Updated
Overview
Malaysia has 3.3 times the population of Czechia (Czech Republic): 35.98 million people against 10.89 million (2025).
Malaysia's economy is 21% larger than Czechia (Czech Republic)'s, at $472.19B versus $391.03B.
Per person, Czechia (Czech Republic) is the wealthier of the two: $35,917 against $13,125 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Malaysia | Czechia (Czech Republic) | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $472.19B | $391.03B | 2025 | $421.97B / $345.04B |
| GDP per capita | $13,125 | Higher: $35,917 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 5.2% | 2.6% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 1.4% | 2.5% | 2025 | 1.8% / 2.4% |
| Unemployment | 3.8% | Lower: 2.8% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 32 | 59 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $698 | Higher: $2,716 | 2020 / 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $328 | Higher: $951 | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $3.57 | $5.43 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 35.98 million | 10.89 million | 2025 | 34.91 million / 10.84 million |
| Population growth | 1.2% | -0.2% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 31.0 yrs | 43.8 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.53 | 1.47 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 76.8 yrs | Higher: 80.0 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 77% | 73% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | Higher: 98% | 88% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 330,803 km² | 78,865 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 108.8/km² | 138.0/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 290 Mt | Lower: 76 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 8.2 t | Lower: 7.0 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $4.31B | $6.52B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.0% | 1.9% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 136,000 | 27,000 | 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 2.6%.
Inflation is comparable in both: 1.4% in Malaysia and 2.5% in Czechia (Czech Republic).
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Malaysia: a price level of 32 versus 59 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Czechia (Czech Republic): $2,716 against $698 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Malaysia is the far younger society: median age 31.0 versus 43.8 years.
Life expectancy is 3.2 years longer in Czechia (Czech Republic) (80.0 vs 76.8).
Internet adoption is higher in Malaysia (98% vs 88% of the population).
Geography
By land area, Malaysia is 4.2 times the size of Czechia (Czech Republic): 330,803 km² versus 78,865 km².
Military
Czechia (Czech Republic) spends about 50% more on defence than Malaysia: $6.52B versus $4.31B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Czechia (Czech Republic) carries the heavier military burden: 1.9% of GDP versus 1.0%.
Malaysia fields the larger armed forces: 136,000 personnel against 27,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Malaysia bigger than Czechia (Czech Republic)?
- Malaysia is larger by land area. Malaysia covers 330,803 km² while Czechia (Czech Republic) covers 78,865 km², so Malaysia is 4.2 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Malaysia or Czechia (Czech Republic)?
- Malaysia has the larger population: 35.98 million versus 10.89 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Malaysia richer than Czechia (Czech Republic)?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Czechia (Czech Republic) is richer: $35,917 against $13,125. Total GDP tells a different story: $472.19B for Malaysia versus $391.03B for Czechia (Czech Republic).
- Who spends more on their military, Malaysia or Czechia (Czech Republic)?
- Czechia (Czech Republic) spends more: $6.52B versus $4.31B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).
Related comparisons
Full profiles
Every comparison for Malaysia · Czechia (Czech Republic)