita in Malaysia vs Syria by year

Malaysia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Syria
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Malaysia Syria
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $13,125 - - -
2024 $11,874 $38,779 - -
2023 $11,386 $36,467 $847 $4,650
2022 $11,755 $34,420 $1,057 $4,772
2021 $10,903 $29,823 $689 $4,593
2020 $9,958 $27,475 $594 $3,738
2019 $10,920 $28,934 $1,110 $3,502
2018 $10,902 $27,794 $1,098 $3,456
2017 $9,863 $26,416 $852 $3,265
2016 $9,477 $25,286 $656 -
2015 $9,649 $24,526 $848 -
2014 $11,013 $24,307 $1,061 -
2013 $10,714 $23,161 $986 -
2012 $10,601 $22,639 $1,898 -
2011 $10,217 $21,324 $2,952 -
2010 $8,899 $20,193 $2,731 -
2009 $7,191 $18,923 $2,462 -
2008 $8,372 $19,480 $2,429 -
2007 $7,169 $18,617 $1,938 -
2006 $6,158 $17,426 $1,719 -
2005 $5,556 $16,371 $1,534 -
2004 $4,939 $15,416 $1,368 -
2003 $4,465 $14,387 $1,220 -
2002 $4,184 $13,656 $1,190 -
2001 $3,944 $13,072 $1,178 -
2000 $4,084 $13,027 $1,138 -
1999 $3,528 $11,980 $978 -
1998 $3,294 $11,398 $961 -
1997 $4,679 $12,469 $941 -
1996 $4,837 $11,709 $918 -
1995 $4,363 $10,720 $780 -
1994 $3,758 $9,806 $712 -
1993 $3,462 $9,018 $993 -
1992 $3,141 $8,224 $990 -
1991 $2,679 $7,583 $1,000 -
1990 $2,469 $6,887 $978 -
1989 $2,244 - $809 -
1988 $2,100 - $898 -
1987 $1,977 - $997 -
1986 $1,760 - $1,208 -
1985 $2,046 - $1,544 -
1984 $2,300 - $1,706 -
1983 $2,124 - $1,776 -
1982 $1,938 - $1,703 -
1981 $1,866 - $1,676 -
1980 $1,886 - $1,458 -
1979 $1,680 - $1,146 -
1978 $1,327 - $1,108 -
1977 $1,092 - $951 -
1976 $940 - $976 -
1975 $811 - $904 -
1974 $848 - $707 -
1973 $701 - $459 -
1972 $472 - $448 -
1971 $407 - $393 -
1970 $380 - $335 -
1969 $368 - $364 -
1968 $342 - $293.3 -
1967 $335 - $272.9 -
1966 $339 - $239.3 -
1965 $326 - $270.8 -
1964 $303 - $254.2 -
1963 $291.8 - $234.9 -
1962 $238.8 - $223.9 -
1961 $232.9 - $196.3 -
1960 $240.8 - $183.5 -

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

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

Malaysia's GDP per capita is $13,125, ranking 78/197, compared to $847 in Syria, ranking 185/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Malaysia ranks 60th at $38,779, while Syria ranks 160th at $4,650.

Economic indicators

Malaysia Syria
Gross domestic product
$472B
2025
$20B
2023
GDP rank
35/197
2025
134/197
2023
GDP growth
5.17%
2024-2025
-1.85%
2022-2023
GDP per capita
$13,125
2025
$847
2023
GDP per capita rank
78/197
2025
185/197
2023
GDP per capita, PPP
$38,779
2024
$4,650
2023
GDP per capita PPP rank
60/197
2024
160/197
2023
Government debt
$334B
2025
$18.4B
2010
Debt-to-GDP ratio
70.7%
2025
30%
2010
Government debt per person
$9,273
2025
$820
2010
Government debt per person rank
62/185
2025
150/185
2010
Average annual personal income after taxes
$11,034
2026
$693
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$487B
2025
n/a
Number of billionaires
19
2026
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
30.9%
2021
20.9%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
2.3%
2021
3.8%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
23.4%
2025
28.6%
2010
Consumer prices inflation
1.38%
2024-2025
13.4%
2018-2019
Central bank interest rate
2.75%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
3.9%
2022
14.9%
2011
Population
36600906
26956472

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Malaysia
Spending

Debt
Syria
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Malaysia Syria
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 23.4% 70.7% - -
2024 24% 69.8% - -
2023 25% 69.7% - -
2022 24.6% 65.5% - -
2021 24.5% 69.2% - -
2020 25% 67.7% - -
2019 23.6% 57.1% - -
2018 22.8% 55.6% - -
2017 22% 54.4% - -
2016 22.9% 55.8% - -
2015 24.7% 57% - -
2014 26% 55.4% - -
2013 27.8% 55.7% - -
2012 28.5% 53.8% - -
2011 27.1% 51.9% - -
2010 26.6% 51.2% 28.6% 30%
2009 30.9% 50.4% 26.7% 31.2%
2008 26.9% 39.4% 22.9% 37.3%
2007 25.9% 39.3% 25.7% 42.7%
2006 25.6% 39.7% 26.3% 45%
2005 24.5% 40.8% 28.2% 50.7%
2004 25.9% 42% 31.3% 113%
2003 28.1% 41.4% 32.6% 133.4%
2002 27.1% 39.5% 28.5% 132.4%
2001 28.2% 38.1% 28% 144.5%
2000 25.6% 32.5% 27.4% 152.1%
1999 24.6% 34.4% 28% 147.7%
1998 23.1% 33.6% 28.8% 151.2%
1997 21.2% 29.6% 29% 147.6%
1996 22.4% 32.8% 27.7% 141.5%
1995 22.6% 38.2% 29.8% 152.6%
1994 23.3% 43.7% 30.3% 163%
1993 24.6% 51.1% 29.4% 171.9%
1992 28.2% 59.1% 34.2% 173.6%
1991 27.4% 67.3% 34.3% 182.4%
1990 30.5% 74.1% 28.3% 189.8%

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

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

In 2025, Malaysia's government spending was $111B, accounting for 23.4% of its GDP, while Syria spent $17.6B, or 28.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 70.7% in Malaysia and 30% in Syria, ranking 56/185 and 155/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Malaysia

Syria
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Malaysia Syria
2025 -3.54% -
2024 -3.45% -
2023 -4.11% -
2022 -4.56% -
2021 -6.03% -
2020 -4.9% -
2019 -2.01% -
2018 -2.64% -
2017 -2.41% -
2016 -2.6% -
2015 -2.55% -
2014 -2.63% -
2013 -3.48% -
2012 -3.1% -
2011 -3.57% -
2010 -4.32% -7.79%
2009 -5.88% -2.89%
2008 -3.4% -2.86%
2007 -2.57% -2.99%
2006 -2.6% -1.12%
2005 -2.83% -4.41%
2004 -3.35% -4.18%
2003 -4.6% -2.7%
2002 -3.96% -2.02%
2001 -4.36% 2.3%
2000 -6.05% -1.36%
1999 -3% -1.47%
1998 -0.63% -2.81%
1997 4.84% -1.78%
1996 3.27% -2.83%
1995 3.1% -3.81%
1994 5.45% -6%
1993 3.44% -4.96%
1992 1.81% -7.26%
1991 1.6% -6.57%
1990 0.15% -3.92%

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

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

In 2010, Malaysia's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $11B, equivalent to 4.32% of GDP. This compares to Syria's deficit of $4.78B, or 7.79% of GDP.

Over the past 21 years, Malaysia recorded a fiscal deficit in 13 of those years, while Syria ran a deficit in 20 years. On average, Malaysia posted an annual deficit equal to 1.14% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.4% of GDP for Syria.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Malaysia

Syria
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Malaysia Syria
2025 1.38% -
2024 1.83% -
2023 2.49% -
2022 3.38% -
2021 2.48% -
2020 -1.14% -
2019 0.66% 13.4%
2018 0.88% 0.94%
2017 3.87% 18.1%
2016 2.09% 47.7%
2015 2.1% 38.5%
2014 3.14% 10.9%
2013 2.11% 40%
2012 1.66% 36.7%
2011 3.17% 4.75%
2010 1.62% 4.4%
2009 0.58% 2.92%
2008 5.44% 15.7%
2007 2.03% 3.91%
2006 3.61% 10%
2005 2.98% 7.24%
2004 1.42% 4.43%
2003 1.09% 5.8%
2002 1.81% -0.13%
2001 1.42% 3%
2000 1.53% -3.85%
1999 2.74% -3.7%
1998 5.27% -0.8%
1997 2.66% 1.89%

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

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

Over the past 23 years, Malaysia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.34%, compared with 11.4% in Syria. In 2019, inflation was 1.38% in Malaysia and 13.4% in Syria.

Top exports between countries

Malaysia
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $23.9M
Chemicals & pharma $1.89M
Wood & paper products $1.3M
Raw materials & minerals $520K
Machinery & equipment $488K
Textiles & consumer goods $286K
Animal & marine products $208K
Metals $113K
Precious metals & jewellery $88K
Raw agricultural goods $35K
Syria
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $602K
Textiles & consumer goods $325K
Raw agricultural goods $150K
Raw materials & minerals $115K
Wood & paper products $82K
Chemicals & pharma $34K
Machinery & equipment $13K
Metals $6K
Miscellaneous $5K
Weapons & explosives $1K

Balance of trade

Malaysia Syria
Current account balance
$7.15B
2024
-$367M
2010
Current account balance ranking
29/190
2024
99/190
2010
Current account balance, % of GDP
+1.69%
2024
-0.6%
2010
Goods imports
$223B
2024
$15.9B
2010
Goods exports
$248B
2024
$12.3B
2010
Service imports
$56.4B
2024
$3.53B
2010
Service exports
$53.4B
2024
$7.33B
2010
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
65.4%
2025
28.7%
2022
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
71%
2025
6.78%
2022

Economic freedom indices

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

Malaysia Syria
Economic freedom 68 51.2
Economic freedom ranking 51/197 155/197
Property rights 62.7 4
Government integrity 52.9 3.6
Judicial effectiveness 63.4 3.7
Tax burden 83.5 87.3
Government spending 82 78.5
Fiscal health 62.5 13.8
Business freedom 79.6 33.8
Labor freedom 55.4 37.2
Monetary freedom 80.8 80
Trade freedom 83 47
Investment freedom 60 0
Financial freedom 50 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Malaysia
Syria
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Malaysia Syria
2026 68 -
2025 67.1 -
2024 65.7 -
2023 67.3 -
2022 68.1 -
2021 74.4 -
2020 74.7 -
2019 74 -
2018 74.5 -
2017 73.8 -
2016 71.5 -
2015 70.8 -
2014 69.6 -
2013 66.1 -
2012 66.4 51.2
2011 66.3 51.3
2010 64.8 49.4
2009 64.6 51.3
2008 63.9 47.2
2007 63.8 48.3
2006 61.6 51.2
2005 61.9 46.3
2004 59.9 40.6
2003 61.1 41.3
2002 60.1 36.3
2001 60.2 36.6
2000 66 37.2
1999 68.9 39
1998 68.2 42.2
1997 66.8 43
1996 69.9 42.3
1995 71.9 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Malaysia is 68, ranking 51/197, compared to 51.2 for Syria, ranking 155/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Malaysia Syria
Services, % of GDP
54.8%
2025
44.7%
2022
Industry, % of GDP
35.7%
2025
11.9%
2022
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
8.22%
2025
42.9%
2022
GNI, Atlas method
$445B
2025
$18.2B
2023
GNI per capita, PPP
$40,070
2025
$4,480
2023
Total reserves including gold
$126B
2025
$20.6B
2010
Total reserves ranking
25/177
2025
66/177
2010
Net foreign direct investment
-$2.55B
2024
-$1.47B
2010
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$15.6B
2024
$0
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$13B
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
0.15%
2023
Poverty at national poverty lines
5.1%
2023
35.2%
2007
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
20.5%
2025
16%
1969

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/syria | CC BY

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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 (2010–2025, 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.

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.