Updated
Overview
Malaysia has 3.9 times the population of Austria: 35.98 million people against 9.21 million (2025).
Austria's economy is 23% larger than Malaysia's, at $579.47B versus $472.19B.
Per person, Austria is the wealthier of the two: $62,930 against $13,125 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Malaysia | Austria | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | $472.19B | Higher: $579.47B | 2025 | $421.97B / $521.64B |
| GDP per capita | $13,125 | Higher: $62,930 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 5.2% | 0.6% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 1.4% | 3.5% | 2025 | 1.8% / 2.9% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 3.8% | 5.6% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 32 | 82 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $698 | Higher: $6,155 | 2020 / 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $328 | — | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $3.57 | — | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 35.98 million | 9.21 million | 2025 | 34.91 million / 9.17 million |
| Population growth | 1.2% | 0.3% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 31.0 yrs | 43.6 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.53 | 1.33 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 76.8 yrs | Higher: 82.0 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 77% | 70% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | Higher: 98% | 92% | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 330,803 km² | 83,871 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 108.8/km² | 109.8/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 290 Mt | Lower: 56 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 8.2 t | Lower: 6.2 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $4.31B | $5.26B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.0% | 1.0% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 136,000 | 23,000 | 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 0.6%.
Austria runs the hotter price environment: 3.5% inflation versus 1.4%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Malaysia: a price level of 32 versus 82 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Austria: $6,155 against $698 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Malaysia is the far younger society: median age 31.0 versus 43.6 years.
Life expectancy is 5.2 years longer in Austria (82.0 vs 76.8).
Geography
By land area, Malaysia is 3.9 times the size of Austria: 330,803 km² versus 83,871 km².
Military
Austria spends 22% more on defence than Malaysia: $5.26B versus $4.31B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Malaysia fields the larger armed forces: 136,000 personnel against 23,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Malaysia bigger than Austria?
- Malaysia is larger by land area. Malaysia covers 330,803 km² while Austria covers 83,871 km², so Malaysia is 3.9 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Malaysia or Austria?
- Malaysia has the larger population: 35.98 million versus 9.21 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Malaysia richer than Austria?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Austria is richer: $62,930 against $13,125. Total GDP tells the same story: $472.19B for Malaysia versus $579.47B for Austria.
- Who spends more on their military, Malaysia or Austria?
- Austria spends more: $5.26B versus $4.31B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).