Updated
Overview
Malaysia and Peru are nearly matched in population: 35.98 million versus 34.58 million people (2025).
Malaysia's economy is about 40% larger than Peru's, at $472.19B versus $334.85B.
Per person, Malaysia is the wealthier of the two: $13,125 against $9,684 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Malaysia | Peru | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $472.19B | $334.85B | 2025 | $421.97B / $289.22B |
| GDP per capita | Higher: $13,125 | $9,684 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 5.2% | 3.4% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 1.4% | 1.5% | 2025 | 1.8% / 2.0% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 3.8% | 5.1% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 32 | 51 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | Higher: $698 | $563 | 2020 / 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | Higher: $328 | $273 | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $3.57 | $4.99 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 35.98 million | 34.58 million | 2025 | 34.91 million / 32.77 million |
| Population growth | 1.2% | 1.0% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 31.0 yrs | 30.2 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.53 | 1.94 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 76.8 yrs | Higher: 77.9 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 77% | 86% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | Higher: 98% | 82% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 330,803 km² | 1,285,216 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 108.8/km² | 26.9/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 290 Mt | Lower: 70 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 8.2 t | Lower: 2.1 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $4.31B | $2.57B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.0% | 0.9% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 136,000 | 158,000 | 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 3.4%.
Inflation is comparable in both: 1.4% in Malaysia and 1.5% in Peru.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Malaysia: a price level of 32 versus 51 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Malaysia: $698 against $563 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Demographically the two are similar, with median ages of 31.0 (Malaysia) and 30.2 (Peru).
Life expectancy is 1.1 years longer in Peru (77.9 vs 76.8).
Internet adoption is higher in Malaysia (98% vs 82% of the population).
Geography
By land area, Malaysia is 74% smaller than Peru: 330,803 km² versus 1,285,216 km².
Malaysia is far more densely settled: 109 people per km² against 27.
Military
Malaysia spends about 70% more on defence than Peru: $4.31B versus $2.57B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Peru fields the larger armed forces: 158,000 personnel against 136,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Malaysia bigger than Peru?
- Peru is larger by land area. Malaysia covers 330,803 km² while Peru covers 1,285,216 km², so Peru is 3.9 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Malaysia or Peru?
- Malaysia has the larger population: 35.98 million versus 34.58 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Malaysia richer than Peru?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Malaysia is richer: $13,125 against $9,684. Total GDP tells the same story: $472.19B for Malaysia versus $334.85B for Peru.
- Who spends more on their military, Malaysia or Peru?
- Malaysia spends more: $4.31B versus $2.57B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).