Updated
Overview
Pakistan has 7.1 times the population of Malaysia: 255.22 million people against 35.98 million (2025).
Malaysia's economy is 16% larger than Pakistan's, at $472.19B versus $407.31B.
Per person, Malaysia is the wealthier of the two: $13,125 against $1,596 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Pakistan | Malaysia | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | $407.31B | Higher: $472.19B | 2025 | $373.07B / $421.97B |
| GDP per capita | $1,596 | Higher: $13,125 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 3.7% | Higher: 5.2% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 3.5% | Lower: 1.4% | 2025 | 12.6% / 1.8% |
| Unemployment | 5.4% | Lower: 3.8% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 24 | 32 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $95 | Higher: $698 | 2025 / 2020 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $133 | Higher: $328 | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $3.89 | $3.57 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 255.22 million | 35.98 million | 2025 | 257.05 million / 34.91 million |
| Population growth | 1.6% | 1.2% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 20.6 yrs | 31.0 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 3.50 | 1.53 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 67.8 yrs | Higher: 76.8 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 40% | 77% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 57% | Higher: 98% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 881,912 km² | 330,803 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 289.4/km² | 108.8/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | Lower: 180 Mt | 290 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 0.7 t | 8.2 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $10.17B | $4.31B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 2.7% | 1.0% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 943,000 | 136,000 | 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 3.7%.
Pakistan runs the hotter price environment: 3.5% inflation versus 1.4%.
Average monthly earnings favour Malaysia: $698 against $95 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Pakistan is the far younger society: median age 20.6 versus 31.0 years.
Life expectancy is 9.0 years longer in Malaysia (76.8 vs 67.8).
Malaysia is considerably more urbanized: 77% of people live in cities, against 40%.
Internet adoption is higher in Malaysia (98% vs 57% of the population).
Geography
By land area, Pakistan is 2.7 times the size of Malaysia: 881,912 km² versus 330,803 km².
Pakistan is far more densely settled: 289 people per km² against 109.
Military
Pakistan spends 2.4 times as much on defence as Malaysia: $10.17B versus $4.31B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Pakistan carries the heavier military burden: 2.7% of GDP versus 1.0%.
Pakistan fields the larger armed forces: 943,000 personnel against 136,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Pakistan bigger than Malaysia?
- Pakistan is larger by land area. Pakistan covers 881,912 km² while Malaysia covers 330,803 km², so Pakistan is 2.7 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Pakistan or Malaysia?
- Pakistan has the larger population: 255.22 million versus 35.98 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Pakistan richer than Malaysia?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Malaysia is richer: $13,125 against $1,596. Total GDP tells the same story: $407.31B for Pakistan versus $472.19B for Malaysia.
- Who spends more on their military, Pakistan or Malaysia?
- Pakistan spends more: $10.17B versus $4.31B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).