Updated
Overview
Thailand has 2.0 times the population of Malaysia: 71.62 million people against 35.98 million (2025).
Thailand's economy is 22% larger than Malaysia's, at $577.01B versus $472.19B.
Per person, Malaysia is the wealthier of the two: $13,125 against $8,057 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Thailand | Malaysia | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $577.01B | $472.19B | 2025 | $526.41B / $421.97B |
| GDP per capita | $8,057 | Higher: $13,125 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 2.4% | Higher: 5.2% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: -0.1% | 1.4% | 2025 | 1.4% / 1.8% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 0.8% | 3.8% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 31 | 32 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $508 | Higher: $698 | 2025 / 2020 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $254 | Higher: $328 | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $4.02 | $3.57 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 71.62 million | 35.98 million | 2025 | 70.03 million / 34.91 million |
| Population growth | -0.1% | 1.2% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 40.6 yrs | 31.0 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.19 | 1.53 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 76.6 yrs | Higher: 76.8 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 63% | 77% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 91% | Higher: 98% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 513,120 km² | 330,803 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 139.6/km² | 108.8/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | Lower: 268 Mt | 290 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 3.7 t | 8.2 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $5.52B | $4.31B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.1% | 1.0% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 455,000 | 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 2.4%.
Inflation is comparable in both: -0.1% in Thailand and 1.4% in Malaysia.
Average monthly earnings favour Malaysia: $698 against $508 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Malaysia is the far younger society: median age 31.0 versus 40.6 years.
Malaysia is considerably more urbanized: 77% of people live in cities, against 63%.
Geography
By land area, Thailand is 55% larger than Malaysia: 513,120 km² versus 330,803 km².
The two share a land border, which shapes their trade, migration, and security relationship.
Military
Thailand spends 28% more on defence than Malaysia: $5.52B versus $4.31B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Thailand fields the larger armed forces: 455,000 personnel against 136,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Thailand bigger than Malaysia?
- Thailand is larger by land area. Thailand covers 513,120 km² while Malaysia covers 330,803 km², so Thailand is 55% larger than the other.
- Which has more people, Thailand or Malaysia?
- Thailand has the larger population: 71.62 million versus 35.98 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Thailand richer than Malaysia?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Malaysia is richer: $13,125 against $8,057. Total GDP tells a different story: $577.01B for Thailand versus $472.19B for Malaysia.
- Who spends more on their military, Thailand or Malaysia?
- Thailand spends more: $5.52B versus $4.31B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).