Updated
Overview
Malaysia has 6.4 times the population of Finland: 35.98 million people against 5.65 million (2025).
Malaysia's economy is about 50% larger than Finland's, at $472.19B versus $317.04B.
Per person, Finland is the wealthier of the two: $56,149 against $13,125 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Malaysia | Finland | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $472.19B | $317.04B | 2025 | $421.97B / $299.84B |
| GDP per capita | $13,125 | Higher: $56,149 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 5.2% | 0.2% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 1.4% | Lower: 0.3% | 2025 | 1.8% / 1.6% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 3.8% | 9.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 32 | 85 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $698 | Higher: $5,760 | 2020 / 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $328 | — | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $3.57 | — | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 35.98 million | 5.65 million | 2025 | 34.91 million / 5.55 million |
| Population growth | 1.2% | 0.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 31.0 yrs | 43.2 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.53 | 1.30 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 76.8 yrs | Higher: 82.3 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 77% | 75% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | Higher: 98% | 94% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 330,803 km² | 338,424 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 108.8/km² | 16.7/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 290 Mt | Lower: 30 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 8.2 t | Lower: 5.3 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $4.31B | $6.99B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.0% | 2.3% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 136,000 | 22,000 | 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 0.2%.
Inflation is comparable in both: 1.4% in Malaysia and 0.3% in Finland.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Malaysia: a price level of 32 versus 85 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Finland: $5,760 against $698 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Malaysia is the far younger society: median age 31.0 versus 43.2 years.
Life expectancy is 5.5 years longer in Finland (82.3 vs 76.8).
Geography
By land area, Malaysia is almost exactly the same size as Finland: 330,803 km² versus 338,424 km².
Malaysia is far more densely settled: 109 people per km² against 17.
Military
Finland spends about 60% more on defence than Malaysia: $6.99B versus $4.31B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Finland carries the heavier military burden: 2.3% of GDP versus 1.0%.
Malaysia fields the larger armed forces: 136,000 personnel against 22,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Malaysia bigger than Finland?
- The two are almost exactly the same size. Malaysia covers 330,803 km² while Finland covers 338,424 km², a difference of under 2%.
- Which has more people, Malaysia or Finland?
- Malaysia has the larger population: 35.98 million versus 5.65 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Malaysia richer than Finland?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Finland is richer: $56,149 against $13,125. Total GDP tells a different story: $472.19B for Malaysia versus $317.04B for Finland.
- Who spends more on their military, Malaysia or Finland?
- Finland spends more: $6.99B versus $4.31B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).