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Economy of Malaysia vs Zimbabwe compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Malaysia has a GDP of $472B compared to $51.2B for Zimbabwe, ranking 35/197 and 95/197 by economy size, respectively.

Malaysia has $334B in government debt (70.7% of GDP), compared to $22.4B (43.8% of GDP) in Zimbabwe.

Malaysia vs Zimbabwe GDP by year

Malaysia
Zimbabwe
1x
Year GDP, current $
Malaysia Zimbabwe
2025 $472,193,128,645 $51,215,643,906
2024 $422,227,005,429 $41,521,975,830
2023 $399,949,418,753 $35,871,781,303
2022 $407,830,525,990 $40,757,585,309
2021 $373,784,553,030 $41,287,852,524
2020 $337,456,163,961 $31,979,753,645
2019 $365,177,721,022 $33,360,632,553
2018 $358,788,845,713 $34,141,666,667
2017 $319,109,094,160 $51,035,657,371
2016 $301,256,033,870 $20,559,250,000
2015 $301,355,266,965 $19,973,250,000
2014 $338,066,095,097 $19,505,500,000
2013 $323,276,235,524 $19,100,750,000
2012 $314,443,047,642 $17,123,500,000
2011 $297,951,668,675 $14,109,000,000
2010 $255,017,638,456 $12,047,750,000
2009 $202,257,453,037 $9,670,750,000
2008 $230,811,614,370 $4,418,000,000
2007 $193,549,569,478 $5,294,750,000
2006 $162,692,258,307 $5,446,750,000
2005 $143,534,405,819 $5,758,250,000
2004 $124,749,473,684 $5,808,500,000
2003 $110,202,368,421 $5,730,500,000
2002 $100,845,526,316 $6,345,250,000
2001 $92,783,947,368 $6,780,750,000
2000 $93,789,736,842 $6,693,250,000
1999 $79,148,421,053 $6,861,500,000
1998 $72,167,498,981 $6,405,250,000
1997 $100,005,323,302 $8,534,000,000
1996 $100,855,393,910 $8,557,500,000
1995 $88,705,342,903 $7,115,000,000
1994 $74,478,356,958 $6,894,250,000
1993 $66,894,966,969 $6,567,250,000
1992 $59,167,550,163 $6,755,000,000
1991 $49,143,148,094 $8,646,000,000
1990 $44,024,585,240 $8,788,301,546
1989 $38,847,965,293 $8,290,553,535
1988 $35,272,109,220 $7,818,774,177
1987 $32,181,210,158 $6,744,657,033
1986 $27,734,111,400 $6,220,698,247
1985 $31,199,633,353 $5,640,137,575
1984 $33,942,897,422 $6,355,369,172
1983 $30,347,442,111 $7,768,031,182
1982 $26,804,493,635 $8,544,060,905
1981 $25,004,285,792 $8,015,464,252
1980 $24,488,224,677 $6,682,278,300
1979 $21,213,264,962 $5,180,102,910
1978 $16,358,079,862 $4,353,822,343
1977 $13,139,488,633 $4,366,610,469
1976 $11,050,234,599 $4,320,576,877
1975 $9,298,800,799 $4,373,532,601
1974 $9,496,204,302 $3,984,194,614
1973 $7,662,902,678 $3,311,043,292
1972 $5,043,347,250 $2,679,096,597
1971 $4,244,395,956 $2,179,828,710
1970 $3,864,145,667 $1,885,168,339
1969 $3,664,552,041 $1,748,891,294
1968 $3,330,371,551 $1,480,355,355
1967 $3,188,924,677 $1,397,715,282
1966 $3,143,517,944 $1,282,403,936
1965 $2,956,337,669 $1,312,105,394
1964 $2,674,423,922 $1,217,759,447
1963 $2,510,110,348 $1,160,103,724
1962 $2,001,489,602 $1,118,172,226
1961 $1,901,856,123 $1,097,206,526
1960 $1,916,229,477 $1,053,528,036

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

GDP per capita in Malaysia vs Zimbabwe by year

Malaysia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Zimbabwe
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Malaysia Zimbabwe
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $13,125 - $3,021 -
2024 $11,874 $38,779 $2,496 $5,928
2023 $11,386 $36,467 $2,195 $5,791
2022 $11,755 $34,420 $2,536 $5,396
2021 $10,903 $29,823 $2,614 $4,827
2020 $9,958 $27,475 $2,060 $4,179
2019 $10,920 $28,934 $2,185 $4,166
2018 $10,902 $27,794 $2,271 $3,993
2017 $9,863 $26,416 $3,445 $10,756
2016 $9,477 $25,286 $1,408 $4,275
2015 $9,649 $24,526 $1,387 $4,046
2014 $11,013 $24,307 $1,373 $3,903
2013 $10,714 $23,161 $1,363 $3,784
2012 $10,601 $22,639 $1,239 $3,472
2011 $10,217 $21,324 $1,038 $3,047
2010 $8,899 $20,193 $902 $2,661
2009 $7,191 $18,923 $736 $2,233
2008 $8,372 $19,480 $341 $1,987
2007 $7,169 $18,617 $414 $2,396
2006 $6,158 $17,426 $431 $2,454
2005 $5,556 $16,371 $461 $2,496
2004 $4,939 $15,416 $470 $2,591
2003 $4,465 $14,387 $468 $2,708
2002 $4,184 $13,656 $525 $3,238
2001 $3,944 $13,072 $566 $3,533
2000 $4,084 $13,027 $563 $3,429
1999 $3,528 $11,980 $582 $3,491
1998 $3,294 $11,398 $552 $3,527
1997 $4,679 $12,469 $751 $3,457
1996 $4,837 $11,709 $767 $3,372
1995 $4,363 $10,720 $648 $3,051
1994 $3,758 $9,806 $634 $3,012
1993 $3,462 $9,018 $605 $2,703
1992 $3,141 $8,224 $631 $2,651
1991 $2,679 $7,583 $831 $2,930
1990 $2,469 $6,887 $867 $2,757
1989 $2,244 - $840 -
1988 $2,100 - $816 -
1987 $1,977 - $726 -
1986 $1,760 - $693 -
1985 $2,046 - $649 -
1984 $2,300 - $757 -
1983 $2,124 - $959 -
1982 $1,938 - $1,096 -
1981 $1,866 - $1,069 -
1980 $1,886 - $949 -
1979 $1,680 - $779 -
1978 $1,327 - $665 -
1977 $1,092 - $677 -
1976 $940 - $687 -
1975 $811 - $717 -
1974 $848 - $674 -
1973 $701 - $579 -
1972 $472 - $483 -
1971 $407 - $406 -
1970 $380 - $361 -
1969 $368 - $346 -
1968 $342 - $302 -
1967 $335 - $294.4 -
1966 $339 - $278.7 -
1965 $326 - $294.3 -
1964 $303 - $281.9 -
1963 $291.8 - $277.1 -
1962 $238.8 - $275.7 -
1961 $232.9 - $279.2 -
1960 $240.8 - $276.6 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Malaysia's GDP per capita is $13,125, ranking 78/197, compared to $3,021 in Zimbabwe, ranking 146/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Malaysia ranks 60th at $38,779, while Zimbabwe ranks 154th at $5,928.

Economic indicators

Malaysia Zimbabwe
Gross domestic product
$472B
2025
$51.2B
2025
GDP rank
35/197
2025
95/197
2025
GDP growth
5.17%
2024-2025
8.11%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$13,125
2025
$3,021
2025
GDP per capita rank
78/197
2025
146/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$38,779
2024
$5,928
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
60/197
2024
154/197
2024
Government debt
$334B
2025
$22.4B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
70.7%
2025
43.8%
2025
Government debt per person
$9,273
2025
$1,322
2025
Government debt per person rank
62/185
2025
134/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$11,034
2026
$2,800
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$487B
2025
$2.46B
1999
Number of billionaires
19
2026
1
2026
Income share by richest 10%
30.9%
2021
40.5%
2019
Income share by poorest 10%
2.3%
2021
1.9%
2019
Government expenditure, % of GDP
23.4%
2025
15.5%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
1.38%
2024-2025
81.4%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
2.75%
2025
35%
2024
Unemployment rate
3.9%
2022
12.1%
2024
Population
36600906
17443108

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Malaysia
Spending

Debt
Zimbabwe
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Malaysia Zimbabwe
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 23.4% 70.7% 15.5% 43.8%
2024 24% 69.8% 13.7% 70.4%
2023 25% 69.7% 21.1% 76.1%
2022 24.6% 65.5% 12.1% 66.8%
2021 24.5% 69.2% 12.4% 39.9%
2020 25% 67.7% 8.4% 56.8%
2019 23.6% 57.1% 7.7% 53.9%
2018 22.8% 55.6% 14.6% 33%
2017 22% 54.4% 21.1% 49%
2016 22.9% 55.8% 17% 35.1%
2015 24.7% 57% 14.9% 34.1%
2014 26% 55.4% 14.2% 29.2%
2013 27.8% 55.7% 15.2% 26.4%
2012 28.5% 53.8% 14.8% 27.2%
2011 27.1% 51.9% 16.5% 30%
2010 26.6% 51.2% 13.1% 33.2%
2009 30.9% 50.4% 8.02% 39.7%
2008 26.9% 39.4% 2.57% 41.3%
2007 25.9% 39.3% 3.46% 30.2%
2006 25.6% 39.7% 5.79% 26.7%
2005 24.5% 40.8% 10.6% 22.4%
2004 25.9% 42% - -
2003 28.1% 41.4% - -
2002 27.1% 39.5% - -
2001 28.2% 38.1% - -
2000 25.6% 32.5% - -
1999 24.6% 34.4% - -
1998 23.1% 33.6% - -
1997 21.2% 29.6% - -
1996 22.4% 32.8% - -
1995 22.6% 38.2% - -
1994 23.3% 43.7% - -
1993 24.6% 51.1% - -
1992 28.2% 59.1% - -
1991 27.4% 67.3% - -
1990 30.5% 74.1% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Malaysia's government spending was $111B, accounting for 23.4% of its GDP, while Zimbabwe spent $7.92B, or 15.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 70.7% in Malaysia and 43.8% in Zimbabwe, ranking 56/185 and 120/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Malaysia

Zimbabwe
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Malaysia Zimbabwe
2025 -3.54% 0.08%
2024 -3.45% -0.76%
2023 -4.11% -9.45%
2022 -4.56% -1%
2021 -6.03% -1.83%
2020 -4.9% 0.53%
2019 -2.01% -0.06%
2018 -2.64% -4.55%
2017 -2.41% -8.68%
2016 -2.6% -4.99%
2015 -2.55% -1.61%
2014 -2.63% -0.87%
2013 -3.48% -1.21%
2012 -3.1% -0.35%
2011 -3.57% -1.98%
2010 -4.32% -0.4%
2009 -5.88% -1.48%
2008 -3.4% -1.22%
2007 -2.57% -1.71%
2006 -2.6% -1.46%
2005 -2.83% -3.58%
2004 -3.35% -
2003 -4.6% -
2002 -3.96% -
2001 -4.36% -
2000 -6.05% -
1999 -3% -
1998 -0.63% -
1997 4.84% -
1996 3.27% -
1995 3.1% -
1994 5.45% -
1993 3.44% -
1992 1.81% -
1991 1.6% -
1990 0.15% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Malaysia's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $16.7B, equivalent to 3.54% of GDP. This compares to Zimbabwe's surplus of $41.9M, or 0.08% of GDP.

Over the past 21 years, Malaysia recorded a fiscal deficit in 21 of those years, while Zimbabwe ran a deficit in 19 years. On average, Malaysia posted an annual deficit equal to 3.49% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.22% of GDP for Zimbabwe.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Malaysia

Zimbabwe
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Malaysia Zimbabwe
2025 1.38% 81.4%
2024 1.83% 736%
2023 2.49% 667%
2022 3.38% 193.4%
2021 2.48% 98.5%
2020 -1.14% 557%
2019 0.66% 255.3%
2018 0.88% 10.6%
2017 3.87% 0.9%
2016 2.09% -1.6%
2015 2.1% -2.4%
2014 3.14% -0.2%
2013 2.11% 1.6%
2012 1.66% 3.7%
2011 3.17% 3.5%
2010 1.62% 3%
2009 0.58% 6.2%
2008 5.44% -
2007 2.03% -
2006 3.61% -
2005 2.98% -
2004 1.42% -
2003 1.09% -
2002 1.81% -
2001 1.42% -
2000 1.53% -
1999 2.74% -
1998 5.27% -
1997 2.66% -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (2009–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 17 years, Malaysia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 1.9%, compared with 153.8% in Zimbabwe. In 2025, inflation was 1.38% in Malaysia and 81.4% in Zimbabwe.

Top exports between countries

Malaysia
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $1.95M
Chemicals & pharma $677K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $310K
Animal & marine products $210K
Metals $179K
Raw materials & minerals $143K
Textiles & consumer goods $99K
Wood & paper products $7K
Miscellaneous $1K
Raw agricultural goods $1K
Zimbabwe
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $1.08M
Raw agricultural goods $90K
Precious metals & jewellery $6K
Textiles & consumer goods $1K

Balance of trade

Malaysia Zimbabwe
Current account balance
$7.15B
2024
$501M
2024
Current account balance ranking
29/190
2024
59/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+1.69%
2024
+1.21%
2024
Goods imports
$223B
2024
$9.06B
2024
Goods exports
$248B
2024
$7.79B
2024
Service imports
$56.4B
2024
$1.66B
2024
Service exports
$53.4B
2024
$457M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
65.4%
2025
23.4%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
71%
2025
18.1%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Malaysia Zimbabwe
Economic freedom 68 35.2
Economic freedom ranking 51/197 190/197
Property rights 62.7 19.4
Government integrity 52.9 20.7
Judicial effectiveness 63.4 16.8
Tax burden 83.5 73.6
Government spending 82 93.9
Fiscal health 62.5 52.4
Business freedom 79.6 42
Labor freedom 55.4 33.3
Monetary freedom 80.8 0
Trade freedom 83 50.4
Investment freedom 60 10
Financial freedom 50 10

Economic freedom comparison by year

Malaysia
Zimbabwe
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Malaysia Zimbabwe
2026 68 35.2
2025 67.1 35.1
2024 65.7 38.2
2023 67.3 39
2022 68.1 33.1
2021 74.4 39.5
2020 74.7 43.1
2019 74 40.4
2018 74.5 44
2017 73.8 44
2016 71.5 38.2
2015 70.8 37.6
2014 69.6 35.5
2013 66.1 28.6
2012 66.4 26.3
2011 66.3 22.1
2010 64.8 21.4
2009 64.6 22.7
2008 63.9 29.5
2007 63.8 32
2006 61.6 33.5
2005 61.9 35.2
2004 59.9 34.4
2003 61.1 36.7
2002 60.1 36.7
2001 60.2 38.8
2000 66 48.7
1999 68.9 47.2
1998 68.2 44.6
1997 66.8 48
1996 69.9 46.7
1995 71.9 48.5

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Malaysia is 68, ranking 51/197, compared to 35.2 for Zimbabwe, ranking 190/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Malaysia Zimbabwe
Services, % of GDP
54.8%
2025
48.2%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
35.7%
2025
37.1%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
8.22%
2025
9.47%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$445B
2025
$45B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$40,070
2025
$6,390
2025
Total reserves including gold
$126B
2025
$485M
2024
Total reserves ranking
25/177
2025
159/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$2.55B
2024
-$465M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$15.6B
2024
$465M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$13B
2024
$131M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
3.44%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
5.1%
2023
38.3%
2019
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
20.5%
2025
8.85%
2024

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. TradeMap (2023–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)

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.