Updated
Overview
India has 41 times the population of Malaysia: 1.46 billion people against 35.98 million (2025).
India's economy is 8.4 times the size of Malaysia's, at $3.96T versus $472.19B.
Per person, Malaysia is the wealthier of the two: $13,125 against $2,702 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | India | Malaysia | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $3.96T | $472.19B | 2025 | $3.91T / $421.97B |
| GDP per capita | $2,702 | Higher: $13,125 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 7.6% | 5.2% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 2.4% | Lower: 1.4% | 2025 | 5.0% / 1.8% |
| Unemployment | 4.2% | Lower: 3.8% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 23 | 32 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $255 | Higher: $698 | 2025 / 2020 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $55 | Higher: $328 | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $2.45 | $3.57 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 1.46 billion | 35.98 million | 2025 | 1.42 billion / 34.91 million |
| Population growth | 0.9% | 1.2% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 28.8 yrs | 31.0 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.94 | 1.53 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 72.2 yrs | Higher: 76.8 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 36% | 77% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 70% | Higher: 98% | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 3,287,590 km² | 330,803 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 445.3/km² | 108.8/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 3,193 Mt | Lower: 290 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 2.2 t | 8.2 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $86.13B | $4.31B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 2.3% | 1.0% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 3.1 million | 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
India is growing faster: 7.6% annual GDP growth versus 5.2%.
Inflation is comparable in both: 2.4% in India and 1.4% in Malaysia.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in India: a price level of 23 versus 32 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Malaysia: $698 against $255 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
India is the younger society: median age 28.8 versus 31.0 years.
Life expectancy is 4.6 years longer in Malaysia (76.8 vs 72.2).
Malaysia is considerably more urbanized: 77% of people live in cities, against 36%.
Internet adoption is higher in Malaysia (98% vs 70% of the population).
Geography
By land area, India is 9.9 times the size of Malaysia: 3,287,590 km² versus 330,803 km².
India is far more densely settled: 445 people per km² against 109.
Military
India spends 20 times as much on defence as Malaysia: $86.13B versus $4.31B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, India carries the heavier military burden: 2.3% of GDP versus 1.0%.
India fields the larger armed forces: 3.1 million personnel against 136,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is India bigger than Malaysia?
- India is larger by land area. India covers 3,287,590 km² while Malaysia covers 330,803 km², so India is 9.9 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, India or Malaysia?
- India has the larger population: 1.46 billion versus 35.98 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is India richer than Malaysia?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Malaysia is richer: $13,125 against $2,702. Total GDP tells a different story: $3.96T for India versus $472.19B for Malaysia.
- Who spends more on their military, India or Malaysia?
- India spends more: $86.13B versus $4.31B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).