Updated
Overview
Iran has 2.6 times the population of Malaysia: 92.42 million people against 35.98 million (2025).
Malaysia's economy is 30% larger than Iran's, at $472.19B versus $362.68B.
Per person, Malaysia is the wealthier of the two: $13,125 against $3,924 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Iran | Malaysia | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | $362.68B | Higher: $472.19B | 2025 | $436.91B / $421.97B |
| GDP per capita | $3,924 | Higher: $13,125 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | -2.8% | Higher: 5.2% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 42.2% | Lower: 1.4% | 2025 | 32.5% / 1.8% |
| Unemployment | 8.3% | Lower: 3.8% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | — | 32 | — / 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | — | $698 | — / 2020 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | Higher: $1,264 | $328 | 2023 / 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | — | $3.57 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 92.42 million | 35.98 million | 2025 | 89.18 million / 34.91 million |
| Population growth | 0.9% | 1.2% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 34.0 yrs | 31.0 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.67 | 1.53 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | Higher: 77.9 yrs | 76.8 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 77% | 77% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 85% | Higher: 98% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 1,648,195 km² | 330,803 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 56.1/km² | 108.8/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 793 Mt | Lower: 290 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 8.7 t | Lower: 8.2 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $7.89B | $4.31B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 2.0% | 1.0% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 650,000 | 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 grew while the other economy contracted: 5.2% against -2.8%.
Inflation is a serious concern in Iran at 42.2%, while the other economy sits at 1.4%.
People and society
Malaysia is the younger society: median age 31.0 versus 34.0 years.
Life expectancy is 1.0 years longer in Iran (77.9 vs 76.8).
Internet adoption is higher in Malaysia (98% vs 85% of the population).
Geography
By land area, Iran is 5.0 times the size of Malaysia: 1,648,195 km² versus 330,803 km².
Military
Iran spends about 85% more on defence than Malaysia: $7.89B versus $4.31B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Iran carries the heavier military burden: 2.0% of GDP versus 1.0%.
Iran fields the larger armed forces: 650,000 personnel against 136,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Iran bigger than Malaysia?
- Iran is larger by land area. Iran covers 1,648,195 km² while Malaysia covers 330,803 km², so Iran is 5.0 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Iran or Malaysia?
- Iran has the larger population: 92.42 million versus 35.98 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Iran richer than Malaysia?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Malaysia is richer: $13,125 against $3,924. Total GDP tells the same story: $362.68B for Iran versus $472.19B for Malaysia.
- Who spends more on their military, Iran or Malaysia?
- Iran spends more: $7.89B versus $4.31B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).