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Economy of Malaysia vs Tanzania compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Malaysia has a GDP of $422B compared to $78.8B for Tanzania, ranking 38/197 and 82/197 by economy size, respectively.

Malaysia has $296B in government debt (70.1% of GDP), compared to $39.3B (49.9% of GDP) in Tanzania.

Malaysia vs Tanzania GDP by year

Malaysia
Tanzania
1x
Year GDP, current $
Malaysia Tanzania
2024 $422,227,005,429 $78,844,405,385
2023 $399,949,418,753 $79,030,935,627
2022 $407,830,525,990 $75,749,121,843
2021 $373,784,553,030 $70,655,628,148
2020 $337,456,163,961 $66,068,737,786
2019 $365,177,721,022 $61,026,731,926
2018 $358,788,845,713 $57,003,712,892
2017 $319,109,094,160 $53,274,884,533
2016 $301,256,033,870 $49,774,409,374
2015 $301,355,266,965 $47,413,919,817
2014 $338,066,095,097 $49,986,726,461
2013 $323,276,235,524 $45,648,857,242
2012 $314,443,047,642 $39,650,394,363
2011 $297,951,668,675 $34,657,140,096
2010 $255,017,638,456 $32,012,892,919
2009 $202,257,453,037 $29,400,573,554
2008 $230,811,614,370 $27,947,821,398
2007 $193,549,569,478 $21,860,434,823
2006 $162,692,258,307 $18,619,859,795
2005 $143,534,405,819 $18,395,383,647
2004 $124,749,473,684 $16,673,062,473
2003 $110,202,368,421 $15,211,487,709
2002 $100,845,526,316 $14,129,651,896
2001 $92,783,947,368 $13,563,990,022
2000 $93,789,736,842 $13,371,767,082
1999 $79,148,421,053 $12,704,334,196
1998 $72,167,498,981 $12,172,790,056
1997 $100,005,323,302 $11,158,197,942
1996 $100,855,393,910 $9,433,528,150
1995 $88,705,342,903 $7,631,431,840
1994 $74,478,356,958 $6,550,480,484
1993 $66,894,966,969 $6,182,872,708
1992 $59,167,550,163 $6,681,997,469
1991 $49,143,148,094 $7,197,768,159
1990 $44,024,585,240 $6,184,384,225
1989 $38,847,965,293 $6,418,799,007
1988 $35,272,109,220 $7,406,614,407
1987 $32,181,210,158 $7,824,193,222
1986 $27,734,111,400 $10,840,864,521
1985 $31,199,633,353 $15,328,295,175
1984 $33,942,897,422 $12,906,635,133
1983 $30,347,442,111 $14,049,883,809
1982 $26,804,493,635 $13,927,383,240
1981 $25,004,285,792 $13,161,540,378
1980 $24,488,224,677 $11,409,228,087
1979 $21,213,264,962 $9,804,637,491
1978 $16,358,079,862 $9,261,675,710
1977 $13,139,488,633 $7,732,598,995
1976 $11,050,234,599 $6,472,511,988
1975 $9,298,800,799 $5,729,917,840
1974 $9,496,204,302 $4,977,337,978
1973 $7,662,902,678 $4,144,104,535
1972 $5,043,347,250 $3,472,787,266
1971 $4,244,395,956 $3,050,673,517
1970 $3,864,145,667 $2,851,419,386
1969 $3,664,552,041 $5,142,066,811
1968 $3,330,371,551 $4,895,251,824
1967 $3,188,924,677 $4,565,132,048
1966 $3,143,517,944 $4,377,998,825
1965 $2,956,337,669 $3,817,226,546
1964 $2,674,423,922 $3,748,840,925
1963 $2,510,110,348 $3,456,579,293
1962 $2,001,489,602 $3,101,589,993
1961 $1,901,856,123 $2,826,179,031
1960 $1,916,229,477 $2,651,729,807

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

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

GDP per capita in Malaysia vs Tanzania by year

Malaysia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Tanzania
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Malaysia Tanzania
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $11,874 $38,779 $1,150 $4,221
2023 $11,386 $36,467 $1,186 $4,019
2022 $11,755 $34,420 $1,171 $3,800
2021 $10,903 $29,823 $1,125 $3,493
2020 $9,958 $27,475 $1,084 $3,291
2019 $10,920 $28,934 $1,031 $2,982
2018 $10,902 $27,794 $992 $2,728
2017 $9,863 $26,416 $957 $2,472
2016 $9,477 $25,286 $925 $2,435
2015 $9,649 $24,526 $911 $2,317
2014 $11,013 $24,307 $993 $2,221
2013 $10,714 $23,161 $935 $2,176
2012 $10,601 $22,639 $837 $2,083
2011 $10,217 $21,324 $753 $2,211
2010 $8,899 $20,193 $715 $2,069
2009 $7,191 $18,923 $674 $1,972
2008 $8,372 $19,480 $657 $1,908
2007 $7,169 $18,617 $528 $1,820
2006 $6,158 $17,426 $462 $1,707
2005 $5,556 $16,371 $469 $1,598
2004 $4,939 $15,416 $438 $1,482
2003 $4,465 $14,387 $410 $1,379
2002 $4,184 $13,656 $391 $1,302
2001 $3,944 $13,072 $385 $1,229
2000 $4,084 $13,027 $390 $1,164
1999 $3,528 $11,980 $382 $1,120
1998 $3,294 $11,398 $375 $1,082
1997 $4,679 $12,469 $353 $1,059
1996 $4,837 $11,709 $305 $1,026
1995 $4,363 $10,720 $251.2 $981
1994 $3,758 $9,806 $222.5 $958
1993 $3,462 $9,018 $218.2 $959
1992 $3,141 $8,224 $243.4 $955
1991 $2,679 $7,583 $268.8 $952
1990 $2,469 $6,887 $236.9 $925
1989 $2,244 - $252.3 -
1988 $2,100 - $299 -
1987 $1,977 - $326 -
1986 $1,760 - $466 -
1985 $2,046 - $681 -
1984 $2,300 - $593 -
1983 $2,124 - $667 -
1982 $1,938 - $683 -
1981 $1,866 - $665 -
1980 $1,886 - $595 -
1979 $1,680 - $527 -
1978 $1,327 - $515 -
1977 $1,092 - $446 -
1976 $940 - $387 -
1975 $811 - $355 -
1974 $848 - $320 -
1973 $701 - $276.1 -
1972 $472 - $239.8 -
1971 $407 - $218.4 -
1970 $380 - $211.3 -
1969 $368 - $394 -
1968 $342 - $388 -
1967 $335 - $374 -
1966 $339 - $370 -
1965 $326 - $333 -
1964 $303 - $337 -
1963 $291.8 - $320 -
1962 $238.8 - $295.7 -
1961 $232.9 - $277.4 -
1960 $240.8 - $267.8 -

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

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

Malaysia's GDP per capita is $11,874, ranking 79/197, compared to $1,150 in Tanzania, ranking 170/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Malaysia ranks 60th at $38,779, while Tanzania ranks 165th at $4,221.

Economic indicators

Malaysia Tanzania
Gross domestic product
$422B
2024
$78.8B
2024
GDP rank
38/197
2024
82/197
2024
GDP growth
5.11%
2023-2024
5.53%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$11,874
2024
$1,150
2024
GDP per capita rank
79/197
2024
170/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$38,779
2024
$4,221
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
60/197
2024
165/197
2024
Government debt
$296B
2024
$39.3B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
70.1%
2024
49.9%
2024
Government debt per person
$8,322
2024
$573
2024
Government debt per person rank
62/185
2024
160/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$11,005
2026
$2,309
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$449B
2024
$7.32B
2024
Number of billionaires
19
2025
1
2025
Income share by richest 10%
30.9%
2021
33.1%
2018
Income share by poorest 10%
2.3%
2021
2.9%
2018
Government expenditure, % of GDP
23.9%
2024
19.1%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.83%
2023-2024
3.06%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
2.75%
2025
6%
2024
Unemployment rate
3.93%
2022
2.43%
2024
Population
36512221
73145892

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Malaysia
Spending

Debt
Tanzania
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Malaysia Tanzania
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 23.9% 70.1% 19.1% 49.9%
2023 24.9% 69.7% 19% 47.8%
2022 24.6% 65.5% 19.1% 44.9%
2021 24.5% 69.2% 18.4% 43.4%
2020 25% 67.7% 17.4% 41.3%
2019 23.6% 57.1% 17.3% 40.4%
2018 22.8% 55.6% 17.3% 42%
2017 22% 54.4% 16.4% 40.1%
2016 22.9% 55.8% 16.9% 39.8%
2015 24.7% 57% 17.2% 39.5%
2014 26% 55.4% 17.3% 36.4%
2013 27.8% 55.7% 18.8% 32.7%
2012 28.5% 53.8% 19.6% 30%
2011 27.1% 51.9% 19% 28.4%
2010 26.6% 51.2% 19.8% 27.6%
2009 30.9% 50.4% 19.6% 23.9%
2008 26.9% 39.4% 18.1% 21.6%
2007 25.9% 39.3% 17.8% 23.8%
2006 25.6% 39.7% 17.6% 17.4%
2005 24.5% 40.8% 18.3% 25.4%
2004 25.9% 42% 17% 44.5%
2003 28.1% 41.4% 15.4% 44.4%
2002 27.1% 39.5% 13.6% 47.4%
2001 28.2% 38.1% 12.4% 50.8%
2000 25.6% 32.5% 12.3% 55.4%
1999 24.6% 34.4% 12.8% 62.9%
1998 23.1% 33.6% 11.4% 62.2%
1997 21.2% 29.6% 12.8% 73.4%
1996 22.4% 32.8% 13.4% 89.6%
1995 22.6% 38.2% 15.6% 111.1%
1994 23.3% 43.7% 16.8% 126%
1993 24.6% 51.1% 16.4% 129.2%
1992 28.2% 59.1% 17.6% 117.6%
1991 27.4% 67.3% 14.2% 106.5%
1990 30.5% 74.1% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1991–2000, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Malaysia's government spending was $101B, accounting for 23.9% of its GDP, while Tanzania spent $15.1B, or 19.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 70.1% in Malaysia and 49.9% in Tanzania, ranking 58/185 and 109/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Malaysia

Tanzania
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Malaysia Tanzania
2024 -3.95% -3.03%
2023 -3.97% -3.67%
2022 -4.56% -3.92%
2021 -6.03% -3.55%
2020 -4.9% -2.56%
2019 -2.01% -2.06%
2018 -2.64% -2.01%
2017 -2.41% -1.14%
2016 -2.6% -2.08%
2015 -2.55% -3.17%
2014 -2.63% -2.91%
2013 -3.48% -3.76%
2012 -3.1% -4%
2011 -3.57% -3.51%
2010 -4.32% -4.74%
2009 -5.88% -4.46%
2008 -3.4% -1.92%
2007 -2.57% -1.44%
2006 -2.6% -3.38%
2005 -2.83% -3.28%
2004 -3.35% -2.43%
2003 -4.6% -1.77%
2002 -3.96% -0.73%
2001 -4.36% -0.41%
2000 -6.05% -0.73%
1999 -3% -1.14%
1998 -0.63% 0.13%
1997 4.84% -0.03%
1996 3.27% 1.57%
1995 3.1% -2.12%
1994 5.45% -3.74%
1993 3.44% -2.02%
1992 1.81% -4.96%
1991 1.6% 0.6%
1990 0.15% -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/malaysia/tanzania | 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 Tanzania's deficit of $2.39B, or 3.03% of GDP.

Over the past 34 years, Malaysia recorded a fiscal deficit in 27 of those years, while Tanzania ran a deficit in 31 years. On average, Malaysia posted an annual deficit equal to 2.13% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.3% of GDP for Tanzania.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Malaysia

Tanzania
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Malaysia Tanzania
2024 1.83% 3.06%
2023 2.49% 3.8%
2022 3.38% 4.35%
2021 2.48% 3.69%
2020 -1.14% 3.29%
2019 0.66% 3.46%
2018 0.88% 3.49%
2017 3.87% 5.32%
2016 2.09% 5.17%
2015 2.1% 5.59%
2014 3.14% 6.13%
2013 2.11% 7.87%
2012 1.66% 16%
2011 3.17% 12.7%
2010 1.62% 6.2%
2009 0.58% 12.1%
2008 5.44% 10.3%
2007 2.03% 7.03%
2006 3.61% 7.25%
2005 2.98% 5.03%
2004 1.42% 4.74%
2003 1.09% 5.3%
2002 1.81% 5.32%
2001 1.42% 5.15%
2000 1.53% 5.92%
1999 2.74% 7.89%
1998 5.27% 12.8%
1997 2.66% 16.1%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Malaysia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.25%, compared with 6.97% in Tanzania. In 2024, inflation was 1.83% in Malaysia and 3.06% in Tanzania.

Top exports between countries

Malaysia
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $263M
Chemicals & pharma $27.6M
Machinery & equipment $12.6M
Metals $7.62M
Textiles & consumer goods $6.51M
Raw materials & minerals $2.86M
Animal & marine products $1.55M
Wood & paper products $841K
Raw agricultural goods $250K
Miscellaneous $102K
Tanzania
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $38.6M
Raw agricultural goods $1.04M
Chemicals & pharma $368K
Animal & marine products $181K
Machinery & equipment $168K
Metals $133K
Textiles & consumer goods $98K
Precious metals & jewellery $3K

Balance of trade

Malaysia Tanzania
Current account balance
$7.15B
2024
-$2.38B
2024
Current account balance ranking
26/190
2024
147/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+1.69%
2024
-3.02%
2024
Goods imports
$223B
2024
$14.2B
2024
Goods exports
$248B
2024
$9.12B
2024
Service imports
$56.4B
2024
$2.8B
2024
Service exports
$53.4B
2024
$6.85B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
66%
2024
21.7%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
71.3%
2024
19.8%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Malaysia Tanzania
Economic freedom 68 59
Economic freedom ranking 51/197 106/197
Property rights 62.7 45.2
Government integrity 52.9 40.9
Judicial effectiveness 63.4 29.6
Tax burden 83.5 80.4
Government spending 82 89.1
Fiscal health 62.5 75
Business freedom 79.6 48.1
Labor freedom 55.4 62.3
Monetary freedom 80.8 73.4
Trade freedom 83 58.8
Investment freedom 60 55
Financial freedom 50 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Malaysia
Tanzania
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Malaysia Tanzania
2026 68 59
2025 67.1 59.3
2024 65.7 59.1
2023 67.3 60
2022 68.1 59.5
2021 74.4 61.3
2020 74.7 61.7
2019 74 60.2
2018 74.5 59.9
2017 73.8 58.6
2016 71.5 58.5
2015 70.8 57.5
2014 69.6 57.8
2013 66.1 57.9
2012 66.4 57
2011 66.3 57
2010 64.8 58.3
2009 64.6 58.3
2008 63.9 56.5
2007 63.8 56.8
2006 61.6 58.5
2005 61.9 56.3
2004 59.9 60.1
2003 61.1 56.9
2002 60.1 58.3
2001 60.2 54.9
2000 66 56
1999 68.9 60
1998 68.2 59.6
1997 66.8 59.3
1996 69.9 57.5
1995 71.9 57.3

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Malaysia is 68, ranking 51/197, compared to 59 for Tanzania, ranking 106/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Malaysia Tanzania
Services, % of GDP
53.7%
2024
29.6%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
37%
2024
28.6%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
8.13%
2024
23.3%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$414B
2024
$80.2B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$37,450
2024
$4,130
2024
Total reserves including gold
$116B
2024
$5.05B
2018
Total reserves ranking
24/177
2024
101/177
2018
Net foreign direct investment
-$2.55B
2024
-$1.72B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$15.6B
2024
$1.72B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$13B
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
2.57%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
5.8%
2023
26.4%
2018
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
22%
2024
39.8%
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/tanzania | 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 (2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1991–2000, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. 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.