Updated
Overview
Brazil has 5.9 times the population of Malaysia: 212.81 million people against 35.98 million (2025).
Brazil's economy is 4.8 times the size of Malaysia's, at $2.28T versus $472.19B.
Per person, Malaysia is the wealthier of the two: $13,125 against $10,713 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Brazil | Malaysia | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $2.28T | $472.19B | 2025 | $2.18T / $421.97B |
| GDP per capita | $10,713 | Higher: $13,125 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 2.3% | Higher: 5.2% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 5.0% | Lower: 1.4% | 2025 | 4.4% / 1.8% |
| Unemployment | 6.0% | Lower: 3.8% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 46 | 32 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $607 | Higher: $698 | 2025 / 2020 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $262 | Higher: $328 | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $4.71 | $3.57 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 212.81 million | 35.98 million | 2025 | 221.36 million / 34.91 million |
| Population growth | 0.4% | 1.2% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 34.8 yrs | 31.0 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.60 | 1.53 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 76.0 yrs | Higher: 76.8 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 88% | 77% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 84% | Higher: 98% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 8,515,767 km² | 330,803 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 25.0/km² | 108.8/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 483 Mt | Lower: 290 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 2.3 t | 8.2 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $20.95B | $4.31B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.0% | 1.0% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 762,000 | 136,000 | 2020 | — / — |
Sources by row: World Bank WDI, IMF WEO, UN WPP 2024, ILOSTAT, The Economist. Emphasis marks the stronger figure where one direction is meaningfully better.
Reading the numbers
Economy
Malaysia is growing faster: 5.2% annual GDP growth versus 2.3%.
Brazil runs the hotter price environment: 5.0% inflation versus 1.4%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Malaysia: a price level of 32 versus 46 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Malaysia: $698 against $607 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Malaysia is the younger society: median age 31.0 versus 34.8 years.
Brazil is considerably more urbanized: 88% of people live in cities, against 77%.
Internet adoption is higher in Malaysia (98% vs 84% of the population).
Geography
By land area, Brazil is 26 times the size of Malaysia: 8,515,767 km² versus 330,803 km².
Malaysia is far more densely settled: 109 people per km² against 25.
Military
Brazil spends 4.9 times as much on defence as Malaysia: $20.95B versus $4.31B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Brazil fields the larger armed forces: 762,000 personnel against 136,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Brazil bigger than Malaysia?
- Brazil is larger by land area. Brazil covers 8,515,767 km² while Malaysia covers 330,803 km², so Brazil is 26 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Brazil or Malaysia?
- Brazil has the larger population: 212.81 million versus 35.98 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Brazil richer than Malaysia?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Malaysia is richer: $13,125 against $10,713. Total GDP tells a different story: $2.28T for Brazil versus $472.19B for Malaysia.
- Who spends more on their military, Brazil or Malaysia?
- Brazil spends more: $20.95B versus $4.31B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).