Updated
Overview
Russia has 4.0 times the population of Malaysia: 143.51 million people against 35.98 million (2025).
Russia's economy is 5.4 times the size of Malaysia's, at $2.56T versus $472.19B.
Per person, Russia is the wealthier of the two: $17,547 against $13,125 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Russia | Malaysia | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $2.56T | $472.19B | 2025 | $2.17T / $421.97B |
| GDP per capita | Higher: $17,547 | $13,125 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 1.0% | Higher: 5.2% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 8.7% | Lower: 1.4% | 2025 | 6.7% / 1.8% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 2.1% | 3.8% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 32 | 32 | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | Higher: $777 | $698 | 2021 / 2020 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $208 | Higher: $328 | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $1.74 | $3.57 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 143.51 million | 35.98 million | 2025 | 140.13 million / 34.91 million |
| Population growth | -0.1% | 1.2% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 40.3 yrs | 31.0 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.46 | 1.53 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 73.4 yrs | Higher: 76.8 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 75% | 77% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 94% | Higher: 98% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 17,098,242 km² | 330,803 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 8.4/km² | 108.8/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 1,781 Mt | Lower: 290 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 12.3 t | Lower: 8.2 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $148.97B | $4.31B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 7.1% | 1.0% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 1.5 million | 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 much faster: 5.2% annual GDP growth versus 1.0%.
Russia runs the hotter price environment: 8.7% inflation versus 1.4%.
Average monthly earnings favour Russia: $777 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 3.4 years longer in Malaysia (76.8 vs 73.4).
Geography
By land area, Russia is 52 times the size of Malaysia: 17,098,242 km² versus 330,803 km².
Malaysia is far more densely settled: 109 people per km² against 8.
Military
Russia spends 35 times as much on defence as Malaysia: $148.97B versus $4.31B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Russia carries the heavier military burden: 7.1% of GDP versus 1.0%.
Russia fields the larger armed forces: 1.5 million personnel against 136,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Russia bigger than Malaysia?
- Russia is larger by land area. Russia covers 17,098,242 km² while Malaysia covers 330,803 km², so Russia is 52 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Russia or Malaysia?
- Russia has the larger population: 143.51 million versus 35.98 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Russia richer than Malaysia?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Russia is richer: $17,547 against $13,125. Total GDP tells the same story: $2.56T for Russia versus $472.19B for Malaysia.
- Who spends more on their military, Russia or Malaysia?
- Russia spends more: $148.97B versus $4.31B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).