Updated
Overview
Malaysia has 3.4 times the population of Sweden: 35.98 million people against 10.60 million (2025).
Sweden's economy is about 40% larger than Malaysia's, at $669.00B versus $472.19B.
Per person, Sweden is the wealthier of the two: $63,133 against $13,125 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Malaysia | Sweden | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | $472.19B | Higher: $669.00B | 2025 | $421.97B / $610.12B |
| GDP per capita | $13,125 | Higher: $63,133 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 5.2% | 1.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 1.4% | Lower: 0.7% | 2025 | 1.8% / 2.8% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 3.8% | 8.7% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 32 | 87 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $698 | Higher: $4,783 | 2020 / 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $328 | — | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $3.57 | $7.16 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 35.98 million | 10.60 million | 2025 | 34.91 million / 10.64 million |
| Population growth | 1.2% | 0.3% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 31.0 yrs | 40.3 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.53 | 1.44 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 76.8 yrs | Higher: 84.1 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 77% | 89% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | Higher: 98% | 96% | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 330,803 km² | 450,295 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 108.8/km² | 23.5/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 290 Mt | Lower: 38 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 8.2 t | Lower: 3.6 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $4.31B | $12.04B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.0% | 2.0% | 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 much faster: 5.2% annual GDP growth versus 1.5%.
Inflation is comparable in both: 1.4% in Malaysia and 0.7% in Sweden.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Malaysia: a price level of 32 versus 87 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Sweden: $4,783 against $698 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Malaysia is the far younger society: median age 31.0 versus 40.3 years.
Life expectancy is 7.2 years longer in Sweden (84.1 vs 76.8).
Sweden is considerably more urbanized: 89% of people live in cities, against 77%.
Geography
By land area, Malaysia is 27% smaller than Sweden: 330,803 km² versus 450,295 km².
Malaysia is far more densely settled: 109 people per km² against 24.
Military
Sweden spends 2.8 times as much on defence as Malaysia: $12.04B versus $4.31B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Sweden carries the heavier military burden: 2.0% 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 Sweden?
- Sweden is larger by land area. Malaysia covers 330,803 km² while Sweden covers 450,295 km², so Sweden is 36% larger than the other.
- Which has more people, Malaysia or Sweden?
- Malaysia has the larger population: 35.98 million versus 10.60 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Malaysia richer than Sweden?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Sweden is richer: $63,133 against $13,125. Total GDP tells the same story: $472.19B for Malaysia versus $669.00B for Sweden.
- Who spends more on their military, Malaysia or Sweden?
- Sweden spends more: $12.04B versus $4.31B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).