Photo: Bjørn Christian Tørrissen · CC BY-SA 3.0 · via Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale
Topic 02 of 18 · Country Index 2026
Malaysia: Economy & Innovation
What does an economy do for the people inside it?
Malaysia is placed 40th of 176 countries on economy & innovation in the Country Index 2026, from 4 of its 4 key statistics. Readings behind it: GDP per Capita (PPP) 35,461 (2025); Firms with a Bank Loan or Line of Credit 37.93 (2025).
Share
Economy & Innovation
40th
of 176 countries placed
Placed from 4 of 4 key statistics
- 35,461GDP per Capita (PPP), 2025GDP per capita (constant 2021 international $, PPP)
- 37.93Firms with a Bank Loan or Line of Credit, 2025Firms with a bank loan or line of credit (%)
- 0.86Economic Complexity Index, 2024ECI score (standardised, roughly −3 to +3)
- 88.69Account Ownership at a Financial Institution, 2024Adults with an account (% of population aged 15+)
01The evidence
The 4 key statistics that decide it
Only these place Malaysia on economy & innovation — one vote each. Every value is the publisher’s own, read at the edition the Country Index 2026 used — or, for a survey-based key, each country’s latest reading; the grey ticks are every other country it was compared with, lowest on the left.
35,461
GDP per capita (constant 2021 international $, PPP)
Higher is better
Malaysia: 35,461. Across the 185 countries in this edition, values run from 1,067 (Burundi) to 139,593 (Singapore); the world median is 17,265.
- World median
- 17,265
- Best in South-eastern Asia
- 139,593 Singapore
- Land neighbours
- Brunei 78,985 · Indonesia 15,091 · Thailand 22,432
Key 2 of 4
Firms with a Bank Loan or Line of Credit
World Bank Group
Latest reading per country, 2016–2025 · Malaysia’s is from 2024 · CC BY 4.0
37.93
Firms with a bank loan or line of credit (%)
Higher is better
Malaysia: 37.93. Across the 179 countries at their latest reading, values run from 2.113 (Pakistan) to 88.52 (Israel); the world median is 35.95.
- World median
- 35.95
- Best in South-eastern Asia
- 45.89 Thailand
- Land neighbours
- Brunei 29.26 · Indonesia 19.99 · Thailand 45.89
Key 3 of 4
Economic Complexity Index
Growth Lab at Harvard University
2024 edition · data for 2024 · CC0 1.0
0.86
ECI score (standardised, roughly −3 to +3)
Higher is better
Ranked 29th of 145 by Growth Lab at Harvard University
Malaysia: 0.86. Across the 145 countries in this edition, values run from -3.53 (Chad) to 1.729 (Japan); the world median is 0.131.
- World median
- 0.131
- Best in South-eastern Asia
- 1.52 Singapore
- Land neighbours
- Indonesia 0.223 · Thailand 0.812
Key 4 of 4
Account Ownership at a Financial Institution
World Bank Group
2024 edition · data for 2024 · CC BY 4.0
88.69
Adults with an account (% of population aged 15+)
Higher is better
Malaysia: 88.69. Across the 139 countries in this edition, values run from 14.83 (Niger) to 99.85 (Iceland); the world median is 72.83.
- World median
- 72.83
- Best in South-eastern Asia
- 97.97 Singapore
- Land neighbours
- Indonesia 56.33 · Thailand 91.82
02Over time
Which way Malaysia is moving
Each key’s published value, edition by edition, beside the world median. The Country Index 2026 is the first edition of the standing, so the standing itself has no history to chart yet.
GDP per Capita (PPP)
GDP per capita (constant 2021 international $, PPP) · higher is better
MalaysiaWorld median
Malaysia rose from 18,533 in 2000 to 35,461 in 2025; the world median went from 10,589 to 17,265.
Every year’s figures
Year Malaysia World median 2025 35,461 17,265 2024 34,116 18,108 2023 32,858 17,686 2022 32,129 16,933 2021 29,823 16,260 2020 29,200 15,631 2019 31,301 16,761 2018 30,460 16,349 2017 29,552 16,129 2016 28,425 15,512 2015 27,700 14,857 2014 26,818 14,475 2013 25,736 14,681 2012 25,006 14,631 2011 24,116 13,916 2010 23,308 14,101 2009 22,107 13,655 2008 22,898 14,030 2007 22,305 13,755 2006 21,444 12,983 2005 20,768 12,023 2004 20,169 11,608 2003 19,329 11,183 2002 18,709 11,144 2001 18,186 10,907 2000 18,533 10,589 Economic Complexity Index
ECI score (standardised, roughly −3 to +3) · higher is better
MalaysiaWorld median
Malaysia rose from 0.785 in 2000 to 0.86 in 2024; the world median went from 0.016 to 0.131.
Every year’s figures
Year Malaysia World median 2024 0.860 0.1310 2023 0.951 0.0710 2022 1.073 0.0580 2021 1.089 0.0010 2020 1.037 0.0470 2019 1.031 0.0300 2018 1.001 -0.0150 2017 0.938 0.0080 2016 0.952 -0.0660 2015 0.959 -0.0600 2014 0.958 -0.0190 2013 0.954 0.0140 2012 0.915 0.0060 2011 0.927 -0.0140 2010 0.880 -0.0020 2009 0.852 0.0990 2008 0.789 0.0700 2007 0.869 -0.0080 2006 0.868 0.0740 2005 0.809 0.0510 2004 0.818 0.0505 2003 0.839 0.0450 2002 0.851 0.0100 2001 0.885 0.0470 2000 0.785 0.0160 Account Ownership at a Financial Institution
Adults with an account (% of population aged 15+) · higher is better
MalaysiaWorld median
Malaysia rose from 66.17 in 2011 to 88.69 in 2024; the world median went from 37.03 to 72.83.
Every year’s figures
Year Malaysia World median 2024 89 73 2021 88 74 2017 85 59 2014 81 52 2011 66 37
03In context
Malaysia beside its neighbours
A position reads best beside the countries around it. Every position below is a place among all 176 countries on economy & innovation, never a place within the region.
Malaysia and the countries it borders
Standing among all 176; the key columns are the publishers’ own values.
| Country | Standing | GDP per Capita (PPP)GDP per capita (constant 2021 international $, PPP) | Firms with a Bank Loan or Line of CreditFirms with a bank loan or line of credit (%) | Economic Complexity IndexECI score (standardised, roughly −3 to +3) | Account Ownership at a Financial InstitutionAdults with an account (% of population aged 15+) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Thailand | 38th | 22,432 | 45.89 | 0.812 | 91.82 |
| Malaysia | 40th | 35,461 | 37.93 | 0.86 | 88.69 |
 Brunei | 44th | 78,985 | 29.26 | — | — |
 Indonesiacompare | =110th | 15,091 | 19.99 | 0.223 | 56.33 |
“—”: no published reading in that edition. What a standing is
Across South-eastern Asia
Every country in the sub-region, by its place among all 176.
Placed either side on economy & innovation
The countries immediately above and below Malaysia in the topic’s list.
04Context, no vote
Where Malaysia is ahead of the world, and behind
57 more statistics filed under economy & innovation, published in full and deliberately given no vote in the standing. Select a row for the publisher, the rank and the links.
Ahead of the world median24
Statistics on which Malaysia does better than the middle country measured.
ICT Goods ExportsUNCTAD · 2024 · world median 0.97535.210.975No real change since 2014
Malaysia: 35.21 · world median 0.975 · ICT goods exports (% of total goods exports). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 61.45; higher is better.
Position 3rd of 119 · derived.
Liner Shipping Connectivity IndexUNCTAD · 2026 · world median 56.21509.5356.21No real change since 2016
Malaysia: 509.53 · world median 56.21 · LSCI (index, average Q1 2023 = 100). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 4.13 to 1,319; higher is better.
Ranked 4th of 175 by UNCTAD.
Government AI Readiness IndexOxford Insights · 2025 · world median 40.1962.3440.19▼ Worsened since 2020
Malaysia: 62.34 · world median 40.19 · AI readiness score (0–100). Oxford Insights, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 12.12 to 88.36; higher is better.
Ranked 38th of 195 by Oxford Insights.
GNI per Capita (PPP)World Bank Group · 2025 · world median 14,27334,06214,273▲ Improved since 2015
Malaysia: 34,062 · world median 14,273 · GNI per capita (constant 2021 international $, PPP). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 1,181 to 116,633; higher is better.
Position 21st of 102 · derived.
Logistics Performance IndexWorld Bank Group · 2023 · world median 2.93.62.9▼ Worsened since 2014
Malaysia: 3.6 · world median 2.9 · LPI score (1–5). World Bank Group, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 1.9 to 4.3; higher is better.
Ranked 26th of 139 by World Bank Group.
Water-Use EfficiencyFAO · 2023 · world median 16.167.2216.1▲ Improved since 2013
Malaysia: 67.22 · world median 16.1 · Value added per cubic metre of freshwater withdrawn (constant US$ per m³). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.38 to 1,378; higher is better.
Regulatory QualityWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median -0.0930.684-0.093No real change since 2015
Malaysia: 0.684 · world median -0.093 · Regulatory Quality (−2.5 to 2.5). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from -2.106 to 2.113; higher is better.
Position 46th of 209 · derived.
GDP GrowthWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 3.3965.1713.396▼ Worsened since 2015
Malaysia: 5.171 · world median 3.396 · GDP growth (annual %). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from -5.847 to 19.34; higher is better.
Position 42nd of 186 · derived.
Global Innovation IndexWorld Intellectual Property Organization · 2025 · world median 28.5240.5828.52▲ Improved since 2022
Malaysia: 40.58 · world median 28.52 · GII score (0–100). World Intellectual Property Organization, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 11.94 to 65.96; higher is better.
Ranked 34th of 139 by World Intellectual Property Organization.
Productive Capacities IndexUNCTAD · 2022 · world median 46.6756.4646.67▼ Worsened since 2012
Malaysia: 56.46 · world median 46.67 · Productive Capacities Index (1–100). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 17.8 to 71.02; higher is better.
Position 48th of 195 · derived.
Frontier Technology Readiness IndexUNCTAD · 2023 · world median 0.4850.7190.485No real change since 2013
Malaysia: 0.719 · world median 0.485 · Frontier Technology Readiness Index (0–1). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 1; higher is better.
Position 43rd of 170 · derived.
Firms with an International Quality CertificationWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 10.417.8510.4No earlier reading
Malaysia: 17.85 · world median 10.4 · Firms with an internationally recognised quality certification (%). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 45.77; higher is better.
Historical GDP per Capita (Maddison)GGDC · 2022 · world median 12,89026,62912,890▲ Improved since 2012
Malaysia: 26,629 · world median 12,890 · GDP per capita (2011 international $). Maddison Project, Groningen Growth and Development Centre (GGDC), 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 596.39 to 149,171; higher is better.
Position 48th of 166 · derived.
Actual Individual Consumption per Capita (PPP)World Bank Group · 2021 · world median 12,80021,12212,800▲ Improved since 2017
Malaysia: 21,122 · world median 12,800 · Actual individual consumption per capita (PPP, current international $). World Bank Group, 2021 edition, data for 2021.
Published values in that edition run from 688.7 to 52,654; higher is better.
Position 54th of 173 · derived.
Comprehensive Wealth per CapitaWorld Bank Group · 2020 · world median 46,48690,67746,486No real change since 2010
Malaysia: 90,677 · world median 46,486 · National comprehensive wealth per person (real chained 2019 US$). World Bank Group, 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 4,276 to 1,246,092; higher is better.
Position 51st of 150 · derived.
World Energy Trilemma IndexWorld Energy Council · 2023 · world median 63.86963.8No earlier reading
Malaysia: 69 · world median 63.8 · Trilemma score (0–100). World Energy Council, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 27.7 to 83.2; higher is better.
Ranked 35th of 99 by World Energy Council.
Firms Competing Against Informal FirmsWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 41.8132.4941.81No earlier reading
Malaysia: 32.49 · world median 41.81 · Firms competing against unregistered or informal firms (%). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 1.926 to 90.5; lower is better.
Position 119th of 181 · derived, 1st = worst.
Management Practices IndexWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 52.3954.9552.39No earlier reading
Malaysia: 54.95 · world median 52.39 · Management practices index, medium and large firms (0–100). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 28.07 to 69.29; higher is better.
Position 65th of 169 · derived.
Researchers per Million InhabitantsUIS · 2024 · world median 701.951,218701.95No earlier reading
Malaysia: 1,218 · world median 701.95 · Researchers per million inhabitants (full-time equivalent). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 1.446 to 18,130; higher is better.
Position 57th of 145 · derived.
Digitally-Deliverable Services ExportsUNCTAD · 2024 · world median 25.4229.0825.42No real change since 2014
Malaysia: 29.08 · world median 25.42 · Digitally-deliverable services exports (% of services exports). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.377 to 87.15; higher is better.
Position 76th of 170 · derived.
New Business DensityWorld Bank Group · 2024 · world median 2.1872.3792.187▼ Worsened since 2014
Malaysia: 2.379 · world median 2.187 · New limited liability companies registered per 1,000 people aged 15–64. World Bank Group, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.02 to 26.76; higher is better.
Informal Output (DGE Model Estimate)World Bank Group (Prospects Group) · 2020 · world median 27.526.7927.5▼ Worsened since 2010
Malaysia: 26.79 · world median 27.5 · Informal output, model estimate (% of official GDP). World Bank Group (Prospects Group), 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 7.91 to 60.43; lower is better.
ICT Services ExportsUNCTAD · 2024 · world median 7.4747.5197.474▲ Improved since 2014
Malaysia: 7.519 · world median 7.474 · ICT services exports (% of services exports). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 56.25; higher is better.
Position 57th of 118 · derived.
Total Factor Productivity LevelGGDC · 2023 · world median 0.6270.6370.627No real change since 2013
Malaysia: 0.637 · world median 0.627 · TFP level at current PPPs (USA = 1). Groningen Growth and Development Centre (GGDC), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.052 to 1.192; higher is better.
Behind the world median4
Statistics on which Malaysia does worse than the middle country measured.
Food Production IndexFAO · 2022 · world median 106.08102.8106.08▲ Improved since 2012
Malaysia: 102.8 · world median 106.08 · Food production index (2014–2016 = 100). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 71.08 to 177.49; higher is better.
Position 115th of 195 · derived.
Crop Production IndexFAO · 2022 · world median 106.2397.93106.23▼ Worsened since 2012
Malaysia: 97.93 · world median 106.23 · Crop production index (2014–2016 = 100). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 53.79 to 189.93; higher is better.
Position 140th of 195 · derived.
Livestock Production IndexFAO · 2022 · world median 107.0699.69107.06▲ Improved since 2012
Malaysia: 99.69 · world median 107.06 · Livestock production index (2014–2016 = 100). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 35.52 to 190.08; higher is better.
Position 142nd of 194 · derived.
Adjusted Net SavingsWorld Bank Group · 2021 · world median 8.3890.368.389▼ Worsened since 2011
Malaysia: 0.36 · world median 8.389 · Adjusted net savings, including particulate emission damage (% of GNI). World Bank Group, 2021 edition, data for 2021.
Published values in that edition run from -81.62 to 32.18; higher is better.
Position 93rd of 118 · derived.
No better end29
These describe the shape of a country — more is not better or worse, only different — so they are never ahead or behind.
Container Port TrafficUNCTAD · 2024 · world median 1,827,78830,659,8501,827,788No real change since 2014
Malaysia: 30,659,850 · world median 1,827,788 · Container port traffic (TEU, twenty-foot equivalent units). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 17,263 to 299,703,800.
Position 5th of 103 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Manufacturing Value Added (% of GDP)World Bank Group · 2025 · world median 11.2622.111.26Moved since 2015
Malaysia: 22.1 · world median 11.26 · Manufacturing value added (% of GDP). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.481 to 43.97.
Position 12th of 132 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Scholarly ArticlesOurResearch · 2025 · world median 2,24058,5752,240No real change since 2022
Malaysia: 58,575 · world median 2,240 · Articles with at least one author at an institution in the country (full counting). OpenAlex (OurResearch), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 1 to 1,094,890.
Creative Goods ExportsUNCTAD · 2024 · world median 1.2353.9491.235Moved since 2014
Malaysia: 3.949 · world median 1.235 · Creative goods exports (% of merchandise exports). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 37.23.
Industry Value Added including Construction (% of GDP)World Bank Group · 2025 · world median 24.6535.6724.65Moved since 2015
Malaysia: 35.67 · world median 24.65 · Industry, including construction, value added (% of GDP). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 2.228 to 75.09.
Position 24th of 158 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Exports of Goods and Services (% of GDP)World Bank Group · 2025 · world median 36.3470.9736.34Moved since 2015
Malaysia: 70.97 · world median 36.34 · Exports of goods and services (% of GDP). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 1.103 to 199.76.
Position 22nd of 138 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Trade (% of GDP)World Bank Group · 2025 · world median 79.68136.479.68Moved since 2015
Malaysia: 136.4 · world median 79.68 · Exports plus imports (% of GDP). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 2.382 to 396.65.
Position 24th of 138 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Merchant Fleet by Country of OwnershipUNCTAD · 2026 · world median 275.739,542275.73Moved since 2016
Malaysia: 9,542 · world median 275.73 · Merchant fleet owned (thousand dead-weight tons). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 397,071.
Complexity Outlook IndexGrowth Lab at Harvard University · 2024 · world median -0.2250.924-0.225No real change since 2014
Malaysia: 0.924 · world median -0.225 · Complexity Outlook Index (standardised; roughly −2.5 to +3). Growth Lab at Harvard University, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from -1.682 to 2.878.
Imports of Goods and Services (% of GDP)World Bank Group · 2025 · world median 41.7265.4341.72No real change since 2015
Malaysia: 65.43 · world median 41.72 · Imports of goods and services (% of GDP). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 1.279 to 196.89.
Position 32nd of 138 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Terms of Trade IndexUNCTAD · 2025 · world median 103.23121.51103.23Moved since 2015
Malaysia: 121.51 · world median 103.23 · Terms of trade index (2015 = 100). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 38.2 to 1,448.
Foreign Value Added Share of Gross ExportsOECD · 2022 · world median 27.4134.1627.41Moved since 2012
Malaysia: 34.16 · world median 27.41 · Foreign value added (% of gross exports). OECD, 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 4.491 to 66.08.
Total Natural Resources Rents (% of GDP)World Bank Group · 2021 · world median 1.7086.9221.708Moved since 2011
Malaysia: 6.922 · world median 1.708 · Natural resources rents (% of GDP). World Bank Group, 2021 edition, data for 2021.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 61.03.
Position 58th of 180 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Statutory Minimum WageILO · 2024 · world median 657.951,035657.95Moved since 2014
Malaysia: 1,035 · world median 657.95 · Statutory minimum wage per month (2021 PPP $). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 4.038 to 3,804.
Foreign Direct Investment InflowsUNCTAD · 2025 · world median 1.9683.261.968Moved since 2015
Malaysia: 3.26 · world median 1.968 · FDI inflows (% of GDP). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from -32.97 to 2,221.
Services ExportsUNCTAD · 2025 · world median 9.60213.629.602No real change since 2015
Malaysia: 13.62 · world median 9.602 · Services exports (% of GDP). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.085 to 166.21.
Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing Value Added (% of GDP)World Bank Group · 2025 · world median 6.5728.2166.572No real change since 2015
Malaysia: 8.216 · world median 6.572 · Agriculture, forestry and fishing value added (% of GDP). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.025 to 47.59.
Position 69th of 158 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Gross Savings (% of GDP)World Bank Group · 2024 · world median 22.0623.3822.06Moved since 2014
Malaysia: 23.38 · world median 22.06 · Gross savings (% of GDP). World Bank Group, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from -21.13 to 47.82.
Position 65th of 146 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Creative Services ExportsUNCTAD · 2024 · world median 6.1717.1926.171Moved since 2014
Malaysia: 7.192 · world median 6.171 · Creative services exports (% of services exports). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.002 to 63.91.
Statutory Corporate Income Tax RateOECD · 2026 · world median 242424Moved since 2016
Malaysia: 24 · world median 24 · Combined statutory corporate income tax rate, central and sub-central government (%). OECD, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 36.13.
Household ConsumptionWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 62.0461.6362.04Moved since 2015
Malaysia: 61.63 · world median 62.04 · Household and NPISH final consumption expenditure (% of GDP). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 25.21 to 133.34.
Position 67th of 131 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Tariff Rate, Applied, Weighted Mean, All ProductsWorld Bank Group · 2022 · world median 3.663.423.66No real change since 2012
Malaysia: 3.42 · world median 3.66 · Applied tariff rate, trade-weighted mean (%). World Bank Group, 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 29.52.
Export Concentration IndexUNCTAD · 2025 · world median 0.3060.2890.306Moved since 2015
Malaysia: 0.289 · world median 0.306 · Export concentration index (0–1, normalised Herfindahl–Hirschman). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.059 to 0.933.
Gross Capital Formation (% of GDP)World Bank Group · 2025 · world median 22.9320.4622.93Moved since 2015
Malaysia: 20.46 · world median 22.93 · Gross capital formation (% of GDP). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from -3.679 to 45.27.
Position 87th of 131 · derived, counted from the highest value.
General Government ConsumptionWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 16.2112.3716.21No real change since 2015
Malaysia: 12.37 · world median 16.21 · General government final consumption expenditure (% of GDP). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 5.445 to 38.94.
Position 94th of 132 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Commodity Export DependenceUNCTAD · 2024 · world median 67.1731.6767.17Moved since 2014
Malaysia: 31.67 · world median 67.17 · Commodity exports (% of merchandise exports, three-year average). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 4.605 to 99.77.
Price Level of Household ConsumptionGGDC · 2023 · world median 0.5230.3390.523Moved since 2013
Malaysia: 0.339 · world median 0.523 · Price level of household consumption (US output price level in 2021 = 1). Groningen Growth and Development Centre (GGDC), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.177 to 65.54.
Tax Revenue (% of GDP)OECD · 2024 · world median 21.851321.85Moved since 2014
Malaysia: 13 · world median 21.85 · Total tax revenue, all levels of government (% of GDP). OECD, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 3.11 to 45.18.
Inflation, GDP DeflatorWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 3.306-0.453.306Moved since 2015
Malaysia: -0.45 · world median 3.306 · Annual change in the GDP implicit deflator (%). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from -7.93 to 227.09.
No current reading for Malaysia
Average Monthly Earnings of Employees (last 2020), Business Ready: Operational Efficiency, Business Ready: Public Services, Business Ready: Regulatory Framework, Debt Service on External Debt, External Debt Stocks (% of GNI), Gini Index (last 2021), Gini Index of Disposable Income (SWIID) (last 2022), Income Share Held by Lowest 20% (last 2021), Income Share Held by Richest 10% (last 2021), Interest Payments on External Debt, Palma Ratio (last 2021) and Research and Development Spending (last 2022). Listed rather than hidden, so the page can be checked against it.
“Position · derived” is this site’s ordering of the published values, 1st = best unless the row says otherwise; the publisher ranks no country on it. Rank, position and standing
05Country Index 2026
Economy & Innovation among Malaysia’s 15 topics
Economy & Innovation is Malaysia’s 4th best-placed topic of 15. Strongest first, each marker at its share of that topic’s field.
- Mobility & Trade6th of 1774/4 keys
- Governance & Institutions40th of 1944/4 keys
- Digital & Technology41st of 1984/4 keys
- Economy & Innovation40th of 1764/4 keys
- Poverty & Inequality41st of 1593/3 keys
- Work & Labour63rd of 1824/4 keys
- Peace & Security62nd of 1774/4 keys
- Development & Human Capital91st of 1963/3 keys
- Food & Agriculturejoint 86th of 1844/4 keys
- Democracy & Civil Liberties95th of 1984/4 keys
- Risk & Resilience95th of 1934/4 keys
- Health & Wellbeing99th of 2004/4 keys
- Education & Knowledgejoint 131st of 1984/4 keys
- Gender & Equalityjoint 131st of 1834/4 keys
- Environment & Sustainabilityjoint 158th of 1864/4 keys
No standing on Energy: too few of those topics’ key statistics are published for this country.
06The top of the list
Who leads on economy & innovation
The three countries placed highest of 176, and the leaders Malaysia can most readily be measured against.
1
AustriaWestern Europe
1st of 176 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: chensiyuan · CC BY-SA 4.0, greyscale
2
JapanEastern Asia
2nd of 176 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: JurriaanH · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
3
GermanyWestern Europe
3rd of 176 · 4 of 4 keys
Placed highest nearby
Highest in Asia
Japan2nd4/4 keysHighest in South-eastern Asia
Singapore=24th4/4 keysThis page
Malaysia40th4/4 keys
Positions out of 176 placed on the topic. A country needs readings on enough keys to be placed, and the top of the list is often held on fewer of them.
07Analysis
Charts and analysis about Malaysia and economy & innovation
On economy & innovation
China Leads Global High-Technology Exports
The world’s ten largest high-technology exporters as a treemap, with the rest of the world beside them. Each country’s figure is its own most recent year, between 2022 and 2024.
On economy & innovation
India vs Pakistan 2025: Comparison of Hunger Index, Happiness, HDI, Rule of Law, Literacy & GDP
India and Pakistan on six published measures: hunger, happiness, human development, rule of law, literacy and GDP per capita, each from its own publisher and year.
On economy & innovation
Countries in Asia with the highest average salaries 2024
Thirteen Asian countries by gross average monthly wage, each carrying its WORLD rank rather than an Asian one — so the numbers skip, from 11th place to 45th.
08Questions
Malaysia on economy & innovation: questions answered
Every answer is built from the numbers on this page, so none can say something the page does not.
How does Malaysia rank on economy & innovation?
Malaysia is placed 40th of 176 countries on Economy & Innovation in the Country Index 2026, from 4 of its 4 key statistics (GDP per Capita (PPP), Firms with a Bank Loan or Line of Credit, Economic Complexity Index and Account Ownership at a Financial Institution). The position is this site’s ordering of published statistics, not a rank any publisher printed.
What is the latest GDP per Capita (PPP) figure for Malaysia?
35,461 in 2025 (gDP per capita (constant 2021 international $, PPP)), according to World Bank Group. The world median in the same edition was 17,265.
What is the latest Firms with a Bank Loan or Line of Credit figure for Malaysia?
37.93 in 2025 (firms with a bank loan or line of credit (%)), according to World Bank Group. The world median in the same edition was 35.95.
How does Malaysia compare with Indonesia on economy & innovation?
Indonesia is placed joint 110th of 176, and Malaysia 40th. GDP per Capita (PPP): Indonesia 15,091, Malaysia 35,461; Firms with a Bank Loan or Line of Credit: Indonesia 19.99, Malaysia 37.93; Economic Complexity Index: Indonesia 0.223, Malaysia 0.86; Account Ownership at a Financial Institution: Indonesia 56.33, Malaysia 88.69.
How have Malaysia’s economy & innovation figures changed?
GDP per Capita (PPP) rose from 18,533 in 2000 to 35,461 in 2025; Economic Complexity Index rose from 0.785 in 2000 to 0.86 in 2024; Account Ownership at a Financial Institution rose from 66.17 in 2011 to 88.69 in 2024.
Which economy & innovation statistics are missing for Malaysia?
No current reading is published for Malaysia on Average Monthly Earnings of Employees, Business Ready: Operational Efficiency, Business Ready: Public Services, Business Ready: Regulatory Framework, Debt Service on External Debt, External Debt Stocks (% of GNI), Gini Index, Gini Index of Disposable Income (SWIID), Income Share Held by Lowest 20%, Income Share Held by Richest 10%, Interest Payments on External Debt, Palma Ratio and Research and Development Spending. They are listed rather than hidden, so the evidence on the page can be checked against it.
09Method
Method, sources and how to cite
What this topic does not measure
The total size of an economy is deliberately left out: a very large economy spread over a very large population is not doing more for each person. Growth rates, trade shares and the structure of output (how much is farming, industry or services) are published here as context, because they describe an economy's shape rather than how well it serves people. Jobs and wages have their own topic, Work & Labour.
How the Economy & Innovation standing is decided
A standing is this site’s ordering, named with its edition — never a publisher’s rank. 4 key statistics vote, one vote each; every country’s published value becomes a place within that key’s own field, the places are averaged, and the average is never published. A country needs 2 of the 4 keys to be placed.
The economy & innovation method, step by stepHow every standing on this site is built
The key statistics and their licences
- GDP per Capita (PPP) — World Bank Group, CC BY 4.0
- Firms with a Bank Loan or Line of Credit — World Bank Group, CC BY 4.0
- Economic Complexity Index — Growth Lab at Harvard University, CC0 1.0
- Account Ownership at a Financial Institution — World Bank Group, CC BY 4.0
The other 57 statistics on this page come from 14 publishers, each named beside its numbers, with every edition and licence on the datasets pages.
The standing itself is part of the Country Index 2026, published under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Photographs
Malaysia’s banner and the countries placed highest, from their profiles: Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale, each used under the licence named.
- Malaysia (banner) — Bjørn Christian Tørrissen, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Austria — chensiyuan, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Japan — JurriaanH, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Germany — dronepicr, CC BY 2.0
Cite this page
Nations Inquiry (2026). Malaysia: Economy & Innovation — standing and statistics, Country Index 2026. https://nationsinquiry.com/countries/malaysia/economy