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Malaysia vs Palau statistics compared

Updated on by Georank team

Malaysia has a population of 35.6M (ranked 44/197), compared with 17.7K in Palau (ranked 194/197). Malaysia's land area is 126,854 sq mi versus 177.6 sq mi for Palau (ranked 65th vs. 180th).

By GDP, Malaysia ranks 38/197 ($422B) and Palau ranks 194/197 ($277M). By GDP per capita, Malaysia ranks 79/197 ($11,874), while Palau ranks 67/197 ($15,611).

Main facts and rankings

Malaysia Palau
Population
36512221
17629
Population rank 45/197 194/197
GDP
$422B
2024
$277M
2023
GDP rank 38/197 194/197
GDP per capita
$11,874
2024
$15,611
2023
GDP per capita rank 79/197 67/197
GDP per capita, PPP
$38,779
2024
$18,230
2023
Government debt
$296B
2024
n/a
Debt-to-GDP ratio
70.1%
2024
n/a
Government debt per person
$8,322
2024
n/a
Government debt per person rank 62/185 n/a
Average annual personal income after taxes
$11,005
2026
$9,869
2026
Land area 126,854 sq mi 177.6 sq mi
Population density
287 ppl/mi²
2026
99.3 ppl/mi²
2026
Fertility rate
1.55
2023
1.91
2023
Median age
31.5 years
2024
39.2 years
2024
Life expectancy
77.2 years
2026
69.6 years
2026

Malaysia and Palau: Comparison Charts

Malaysia and Palau economies compared

GDP
Malaysia

Palau
1x
Year GDP
Malaysia Palau
2024 $422,227,005,429 -
2023 $399,949,418,753 $276,733,063
2022 $407,830,525,990 $243,826,813
2021 $373,784,553,030 $231,343,460
2020 $337,456,163,961 $261,688,507
2019 $365,177,721,022 $282,041,290
2018 $358,788,845,713 $287,998,352
2017 $319,109,094,160 $292,148,590
2016 $301,256,033,870 $305,227,020
2015 $301,355,266,965 $287,057,526
2014 $338,066,095,097 $245,591,095
2013 $323,276,235,524 $224,110,611
2012 $314,443,047,642 $215,616,882
2011 $297,951,668,675 $198,742,371
2010 $255,017,638,456 $188,042,374
2009 $202,257,453,037 $189,854,706
2008 $230,811,614,370 $201,067,734
2007 $193,549,569,478 $200,789,764
2006 $162,692,258,307 $193,611,359
2005 $143,534,405,819 $190,961,685
2004 $124,749,473,684 $166,363,739
2003 $110,202,368,421 $154,566,788
2002 $100,845,526,316 $162,658,722
2001 $92,783,947,368 $159,446,228
2000 $93,789,736,842 $149,551,483
1999 $79,148,421,053 $144,206,500
1998 $72,167,498,981 $149,079,600
1997 $100,005,323,302 $143,860,800
1996 $100,855,393,910 $137,494,600
1995 $88,705,342,903 $121,018,500
1994 $74,478,356,958 $106,138,500
1993 $66,894,966,969 $96,455,700
1992 $59,167,550,163 $104,771,300
1991 $49,143,148,094 $106,555,300
1990 $44,024,585,240 $97,702,303
1989 $38,847,965,293 $85,800,543
1988 $35,272,109,220 $75,348,615
1987 $32,181,210,158 $66,169,905
1986 $27,734,111,400 $58,109,314
1985 $31,199,633,353 $51,030,637
1984 $33,942,897,422 $44,814,259
1983 $30,347,442,111 $39,661,530
1982 $26,804,493,635 $36,027,583
1981 $25,004,285,792 $32,726,594
1980 $24,488,224,677 $29,728,054
1979 $21,213,264,962 $27,004,251
1978 $16,358,079,862 $24,530,015
1977 $13,139,488,633 $22,308,104
1976 $11,050,234,599 $20,364,420
1975 $9,298,800,799 $18,521,112
1974 $9,496,204,302 $16,848,759
1973 $7,662,902,678 $15,331,889
1972 $5,043,347,250 $13,956,474
1971 $4,244,395,956 $12,706,874
1970 $3,864,145,667 $11,563,041
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/facts/malaysia/palau | CC BY

Malaysia and Palau economies compared

GDP per capita
Malaysia

Palau
1x
Year GDP per capita
Malaysia Palau
2024 $11,874 -
2023 $11,386 $15,611
2022 $11,755 $13,730
2021 $10,903 $13,009
2020 $9,958 $14,708
2019 $10,920 $15,847
2018 $10,902 $16,167
2017 $9,863 $16,402
2016 $9,477 $17,150
2015 $9,649 $16,154
2014 $11,013 $13,863
2013 $10,714 $12,699
2012 $10,601 $12,137
2011 $10,217 $10,994
2010 $8,899 $10,222
2009 $7,191 $10,148
2008 $8,372 $10,578
2007 $7,169 $10,403
2006 $6,158 $9,882
2005 $5,556 $9,635
2004 $4,939 $8,394
2003 $4,465 $7,862
2002 $4,184 $8,340
2001 $3,944 $8,239
2000 $4,084 $7,798
1999 $3,528 $7,630
1998 $3,294 $8,048
1997 $4,679 $7,945
1996 $4,837 $7,788
1995 $4,363 $7,038
1994 $3,758 $6,329
1993 $3,462 $5,892
1992 $3,141 $6,553
1991 $2,679 $6,824
1990 $2,469 $6,403
1989 $2,244 $5,741
1988 $2,100 $5,145
1987 $1,977 $4,616
1986 $1,760 $4,144
1985 $2,046 $3,728
1984 $2,300 $3,360
1983 $2,124 $3,049
1982 $1,938 $2,838
1981 $1,866 $2,639
1980 $1,886 $2,423
1979 $1,680 $2,189
1978 $1,327 $1,972
1977 $1,092 $1,781
1976 $940 $1,616
1975 $811 $1,464
1974 $848 $1,328
1973 $701 $1,221
1972 $472 $1,145
1971 $407 $1,081
1970 $380 $1,017
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/facts/malaysia/palau | CC BY

Malaysia vs. Palau life expectancy calculator

Life expectancy
Malaysia

Palau
1x
Year Life expectancy, years
Malaysia Palau
2026 77.2 69.6
2025 77 69.5
2024 76.8 69.4
2023 76.7 69.3
2022 75.4 68.9
2021 73.9 68.6
2020 76.1 68.7
2019 75.9 69
2018 75.7 69
2017 75.5 69
2016 75.4 69
2015 75.3 69.1
2014 75.3 69.1
2013 75.5 69
2012 75.6 68.9
2011 75.5 68.6
2010 75.4 68.3
2009 75.3 68
2008 75.2 67.6
2007 75 67.1
2006 74.7 66.6
2005 74.4 66.2
2004 74 65.8
2003 73.7 65.4
2002 73.5 65.1
2001 73.1 64.8
2000 72.7 64.5
1999 72.4 64.2
1998 72.4 64
1997 72.3 63.7
1996 72.1 63.5
1995 72 63.3
1994 71.9 63.1
1993 71.7 63
1992 71.5 62.9
1991 71.2 62.8
1990 71 62.8
1989 70.8 62.8
1988 70.6 62.8
1987 70.4 62.8
1986 70.1 62.8
1985 69.9 62.7
1984 69.6 62.6
1983 69.2 62.5
1982 68.9 62.3
1981 68.5 62.1
1980 68.1 61.9
1979 67.6 61.6
1978 67.2 61.3
1977 66.7 60.9
1976 66.2 60.5
1975 65.7 60
1974 65.2 59.5
1973 64.7 59
1972 64.2 58.6
1971 63.8 58.1
1970 63.3 57.7
1969 62.9 57.3
1968 62.4 56.9
1967 62 56.5
1966 61.7 56.2
1965 61.1 55.9
1964 60.4 55.8
1963 59.7 55.6
1962 58.9 55.4
1961 58 55.1
1960 57.2 54.9
1959 56.3 54.6
1958 55.4 54.4
1957 54.5 54.1
1956 53.7 53.9
1955 52.8 53.7
1954 52 53.5
1953 51.1 53.3
1952 50.1 53.1
1951 49.2 52.9
1950 48.5 52.7

Data sources: United Nations | World Population Prospects (1950–2026, retrieved 2026-03-10).

GeoRank.org/facts/malaysia/palau | CC BY

Malaysia and Palau population clocks and comparison

Population
Malaysia

Palau
1x
Year Population
Malaysia Palau
2024 35,557,673 17,695
2023 35,126,298 17,727
2022 34,695,493 17,759
2021 34,282,399 17,783
2020 33,889,558 17,792
2019 33,440,596 17,798
2018 32,910,967 17,814
2017 32,355,644 17,812
2016 31,789,685 17,797
2015 31,232,798 17,770
2014 30,696,137 17,715
2013 30,174,265 17,648
2012 29,662,831 17,765
2011 29,162,039 18,078
2010 28,655,776 18,396
2009 28,124,778 18,709
2008 27,570,059 19,009
2007 26,998,389 19,302
2006 26,417,909 19,593
2005 25,836,071 19,819
2004 25,256,772 19,820
2003 24,679,602 19,659
2002 24,102,477 19,503
2001 23,526,538 19,352
2000 22,967,816 19,178
1999 22,435,531 18,901
1998 21,906,713 18,524
1997 21,375,218 18,108
1996 20,850,087 17,654
1995 20,330,599 17,195
1994 19,820,446 16,770
1993 19,322,664 16,372
1992 18,834,572 15,989
1991 18,342,464 15,614
1990 17,833,171 15,259
1989 17,314,997 14,945
1988 16,796,605 14,645
1987 16,276,737 14,334
1986 15,760,419 14,024
1985 15,252,258 13,688
1984 14,759,009 13,337
1983 14,285,907 13,006
1982 13,832,798 12,694
1981 13,399,203 12,402
1980 12,983,363 12,271
1979 12,627,862 12,337
1978 12,328,157 12,440
1977 12,035,713 12,525
1976 11,750,097 12,598
1975 11,471,914 12,655
1974 11,200,906 12,687
1973 10,935,621 12,552
1972 10,676,835 12,194
1971 10,423,453 11,759
1970 10,178,802 11,368
1969 9,947,597 11,159
1968 9,725,281 11,080
1967 9,507,099 10,988
1966 9,284,688 10,805
1965 9,056,408 10,547
1964 8,828,406 10,292
1963 8,602,160 10,037
1962 8,380,172 9,793
1961 8,164,443 9,555
1960 7,956,197 9,328

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

GeoRank.org/facts/malaysia/palau | CC BY

Fertility rates in Malaysia and Palau

Fertility rate
Malaysia

Palau
1x
Year Fertility rate
Malaysia Palau
2023 1.55 1.91
2022 1.55 1.93
2021 1.56 1.95
2020 1.68 1.97
2019 1.78 1.98
2018 1.84 1.97
2017 1.89 2.02
2016 1.94 2.06
2015 2.01 2
2014 2.06 2.03
2013 2.07 2.05
2012 2.12 2.01
2011 2.15 1.97
2010 2.14 1.94
2009 2.22 1.94
2008 2.26 1.95
2007 2.25 1.97
2006 2.31 2
2005 2.39 2.02
2004 2.49 1.99
2003 2.6 1.96
2002 2.66 1.92
2001 2.81 1.87
2000 2.94 1.82
1999 3.07 1.91
1998 3.12 2.01
1997 3.23 2.19
1996 3.3 2.39
1995 3.32 2.55
1994 3.35 2.66
1993 3.36 2.73
1992 3.37 2.71
1991 3.34 2.74
1990 3.3 2.88
1989 3.31 2.92
1988 3.5 2.91
1987 3.57 2.93
1986 3.7 2.98
1985 3.8 3.01
1984 3.89 3.08
1983 3.93 3.14
1982 3.97 3.22
1981 4 3.28
1980 4.04 3.35
1979 4.09 3.49
1978 4.18 3.74
1977 4.28 4.09
1976 4.4 4.53
1975 4.5 4.9
1974 4.62 5.26
1973 4.73 5.59
1972 4.82 5.9
1971 4.92 6.16
1970 5.04 6.39
1969 5.16 6.58
1968 5.29 6.71
1967 5.43 6.84
1966 5.64 6.93
1965 5.84 7.01
1964 6.03 7.08
1963 6.19 7.12
1962 6.3 7.15
1961 6.37 7.17
1960 6.41 7.19

Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2023, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/facts/malaysia/palau | CC BY

Malaysia and Palau demographics compared

Median age
Malaysia

Palau
1x
Year Median age, years
Malaysia Palau
2024 31.5 39.2
2023 31.1 38.8
2022 30.6 38.5
2021 30.1 38.1
2020 29.6 37.8
2019 29.2 37.4
2018 28.8 37
2017 28.5 36.7
2016 28.1 36.3
2015 27.8 36
2014 27.5 35.6
2013 27.1 35.3
2012 26.8 35
2011 26.4 34.6
2010 26 34.2
2009 25.6 33.9
2008 25.1 33.5
2007 24.8 33.1
2006 24.5 32.7
2005 24.2 32.3
2004 24 32
2003 23.9 31.8
2002 23.7 31.5
2001 23.6 31.2
2000 23.5 30.8
1999 23.4 30.2
1998 23.1 29.4
1997 22.9 28.8
1996 22.7 28.3
1995 22.5 27.8
1994 22.3 27.4
1993 22.1 26.9
1992 21.9 26.4
1991 21.7 26
1990 21.5 25.6
1989 21.3 24.9
1988 21.1 24
1987 21 23.1
1986 20.9 22.2
1985 20.7 21.6
1984 20.5 21.1
1983 20.4 20.5
1982 20.1 19.9
1981 19.9 19.3
1980 19.7 18.9
1979 19.5 18.6
1978 19.3 18.3
1977 19 18.1
1976 18.8 17.8
1975 18.6 17.4
1974 18.3 17.1
1973 18.1 16.8
1972 17.9 16.6
1971 17.6 16.6
1970 17.4 16.5
1969 17.3 16.1
1968 17.1 15.7
1967 17 15.2
1966 16.9 14.9
1965 16.8 14.9
1964 16.9 15
1963 17 15.1
1962 17.1 15.5
1961 17.3 16.1
1960 17.5 16.7

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

GeoRank.org/facts/malaysia/palau | CC BY

Interactive Maps

Use the buttons below to switch between world maps comparing statistics for Malaysia and Palau.

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National statistics comparison

Finance

Malaysia Palau
GNI, Atlas method
$414B
2024
$262M
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
23.9%
2024
52.3%
2024
Education expenditure, % of GDP
3.51%
2023
3.53%
2023
Military expenditure, % of GDP
0.99%
2024
n/a
Armed forces personnel
136,000
2020
n/a
Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
-3.95%
2024
+1.67%
2024
Unemployment rate
3.93%
2022
2.09%
2023
Services, % of GDP
53.7%
2024
74.8%
2023
Industry, % of GDP
37%
2024
10.1%
2023
Economic freedom index
68
2026
62
2025
Income share by richest 10%
30.9%
2021
n/a
Income share by poorest 10%
2.3%
2021
n/a
Number of billionaires
19
2025
n/a
Percentage of billionaires
0.00008%
2025
n/a
Listed domestic companies
1,031
2024
n/a
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$449B
2024
n/a
Total reserves including gold
$116B
2024
n/a
Personal remittances received
$1.61B
2024
$1.95M
2024
International tourist arrivals
4,333,000
2020
18,399
2020
International tourism as share of exports
1.63%
2020
93.5%
2017
Banked people share
88.7%
2024
n/a

Energy

Malaysia Palau
Energy use, kg of oil equivalent per capita
2,867 kg
2022
4,814 kg
1990
GDP PPP per kg equivalent of energy use
$12
2022
$2
1990
Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions
296 megatons
2024
1.47 megatons
2024
CO2 emissions per capita
8.32 tons
2024
82.8 tons
2024
Fossil fuel energy use share
96%
2022
0%
1990
Renewable energy use share
7.5%
2021
0.9%
2022
Alternative and nuclear energy use share
2.88%
2022
n/a
Net energy imports use share
-0.58%
2022
n/a
Electric power consumption per capita
4,986 kWh
2022
n/a
Renewable electricity output share
17%
2021
4.6%
2021
Hydroelectric share
16.6%
2022
0%
2021
Nuclear share
0%
2021
0%
2021
Electricity access
100%
2023
100%
2023

Society

Malaysia Palau
% of world population
0.44%
2024
0.0002%
2024
Annual migration change
+166,615
2025
-16
2025
Urban population
76.9%
2024
79.2%
2024
Male:Female ratio
52.4:47.6
2024
53.9:46.1
2024
Average male height
5.55 ft
2025
5.6 ft
2025
Average female height
5.15 ft
2025
5.23 ft
2025
Quality of life index
68.2
2026
52.2
2026
Corruption Perceptions Index
52
2025
49
2025
Higher education index
76
2026
n/a
Homicides per 100K people
0.72
2021
11.2
2018
Road traffic mortality per 100K people
22.5
2019
4.78
2013
Visa free countries
174
2025
120
2025
Adult literacy rate
95.8%
2022
100%
2020
English speaking
57.3%
2023
92.5%
2023
People using the Internet
98%
2024
27%
2004

Health

Malaysia Palau
Government health expenditure per capita
$450
2023
$1,684
2023
Out-of-pocket health expenditure per capita
$167
2023
$203.8
2023
Life expectancy
77.2 years
2026
69.6 years
2026
Foreign aid share of health expenditure
0.001%
2023
18.5%
2023
Physicians per 1,000 people
2.34
2023
1.81
2023
Maternal mortality per 100K births
26
2023
89
2023
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age
8.1
2023
22.3
2023
Obesity rate
22.4%
2022
42.1%
2022
Diabetes prevalence
21.1%
2024
19.3%
2024
Air quality index
41
2026
65
2026
Tobacco use prevalence
22%
2022
17.3%
2022
Pure alcohol consumption per capita
0.74 liters
2020
n/a

Territory

Malaysia Palau
% of world land
0.22%
2026
0.0003%
2026
Land area per capita
3,568 sq mi
2024
10,037 sq mi
2024
Agricultural land area
33,093 sq mi
2026
16.6 sq mi
2026
Forest area
73,219 sq mi
2026
160.8 sq mi
2026
Roads length
173,898 mi
2022
n/a

In-depth comparisons

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Health (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. United Nations | World Population Prospects (1950–2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  3. U.S. Census Bureau (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  4. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2000–2019, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  5. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  6. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  7. World Obesity Federation (2022, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  8. Passport Index (2025, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  9. Transparency International (2025, retrieved 2026-02-10)
  10. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  11. EduRank (2026, retrieved 2025-10-13)

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