Updated
Overview
Egypt has 3.3 times the population of Malaysia: 118.37 million people against 35.98 million (2025).
Malaysia's economy is 29% larger than Egypt's, at $472.19B versus $365.25B.
Per person, Malaysia is the wealthier of the two: $13,125 against $3,086 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Egypt | Malaysia | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | $365.25B | Higher: $472.19B | 2025 | $389.06B / $421.97B |
| GDP per capita | $3,086 | Higher: $13,125 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 4.4% | Higher: 5.2% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 14.1% | Lower: 1.4% | 2025 | 28.3% / 1.8% |
| Unemployment | 6.8% | Lower: 3.8% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 15 | 32 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $109 | Higher: $698 | 2024 / 2020 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $132 | Higher: $328 | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $2.87 | $3.57 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 118.37 million | 35.98 million | 2025 | 112.87 million / 34.91 million |
| Population growth | 1.6% | 1.2% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 24.5 yrs | 31.0 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 2.71 | 1.53 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 71.8 yrs | Higher: 76.8 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 43% | 77% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 75% | Higher: 98% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 1,002,450 km² | 330,803 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 118.1/km² | 108.8/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | Lower: 258 Mt | 290 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 2.2 t | 8.2 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $2.40B | $4.31B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 0.7% | 1.0% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 836,000 | 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 4.4%.
Egypt runs the hotter price environment: 14.1% inflation versus 1.4%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Egypt: a price level of 15 versus 32 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Malaysia: $698 against $109 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Egypt is the younger society: median age 24.5 versus 31.0 years.
Life expectancy is 5.0 years longer in Malaysia (76.8 vs 71.8).
Malaysia is considerably more urbanized: 77% of people live in cities, against 43%.
Internet adoption is higher in Malaysia (98% vs 75% of the population).
Geography
By land area, Egypt is 3.0 times the size of Malaysia: 1,002,450 km² versus 330,803 km².
Military
Malaysia spends about 80% more on defence than Egypt: $4.31B versus $2.40B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Egypt fields the larger armed forces: 836,000 personnel against 136,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Egypt bigger than Malaysia?
- Egypt is larger by land area. Egypt covers 1,002,450 km² while Malaysia covers 330,803 km², so Egypt is 3.0 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Egypt or Malaysia?
- Egypt has the larger population: 118.37 million versus 35.98 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Egypt richer than Malaysia?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Malaysia is richer: $13,125 against $3,086. Total GDP tells the same story: $365.25B for Egypt versus $472.19B for Malaysia.
- Who spends more on their military, Egypt or Malaysia?
- Malaysia spends more: $4.31B versus $2.40B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).