Updated
Overview
Malaysia has about 90% more people than Romania: 35.98 million against 19.02 million (2025).
Malaysia's economy is 10% larger than Romania's, at $472.19B versus $428.68B.
Per person, Romania is the wealthier of the two: $22,538 against $13,125 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Malaysia | Romania | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $472.19B | $428.68B | 2025 | $421.97B / $382.77B |
| GDP per capita | $13,125 | Higher: $22,538 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 5.2% | 0.7% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 1.4% | 7.2% | 2025 | 1.8% / 5.7% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 3.8% | 6.0% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 32 | 44 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $698 | Higher: $1,722 | 2020 / 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $328 | Higher: $906 | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $3.57 | $4.01 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 35.98 million | 19.02 million | 2025 | 34.91 million / 18.15 million |
| Population growth | 1.2% | -0.2% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 31.0 yrs | 43.2 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.53 | 1.71 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | Higher: 76.8 yrs | 76.5 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 77% | 52% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | Higher: 98% | 91% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 330,803 km² | 238,391 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 108.8/km² | 79.8/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 290 Mt | Lower: 69 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 8.2 t | Lower: 3.6 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $4.31B | $8.72B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.0% | 2.3% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 136,000 | 128,000 | 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 0.7%.
Romania runs the hotter price environment: 7.2% inflation versus 1.4%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Malaysia: a price level of 32 versus 44 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Romania: $1,722 against $698 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Malaysia is the far younger society: median age 31.0 versus 43.2 years.
Malaysia is considerably more urbanized: 77% of people live in cities, against 52%.
Geography
By land area, Malaysia is 39% larger than Romania: 330,803 km² versus 238,391 km².
Military
Romania spends 2.0 times as much on defence as Malaysia: $8.72B versus $4.31B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Romania carries the heavier military burden: 2.3% of GDP versus 1.0%.
Malaysia fields the larger armed forces: 136,000 personnel against 128,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Malaysia bigger than Romania?
- Malaysia is larger by land area. Malaysia covers 330,803 km² while Romania covers 238,391 km², so Malaysia is 39% larger than the other.
- Which has more people, Malaysia or Romania?
- Malaysia has the larger population: 35.98 million versus 19.02 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Malaysia richer than Romania?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Romania is richer: $22,538 against $13,125. Total GDP tells a different story: $472.19B for Malaysia versus $428.68B for Romania.
- Who spends more on their military, Malaysia or Romania?
- Romania spends more: $8.72B versus $4.31B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).