Updated
Overview
Malaysia has 3.6 times the population of Israel: 35.98 million people against 10.12 million (2025).
Israel's economy is 29% larger than Malaysia's, at $610.78B versus $472.19B.
Per person, Israel is the wealthier of the two: $60,337 against $13,125 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Malaysia | Israel | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | $472.19B | Higher: $610.78B | 2025 | $421.97B / $540.38B |
| GDP per capita | $13,125 | Higher: $60,337 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 5.2% | 2.9% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 1.4% | 3.0% | 2025 | 1.8% / 3.1% |
| Unemployment | 3.8% | Lower: 3.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 32 | 101 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $698 | Higher: $3,383 | 2020 / 2021 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $328 | Higher: $1,589 | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $3.57 | $7.67 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 35.98 million | 10.12 million | 2025 | 34.91 million / 9.40 million |
| Population growth | 1.2% | 1.2% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 31.0 yrs | 29.2 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.53 | 2.75 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 76.8 yrs | Higher: 83.2 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 77% | 92% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | Higher: 98% | 88% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 330,803 km² | 20,770 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 108.8/km² | 487.4/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 290 Mt | Lower: 53 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 8.2 t | Lower: 5.6 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $4.31B | $46.51B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.0% | 8.8% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 136,000 | 178,000 | 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 3.0% in Israel.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Malaysia: a price level of 32 versus 101 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Israel: $3,383 against $698 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Demographically the two are similar, with median ages of 31.0 (Malaysia) and 29.2 (Israel).
Life expectancy is 6.4 years longer in Israel (83.2 vs 76.8).
Israel is considerably more urbanized: 92% of people live in cities, against 77%.
Geography
By land area, Malaysia is 16 times the size of Israel: 330,803 km² versus 20,770 km².
Israel is far more densely settled: 487 people per km² against 109.
Military
Israel spends 11 times as much on defence as Malaysia: $46.51B versus $4.31B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Israel carries the heavier military burden: 8.8% of GDP versus 1.0%.
Israel fields the larger armed forces: 178,000 personnel against 136,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Malaysia bigger than Israel?
- Malaysia is larger by land area. Malaysia covers 330,803 km² while Israel covers 20,770 km², so Malaysia is 16 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Malaysia or Israel?
- Malaysia has the larger population: 35.98 million versus 10.12 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Malaysia richer than Israel?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Israel is richer: $60,337 against $13,125. Total GDP tells the same story: $472.19B for Malaysia versus $610.78B for Israel.
- Who spends more on their military, Malaysia or Israel?
- Israel spends more: $46.51B versus $4.31B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).