Updated
Overview
France has about 90% more people than Malaysia: 68.72 million against 35.98 million (2025).
France's economy is 7.1 times the size of Malaysia's, at $3.37T versus $472.19B.
Per person, France is the wealthier of the two: $48,986 against $13,125 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | France | Malaysia | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $3.37T | $472.19B | 2025 | $3.16T / $421.97B |
| GDP per capita | Higher: $48,986 | $13,125 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 0.8% | Higher: 5.2% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 0.9% | 1.4% | 2025 | 2.0% / 1.8% |
| Unemployment | 7.5% | Lower: 3.8% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 77 | 32 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | Higher: $5,024 | $698 | 2025 / 2020 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | Higher: $2,036 | $328 | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | — | $3.57 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 68.72 million | 35.98 million | 2025 | 68.51 million / 34.91 million |
| Population growth | 0.2% | 1.2% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 42.3 yrs | 31.0 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.64 | 1.53 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | Higher: 83.0 yrs | 76.8 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 79% | 77% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 89% | Higher: 98% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 643,801 km² | 330,803 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 106.7/km² | 108.8/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | Lower: 264 Mt | 290 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 4.0 t | 8.2 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $64.68B | $4.31B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 2.1% | 1.0% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 304,000 | 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 much faster: 5.2% annual GDP growth versus 0.8%.
Inflation is comparable in both: 0.9% in France and 1.4% in Malaysia.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Malaysia: a price level of 32 versus 77 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour France: $5,024 against $698 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Malaysia is the far younger society: median age 31.0 versus 42.3 years.
Life expectancy is 6.2 years longer in France (83.0 vs 76.8).
Geography
By land area, France is 95% larger than Malaysia: 643,801 km² versus 330,803 km².
Military
France spends 15 times as much on defence as Malaysia: $64.68B versus $4.31B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, France carries the heavier military burden: 2.1% of GDP versus 1.0%.
France fields the larger armed forces: 304,000 personnel against 136,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is France bigger than Malaysia?
- France is larger by land area. France covers 643,801 km² while Malaysia covers 330,803 km², so France is 95% larger than the other.
- Which has more people, France or Malaysia?
- France has the larger population: 68.72 million versus 35.98 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is France richer than Malaysia?
- Measured by GDP per capita, France is richer: $48,986 against $13,125. Total GDP tells the same story: $3.37T for France versus $472.19B for Malaysia.
- Who spends more on their military, France or Malaysia?
- France spends more: $64.68B versus $4.31B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).