Updated
Overview
Malaysia has 4.0 times the population of Switzerland: 35.98 million people against 9.09 million (2025).
Switzerland's economy is 2.2 times the size of Malaysia's, at $1.04T versus $472.19B.
Per person, Switzerland is the wealthier of the two: $114,769 against $13,125 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Malaysia | Switzerland | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | $472.19B | Higher: $1.04T | 2025 | $421.97B / $936.56B |
| GDP per capita | $13,125 | Higher: $114,769 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 5.2% | 1.3% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 1.4% | Lower: 0.2% | 2025 | 1.8% / 1.1% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 3.8% | 4.9% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 32 | 112 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $698 | Higher: $7,309 | 2020 / 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $328 | Higher: $4,784 | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $3.57 | $9.04 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 35.98 million | 9.09 million | 2025 | 34.91 million / 8.93 million |
| Population growth | 1.2% | 1.0% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 31.0 yrs | 42.9 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.53 | 1.44 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 76.8 yrs | Higher: 84.4 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 77% | 86% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | Higher: 98% | 97% | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 330,803 km² | 41,284 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 108.8/km² | 220.2/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 290 Mt | Lower: 32 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 8.2 t | Lower: 3.6 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $4.31B | $6.72B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.0% | 0.7% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 136,000 | 20,000 | 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 1.3%.
Inflation is comparable in both: 1.4% in Malaysia and 0.2% in Switzerland.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Malaysia: a price level of 32 versus 112 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Switzerland: $7,309 against $698 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Malaysia is the far younger society: median age 31.0 versus 42.9 years.
Life expectancy is 7.6 years longer in Switzerland (84.4 vs 76.8).
Geography
By land area, Malaysia is 8.0 times the size of Switzerland: 330,803 km² versus 41,284 km².
Switzerland is far more densely settled: 220 people per km² against 109.
Military
Switzerland spends about 55% more on defence than Malaysia: $6.72B versus $4.31B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Malaysia fields the larger armed forces: 136,000 personnel against 20,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Malaysia bigger than Switzerland?
- Malaysia is larger by land area. Malaysia covers 330,803 km² while Switzerland covers 41,284 km², so Malaysia is 8.0 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Malaysia or Switzerland?
- Malaysia has the larger population: 35.98 million versus 9.09 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Malaysia richer than Switzerland?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Switzerland is richer: $114,769 against $13,125. Total GDP tells the same story: $472.19B for Malaysia versus $1.04T for Switzerland.
- Who spends more on their military, Malaysia or Switzerland?
- Switzerland spends more: $6.72B versus $4.31B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).