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Economy of Malaysia vs Vanuatu compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Malaysia has a GDP of $422B compared to $1.12B for Vanuatu, ranking 38/197 and 188/197 by economy size, respectively.

Malaysia has $296B in government debt (70.1% of GDP), compared to $507M (45.3% of GDP) in Vanuatu.

Malaysia vs Vanuatu GDP by year

Malaysia
Vanuatu
1x
Year GDP, current $
Malaysia Vanuatu
2024 $422,227,005,429 $1,117,972,034
2023 $399,949,418,753 $1,115,861,056
2022 $407,830,525,990 $1,055,031,361
2021 $373,784,553,030 $950,394,007
2020 $337,456,163,961 $909,421,044
2019 $365,177,721,022 $936,526,268
2018 $358,788,845,713 $914,727,908
2017 $319,109,094,160 $880,043,284
2016 $301,256,033,870 $804,323,577
2015 $301,355,266,965 $759,690,181
2014 $338,066,095,097 $773,717,011
2013 $323,276,235,524 $758,304,466
2012 $314,443,047,642 $747,839,698
2011 $297,951,668,675 $770,153,588
2010 $255,017,638,456 $670,712,980
2009 $202,257,453,037 $592,622,319
2008 $230,811,614,370 $590,748,429
2007 $193,549,569,478 $516,392,923
2006 $162,692,258,307 $439,358,587
2005 $143,534,405,819 $394,962,433
2004 $124,749,473,684 $364,996,869
2003 $110,202,368,421 $314,471,413
2002 $100,845,526,316 $262,596,536
2001 $92,783,947,368 $257,926,882
2000 $93,789,736,842 $272,014,628
1999 $79,148,421,053 $268,006,973
1998 $72,167,498,981 $262,293,411
1997 $100,005,323,302 $272,771,209
1996 $100,855,393,910 $261,370,044
1995 $88,705,342,903 $249,333,250
1994 $74,478,356,958 $233,701,301
1993 $66,894,966,969 $200,491,853
1992 $59,167,550,163 $209,088,825
1991 $49,143,148,094 $201,334,169
1990 $44,024,585,240 $168,879,207
1989 $38,847,965,293 $154,013,202
1988 $35,272,109,220 $158,351,368
1987 $32,181,210,158 $139,464,174
1986 $27,734,111,400 $126,498,935
1985 $31,199,633,353 $131,856,421
1984 $33,942,897,422 $144,482,515
1983 $30,347,442,111 $117,389,554
1982 $26,804,493,635 $114,501,913
1981 $25,004,285,792 $113,781,796
1980 $24,488,224,677 $121,185,498
1979 $21,213,264,962 $119,258,835
1978 $16,358,079,862 -
1977 $13,139,488,633 -
1976 $11,050,234,599 -
1975 $9,298,800,799 -
1974 $9,496,204,302 -
1973 $7,662,902,678 -
1972 $5,043,347,250 -
1971 $4,244,395,956 -
1970 $3,864,145,667 -
1969 $3,664,552,041 -
1968 $3,330,371,551 -
1967 $3,188,924,677 -
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/vanuatu | CC BY

GDP per capita in Malaysia vs Vanuatu by year

Malaysia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Vanuatu
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Malaysia Vanuatu
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $11,874 $38,779 $3,411 $3,606
2023 $11,386 $36,467 $3,483 $3,568
2022 $11,755 $34,420 $3,370 $3,453
2021 $10,903 $29,823 $3,107 $3,136
2020 $9,958 $27,475 $3,043 $3,118
2019 $10,920 $28,934 $3,207 $3,315
2018 $10,902 $27,794 $3,207 $3,233
2017 $9,863 $26,416 $3,160 $3,146
2016 $9,477 $25,286 $2,956 $3,030
2015 $9,649 $24,526 $2,855 $2,966
2014 $11,013 $24,307 $2,973 $2,890
2013 $10,714 $23,161 $2,980 $2,832
2012 $10,601 $22,639 $3,005 $2,834
2011 $10,217 $21,324 $3,163 $2,816
2010 $8,899 $20,193 $2,815 $2,733
2009 $7,191 $18,923 $2,546 $2,730
2008 $8,372 $19,480 $2,604 $2,701
2007 $7,169 $18,617 $2,334 $2,573
2006 $6,158 $17,426 $2,035 $2,496
2005 $5,556 $16,371 $1,874 $2,287
2004 $4,939 $15,416 $1,774 $2,157
2003 $4,465 $14,387 $1,567 $2,070
2002 $4,184 $13,656 $1,341 $1,995
2001 $3,944 $13,072 $1,350 $2,125
2000 $4,084 $13,027 $1,460 $2,206
1999 $3,528 $11,980 $1,472 $2,084
1998 $3,294 $11,398 $1,471 $2,091
1997 $4,679 $12,469 $1,562 $2,087
1996 $4,837 $11,709 $1,529 $1,998
1995 $4,363 $10,720 $1,492 $1,961
1994 $3,758 $9,806 $1,431 $1,946
1993 $3,462 $9,018 $1,257 $1,789
1992 $3,141 $8,224 $1,344 $1,777
1991 $2,679 $7,583 $1,326 $1,737
1990 $2,469 $6,887 $1,141 $1,670
1989 $2,244 - $1,067 -
1988 $2,100 - $1,125 -
1987 $1,977 - $1,017 -
1986 $1,760 - $946 -
1985 $2,046 - $1,012 -
1984 $2,300 - $1,137 -
1983 $2,124 - $947 -
1982 $1,938 - $946 -
1981 $1,866 - $962 -
1980 $1,886 - $1,048 -
1979 $1,680 - $1,055 -
1978 $1,327 - - -
1977 $1,092 - - -
1976 $940 - - -
1975 $811 - - -
1974 $848 - - -
1973 $701 - - -
1972 $472 - - -
1971 $407 - - -
1970 $380 - - -
1969 $368 - - -
1968 $342 - - -
1967 $335 - - -
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/vanuatu | CC BY

Malaysia's GDP per capita is $11,874, ranking 79/197, compared to $3,411 in Vanuatu, ranking 137/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Malaysia ranks 60th at $38,779, while Vanuatu ranks 170th at $3,606.

Economic indicators

Malaysia Vanuatu
Gross domestic product
$422B
2024
$1.12B
2024
GDP rank
38/197
2024
188/197
2024
GDP growth
5.11%
2023-2024
0.94%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$11,874
2024
$3,411
2024
GDP per capita rank
79/197
2024
137/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$38,779
2024
$3,606
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
60/197
2024
170/197
2024
Government debt
$296B
2024
$507M
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
70.1%
2024
45.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$8,322
2024
$1,546
2024
Government debt per person rank
62/185
2024
131/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$11,005
2026
$3,164
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
24.7%
2019
Income share by poorest 10%
2.3%
2021
3%
2019
Government expenditure, % of GDP
23.9%
2024
41.1%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.83%
2023-2024
11.2%
2022-2023
Central bank interest rate
2.75%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
3.93%
2022
4.05%
2020
Population
36512221
344750

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Malaysia
Spending

Debt
Vanuatu
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Malaysia Vanuatu
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 23.9% 70.1% 41.1% 45.3%
2023 24.9% 69.7% 41.6% 41.8%
2022 24.6% 65.5% 42% 42.8%
2021 24.5% 69.2% 44.4% 48.5%
2020 25% 67.7% 43.4% 48%
2019 23.6% 57.1% 39.8% 45.1%
2018 22.8% 55.6% 33.3% 45.3%
2017 22% 54.4% 37.1% 52.6%
2016 22.9% 55.8% 35.2% 42.5%
2015 24.7% 57% 42.4% 36.3%
2014 26% 55.4% 23.3% 20.2%
2013 27.8% 55.7% 22.9% 18.6%
2012 28.5% 53.8% 24.5% 19.3%
2011 27.1% 51.9% 25.1% 21.3%
2010 26.6% 51.2% 28.3% 20.2%
2009 30.9% 50.4% 27.6% 21.1%
2008 26.9% 39.4% 27.8% 21.2%
2007 25.9% 39.3% 22.5% 19.5%
2006 25.6% 39.7% 20.1% 22.2%
2005 24.5% 40.8% 18.3% 26.3%
2004 25.9% 42% 18.5% 30.4%
2003 28.1% 41.4% 18.8% 38.3%
2002 27.1% 39.5% 22.3% 38.8%
2001 28.2% 38.1% 22.3% 37%
2000 25.6% 32.5% 25.4% 36.1%
1999 24.6% 34.4% 23.9% 30.6%
1998 23.1% 33.6% 27.9% 28%
1997 21.2% 29.6% 22.2% 22.9%
1996 22.4% 32.8% 24.5% 23.1%
1995 22.6% 38.2% 28% 24.1%
1994 23.3% 43.7% 24.4% 21.6%
1993 24.6% 51.1% 26.2% 20.3%
1992 28.2% 59.1% 31.8% 21%
1991 27.4% 67.3% 33.2% 15.9%
1990 30.5% 74.1% - -

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

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

In 2024, Malaysia's government spending was $101B, accounting for 23.9% of its GDP, while Vanuatu spent $459M, or 41.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 70.1% in Malaysia and 45.3% in Vanuatu, ranking 58/185 and 119/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Malaysia

Vanuatu
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Malaysia Vanuatu
2024 -3.95% -2.34%
2023 -3.97% -0.95%
2022 -4.56% -6.5%
2021 -6.03% 2.38%
2020 -4.9% -1.95%
2019 -2.01% 2.81%
2018 -2.64% 6.26%
2017 -2.41% -1.2%
2016 -2.6% -0.72%
2015 -2.55% -8.66%
2014 -2.63% 1.44%
2013 -3.48% -0.25%
2012 -3.1% -1.7%
2011 -3.57% -2.19%
2010 -4.32% -2.63%
2009 -5.88% -0.85%
2008 -3.4% -0.04%
2007 -2.57% 0.28%
2006 -2.6% 0.49%
2005 -2.83% 1.86%
2004 -3.35% 0.8%
2003 -4.6% -1.35%
2002 -3.96% -3.63%
2001 -4.36% -3.33%
2000 -6.05% -6.28%
1999 -3% -0.55%
1998 -0.63% -6.65%
1997 4.84% -0.51%
1996 3.27% -1.78%
1995 3.1% -2.59%
1994 5.45% -1.49%
1993 3.44% -3.67%
1992 1.81% -2.32%
1991 1.6% -2.81%
1990 0.15% -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/malaysia/vanuatu | 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 Vanuatu's deficit of $26.2M, or 2.34% of GDP.

Over the past 34 years, Malaysia recorded a fiscal deficit in 27 of those years, while Vanuatu ran a deficit in 26 years. On average, Malaysia posted an annual deficit equal to 2.13% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.49% of GDP for Vanuatu.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Malaysia

Vanuatu
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Malaysia Vanuatu
2024 1.83% -
2023 2.49% 11.2%
2022 3.38% 6.68%
2021 2.48% 2.34%
2020 -1.14% 5.33%
2019 0.66% 2.76%
2018 0.88% 2.33%
2017 3.87% 3.08%
2016 2.09% 0.84%
2015 2.1% 2.48%
2014 3.14% 0.8%
2013 2.11% 1.46%
2012 1.66% 1.35%
2011 3.17% 0.87%
2010 1.62% 2.76%
2009 0.58% 4.3%
2008 5.44% 4.84%
2007 2.03% 3.94%
2006 3.61% 2.04%
2005 2.98% 1.2%
2004 1.42% 1.42%
2003 1.09% 3.02%
2002 1.81% 1.96%
2001 1.42% 3.58%
2000 1.53% 2.54%
1999 2.74% 2%
1998 5.27% 3.28%
1997 2.66% 2.83%

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

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

Over the past 27 years, Malaysia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.26%, compared with 3.01% in Vanuatu. In 2023, inflation was 1.83% in Malaysia and 11.2% in Vanuatu.

Top exports between countries

Malaysia
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $71.7M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $2.03M
Metals $847K
Chemicals & pharma $470K
Machinery & equipment $391K
Textiles & consumer goods $275K
Wood & paper products $91K
Miscellaneous $83K
Precious metals & jewellery $62K
Animal & marine products $20K
Vanuatu
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $13M
Machinery & equipment $8K

Balance of trade

Malaysia Vanuatu
Current account balance
$7.15B
2024
-$127M
2022
Current account balance ranking
26/190
2024
90/190
2022
Current account balance, % of GDP
+1.69%
2024
-12.1%
2022
Goods imports
$223B
2024
$350M
2022
Goods exports
$248B
2024
$73.6M
2022
Service imports
$56.4B
2024
$230M
2022
Service exports
$53.4B
2024
$78.5M
2022
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
66%
2024
54.2%
2022
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
71.3%
2024
9.43%
2022

Economic freedom indices

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

Malaysia Vanuatu
Economic freedom 68 61.1
Economic freedom ranking 51/197 92/197
Property rights 62.7 62.1
Government integrity 52.9 48.3
Judicial effectiveness 63.4 67.9
Tax burden 83.5 96.9
Government spending 82 48.1
Fiscal health 62.5 78.8
Business freedom 79.6 50.3
Labor freedom 55.4 41
Monetary freedom 80.8 72.1
Trade freedom 83 62
Investment freedom 60 65
Financial freedom 50 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Malaysia
Vanuatu
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Malaysia Vanuatu
2026 68 61.1
2025 67.1 61.8
2024 65.7 62.2
2023 67.3 62.1
2022 68.1 62.9
2021 74.4 60.5
2020 74.7 60.7
2019 74 56.4
2018 74.5 69.5
2017 73.8 67.4
2016 71.5 60.8
2015 70.8 61.1
2014 69.6 59.5
2013 66.1 56.6
2012 66.4 56.6
2011 66.3 56.7
2010 64.8 56.4
2009 64.6 58.4
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/vanuatu | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Malaysia is 68, ranking 51/197, compared to 61.1 for Vanuatu, ranking 92/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Malaysia Vanuatu
Services, % of GDP
53.7%
2024
59.1%
2022
Industry, % of GDP
37%
2024
7.37%
2022
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
8.13%
2024
24.3%
2022
GNI, Atlas method
$414B
2024
$1.28B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$37,450
2024
$4,140
2024
Total reserves including gold
$116B
2024
$615M
2024
Total reserves ranking
24/177
2024
152/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$2.55B
2024
-$9.21M
2022
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$15.6B
2024
$28.9M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$13B
2024
$2.79M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
2.04%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
5.8%
2023
15.9%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
22%
2024
38.3%
2022

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/vanuatu | 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 (2011–2024, 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.