Updated
Overview
Malaysia has about 80% more people than Chile: 35.98 million against 19.86 million (2025).
Malaysia's economy is 32% larger than Chile's, at $472.19B versus $357.37B.
Per person, Chile is the wealthier of the two: $17,995 against $13,125 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Malaysia | Chile | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $472.19B | $357.37B | 2025 | $421.97B / $330.27B |
| GDP per capita | $13,125 | Higher: $17,995 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 5.2% | 2.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 1.4% | 4.2% | 2025 | 1.8% / 4.3% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 3.8% | 9.0% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 32 | 48 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $698 | Higher: $1,024 | 2020 / 2024 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $328 | Higher: $530 | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $3.57 | $5.41 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 35.98 million | 19.86 million | 2025 | 34.91 million / 19.09 million |
| Population growth | 1.2% | 0.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 31.0 yrs | 36.9 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.53 | 1.13 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 76.8 yrs | Higher: 81.4 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 77% | 89% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | Higher: 98% | 96% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 330,803 km² | 756,102 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 108.8/km² | 26.3/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 290 Mt | Lower: 79 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 8.2 t | Lower: 4.0 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $4.31B | $5.11B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.0% | 1.6% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 136,000 | 114,000 | 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 faster: 5.2% annual GDP growth versus 2.5%.
Chile runs the hotter price environment: 4.2% inflation versus 1.4%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Malaysia: a price level of 32 versus 48 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Chile: $1,024 against $698 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Malaysia is the younger society: median age 31.0 versus 36.9 years.
Life expectancy is 4.5 years longer in Chile (81.4 vs 76.8).
Chile is considerably more urbanized: 89% of people live in cities, against 77%.
Geography
By land area, Malaysia is 56% smaller than Chile: 330,803 km² versus 756,102 km².
Malaysia is far more densely settled: 109 people per km² against 26.
Military
Defence budgets are of similar magnitude: $4.31B (Malaysia) and $5.11B (Chile).
Malaysia fields the larger armed forces: 136,000 personnel against 114,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Malaysia bigger than Chile?
- Chile is larger by land area. Malaysia covers 330,803 km² while Chile covers 756,102 km², so Chile is 2.3 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Malaysia or Chile?
- Malaysia has the larger population: 35.98 million versus 19.86 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Malaysia richer than Chile?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Chile is richer: $17,995 against $13,125. Total GDP tells a different story: $472.19B for Malaysia versus $357.37B for Chile.
- Who spends more on their military, Malaysia or Chile?
- Chile spends more: $5.11B versus $4.31B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).