Updated
Overview
Malaysia has 6.0 times the population of Denmark: 35.98 million people against 6.01 million (2025).
Their economies are close in size: $472.19B for Malaysia and $462.53B for Denmark.
Per person, Denmark is the wealthier of the two: $76,970 against $13,125 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Malaysia | Denmark | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $472.19B | $462.53B | 2025 | $421.97B / $429.46B |
| GDP per capita | $13,125 | Higher: $76,970 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 5.2% | 2.9% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 1.4% | 1.9% | 2025 | 1.8% / 1.4% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 3.8% | 5.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 32 | 92 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $698 | Higher: $6,992 | 2020 / 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $328 | — | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $3.57 | $7.04 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 35.98 million | 6.01 million | 2025 | 34.91 million / 6.05 million |
| Population growth | 1.2% | 0.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 31.0 yrs | 41.3 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.53 | 1.52 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 76.8 yrs | Higher: 82.3 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 77% | 89% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 98% | Higher: 100% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 330,803 km² | 43,094 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 108.8/km² | 139.4/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 290 Mt | Lower: 28 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 8.2 t | Lower: 4.7 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $4.31B | $9.96B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.0% | 2.4% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 136,000 | 15,000 | 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 2.9%.
Inflation is comparable in both: 1.4% in Malaysia and 1.9% in Denmark.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Malaysia: a price level of 32 versus 92 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Denmark: $6,992 against $698 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Malaysia is the far younger society: median age 31.0 versus 41.3 years.
Life expectancy is 5.4 years longer in Denmark (82.3 vs 76.8).
Denmark is considerably more urbanized: 89% of people live in cities, against 77%.
Geography
By land area, Malaysia is 7.7 times the size of Denmark: 330,803 km² versus 43,094 km².
Military
Denmark spends 2.3 times as much on defence as Malaysia: $9.96B versus $4.31B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Denmark carries the heavier military burden: 2.4% of GDP versus 1.0%.
Malaysia fields the larger armed forces: 136,000 personnel against 15,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Malaysia bigger than Denmark?
- Malaysia is larger by land area. Malaysia covers 330,803 km² while Denmark covers 43,094 km², so Malaysia is 7.7 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Malaysia or Denmark?
- Malaysia has the larger population: 35.98 million versus 6.01 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Malaysia richer than Denmark?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Denmark is richer: $76,970 against $13,125. Total GDP tells a different story: $472.19B for Malaysia versus $462.53B for Denmark.
- Who spends more on their military, Malaysia or Denmark?
- Denmark spends more: $9.96B versus $4.31B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).