Updated
Overview
Italy has about 65% more people than Malaysia: 58.92 million against 35.98 million (2025).
Italy's economy is 5.4 times the size of Malaysia's, at $2.55T versus $472.19B.
Per person, Italy is the wealthier of the two: $43,309 against $13,125 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Italy | Malaysia | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $2.55T | $472.19B | 2025 | $2.37T / $421.97B |
| GDP per capita | Higher: $43,309 | $13,125 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 0.5% | Higher: 5.2% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 1.5% | Lower: 1.4% | 2025 | 1.0% / 1.8% |
| Unemployment | 6.4% | Lower: 3.8% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 69 | 32 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | Higher: $3,994 | $698 | 2025 / 2020 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | — | $328 | — / 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | — | $3.57 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 58.92 million | 35.98 million | 2025 | 60.92 million / 34.91 million |
| Population growth | -0.1% | 1.2% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 48.2 yrs | 31.0 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.21 | 1.53 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | Higher: 84.0 yrs | 76.8 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 70% | 77% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 89% | Higher: 98% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 301,336 km² | 330,803 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 195.5/km² | 108.8/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 302 Mt | Lower: 290 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 5.1 t | 8.2 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $37.96B | $4.31B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.6% | 1.0% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 338,000 | 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 0.5%.
Inflation is comparable in both: 1.5% in Italy and 1.4% in Malaysia.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Malaysia: a price level of 32 versus 69 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Italy: $3,994 against $698 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Malaysia is the far younger society: median age 31.0 versus 48.2 years.
Life expectancy is 7.1 years longer in Italy (84.0 vs 76.8).
Geography
By land area, Italy is 9% smaller than Malaysia: 301,336 km² versus 330,803 km².
Military
Italy spends 8.8 times as much on defence as Malaysia: $37.96B versus $4.31B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Italy fields the larger armed forces: 338,000 personnel against 136,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Italy bigger than Malaysia?
- Malaysia is larger by land area. Italy covers 301,336 km² while Malaysia covers 330,803 km², so Malaysia is 10% larger than the other.
- Which has more people, Italy or Malaysia?
- Italy has the larger population: 58.92 million versus 35.98 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Italy richer than Malaysia?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Italy is richer: $43,309 against $13,125. Total GDP tells the same story: $2.55T for Italy versus $472.19B for Malaysia.
- Who spends more on their military, Italy or Malaysia?
- Italy spends more: $37.96B versus $4.31B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).