Malaysia has a population of 35.6M (ranked 44/197), compared with 64M in South Africa (ranked 24/197). Malaysia's land area is 126,854 sq mi versus 468,377 sq mi for South Africa (ranked 65th vs. 24th).
By GDP, Malaysia ranks 38/197 ($422B) and South Africa ranks 40/197 ($401B). By GDP per capita, Malaysia ranks 79/197 ($11,874), while South Africa ranks 111/197 ($6,267).
Main facts and rankings
Malaysia
|
South Africa
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Population |
36512221
|
65683993
|
| Population rank | 45/197 | 24/197 |
| GDP |
$422B
2024 |
$401B
2024 |
| GDP rank | 38/197 | 40/197 |
| GDP per capita |
$11,874
2024 |
$6,267
2024 |
| GDP per capita rank | 79/197 | 111/197 |
| GDP per capita, PPP |
$38,779
2024 |
$15,456
2024 |
| Government debt |
$296B
2024 |
$305B
2024 |
| Debt-to-GDP ratio |
70.1%
2024 |
76%
2024 |
| Government debt per person |
$8,322
2024 |
$4,761
2024 |
| Government debt per person rank | 62/185 | 83/185 |
| Average annual personal income after taxes |
$11,005
2026 |
$15,431
2026 |
| Land area | 126,854 sq mi | 468,377 sq mi |
| Population density |
287 ppl/mi²
2026 |
139.8 ppl/mi²
2026 |
| Fertility rate |
1.55
2023 |
2.22
2023 |
| Median age |
31.5 years
2024 |
29.5 years
2024 |
| Life expectancy |
77.2 years
2026 |
66.7 years
2026 |
Malaysia and South Africa: Comparison Charts
Malaysia and South Africa economies compared
| Year | GDP | |
|---|---|---|
|
Malaysia
|
South Africa
|
|
| 2024 | $422,227,005,429 | $401,144,998,374 |
| 2023 | $399,949,418,753 | $381,440,724,491 |
| 2022 | $407,830,525,990 | $407,596,043,068 |
| 2021 | $373,784,553,030 | $419,986,284,375 |
| 2020 | $337,456,163,961 | $337,974,655,408 |
| 2019 | $365,177,721,022 | $389,330,032,224 |
| 2018 | $358,788,845,713 | $405,260,723,893 |
| 2017 | $319,109,094,160 | $381,448,814,653 |
| 2016 | $301,256,033,870 | $323,585,509,674 |
| 2015 | $301,355,266,965 | $346,709,790,459 |
| 2014 | $338,066,095,097 | $381,198,869,776 |
| 2013 | $323,276,235,524 | $400,886,013,596 |
| 2012 | $314,443,047,642 | $434,400,545,086 |
| 2011 | $297,951,668,675 | $458,199,494,831 |
| 2010 | $255,017,638,456 | $417,363,822,802 |
| 2009 | $202,257,453,037 | $329,754,060,647 |
| 2008 | $230,811,614,370 | $316,131,258,616 |
| 2007 | $193,549,569,478 | $333,077,117,254 |
| 2006 | $162,692,258,307 | $303,858,675,364 |
| 2005 | $143,534,405,819 | $288,867,217,197 |
| 2004 | $124,749,473,684 | $255,806,908,595 |
| 2003 | $110,202,368,421 | $197,018,965,309 |
| 2002 | $100,845,526,316 | $129,087,556,612 |
| 2001 | $92,783,947,368 | $135,429,905,923 |
| 2000 | $93,789,736,842 | $151,752,757,215 |
| 1999 | $79,148,421,053 | $151,516,957,079 |
| 1998 | $72,167,498,981 | $152,982,984,557 |
| 1997 | $100,005,323,302 | $168,978,057,328 |
| 1996 | $100,855,393,910 | $163,234,925,381 |
| 1995 | $88,705,342,903 | $171,735,933,897 |
| 1994 | $74,478,356,958 | $153,512,712,382 |
| 1993 | $66,894,966,969 | $147,194,747,566 |
| 1992 | $59,167,550,163 | $146,956,150,987 |
| 1991 | $49,143,148,094 | $135,203,698,238 |
| 1990 | $44,024,585,240 | $126,048,140,142 |
| 1989 | $38,847,965,293 | $108,055,624,082 |
| 1988 | $35,272,109,220 | $103,976,831,871 |
| 1987 | $32,181,210,158 | $96,535,763,418 |
| 1986 | $27,734,111,400 | $73,354,771,399 |
| 1985 | $31,199,633,353 | $64,459,376,087 |
| 1984 | $33,942,897,422 | $84,870,163,366 |
| 1983 | $30,347,442,111 | $96,204,110,942 |
| 1982 | $26,804,493,635 | $85,904,057,409 |
| 1981 | $25,004,285,792 | $93,141,472,164 |
| 1980 | $24,488,224,677 | $89,411,864,402 |
| 1979 | $21,213,264,962 | $63,038,658,089 |
| 1978 | $16,358,079,862 | $51,607,412,902 |
| 1977 | $13,139,488,633 | $45,328,411,332 |
| 1976 | $11,050,234,599 | $41,150,460,288 |
| 1975 | $9,298,800,799 | $42,906,905,672 |
| 1974 | $9,496,204,302 | $41,389,186,095 |
| 1973 | $7,662,902,678 | $33,262,772,008 |
| 1972 | $5,043,347,250 | $24,515,919,217 |
| 1971 | $4,244,395,956 | $23,411,076,638 |
| 1970 | $3,864,145,667 | $21,218,391,513 |
| 1969 | $3,664,552,041 | $19,256,992,297 |
| 1968 | $3,330,371,551 | $17,124,793,150 |
| 1967 | $3,188,924,677 | $15,821,393,671 |
| 1966 | $3,143,517,944 | $14,211,394,315 |
| 1965 | $2,956,337,669 | $13,068,994,772 |
| 1964 | $2,674,423,922 | $11,955,995,218 |
| 1963 | $2,510,110,348 | $10,854,195,658 |
| 1962 | $2,001,489,602 | $9,813,996,074 |
| 1961 | $1,901,856,123 | $9,225,996,310 |
| 1960 | $1,916,229,477 | $8,748,596,501 |
Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/facts/malaysia/south-africa | CC BY 
Malaysia and South Africa economies compared
| Year | GDP per capita | |
|---|---|---|
|
Malaysia
|
South Africa
|
|
| 2024 | $11,874 | $6,267 |
| 2023 | $11,386 | $6,034 |
| 2022 | $11,755 | $6,534 |
| 2021 | $10,903 | $6,829 |
| 2020 | $9,958 | $5,581 |
| 2019 | $10,920 | $6,534 |
| 2018 | $10,902 | $6,914 |
| 2017 | $9,863 | $6,618 |
| 2016 | $9,477 | $5,651 |
| 2015 | $9,649 | $6,112 |
| 2014 | $11,013 | $6,857 |
| 2013 | $10,714 | $7,332 |
| 2012 | $10,601 | $8,077 |
| 2011 | $10,217 | $8,646 |
| 2010 | $8,899 | $7,973 |
| 2009 | $7,191 | $6,375 |
| 2008 | $8,372 | $6,185 |
| 2007 | $7,169 | $6,592 |
| 2006 | $6,158 | $6,077 |
| 2005 | $5,556 | $5,837 |
| 2004 | $4,939 | $5,221 |
| 2003 | $4,465 | $4,062 |
| 2002 | $4,184 | $2,688 |
| 2001 | $3,944 | $2,847 |
| 2000 | $4,084 | $3,218 |
| 1999 | $3,528 | $3,242 |
| 1998 | $3,294 | $3,310 |
| 1997 | $4,679 | $3,700 |
| 1996 | $4,837 | $3,618 |
| 1995 | $4,363 | $3,856 |
| 1994 | $3,758 | $3,489 |
| 1993 | $3,462 | $3,400 |
| 1992 | $3,141 | $3,462 |
| 1991 | $2,679 | $3,243 |
| 1990 | $2,469 | $3,093 |
| 1989 | $2,244 | $2,727 |
| 1988 | $2,100 | $2,702 |
| 1987 | $1,977 | $2,586 |
| 1986 | $1,760 | $2,027 |
| 1985 | $2,046 | $1,839 |
| 1984 | $2,300 | $2,504 |
| 1983 | $2,124 | $2,938 |
| 1982 | $1,938 | $2,717 |
| 1981 | $1,866 | $3,050 |
| 1980 | $1,886 | $3,029 |
| 1979 | $1,680 | $2,202 |
| 1978 | $1,327 | $1,852 |
| 1977 | $1,092 | $1,671 |
| 1976 | $940 | $1,559 |
| 1975 | $811 | $1,670 |
| 1974 | $848 | $1,656 |
| 1973 | $701 | $1,369 |
| 1972 | $472 | $1,038 |
| 1971 | $407 | $1,020 |
| 1970 | $380 | $952 |
| 1969 | $368 | $891 |
| 1968 | $342 | $817 |
| 1967 | $335 | $779 |
| 1966 | $339 | $722 |
| 1965 | $326 | $685 |
| 1964 | $303 | $646 |
| 1963 | $291.8 | $605 |
| 1962 | $238.8 | $563 |
| 1961 | $232.9 | $546 |
| 1960 | $240.8 | $532 |
Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/facts/malaysia/south-africa | CC BY
Malaysia vs. South Africa life expectancy calculator
| Year | Life expectancy, years | |
|---|---|---|
|
Malaysia
|
South Africa
|
|
| 2026 | 77.2 | 66.7 |
| 2025 | 77 | 66.5 |
| 2024 | 76.8 | 66.3 |
| 2023 | 76.7 | 66.1 |
| 2022 | 75.4 | 65.5 |
| 2021 | 73.9 | 62 |
| 2020 | 76.1 | 65.2 |
| 2019 | 75.9 | 66.1 |
| 2018 | 75.7 | 65.7 |
| 2017 | 75.5 | 65.4 |
| 2016 | 75.4 | 64.7 |
| 2015 | 75.3 | 64.1 |
| 2014 | 75.3 | 63.2 |
| 2013 | 75.5 | 62.4 |
| 2012 | 75.6 | 61.7 |
| 2011 | 75.5 | 60.6 |
| 2010 | 75.4 | 58.9 |
| 2009 | 75.3 | 57.4 |
| 2008 | 75.2 | 56 |
| 2007 | 75 | 54.9 |
| 2006 | 74.7 | 54.2 |
| 2005 | 74.4 | 53.9 |
| 2004 | 74 | 54 |
| 2003 | 73.7 | 54.2 |
| 2002 | 73.5 | 55.6 |
| 2001 | 73.1 | 57.2 |
| 2000 | 72.7 | 58.4 |
| 1999 | 72.4 | 59.2 |
| 1998 | 72.4 | 59.9 |
| 1997 | 72.3 | 60.5 |
| 1996 | 72.1 | 61.1 |
| 1995 | 72 | 61.6 |
| 1994 | 71.9 | 62.1 |
| 1993 | 71.7 | 62.6 |
| 1992 | 71.5 | 62.8 |
| 1991 | 71.2 | 63 |
| 1990 | 71 | 62.9 |
| 1989 | 70.8 | 63 |
| 1988 | 70.6 | 62.9 |
| 1987 | 70.4 | 62.7 |
| 1986 | 70.1 | 62.4 |
| 1985 | 69.9 | 62.2 |
| 1984 | 69.6 | 61.8 |
| 1983 | 69.2 | 61.4 |
| 1982 | 68.9 | 60.9 |
| 1981 | 68.5 | 60.4 |
| 1980 | 68.1 | 60 |
| 1979 | 67.6 | 59.5 |
| 1978 | 67.2 | 59 |
| 1977 | 66.7 | 58.5 |
| 1976 | 66.2 | 58 |
| 1975 | 65.7 | 57.6 |
| 1974 | 65.2 | 57.1 |
| 1973 | 64.7 | 56.7 |
| 1972 | 64.2 | 56.4 |
| 1971 | 63.8 | 56 |
| 1970 | 63.3 | 55.7 |
| 1969 | 62.9 | 55.4 |
| 1968 | 62.4 | 55.2 |
| 1967 | 62 | 55 |
| 1966 | 61.7 | 54.7 |
| 1965 | 61.1 | 54.4 |
| 1964 | 60.4 | 54.2 |
| 1963 | 59.7 | 53.9 |
| 1962 | 58.9 | 53.6 |
| 1961 | 58 | 53.1 |
| 1960 | 57.2 | 52.6 |
| 1959 | 56.3 | 51.9 |
| 1958 | 55.4 | 51.1 |
| 1957 | 54.5 | 50.2 |
| 1956 | 53.7 | 49.2 |
| 1955 | 52.8 | 48.2 |
| 1954 | 52 | 47.1 |
| 1953 | 51.1 | 46.1 |
| 1952 | 50.1 | 45 |
| 1951 | 49.2 | 44.1 |
| 1950 | 48.5 | 43.1 |
Data sources: United Nations | World Population Prospects (1950–2026, retrieved 2026-03-10).
GeoRank.org/facts/malaysia/south-africa | CC BY
Malaysia and South Africa population clocks and comparison
| Year | Population | |
|---|---|---|
|
Malaysia
|
South Africa
|
|
| 2024 | 35,557,673 | 64,007,187 |
| 2023 | 35,126,298 | 63,212,384 |
| 2022 | 34,695,493 | 62,378,410 |
| 2021 | 34,282,399 | 61,502,603 |
| 2020 | 33,889,558 | 60,562,381 |
| 2019 | 33,440,596 | 59,587,885 |
| 2018 | 32,910,967 | 58,613,001 |
| 2017 | 32,355,644 | 57,635,162 |
| 2016 | 31,789,685 | 57,259,551 |
| 2015 | 31,232,798 | 56,723,537 |
| 2014 | 30,696,137 | 55,594,838 |
| 2013 | 30,174,265 | 54,678,791 |
| 2012 | 29,662,831 | 53,782,567 |
| 2011 | 29,162,039 | 52,995,205 |
| 2010 | 28,655,776 | 52,344,051 |
| 2009 | 28,124,778 | 51,728,516 |
| 2008 | 27,570,059 | 51,114,599 |
| 2007 | 26,998,389 | 50,528,584 |
| 2006 | 26,417,909 | 49,998,277 |
| 2005 | 25,836,071 | 49,490,033 |
| 2004 | 25,256,772 | 48,991,421 |
| 2003 | 24,679,602 | 48,500,348 |
| 2002 | 24,102,477 | 48,019,415 |
| 2001 | 23,526,538 | 47,566,800 |
| 2000 | 22,967,816 | 47,159,719 |
| 1999 | 22,435,531 | 46,730,335 |
| 1998 | 21,906,713 | 46,223,880 |
| 1997 | 21,375,218 | 45,666,838 |
| 1996 | 20,850,087 | 45,123,018 |
| 1995 | 20,330,599 | 44,541,554 |
| 1994 | 19,820,446 | 44,004,139 |
| 1993 | 19,322,664 | 43,297,156 |
| 1992 | 18,834,572 | 42,443,509 |
| 1991 | 18,342,464 | 41,687,898 |
| 1990 | 17,833,171 | 40,746,268 |
| 1989 | 17,314,997 | 39,628,575 |
| 1988 | 16,796,605 | 38,480,649 |
| 1987 | 16,276,737 | 37,326,190 |
| 1986 | 15,760,419 | 36,180,515 |
| 1985 | 15,252,258 | 35,042,093 |
| 1984 | 14,759,009 | 33,892,788 |
| 1983 | 14,285,907 | 32,739,304 |
| 1982 | 13,832,798 | 31,615,339 |
| 1981 | 13,399,203 | 30,541,044 |
| 1980 | 12,983,363 | 29,518,857 |
| 1979 | 12,627,862 | 28,634,162 |
| 1978 | 12,328,157 | 27,869,507 |
| 1977 | 12,035,713 | 27,118,952 |
| 1976 | 11,750,097 | 26,395,450 |
| 1975 | 11,471,914 | 25,690,940 |
| 1974 | 11,200,906 | 24,989,108 |
| 1973 | 10,935,621 | 24,294,263 |
| 1972 | 10,676,835 | 23,609,456 |
| 1971 | 10,423,453 | 22,942,143 |
| 1970 | 10,178,802 | 22,279,984 |
| 1969 | 9,947,597 | 21,614,676 |
| 1968 | 9,725,281 | 20,957,287 |
| 1967 | 9,507,099 | 20,314,066 |
| 1966 | 9,284,688 | 19,690,087 |
| 1965 | 9,056,408 | 19,089,380 |
| 1964 | 8,828,406 | 18,511,361 |
| 1963 | 8,602,160 | 17,954,564 |
| 1962 | 8,380,172 | 17,418,522 |
| 1961 | 8,164,443 | 16,908,035 |
| 1960 | 7,956,197 | 16,440,172 |
Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/facts/malaysia/south-africa | CC BY
Fertility rates in Malaysia and South Africa
| Year | Fertility rate | |
|---|---|---|
|
Malaysia
|
South Africa
|
|
| 2023 | 1.55 | 2.22 |
| 2022 | 1.55 | 2.23 |
| 2021 | 1.56 | 2.25 |
| 2020 | 1.68 | 2.26 |
| 2019 | 1.78 | 2.26 |
| 2018 | 1.84 | 2.27 |
| 2017 | 1.89 | 2.28 |
| 2016 | 1.94 | 2.26 |
| 2015 | 2.01 | 2.36 |
| 2014 | 2.06 | 2.42 |
| 2013 | 2.07 | 2.43 |
| 2012 | 2.12 | 2.45 |
| 2011 | 2.15 | 2.44 |
| 2010 | 2.14 | 2.44 |
| 2009 | 2.22 | 2.5 |
| 2008 | 2.26 | 2.68 |
| 2007 | 2.25 | 2.55 |
| 2006 | 2.31 | 2.55 |
| 2005 | 2.39 | 2.51 |
| 2004 | 2.49 | 2.44 |
| 2003 | 2.6 | 2.36 |
| 2002 | 2.66 | 2.32 |
| 2001 | 2.81 | 2.37 |
| 2000 | 2.94 | 2.41 |
| 1999 | 3.07 | 2.56 |
| 1998 | 3.12 | 2.63 |
| 1997 | 3.23 | 2.73 |
| 1996 | 3.3 | 2.99 |
| 1995 | 3.32 | 3.17 |
| 1994 | 3.35 | 3.26 |
| 1993 | 3.36 | 3.37 |
| 1992 | 3.37 | 3.48 |
| 1991 | 3.34 | 3.62 |
| 1990 | 3.3 | 3.72 |
| 1989 | 3.31 | 3.98 |
| 1988 | 3.5 | 4.18 |
| 1987 | 3.57 | 4.35 |
| 1986 | 3.7 | 4.41 |
| 1985 | 3.8 | 4.5 |
| 1984 | 3.89 | 4.57 |
| 1983 | 3.93 | 4.63 |
| 1982 | 3.97 | 4.7 |
| 1981 | 4 | 4.71 |
| 1980 | 4.04 | 4.78 |
| 1979 | 4.09 | 4.82 |
| 1978 | 4.18 | 4.85 |
| 1977 | 4.28 | 4.94 |
| 1976 | 4.4 | 5.07 |
| 1975 | 4.5 | 5.19 |
| 1974 | 4.62 | 5.3 |
| 1973 | 4.73 | 5.41 |
| 1972 | 4.82 | 5.49 |
| 1971 | 4.92 | 5.57 |
| 1970 | 5.04 | 5.63 |
| 1969 | 5.16 | 5.72 |
| 1968 | 5.29 | 5.78 |
| 1967 | 5.43 | 5.85 |
| 1966 | 5.64 | 5.91 |
| 1965 | 5.84 | 5.89 |
| 1964 | 6.03 | 5.96 |
| 1963 | 6.19 | 6.01 |
| 1962 | 6.3 | 6.05 |
| 1961 | 6.37 | 6.08 |
| 1960 | 6.41 | 6.11 |
Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2023, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/facts/malaysia/south-africa | CC BY
Malaysia and South Africa demographics compared
| Year | Median age, years | |
|---|---|---|
|
Malaysia
|
South Africa
|
|
| 2024 | 31.5 | 29.5 |
| 2023 | 31.1 | 29.2 |
| 2022 | 30.6 | 28.9 |
| 2021 | 30.1 | 28.6 |
| 2020 | 29.6 | 28.3 |
| 2019 | 29.2 | 27.9 |
| 2018 | 28.8 | 27.5 |
| 2017 | 28.5 | 27 |
| 2016 | 28.1 | 26.7 |
| 2015 | 27.8 | 26.4 |
| 2014 | 27.5 | 26 |
| 2013 | 27.1 | 25.7 |
| 2012 | 26.8 | 25.3 |
| 2011 | 26.4 | 25 |
| 2010 | 26 | 24.6 |
| 2009 | 25.6 | 24.3 |
| 2008 | 25.1 | 24 |
| 2007 | 24.8 | 23.8 |
| 2006 | 24.5 | 23.5 |
| 2005 | 24.2 | 23.3 |
| 2004 | 24 | 23.1 |
| 2003 | 23.9 | 22.8 |
| 2002 | 23.7 | 22.4 |
| 2001 | 23.6 | 22.2 |
| 2000 | 23.5 | 21.9 |
| 1999 | 23.4 | 21.6 |
| 1998 | 23.1 | 21.4 |
| 1997 | 22.9 | 21.2 |
| 1996 | 22.7 | 21.2 |
| 1995 | 22.5 | 21.5 |
| 1994 | 22.3 | 22 |
| 1993 | 22.1 | 21.9 |
| 1992 | 21.9 | 21.5 |
| 1991 | 21.7 | 21.5 |
| 1990 | 21.5 | 21.3 |
| 1989 | 21.3 | 21.1 |
| 1988 | 21.1 | 20.9 |
| 1987 | 21 | 20.7 |
| 1986 | 20.9 | 20.5 |
| 1985 | 20.7 | 20.4 |
| 1984 | 20.5 | 20.2 |
| 1983 | 20.4 | 20 |
| 1982 | 20.1 | 19.8 |
| 1981 | 19.9 | 19.6 |
| 1980 | 19.7 | 19.4 |
| 1979 | 19.5 | 19.3 |
| 1978 | 19.3 | 19.2 |
| 1977 | 19 | 19.1 |
| 1976 | 18.8 | 19 |
| 1975 | 18.6 | 18.9 |
| 1974 | 18.3 | 18.9 |
| 1973 | 18.1 | 18.8 |
| 1972 | 17.9 | 18.8 |
| 1971 | 17.6 | 18.8 |
| 1970 | 17.4 | 18.8 |
| 1969 | 17.3 | 18.8 |
| 1968 | 17.1 | 18.8 |
| 1967 | 17 | 18.8 |
| 1966 | 16.9 | 18.8 |
| 1965 | 16.8 | 18.8 |
| 1964 | 16.9 | 18.9 |
| 1963 | 17 | 18.9 |
| 1962 | 17.1 | 18.9 |
| 1961 | 17.3 | 19 |
| 1960 | 17.5 | 19 |
Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/facts/malaysia/south-africa | CC BY
Interactive Maps
Use the buttons below to switch between world maps comparing statistics for Malaysia and South Africa.
National statistics comparison
Finance
|
Malaysia
|
South Africa
|
|
|---|---|---|
| GNI, Atlas method |
$414B
2024 |
$391B
2024 |
| Government expenditure, % of GDP |
23.9%
2024 |
33%
2024 |
| Education expenditure, % of GDP |
3.51%
2023 |
6.02%
2024 |
| Military expenditure, % of GDP |
0.99%
2024 |
0.7%
2024 |
| Armed forces personnel |
136,000
2020 |
89,000
2020 |
| Deficit/surplus, % of GDP |
-3.95%
2024 |
-5.79%
2024 |
| Unemployment rate |
3.93%
2022 |
32.3%
2024 |
| Services, % of GDP |
53.7%
2024 |
63%
2024 |
| Industry, % of GDP |
37%
2024 |
24.3%
2024 |
| Economic freedom index |
68
2026 |
58.6
2026 |
| Income share by richest 10% |
30.9%
2021 |
50.5%
2014 |
| Income share by poorest 10% |
2.3%
2021 |
0.9%
2014 |
| Number of millionaires | n/a |
90,595
2025 |
| Percentage of millionaires | n/a |
0.22%
2025 |
| Number of billionaires |
19
2025 |
7
2025 |
| Percentage of billionaires |
0.00008%
2025 |
0.00002%
2025 |
| Listed domestic companies |
1,031
2024 |
220
2024 |
| Market capitalization of domestic companies |
$449B
2024 |
$986B
2024 |
| Total reserves including gold |
$116B
2024 |
$65.4B
2024 |
| Personal remittances received |
$1.61B
2024 |
$855M
2024 |
| International tourist arrivals |
4,333,000
2020 |
3,886,600
2020 |
| International tourism as share of exports |
1.63%
2020 |
2.89%
2020 |
| Banked people share |
88.7%
2024 |
81.1%
2024 |
Energy
|
Malaysia
|
South Africa
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Energy use, kg of oil equivalent per capita |
2,867 kg
2022 |
1,939 kg
2023 |
| GDP PPP per kg equivalent of energy use |
$12
2022 |
$7.84
2023 |
| Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions |
296 megatons
2024 |
440 megatons
2024 |
| CO2 emissions per capita |
8.32 tons
2024 |
6.88 tons
2024 |
| Fossil fuel energy use share |
96%
2022 |
93.3%
2022 |
| Renewable energy use share |
7.5%
2021 |
9.7%
2021 |
| Alternative and nuclear energy use share |
2.88%
2022 |
3.58%
2023 |
| Net energy imports use share |
-0.58%
2022 |
-12.5%
2023 |
| Electric power consumption per capita |
4,986 kWh
2022 |
3,247 kWh
2023 |
| Renewable electricity output share |
17%
2021 |
6.45%
2021 |
| Hydroelectric share |
16.6%
2022 |
2.91%
2023 |
| Nuclear share |
0%
2021 |
3.73%
2023 |
| Electricity access |
100%
2023 |
87.7%
2023 |
Society
|
Malaysia
|
South Africa
|
|
|---|---|---|
| % of world population |
0.44%
2024 |
0.79%
2024 |
| Annual migration change |
+166,615
2025 |
+146,370
2025 |
| Urban population |
76.9%
2024 |
63.7%
2024 |
| Male:Female ratio |
52.4:47.6
2024 |
48.7:51.3
2024 |
| Average male height |
5.55 ft
2025 |
5.56 ft
2025 |
| Average female height |
5.15 ft
2025 |
5.2 ft
2025 |
| Quality of life index |
68.2
2026 |
42.1
2026 |
| Corruption Perceptions Index |
52
2025 |
41
2025 |
| Higher education index |
76
2026 |
81
2026 |
| Homicides per 100K people |
0.72
2021 |
45.5
2022 |
| Road traffic mortality per 100K people |
22.5
2019 |
22.2
2019 |
| Visa free countries |
174
2025 |
109
2025 |
| Adult literacy rate |
95.8%
2022 |
91.2%
2024 |
| English speaking |
57.3%
2023 |
31%
2023 |
| People using the Internet |
98%
2024 |
75.7%
2023 |
Health
|
Malaysia
|
South Africa
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Government health expenditure per capita |
$450
2023 |
$537
2023 |
| Out-of-pocket health expenditure per capita |
$167
2023 |
$35.9
2023 |
| Life expectancy |
77.2 years
2026 |
66.7 years
2026 |
| Foreign aid share of health expenditure |
0.001%
2023 |
2.06%
2023 |
| Physicians per 1,000 people |
2.34
2023 |
0.79
2022 |
| Maternal mortality per 100K births |
26
2023 |
118
2023 |
| Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age |
8.1
2023 |
34.7
2023 |
| Obesity rate |
22.4%
2022 |
31.4%
2022 |
| Diabetes prevalence |
21.1%
2024 |
7.2%
2024 |
| Air quality index |
41
2026 |
39
2026 |
| Tobacco use prevalence |
22%
2022 |
20.7%
2022 |
| Pure alcohol consumption per capita |
0.74 liters
2020 |
7.13 liters
2020 |
Territory
|
Malaysia
|
South Africa
|
|
|---|---|---|
| % of world land |
0.22%
2026 |
0.81%
2026 |
| Land area per capita |
3,568 sq mi
2024 |
7,318 sq mi
2024 |
| Agricultural land area |
33,093 sq mi
2026 |
371,975 sq mi
2026 |
| Forest area |
73,219 sq mi
2026 |
65,409 sq mi
2026 |
| Roads length |
173,898 mi
2022 |
466,028 mi
2016 |
In-depth comparisons
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Data sources:
- World Bank | Health (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-04-06)
- United Nations | World Population Prospects (1950–2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
- U.S. Census Bureau (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-02-08)
- Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2000–2019, retrieved 2026-02-20)
- International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
- LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
- World Obesity Federation (2022, retrieved 2026-02-08)
- Passport Index (2025, retrieved 2026-02-08)
- Transparency International (2025, retrieved 2026-02-10)
- The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
- EduRank (2026, retrieved 2025-10-13)
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