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Economy of Malaysia vs Yemen compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Malaysia has a GDP of $422B compared to $21.6B for Yemen, ranking 38/197 and 125/197 by economy size, respectively.

Malaysia has $296B in government debt (70.1% of GDP), compared to $18.8B (70.9% of GDP) in Yemen.

Malaysia vs Yemen GDP by year

Malaysia
Yemen
1x
Year GDP, current $
Malaysia Yemen
2024 $422,227,005,429 -
2023 $399,949,418,753 -
2022 $407,830,525,990 -
2021 $373,784,553,030 -
2020 $337,456,163,961 -
2019 $365,177,721,022 -
2018 $358,788,845,713 $21,606,160,663
2017 $319,109,094,160 $26,842,229,045
2016 $301,256,033,870 $31,317,825,274
2015 $301,355,266,965 $42,444,490,074
2014 $338,066,095,097 $43,228,585,321
2013 $323,276,235,524 $40,415,233,436
2012 $314,443,047,642 $35,401,331,610
2011 $297,951,668,675 $32,726,417,878
2010 $255,017,638,456 $30,906,749,533
2009 $202,257,453,037 $25,130,278,213
2008 $230,811,614,370 $26,910,855,807
2007 $193,549,569,478 $21,650,528,674
2006 $162,692,258,307 $19,063,143,370
2005 $143,534,405,819 $16,731,566,717
2004 $124,749,473,684 $13,867,634,371
2003 $110,202,368,421 $11,777,532,662
2002 $100,845,526,316 $10,693,430,511
2001 $92,783,947,368 $9,852,990,693
2000 $93,789,736,842 $9,679,316,770
1999 $79,148,421,053 $7,639,325,296
1998 $72,167,498,981 $6,322,175,566
1997 $100,005,323,302 $6,838,298,531
1996 $100,855,393,910 $6,496,163,616
1995 $88,705,342,903 $12,796,345,679
1994 $74,478,356,958 $28,019,483,764
1993 $66,894,966,969 $21,736,802,664
1992 $59,167,550,163 $17,959,367,194
1991 $49,143,148,094 $14,665,445,462
1990 $44,024,585,240 $12,643,821,569
1989 $38,847,965,293 -
1988 $35,272,109,220 -
1987 $32,181,210,158 -
1986 $27,734,111,400 -
1985 $31,199,633,353 -
1984 $33,942,897,422 -
1983 $30,347,442,111 -
1982 $26,804,493,635 -
1981 $25,004,285,792 -
1980 $24,488,224,677 -
1979 $21,213,264,962 -
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/yemen | CC BY

GDP per capita in Malaysia vs Yemen by year

Malaysia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Yemen
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Malaysia Yemen
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $11,874 $38,779 - -
2023 $11,386 $36,467 - -
2022 $11,755 $34,420 - -
2021 $10,903 $29,823 - -
2020 $9,958 $27,475 - -
2019 $10,920 $28,934 - -
2018 $10,902 $27,794 $634 -
2017 $9,863 $26,416 $811 -
2016 $9,477 $25,286 $975 -
2015 $9,649 $24,526 $1,362 -
2014 $11,013 $24,307 $1,430 -
2013 $10,714 $23,161 $1,379 $3,164
2012 $10,601 $22,639 $1,245 $3,005
2011 $10,217 $21,324 $1,186 $3,113
2010 $8,899 $20,193 $1,155 $3,603
2009 $7,191 $18,923 $969 $3,411
2008 $8,372 $19,480 $1,072 $3,370
2007 $7,169 $18,617 $890 $3,294
2006 $6,158 $17,426 $810 $3,205
2005 $5,556 $16,371 $734 $3,113
2004 $4,939 $15,416 $628 $2,949
2003 $4,465 $14,387 $549 $2,844
2002 $4,184 $13,656 $513 $2,768
2001 $3,944 $13,072 $487 $2,702
2000 $4,084 $13,027 $493 $2,624
1999 $3,528 $11,980 $401 $2,492
1998 $3,294 $11,398 $343 $2,442
1997 $4,679 $12,469 $383 $2,351
1996 $4,837 $11,709 $375 $2,268
1995 $4,363 $10,720 $764 $2,201
1994 $3,758 $9,806 $1,735 $2,115
1993 $3,462 $9,018 $1,397 $2,013
1992 $3,141 $8,224 $1,198 $1,963
1991 $2,679 $7,583 $1,016 $1,843
1990 $2,469 $6,887 $910 $1,742
1989 $2,244 - - -
1988 $2,100 - - -
1987 $1,977 - - -
1986 $1,760 - - -
1985 $2,046 - - -
1984 $2,300 - - -
1983 $2,124 - - -
1982 $1,938 - - -
1981 $1,866 - - -
1980 $1,886 - - -
1979 $1,680 - - -
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/yemen | CC BY

Malaysia's GDP per capita is $11,874, ranking 79/197, compared to $634 in Yemen, ranking 191/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Malaysia ranks 60th at $38,779, while Yemen ranks 178th at $3,164.

Economic indicators

Malaysia Yemen
Gross domestic product
$422B
2024
$21.6B
2018
GDP rank
38/197
2024
125/197
2018
GDP growth
5.11%
2023-2024
0.75%
2017-2018
GDP per capita
$11,874
2024
$634
2018
GDP per capita rank
79/197
2024
191/197
2018
GDP per capita, PPP
$38,779
2024
$3,164
2013
GDP per capita PPP rank
60/197
2024
178/197
2013
Government debt
$296B
2024
$18.8B
2018
Debt-to-GDP ratio
70.1%
2024
70.9%
2024
Government debt per person
$8,322
2024
$551
2018
Government debt per person rank
62/185
2024
165/185
2018
Average annual personal income after taxes
$11,005
2026
$1,127
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
29.4%
2014
Income share by poorest 10%
2.3%
2021
3%
2014
Government expenditure, % of GDP
23.9%
2024
8.91%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.83%
2023-2024
33.9%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
2.75%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
3.93%
2022
13.5%
2014
Population
36512221
43325643

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Malaysia
Spending

Debt
Yemen
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Malaysia Yemen
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 23.9% 70.1% 8.91% 70.9%
2023 24.9% 69.7% 11.8% 77.9%
2022 24.6% 65.5% 12.2% 65.3%
2021 24.5% 69.2% 8.22% 75.9%
2020 25% 67.7% 10.6% 87%
2019 23.6% 57.1% 13.2% 91.5%
2018 22.8% 55.6% 14.3% 86.9%
2017 22% 54.4% 8.39% 83.8%
2016 22.9% 55.8% 16.1% 76.5%
2015 24.7% 57% 19.4% 57.7%
2014 26% 55.4% 27.8% 48.9%
2013 27.8% 55.7% 30.8% 48.4%
2012 28.5% 53.8% 36.2% 47.6%
2011 27.1% 51.9% 29.8% 45.7%
2010 26.6% 51.2% 30.2% 42.4%
2009 30.9% 50.4% 35.2% 49.8%
2008 26.9% 39.4% 41.2% 36.4%
2007 25.9% 39.3% 40.3% 40.4%
2006 25.6% 39.7% 37.4% 40.8%
2005 24.5% 40.8% 36.8% 43.8%
2004 25.9% 42% 34.2% 52.1%
2003 28.1% 41.4% 35.3% 56.8%
2002 27.1% 39.5% 30.8% 57.8%
2001 28.2% 38.1% 30.5% 60.6%
2000 25.6% 32.5% 31.7% 60.8%
1999 24.6% 34.4% 28.2% 96.1%
1998 23.1% 33.6% 34.3% 110.6%
1997 21.2% 29.6% 34.2% 74.2%
1996 22.4% 32.8% 30.7% 114.9%
1995 22.6% 38.2% 24.1% 84.1%
1994 23.3% 43.7% 25.2% 73.3%
1993 24.6% 51.1% 25.8% 76.7%
1992 28.2% 59.1% 24.6% 78%
1991 27.4% 67.3% 24.7% 82.7%
1990 30.5% 74.1% 26.6% 91.6%

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

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

In 2024, Malaysia's government spending was $101B, accounting for 23.9% of its GDP, while Yemen spent $3.08B, or 8.91% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 70.1% in Malaysia and 70.9% in Yemen, ranking 58/185 and 55/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Malaysia

Yemen
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Malaysia Yemen
2024 -3.95% -2.48%
2023 -3.97% -5.63%
2022 -4.56% -2.15%
2021 -6.03% -0.89%
2020 -4.9% -4.3%
2019 -2.01% -5.89%
2018 -2.64% -7.85%
2017 -2.41% -4.9%
2016 -2.6% -8.51%
2015 -2.55% -8.75%
2014 -2.63% -4.14%
2013 -3.48% -6.9%
2012 -3.1% -6.32%
2011 -3.57% -4.51%
2010 -4.32% -4.06%
2009 -5.88% -10.2%
2008 -3.4% -4.53%
2007 -2.57% -7.18%
2006 -2.6% 1.19%
2005 -2.83% -1.82%
2004 -3.35% -2.15%
2003 -4.6% -4.2%
2002 -3.96% -0.56%
2001 -4.36% 2.79%
2000 -6.05% 6.09%
1999 -3% 0.06%
1998 -0.63% -7.77%
1997 4.84% -1.5%
1996 3.27% -0.92%
1995 3.1% -5.74%
1994 5.45% -14%
1993 3.44% -12.8%
1992 1.81% -10.9%
1991 1.6% -5.76%
1990 0.15% -10.3%

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

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

In 2018, Malaysia's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $9.49B, equivalent to 2.64% of GDP. This compares to Yemen's deficit of $1.7B, or 7.85% of GDP.

Over the past 29 years, Malaysia recorded a fiscal deficit in 21 of those years, while Yemen ran a deficit in 25 years. On average, Malaysia posted an annual deficit equal to 1.62% of GDP, compared to deficit of 5.04% of GDP for Yemen.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Malaysia

Yemen
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Malaysia Yemen
2024 1.83% 33.9%
2023 2.49% 0.9%
2022 3.38% 29.5%
2021 2.48% 31.5%
2020 -1.14% 21.7%
2019 0.66% 15.7%
2018 0.88% 33.6%
2017 3.87% 30.4%
2016 2.09% 21.3%
2015 2.1% 22%
2014 3.14% 8.2%
2013 2.11% 11%
2012 1.66% 9.9%
2011 3.17% 19.5%
2010 1.62% 11.2%
2009 0.58% 3.7%
2008 5.44% 19%
2007 2.03% 7.9%
2006 3.61% 10.8%
2005 2.98% 9.9%
2004 1.42% 12.5%
2003 1.09% 10.8%
2002 1.81% 12.2%
2001 1.42% 11.9%
2000 1.53% 11%
1999 2.74% 7.9%
1998 5.27% 11.5%
1997 2.66% 4.6%

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/yemen | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Malaysia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.25%, compared with 15.5% in Yemen. In 2024, inflation was 1.83% in Malaysia and 33.9% in Yemen.

Top exports between countries

Malaysia
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $66.4M
Wood & paper products $55M
Chemicals & pharma $7.19M
Machinery & equipment $3.85M
Raw materials & minerals $2.08M
Textiles & consumer goods $1.13M
Metals $702K
Miscellaneous $463K
Animal & marine products $298K
Raw agricultural goods $32K
Yemen
Export category Export value
Animal & marine products $5.6M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $12K
Textiles & consumer goods $12K
Chemicals & pharma $10K
Metals $5K
Wood & paper products $3K
Raw agricultural goods $2K

Balance of trade

Malaysia Yemen
Current account balance
$7.15B
2024
-$2.42B
2016
Current account balance ranking
26/190
2024
148/190
2016
Current account balance, % of GDP
+1.69%
2024
-7.72%
2016
Goods imports
$223B
2024
$6.8B
2016
Goods exports
$248B
2024
$473M
2016
Service imports
$56.4B
2024
$1.46B
2016
Service exports
$53.4B
2024
$466M
2016
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
66%
2024
47.3%
2018
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
71.3%
2024
8.76%
2018

Economic freedom indices

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

Malaysia Yemen
Economic freedom 68 53.7
Economic freedom ranking 51/197 138/197
Property rights 62.7 3.5
Government integrity 52.9 6.2
Judicial effectiveness 63.4 9.9
Tax burden 83.5 93.7
Government spending 82 0
Fiscal health 62.5 71.2
Business freedom 79.6 31.3
Labor freedom 55.4 31.2
Monetary freedom 80.8 48.1
Trade freedom 83 67.4
Investment freedom 60 50
Financial freedom 50 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Malaysia
Yemen
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Malaysia Yemen
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 53.7
2014 69.6 55.5
2013 66.1 55.9
2012 66.4 55.3
2011 66.3 54.2
2010 64.8 54.4
2009 64.6 56.9
2008 63.9 53.8
2007 63.8 54.1
2006 61.6 52.6
2005 61.9 53.8
2004 59.9 50.5
2003 61.1 50.3
2002 60.1 48.6
2001 60.2 44.3
2000 66 44.5
1999 68.9 43.3
1998 68.2 46.1
1997 66.8 48.4
1996 69.9 49.6
1995 71.9 49.8

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Malaysia is 68, ranking 51/197, compared to 53.7 for Yemen, ranking 138/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Malaysia Yemen
Services, % of GDP
53.7%
2024
41.8%
2018
Industry, % of GDP
37%
2024
25.4%
2018
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
8.13%
2024
28.7%
2018
GNI, Atlas method
$414B
2024
$25.3B
2018
GNI per capita, PPP
$37,450
2024
$3,020
2013
Total reserves including gold
$116B
2024
$1.25B
2022
Total reserves ranking
24/177
2024
139/177
2022
Net foreign direct investment
-$2.55B
2024
$15.4M
2015
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$15.6B
2024
-$371M
2019
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$13B
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
0.53%
2018
Poverty at national poverty lines
5.8%
2023
48.6%
2014
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
22%
2024
6.18%
2018

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/yemen | 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 (2015–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1990–1998, 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.