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Economy of Malaysia vs Uruguay compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Malaysia has a GDP of $422B compared to $81B for Uruguay, ranking 38/197 and 81/197 by economy size, respectively.

Malaysia has $296B in government debt (70.1% of GDP), compared to $55.6B (68.7% of GDP) in Uruguay.

Malaysia vs Uruguay GDP by year

Malaysia
Uruguay
1x
Year GDP, current $
Malaysia Uruguay
2024 $422,227,005,429 $80,961,511,074
2023 $399,949,418,753 $77,991,666,838
2022 $407,830,525,990 $70,594,110,920
2021 $373,784,553,030 $60,739,084,241
2020 $337,456,163,961 $53,559,359,262
2019 $365,177,721,022 $62,222,313,619
2018 $358,788,845,713 $65,344,577,416
2017 $319,109,094,160 $65,005,997,963
2016 $301,256,033,870 $57,480,787,465
2015 $301,355,266,965 $57,680,327,999
2014 $338,066,095,097 $61,496,186,974
2013 $323,276,235,524 $61,337,621,934
2012 $314,443,047,642 $54,232,266,359
2011 $297,951,668,675 $50,342,406,067
2010 $255,017,638,456 $41,950,361,212
2009 $202,257,453,037 $32,708,319,078
2008 $230,811,614,370 $31,119,602,539
2007 $193,549,569,478 $23,797,773,024
2006 $162,692,258,307 $19,741,420,740
2005 $143,534,405,819 $17,362,857,684
2004 $124,749,473,684 $13,686,329,890
2003 $110,202,368,421 $12,045,638,352
2002 $100,845,526,316 $13,606,515,723
2001 $92,783,947,368 $20,898,761,742
2000 $93,789,736,842 $22,823,270,892
1999 $79,148,421,053 $23,983,945,191
1998 $72,167,498,981 $25,385,886,978
1997 $100,005,323,302 $23,969,739,234
1996 $100,855,393,910 $20,515,458,114
1995 $88,705,342,903 $19,297,663,097
1994 $74,478,356,958 $17,474,588,896
1993 $66,894,966,969 $15,002,136,971
1992 $59,167,550,163 $12,878,148,791
1991 $49,143,148,094 $11,206,176,651
1990 $44,024,585,240 $9,298,807,850
1989 $38,847,965,293 $8,438,951,476
1988 $35,272,109,220 $8,213,538,369
1987 $32,181,210,158 $7,367,494,080
1986 $27,734,111,400 $5,880,112,788
1985 $31,199,633,353 $4,732,017,873
1984 $33,942,897,422 $4,850,238,550
1983 $30,347,442,111 $5,102,276,308
1982 $26,804,493,635 $9,178,780,077
1981 $25,004,285,792 $11,048,301,421
1980 $24,488,224,677 $10,163,020,116
1979 $21,213,264,962 $7,181,182,224
1978 $16,358,079,862 $4,910,254,566
1977 $13,139,488,633 $4,114,670,014
1976 $11,050,234,599 $3,667,161,241
1975 $9,298,800,799 $3,538,278,047
1974 $9,496,204,302 $4,090,209,682
1973 $7,662,902,678 $3,964,296,443
1972 $5,043,347,250 $2,189,418,689
1971 $4,244,395,956 $2,807,258,065
1970 $3,864,145,667 $2,137,096,774
1969 $3,664,552,041 $2,004,435,484
1968 $3,330,371,551 $1,593,674,185
1967 $3,188,924,677 $1,597,713,469
1966 $3,143,517,944 $1,809,185,094
1965 $2,956,337,669 $1,890,767,156
1964 $2,674,423,922 $1,975,701,816
1963 $2,510,110,348 $1,539,681,491
1962 $2,001,489,602 $1,710,004,407
1961 $1,901,856,123 $1,547,388,781
1960 $1,916,229,477 $1,242,289,239

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

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

GDP per capita in Malaysia vs Uruguay by year

Malaysia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Uruguay
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Malaysia Uruguay
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $11,874 $38,779 $23,907 $36,418
2023 $11,386 $36,467 $23,019 $34,471
2022 $11,755 $34,420 $20,819 $33,001
2021 $10,903 $29,823 $17,882 $29,432
2020 $9,958 $27,475 $15,758 $25,725
2019 $10,920 $28,934 $18,316 $25,783
2018 $10,902 $27,794 $19,250 $24,386
2017 $9,863 $26,416 $19,185 $23,607
2016 $9,477 $25,286 $17,010 $22,841
2015 $9,649 $24,526 $17,126 $22,169
2014 $11,013 $24,307 $18,322 $21,868
2013 $10,714 $23,161 $18,335 $20,661
2012 $10,601 $22,639 $16,260 $19,495
2011 $10,217 $21,324 $15,132 $19,135
2010 $8,899 $20,193 $12,641 $17,873
2009 $7,191 $18,923 $9,881 $16,422
2008 $8,372 $19,480 $9,424 $15,694
2007 $7,169 $18,617 $7,222 $14,397
2006 $6,158 $17,426 $6,001 $13,179
2005 $5,556 $16,371 $5,284 $12,296
2004 $4,939 $15,416 $4,169 $11,103
2003 $4,465 $14,387 $3,671 $10,303
2002 $4,184 $13,656 $4,150 $10,030
2001 $3,944 $13,072 $6,383 $10,719
2000 $4,084 $13,027 $6,988 $10,929
1999 $3,528 $11,980 $7,371 $10,938
1998 $3,294 $11,398 $7,837 $11,002
1997 $4,679 $12,469 $7,436 $10,461
1996 $4,837 $11,709 $6,398 $9,524
1995 $4,363 $10,720 $6,050 $8,906
1994 $3,758 $9,806 $5,508 $8,897
1993 $3,462 $9,018 $4,753 $8,162
1992 $3,141 $8,224 $4,102 $7,808
1991 $2,679 $7,583 $3,589 $7,112
1990 $2,469 $6,887 $2,995 $6,683
1989 $2,244 - $2,734 -
1988 $2,100 - $2,677 -
1987 $1,977 - $2,416 -
1986 $1,760 - $1,939 -
1985 $2,046 - $1,568 -
1984 $2,300 - $1,615 -
1983 $2,124 - $1,707 -
1982 $1,938 - $3,085 -
1981 $1,866 - $3,728 -
1980 $1,886 - $3,443 -
1979 $1,680 - $2,443 -
1978 $1,327 - $1,678 -
1977 $1,092 - $1,414 -
1976 $940 - $1,268 -
1975 $811 - $1,232 -
1974 $848 - $1,433 -
1973 $701 - $1,397 -
1972 $472 - $776 -
1971 $407 - $1,000 -
1970 $380 - $766 -
1969 $368 - $723 -
1968 $342 - $579 -
1967 $335 - $585 -
1966 $339 - $668 -
1965 $326 - $705 -
1964 $303 - $745 -
1963 $291.8 - $587 -
1962 $238.8 - $659 -
1961 $232.9 - $604 -
1960 $240.8 - $491 -

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

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

Malaysia's GDP per capita is $11,874, ranking 79/197, compared to $23,907 in Uruguay, ranking 52/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Malaysia ranks 60th at $38,779, while Uruguay ranks 61st at $36,418.

Economic indicators

Malaysia Uruguay
Gross domestic product
$422B
2024
$81B
2024
GDP rank
38/197
2024
81/197
2024
GDP growth
5.11%
2023-2024
3.11%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$11,874
2024
$23,907
2024
GDP per capita rank
79/197
2024
52/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$38,779
2024
$36,418
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
60/197
2024
61/197
2024
Government debt
$296B
2024
$55.6B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
70.1%
2024
68.7%
2024
Government debt per person
$8,322
2024
$16,421
2024
Government debt per person rank
62/185
2024
38/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$11,005
2026
$12,433
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$449B
2024
$284M
1996
Number of billionaires
19
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
30.9%
2021
30%
2024
Income share by poorest 10%
2.3%
2021
2.2%
2024
Government expenditure, % of GDP
23.9%
2024
31.1%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.83%
2023-2024
4.85%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
2.75%
2025
8.25%
2025
Unemployment rate
3.93%
2022
8.21%
2024
Population
36512221
3382789

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Malaysia
Spending

Debt
Uruguay
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Malaysia Uruguay
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 23.9% 70.1% 31.1% 68.7%
2023 24.9% 69.7% 30.5% 64%
2022 24.6% 65.5% 30% 59.9%
2021 24.5% 69.2% 30.2% 64.1%
2020 25% 67.7% 32.8% 68.2%
2019 23.6% 57.1% 30.6% 59.6%
2018 22.8% 55.6% 30.3% 57.9%
2017 22% 54.4% 29.7% 55.8%
2016 22.9% 55.8% 29.7% 56.4%
2015 24.7% 57% 28.4% 57.8%
2014 26% 55.4% 29.1% 51.1%
2013 27.8% 55.7% 28.8% 50%
2012 28.5% 53.8% 27.7% 49.8%
2011 27.1% 51.9% 26.3% 41.3%
2010 26.6% 51.2% 27.4% 40.9%
2009 30.9% 50.4% 27.2% 46.2%
2008 26.9% 39.4% 26.3% 46.2%
2007 25.9% 39.3% 26.8% 52.8%
2006 25.6% 39.7% 26.8% 61.1%
2005 24.5% 40.8% 26.3% 66.2%
2004 25.9% 42% 26.6% 73.7%
2003 28.1% 41.4% 27.7% 91.9%
2002 27.1% 39.5% 27.6% 90.1%
2001 28.2% 38.1% 27.8% 39.4%
2000 25.6% 32.5% 26.6% 30.5%
1999 24.6% 34.4% 27.2% 24.1%
1998 23.1% 33.6% 27.3% 19.4%
1997 21.2% 29.6% 27.6% 18.8%
1996 22.4% 32.8% 26.5% 18.3%
1995 22.6% 38.2% 26.2% 18.5%
1994 23.3% 43.7% 29.5% 19.3%
1993 24.6% 51.1% 27.7% 20%
1992 28.2% 59.1% 23.6% 22.2%
1991 27.4% 67.3% 22.2% 20.4%
1990 30.5% 74.1% 21.1% 26.2%
1989 - - 37% -
1988 - - 26% 34.8%
1987 - - 24.4% 37.3%
1986 - - 25.1% 34.6%
1985 - - 24.6% 29%
1984 - - 25.6% 39.5%
1983 - - 26.5% 21.2%
1982 - - 29.5% 13.5%
1981 - - 25% 4.32%
1980 - - 21.8% 4.59%
1979 - - 20.2% 3.98%
1978 - - 22.9% 5.64%
1977 - - 23.5% 7.26%
1976 - - 24.2% 8.67%
1975 - - 23% 8.13%
1974 - - 23.8% 7.61%
1973 - - 22.6% 7%
1972 - - 24.6% 9.12%
1971 - - 20.1% 9.3%
1970 - - 15.1% 6.11%
1969 - - 14.6% -
1968 - - 14.1% -
1967 - - 14.7% -
1966 - - 14.1% -
1965 - - 15.6% -
1964 - - 14.3% -
1963 - - 14.6% -
1962 - - 16% -
1961 - - 13% -
1960 - - 9.9% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1998, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Malaysia's government spending was $101B, accounting for 23.9% of its GDP, while Uruguay spent $25.2B, or 31.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 70.1% in Malaysia and 68.7% in Uruguay, ranking 58/185 and 59/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Malaysia

Uruguay
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Malaysia Uruguay
2024 -3.95% -3.22%
2023 -3.97% -3.13%
2022 -4.56% -2.52%
2021 -6.03% -2.61%
2020 -4.9% -4.64%
2019 -2.01% -2.71%
2018 -2.64% -1.89%
2017 -2.41% -2.51%
2016 -2.6% -2.68%
2015 -2.55% -1.86%
2014 -2.63% -2.6%
2013 -3.48% -1.72%
2012 -3.1% -2.17%
2011 -3.57% -0.33%
2010 -4.32% -0.39%
2009 -5.88% -1.39%
2008 -3.4% -1.31%
2007 -2.57% -0.16%
2006 -2.6% -0.64%
2005 -2.83% -0.28%
2004 -3.35% -0.87%
2003 -4.6% -2.19%
2002 -3.96% -3.19%
2001 -4.36% -2.85%
2000 -6.05% -2.76%
1999 -3% -2.76%
1998 -0.63% -0.76%
1997 4.84% -0.97%
1996 3.27% -1.32%
1995 3.1% -1.08%
1994 5.45% -2.37%
1993 3.44% -0.47%
1992 1.81% 0.6%
1991 1.6% 0.88%
1990 0.15% 0.49%
1989 - -13.1%
1988 - -1.47%
1987 - -0.66%
1986 - -0.34%
1985 - -1.88%
1984 - -4.94%
1983 - -3.54%
1982 - -8.22%
1981 - -1.15%
1980 - 0.43%
1979 - 0.99%
1978 - -0.47%
1977 - -0.69%
1976 - -2.01%
1975 - -4.38%
1974 - -3.74%
1973 - -1.09%
1972 - -2.25%
1971 - -5.86%
1970 - -1.33%
1969 - -2.37%
1968 - -2.93%
1967 - -4.12%
1966 - -2.01%
1965 - -5.14%
1964 - -3.61%
1963 - -4.4%
1962 - -5.02%
1961 - -0.86%
1960 - 0.79%
1959 - 0.64%
1958 - -1.38%
1957 - -0.72%
1956 - 0.04%
1955 - -1.24%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1955–1998, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/malaysia/uruguay | 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 Uruguay's deficit of $2.6B, or 3.22% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Malaysia recorded a fiscal deficit in 27 of those years, while Uruguay ran a deficit in 32 years. On average, Malaysia posted an annual deficit equal to 2.07% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.67% of GDP for Uruguay.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Malaysia

Uruguay
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Malaysia Uruguay
2024 1.83% 4.85%
2023 2.49% 5.87%
2022 3.38% 9.1%
2021 2.48% 7.75%
2020 -1.14% 9.76%
2019 0.66% 7.88%
2018 0.88% 7.61%
2017 3.87% 6.22%
2016 2.09% 9.64%
2015 2.1% 8.67%
2014 3.14% 8.88%
2013 2.11% 8.58%
2012 1.66% 8.1%
2011 3.17% 8.09%
2010 1.62% 6.7%
2009 0.58% 7.06%
2008 5.44% 7.88%
2007 2.03% 8.11%
2006 3.61% 6.4%
2005 2.98% 4.7%
2004 1.42% 9.16%
2003 1.09% 19.4%
2002 1.81% 14%
2001 1.42% 4.36%
2000 1.53% 4.76%
1999 2.74% 5.66%
1998 5.27% 10.8%
1997 2.66% 19.8%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Malaysia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.25%, compared with 8.56% in Uruguay. In 2024, inflation was 1.83% in Malaysia and 4.85% in Uruguay.

Top exports between countries

Malaysia
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $22M
Machinery & equipment $8.86M
Textiles & consumer goods $6.18M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $3.53M
Chemicals & pharma $1.18M
Precious metals & jewellery $1.01M
Wood & paper products $193K
Metals $151K
Miscellaneous $139K
Animal & marine products $115K
Uruguay
Export category Export value
Wood & paper products $10.2M
Raw agricultural goods $8.7M
Animal & marine products $2.31M
Metals $808K
Machinery & equipment $750K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $392K
Raw materials & minerals $202K
Textiles & consumer goods $106K
Chemicals & pharma $81K
Precious metals & jewellery $19K

Balance of trade

Malaysia Uruguay
Current account balance
$7.15B
2024
-$633M
2024
Current account balance ranking
26/190
2024
111/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+1.69%
2024
-0.78%
2024
Goods imports
$223B
2024
$13B
2024
Goods exports
$248B
2024
$16.3B
2024
Service imports
$56.4B
2024
$6.22B
2024
Service exports
$53.4B
2024
$7.1B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
66%
2024
23.7%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
71.3%
2024
28.8%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Malaysia Uruguay
Economic freedom 68 69.8
Economic freedom ranking 51/197 39/197
Property rights 62.7 87.4
Government integrity 52.9 79
Judicial effectiveness 63.4 80.9
Tax burden 83.5 73.3
Government spending 82 72
Fiscal health 62.5 76.6
Business freedom 79.6 83.8
Labor freedom 55.4 61.7
Monetary freedom 80.8 70.2
Trade freedom 83 73.2
Investment freedom 60 50
Financial freedom 50 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Malaysia
Uruguay
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Malaysia Uruguay
2026 68 69.8
2025 67.1 70.2
2024 65.7 69.8
2023 67.3 70.2
2022 68.1 70
2021 74.4 69.3
2020 74.7 69.1
2019 74 68.6
2018 74.5 69.2
2017 73.8 69.7
2016 71.5 68.8
2015 70.8 68.6
2014 69.6 69.3
2013 66.1 69.7
2012 66.4 69.9
2011 66.3 70
2010 64.8 69.8
2009 64.6 69.1
2008 63.9 67.9
2007 63.8 68.4
2006 61.6 65.3
2005 61.9 66.9
2004 59.9 66.7
2003 61.1 69.8
2002 60.1 68.7
2001 60.2 70.7
2000 66 69.3
1999 68.9 68.5
1998 68.2 68.6
1997 66.8 67.5
1996 69.9 63.7
1995 71.9 62.5

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Malaysia is 68, ranking 51/197, compared to 69.8 for Uruguay, ranking 39/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Malaysia Uruguay
Services, % of GDP
53.7%
2024
65.3%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
37%
2024
16.8%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
8.13%
2024
6.42%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$414B
2024
$73.3B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$37,450
2024
$34,170
2024
Total reserves including gold
$116B
2024
$17.4B
2024
Total reserves ranking
24/177
2024
66/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$2.55B
2024
$2.58B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$15.6B
2024
-$3.94B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$13B
2024
-$1.37B
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
5.8%
2023
17.3%
2024
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
22%
2024
15.6%
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/uruguay | 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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1955–1998, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2020–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  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.

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.