Updated
Overview
Saudi Arabia and Malaysia are nearly matched in population: 36.97 million versus 35.98 million people (2025).
Saudi Arabia's economy is 2.7 times the size of Malaysia's, at $1.28T versus $472.19B.
Per person, Saudi Arabia is the wealthier of the two: $34,537 against $13,125 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Saudi Arabia | Malaysia | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $1.28T | $472.19B | 2025 | $1.24T / $421.97B |
| GDP per capita | Higher: $34,537 | $13,125 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 4.5% | Higher: 5.2% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 2.1% | Lower: 1.4% | 2025 | 1.7% / 1.8% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 3.0% | 3.8% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 47 | 32 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | Higher: $1,799 | $698 | 2022 / 2020 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | Higher: $1,067 | $328 | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $5.06 | $3.57 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 36.97 million | 35.98 million | 2025 | 36.54 million / 34.91 million |
| Population growth | 4.6% | 1.2% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 29.6 yrs | 31.0 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 2.29 | 1.53 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | Higher: 79.0 yrs | 76.8 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 85% | 77% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | Higher: 100% | 98% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 2,149,690 km² | 330,803 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 17.2/km² | 108.8/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 692 Mt | Lower: 290 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 20.4 t | Lower: 8.2 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $80.33B | $4.31B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 7.3% | 1.0% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 282,000 | 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 4.5%.
Inflation is comparable in both: 2.1% in Saudi Arabia and 1.4% in Malaysia.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Malaysia: a price level of 32 versus 47 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Saudi Arabia: $1,799 against $698 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Demographically the two are similar, with median ages of 29.6 (Saudi Arabia) and 31.0 (Malaysia).
Life expectancy is 2.2 years longer in Saudi Arabia (79.0 vs 76.8).
Geography
By land area, Saudi Arabia is 6.5 times the size of Malaysia: 2,149,690 km² versus 330,803 km².
Malaysia is far more densely settled: 109 people per km² against 17.
Military
Saudi Arabia spends 19 times as much on defence as Malaysia: $80.33B versus $4.31B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Saudi Arabia carries the heavier military burden: 7.3% of GDP versus 1.0%.
Saudi Arabia fields the larger armed forces: 282,000 personnel against 136,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Saudi Arabia bigger than Malaysia?
- Saudi Arabia is larger by land area. Saudi Arabia covers 2,149,690 km² while Malaysia covers 330,803 km², so Saudi Arabia is 6.5 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Saudi Arabia or Malaysia?
- Saudi Arabia has the larger population: 36.97 million versus 35.98 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Saudi Arabia richer than Malaysia?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Saudi Arabia is richer: $34,537 against $13,125. Total GDP tells the same story: $1.28T for Saudi Arabia versus $472.19B for Malaysia.
- Who spends more on their military, Saudi Arabia or Malaysia?
- Saudi Arabia spends more: $80.33B versus $4.31B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).