Updated
Overview
South Africa has about 80% more people than Malaysia: 64.75 million against 35.98 million (2025).
Malaysia's economy is 11% larger than South Africa's, at $472.19B versus $427.18B.
Per person, Malaysia is the wealthier of the two: $13,125 against $6,598 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | South Africa | Malaysia | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | $427.18B | Higher: $472.19B | 2025 | $400.26B / $421.97B |
| GDP per capita | $6,598 | Higher: $13,125 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 1.1% | Higher: 5.2% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 3.2% | Lower: 1.4% | 2025 | 4.4% / 1.8% |
| Unemployment | 32.4% | Lower: 3.8% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 41 | 32 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $485 | Higher: $698 | 2020 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $261 | Higher: $328 | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $3.49 | $3.57 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 64.75 million | 35.98 million | 2025 | 61.09 million / 34.91 million |
| Population growth | 1.1% | 1.2% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 28.7 yrs | 31.0 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 2.19 | 1.53 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 66.3 yrs | Higher: 76.8 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 64% | 77% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 78% | Higher: 98% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 1,221,037 km² | 330,803 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 53.0/km² | 108.8/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 440 Mt | Lower: 290 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 6.9 t | 8.2 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $2.84B | $4.31B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 0.7% | 1.0% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 89,000 | 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 much faster: 5.2% annual GDP growth versus 1.1%.
Inflation is comparable in both: 3.2% in South Africa and 1.4% in Malaysia.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Malaysia: a price level of 32 versus 41 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Malaysia: $698 against $485 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
South Africa is the younger society: median age 28.7 versus 31.0 years.
Life expectancy is 10.5 years longer in Malaysia (76.8 vs 66.3).
Malaysia is considerably more urbanized: 77% of people live in cities, against 64%.
Internet adoption is higher in Malaysia (98% vs 78% of the population).
Geography
By land area, South Africa is 3.7 times the size of Malaysia: 1,221,037 km² versus 330,803 km².
Malaysia is far more densely settled: 109 people per km² against 53.
Military
Malaysia spends about 50% more on defence than South Africa: $4.31B versus $2.84B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Malaysia fields the larger armed forces: 136,000 personnel against 89,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is South Africa bigger than Malaysia?
- South Africa is larger by land area. South Africa covers 1,221,037 km² while Malaysia covers 330,803 km², so South Africa is 3.7 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, South Africa or Malaysia?
- South Africa has the larger population: 64.75 million versus 35.98 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is South Africa richer than Malaysia?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Malaysia is richer: $13,125 against $6,598. Total GDP tells the same story: $427.18B for South Africa versus $472.19B for Malaysia.
- Who spends more on their military, South Africa or Malaysia?
- Malaysia spends more: $4.31B versus $2.84B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).