Updated
Overview
Poland and Malaysia are nearly matched in population: 36.44 million versus 35.98 million people (2025).
Poland's economy is 2.2 times the size of Malaysia's, at $1.04T versus $472.19B.
Per person, Poland is the wealthier of the two: $28,420 against $13,125 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Poland | Malaysia | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $1.04T | $472.19B | 2025 | $914.70B / $421.97B |
| GDP per capita | Higher: $28,420 | $13,125 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 3.6% | Higher: 5.2% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 3.8% | Lower: 1.4% | 2025 | 3.8% / 1.8% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 3.0% | 3.8% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 52 | 32 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | Higher: $2,302 | $698 | 2025 / 2020 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | Higher: $1,241 | $328 | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $6.22 | $3.57 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 36.44 million | 35.98 million | 2025 | 38.75 million / 34.91 million |
| Population growth | -0.3% | 1.2% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 42.5 yrs | 31.0 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.31 | 1.53 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | Higher: 78.4 yrs | 76.8 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 60% | 77% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 89% | Higher: 98% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 312,679 km² | 330,803 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 116.5/km² | 108.8/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | Lower: 273 Mt | 290 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 7.1 t | 8.2 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $38.00B | $4.31B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 4.2% | 1.0% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 189,000 | 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 3.6%.
Poland runs the hotter price environment: 3.8% inflation versus 1.4%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Malaysia: a price level of 32 versus 52 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Poland: $2,302 against $698 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Malaysia is the far younger society: median age 31.0 versus 42.5 years.
Life expectancy is 1.6 years longer in Poland (78.4 vs 76.8).
Malaysia is considerably more urbanized: 77% of people live in cities, against 60%.
Geography
By land area, Poland is almost exactly the same size as Malaysia: 312,679 km² versus 330,803 km².
Military
Poland spends 8.8 times as much on defence as Malaysia: $38.00B versus $4.31B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Poland carries the heavier military burden: 4.2% of GDP versus 1.0%.
Poland fields the larger armed forces: 189,000 personnel against 136,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Poland bigger than Malaysia?
- The two are almost exactly the same size. Poland covers 312,679 km² while Malaysia covers 330,803 km², a difference of under 6%.
- Which has more people, Poland or Malaysia?
- Poland has the larger population: 36.44 million versus 35.98 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Poland richer than Malaysia?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Poland is richer: $28,420 against $13,125. Total GDP tells the same story: $1.04T for Poland versus $472.19B for Malaysia.
- Who spends more on their military, Poland or Malaysia?
- Poland spends more: $38.00B versus $4.31B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).