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Economy of Malaysia vs Tunisia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Malaysia has a GDP of $422B compared to $51.3B for Tunisia, ranking 38/197 and 93/197 by economy size, respectively.

Malaysia has $296B in government debt (70.1% of GDP), compared to $42.8B (83.4% of GDP) in Tunisia.

Malaysia vs Tunisia GDP by year

Malaysia
Tunisia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Malaysia Tunisia
2024 $422,227,005,429 $51,332,285,657
2023 $399,949,418,753 $48,205,328,303
2022 $407,830,525,990 $44,929,920,093
2021 $373,784,553,030 $47,073,234,359
2020 $337,456,163,961 $42,491,780,918
2019 $365,177,721,022 $41,905,642,419
2018 $358,788,845,713 $42,686,504,460
2017 $319,109,094,160 $42,163,530,591
2016 $301,256,033,870 $44,360,072,680
2015 $301,355,266,965 $45,779,494,042
2014 $338,066,095,097 $50,271,812,921
2013 $323,276,235,524 $48,685,446,414
2012 $314,443,047,642 $47,311,401,813
2011 $297,951,668,675 $48,123,325,825
2010 $255,017,638,456 $46,206,091,938
2009 $202,257,453,037 $43,455,740,497
2008 $230,811,614,370 $44,859,439,902
2007 $193,549,569,478 $38,915,353,867
2006 $162,692,258,307 $34,376,664,601
2005 $143,534,405,819 $32,272,186,695
2004 $124,749,473,684 $31,183,885,241
2003 $110,202,368,421 $27,453,902,261
2002 $100,845,526,316 $23,141,616,605
2001 $92,783,947,368 $22,065,832,449
2000 $93,789,736,842 $21,473,528,161
1999 $79,148,421,053 $22,943,202,175
1998 $72,167,498,981 $21,802,893,587
1997 $100,005,323,302 $20,746,210,354
1996 $100,855,393,910 $19,587,161,807
1995 $88,705,342,903 $18,030,876,599
1994 $74,478,356,958 $15,633,174,304
1993 $66,894,966,969 $14,608,335,608
1992 $59,167,550,163 $15,496,708,060
1991 $49,143,148,094 $13,074,782,609
1990 $44,024,585,240 $12,290,568,182
1989 $38,847,965,293 $10,101,851,745
1988 $35,272,109,220 $10,096,245,762
1987 $32,181,210,158 $9,696,715,911
1986 $27,734,111,400 $9,017,806,654
1985 $31,199,633,353 $8,410,226,053
1984 $33,942,897,422 $8,254,541,195
1983 $30,347,442,111 $8,350,582,748
1982 $26,804,493,635 $8,133,580,052
1981 $25,004,285,792 $8,428,445,294
1980 $24,488,224,677 $8,744,134,354
1979 $21,213,264,962 $7,188,863,904
1978 $16,358,079,862 $5,968,460,080
1977 $13,139,488,633 $5,109,324,009
1976 $11,050,234,599 $4,508,191,942
1975 $9,298,800,799 $4,328,965,588
1974 $9,496,204,302 $3,545,868,575
1973 $7,662,902,678 $2,730,813,385
1972 $5,043,347,250 $2,237,556,149
1971 $4,244,395,956 $1,685,162,272
1970 $3,864,145,667 $1,439,238,095
1969 $3,664,552,041 $1,289,904,762
1968 $3,330,371,551 $1,214,666,667
1967 $3,188,924,677 $1,085,714,286
1966 $3,143,517,944 $1,040,952,381
1965 $2,956,337,669 $991,047,619
1964 $2,674,423,922 $1,025,866,792
1963 $2,510,110,348 $1,026,737,600
1962 $2,001,489,602 $880,027,733
1961 $1,901,856,123 $866,155,429
1960 $1,916,229,477 -

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

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

GDP per capita in Malaysia vs Tunisia by year

Malaysia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Tunisia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Malaysia Tunisia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $11,874 $38,779 $4,181 $14,521
2023 $11,386 $36,467 $3,951 $14,041
2022 $11,755 $34,420 $3,707 $13,619
2021 $10,903 $29,823 $3,907 $12,444
2020 $9,958 $27,475 $3,549 $11,918
2019 $10,920 $28,934 $3,529 $12,495
2018 $10,902 $27,794 $3,628 $11,841
2017 $9,863 $26,416 $3,619 $11,289
2016 $9,477 $25,286 $3,848 $10,994
2015 $9,649 $24,526 $4,015 $10,783
2014 $11,013 $24,307 $4,459 $10,947
2013 $10,714 $23,161 $4,370 $10,672
2012 $10,601 $22,639 $4,297 $10,615
2011 $10,217 $21,324 $4,421 $10,436
2010 $8,899 $20,193 $4,292 $10,555
2009 $7,191 $18,923 $4,080 $10,237
2008 $8,372 $19,480 $4,255 $9,975
2007 $7,169 $18,617 $3,727 $9,479
2006 $6,158 $17,426 $3,323 $8,729
2005 $5,556 $16,371 $3,147 $8,117
2004 $4,939 $15,416 $3,067 $7,672
2003 $4,465 $14,387 $2,726 $7,098
2002 $4,184 $13,656 $2,321 $6,715
2001 $3,944 $13,072 $2,236 $6,593
2000 $4,084 $13,027 $2,199 $6,279
1999 $3,528 $11,980 $2,376 $5,930
1998 $3,294 $11,398 $2,285 $5,579
1997 $4,679 $12,469 $2,202 $5,333
1996 $4,837 $11,709 $2,107 $5,040
1995 $4,363 $10,720 $1,968 $4,686
1994 $3,758 $9,806 $1,733 $4,555
1993 $3,462 $9,018 $1,649 $4,401
1992 $3,141 $8,224 $1,785 $4,292
1991 $2,679 $7,583 $1,538 $3,975
1990 $2,469 $6,887 $1,476 $3,780
1989 $2,244 - $1,239 -
1988 $2,100 - $1,266 -
1987 $1,977 - $1,245 -
1986 $1,760 - $1,187 -
1985 $2,046 - $1,135 -
1984 $2,300 - $1,143 -
1983 $2,124 - $1,184 -
1982 $1,938 - $1,177 -
1981 $1,866 - $1,247 -
1980 $1,886 - $1,324 -
1979 $1,680 - $1,113 -
1978 $1,327 - $946 -
1977 $1,092 - $830 -
1976 $940 - $752 -
1975 $811 - $741 -
1974 $848 - $624 -
1973 $701 - $493 -
1972 $472 - $415 -
1971 $407 - $320 -
1970 $380 - $280.5 -
1969 $368 - $257.7 -
1968 $342 - $248.9 -
1967 $335 - $228 -
1966 $339 - $223.8 -
1965 $326 - $217.3 -
1964 $303 - $228.5 -
1963 $291.8 - $231.9 -
1962 $238.8 - $201.4 -
1961 $232.9 - $200.7 -
1960 $240.8 - - -

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

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

Malaysia's GDP per capita is $11,874, ranking 79/197, compared to $4,181 in Tunisia, ranking 129/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Malaysia ranks 60th at $38,779, while Tunisia ranks 114th at $14,521.

Economic indicators

Malaysia Tunisia
Gross domestic product
$422B
2024
$51.3B
2024
GDP rank
38/197
2024
93/197
2024
GDP growth
5.11%
2023-2024
1.61%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$11,874
2024
$4,181
2024
GDP per capita rank
79/197
2024
129/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$38,779
2024
$14,521
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
60/197
2024
114/197
2024
Government debt
$296B
2024
$42.8B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
70.1%
2024
83.4%
2024
Government debt per person
$8,322
2024
$3,487
2024
Government debt per person rank
62/185
2024
94/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$11,005
2026
$3,951
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$449B
2024
$8.3B
2024
Number of billionaires
19
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
30.9%
2021
27%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
2.3%
2021
3.1%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
23.9%
2024
33.8%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.83%
2023-2024
7%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
2.75%
2025
7.5%
2025
Unemployment rate
3.93%
2022
15.1%
2023
Population
36512221
12437803

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Malaysia
Spending

Debt
Tunisia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Malaysia Tunisia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 23.9% 70.1% 33.8% 83.4%
2023 24.9% 69.7% 35.7% 84%
2022 24.6% 65.5% 36.5% 83%
2021 24.5% 69.2% 33.2% 79.7%
2020 25% 67.7% 34.5% 77.7%
2019 23.6% 57.1% 29.5% 67.3%
2018 22.8% 55.6% 28.7% 72.9%
2017 22% 54.4% 28.7% 67.1%
2016 22.9% 55.8% 27.2% 58.9%
2015 24.7% 57% 27.4% 52.4%
2014 26% 55.4% 27.7% 50.7%
2013 27.8% 55.7% 30.8% 45.6%
2012 28.5% 53.8% 28.3% 49%
2011 27.1% 51.9% 27.9% 43.3%
2010 26.6% 51.2% 24% 38.8%
2009 30.9% 50.4% 24.6% 40.3%
2008 26.9% 39.4% 23.7% 41.4%
2007 25.9% 39.3% 23.3% 42.7%
2006 25.6% 39.7% 22.9% 45.7%
2005 24.5% 40.8% 23% 50%
2004 25.9% 42% 23% 51.6%
2003 28.1% 41.4% 23.5% 52.6%
2002 27.1% 39.5% 24.1% 51.6%
2001 28.2% 38.1% 24% 52.2%
2000 25.6% 32.5% 24% 62.9%
1999 24.6% 34.4% 24% 61.9%
1998 23.1% 33.6% 24.2% 58.2%
1997 21.2% 29.6% 24.5% 66.6%
1996 22.4% 32.8% 26.7% 66.8%
1995 22.6% 38.2% 26.6% 65.6%
1994 23.3% 43.7% 25.9% 63.9%
1993 24.6% 51.1% 26.7% 63.8%
1992 28.2% 59.1% 25.7% 62.1%
1991 27.4% 67.3% 27.6% 63.3%
1990 30.5% 74.1% - -

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

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

In 2024, Malaysia's government spending was $101B, accounting for 23.9% of its GDP, while Tunisia spent $17.4B, or 33.8% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 70.1% in Malaysia and 83.4% in Tunisia, ranking 58/185 and 40/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Malaysia

Tunisia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Malaysia Tunisia
2024 -3.95% -5.92%
2023 -3.97% -7.03%
2022 -4.56% -6.91%
2021 -6.03% -7.6%
2020 -4.9% -9.06%
2019 -2.01% -3.6%
2018 -2.64% -4.27%
2017 -2.41% -5.61%
2016 -2.6% -5.87%
2015 -2.55% -4.95%
2014 -2.63% -3.11%
2013 -3.48% -7.05%
2012 -3.1% -4.9%
2011 -3.57% -3.19%
2010 -4.32% -0.46%
2009 -5.88% -2.59%
2008 -3.4% -0.62%
2007 -2.57% -2.47%
2006 -2.6% -2.33%
2005 -2.83% -2.59%
2004 -3.35% -2.1%
2003 -4.6% -2.64%
2002 -3.96% -2.55%
2001 -4.36% -2.87%
2000 -6.05% -3.22%
1999 -3% -3.05%
1998 -0.63% -2.84%
1997 4.84% -3.7%
1996 3.27% -5.18%
1995 3.1% -4.53%
1994 5.45% -2.87%
1993 3.44% -3.22%
1992 1.81% -3.45%
1991 1.6% -5.25%
1990 0.15% -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/malaysia/tunisia | 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 Tunisia's deficit of $3.04B, or 5.92% of GDP.

Over the past 34 years, Malaysia recorded a fiscal deficit in 27 of those years, while Tunisia ran a deficit in 34 years. On average, Malaysia posted an annual deficit equal to 2.13% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.05% of GDP for Tunisia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Malaysia

Tunisia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Malaysia Tunisia
2024 1.83% 7%
2023 2.49% 9.3%
2022 3.38% 8.3%
2021 2.48% 5.7%
2020 -1.14% 5.6%
2019 0.66% 6.7%
2018 0.88% 7.3%
2017 3.87% 5.3%
2016 2.09% 3.6%
2015 2.1% 4.4%
2014 3.14% 4.6%
2013 2.11% 5.3%
2012 1.66% 4.6%
2011 3.17% 3.2%
2010 1.62% 4.4%
2009 0.58% 3.5%
2008 5.44% 4.9%
2007 2.03% 3.4%
2006 3.61% 4.1%
2005 2.98% 2%
2004 1.42% 3.7%
2003 1.09% 2.7%
2002 1.81% 2.7%
2001 1.42% 1.9%
2000 1.53% 2.8%
1999 2.74% 2.8%
1998 5.27% 3.1%
1997 2.66% 3.6%

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/tunisia | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Malaysia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.25%, compared with 4.52% in Tunisia. In 2024, inflation was 1.83% in Malaysia and 7% in Tunisia.

Top exports between countries

Malaysia
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $95.5M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $25.6M
Chemicals & pharma $4.81M
Raw materials & minerals $2.87M
Metals $744K
Textiles & consumer goods $723K
Animal & marine products $161K
Raw agricultural goods $70K
Wood & paper products $4K
Tunisia
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $9.46M
Raw materials & minerals $3.65M
Machinery & equipment $2.06M
Chemicals & pharma $1.31M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1.12M
Metals $930K
Textiles & consumer goods $484K
Animal & marine products $79K
Precious metals & jewellery $15K
Wood & paper products $10K

Balance of trade

Malaysia Tunisia
Current account balance
$7.15B
2024
-$775M
2024
Current account balance ranking
26/190
2024
117/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+1.69%
2024
-1.51%
2024
Goods imports
$223B
2024
$18.7B
2024
Goods exports
$248B
2024
$8.95B
2024
Service imports
$56.4B
2024
$3.92B
2024
Service exports
$53.4B
2024
$11.2B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
66%
2024
56.3%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
71.3%
2024
50%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Malaysia Tunisia
Economic freedom 68 48.1
Economic freedom ranking 51/197 172/197
Property rights 62.7 55.7
Government integrity 52.9 42.1
Judicial effectiveness 63.4 39.7
Tax burden 83.5 68.5
Government spending 82 62.5
Fiscal health 62.5 16
Business freedom 79.6 59.4
Labor freedom 55.4 55.8
Monetary freedom 80.8 72.4
Trade freedom 83 54.6
Investment freedom 60 20
Financial freedom 50 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Malaysia
Tunisia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Malaysia Tunisia
2026 68 48.1
2025 67.1 49.1
2024 65.7 48.8
2023 67.3 52.9
2022 68.1 54.2
2021 74.4 56.6
2020 74.7 55.8
2019 74 55.4
2018 74.5 58.9
2017 73.8 55.7
2016 71.5 57.6
2015 70.8 57.7
2014 69.6 57.3
2013 66.1 57
2012 66.4 58.6
2011 66.3 58.5
2010 64.8 58.9
2009 64.6 58
2008 63.9 60.1
2007 63.8 60.3
2006 61.6 57.5
2005 61.9 55.4
2004 59.9 58.4
2003 61.1 58.1
2002 60.1 60.2
2001 60.2 60.8
2000 66 61.3
1999 68.9 61.1
1998 68.2 63.9
1997 66.8 63.8
1996 69.9 63.9
1995 71.9 63.4

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Malaysia is 68, ranking 51/197, compared to 48.1 for Tunisia, ranking 172/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Malaysia Tunisia
Services, % of GDP
53.7%
2024
62.6%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
37%
2024
22.6%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
8.13%
2024
9.74%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$414B
2024
$47.7B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$37,450
2024
$14,230
2024
Total reserves including gold
$116B
2024
$9.34B
2024
Total reserves ranking
24/177
2024
80/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$2.55B
2024
-$725M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$15.6B
2024
$760M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$13B
2024
$34.6M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
10.9%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
5.8%
2023
16.6%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
22%
2024
7.86%
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/tunisia | 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.