The real gross domestic product (GDP) of Malaysia grew by 5.11 percent in 2024 compared to the previous year and was forecast to remain at around four percent for the medium term. What affects GDP? GDP is the sum of spending in a country by consumers, investors, and the government, plus net exports. High GDP growth is associated with low unemployment, because a growing economy demands a growing labor force. There are also inflationary pressures, but responsible monetary and fiscal policy can keep the inflation rate low. GDP and development Developmental economists focus more on GDP per capita than GDP. Looking at how much each member of the economy generates gives a general idea of the level of development, with strong correlations between this and other development indicators. If population growth is faster than GDP growth, residents in the country will be worse off, in spite of a growing economy.

The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in Malaysia expanded 2.40 percent in the third quarter of 2025 over the previous quarter. This dataset provides - Malaysia GDP Growth Rate - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

In 2023, the contribution from agriculture, forestry, and fishing industry to Malaysia's gross domestic product (GDP) was at *** percent, a decrease from around *** percent in the previous year. The share of agriculture, forestry, and fishing to the country's GDP has been fluctuating.

Monthly and long-term Malaysia GDP data: historical series and analyst forecasts curated by FocusEconomics.

Tourism is one of the most important sectors in a tropical country that offers a rich landscape and cultural heritage like Malaysia. In 2024, the tourism sector directly contributed more than *** billion Malaysian ringgit to the country’s gross domestic product (GDP). Despite the severe impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021, which resulted in major loss to the GDP, the tourism sector in Malaysia has shown great improvement in the past few years. Increase in inbound tourism Although the number of international tourists who came to Malaysia significantly decreased when the pandemic hit, 2024 showed that the industry has almost fully recovered. In that year, Malaysia welcomed more than ** million visitors, a number that was only slightly below the number of tourists in 2019. The Malaysian Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture forecasted that the number of inbound tourists could surpass ** million people in 2025. Visit Malaysia 2026 With a promising outlook in the tourism sector, the Malaysian government announced the Visit Malaysia 2026 campaign to further boost the industry. Through branding and promotion on various media channels, including social media platforms, the campaign aimed to attract 35.6 million tourists and generate more than *** billion Malaysian ringgit in tourism receipts in 2026. This is nearly twice the amount of the inbound tourism expenditure in Malaysia in 2023.

Abstract

Financial inclusion is critical in reducing poverty and achieving inclusive economic growth. When people can participate in the financial system, they are better able to start and expand businesses, invest in their children’s education, and absorb financial shocks. Yet prior to 2011, little was known about the extent of financial inclusion and the degree to which such groups as the poor, women, and rural residents were excluded from formal financial systems.

By collecting detailed indicators about how adults around the world manage their day-to-day finances, the Global Findex allows policy makers, researchers, businesses, and development practitioners to track how the use of financial services has changed over time. The database can also be used to identify gaps in access to the formal financial system and design policies to expand financial inclusion.

Geographic coverage

National Coverage

Analysis unit

Individual

Universe

The target population is the civilian, non-institutionalized population 15 years and above.

Kind of data

Sample survey data [ssd]

Frequency of data collection

Triennial

Sampling procedure

As in the first edition, the indicators in the 2014 Global Findex are drawn from survey data covering almost 150,000 people in more than 140 economies-representing more than 97 percent of the world's population. The survey was carried out over the 2014 calendar year by Gallup, Inc. as part of its Gallup World Poll, which since 2005 has continually conducted surveys of approximately 1,000 people in each of more than 160 economies and in over 140 languages, using randomly selected, nationally representative samples. The target population is the entire civilian, noninstitutionalized population age 15 and above. The set of indicators will be collected again in 2017.

Surveys are conducted face to face in economies where telephone coverage represents less than 80 percent of the population or is the customary methodology. In most economies the fieldwork is completed in two to four weeks. In economies where face-to-face surveys are conducted, the first stage of sampling is the identification of primary sampling units. These units are stratified by population size, geography, or both, and clustering is achieved through one or more stages of sampling. Where population information is available, sample selection is based on probabilities proportional to population size; otherwise, simple random sampling is used. Random route procedures are used to select sampled households. Unless an outright refusal occurs, interviewers make up to three attempts to survey the sampled household. To increase the probability of contact and completion, attempts are made at different times of the day and, where possible, on different days. If an interview cannot be obtained at the initial sampled household, a simple substitution method is used. Respondents are randomly selected within the selected households by means of the Kish grid. In economies where cultural restrictions dictate gender matching, respondents are randomly selected through the Kish grid from among all eligible adults of the interviewer's gender.

In economies where telephone interviewing is employed, random digit dialing or a nationally representative list of phone numbers is used. In most economies where cell phone penetration is high, a dual sampling frame is used. Random selection of respondents is achieved by using either the latest birthday or Kish grid method. At least three attempts are made to reach a person in each household, spread over different days and times of day.

The sample size in Malaysia was 1,000 individuals.

Mode of data collection

Other [oth]

Research instrument

The questionnaire was designed by the World Bank, in conjunction with a Technical Advisory Board composed of leading academics, practitioners, and policy makers in the field of financial inclusion. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and Gallup Inc. also provided valuable input. The questionnaire was piloted in multiple countries, using focus groups, cognitive interviews, and field testing. The questionnaire is available in 142 languages upon request.

Questions on cash withdrawals, saving using an informal savings club or person outside the family, domestic remittances, school fees, and agricultural payments are only asked in developing economies and few other selected countries. The question on mobile money accounts was only asked in economies that were part of the Mobile Money for the Unbanked (MMU) database of the GSMA at the time the interviews were being held.

Sampling error estimates

Estimates of standard errors (which account for sampling error) vary by country and indicator. For country-specific margins of error, please refer to the Methodology section and corresponding table in Asli Demirguc-Kunt, Leora Klapper, Dorothe Singer, and Peter Van Oudheusden, “The Global Findex Database 2014: Measuring Financial Inclusion around the World.” Policy Research Working Paper 7255, World Bank, Washington, D.C.

In 2024, the gross domestic product (GDP) from the manufacturing sector in Malaysia reached around 382 billion Malaysian ringgit, an increase from around 366.8 billion Malaysian ringgit in the previous year. The GDP from manufacturing in the country has been increasing in the last decade.

Key information about Malaysia M2 Growth

• Malaysia Money Supply M2 increased 3.4 % YoY in Jan 2025, compared with a growth of 3.7 % in the previous month
• Malaysia Money Supply M2 growth data is updated monthly, available from Dec 1970 to Jan 2025
• The data reached an all-time high of 61.8 % in Dec 1972 and a record low of 0.0 % in Dec 1973

CEIC calculates M2 Growth Rate from monthly M2. Bank Negara Malaysia provides M2 in local currency. Since January 2014, M2 Growth Rate is based on the new taxonomy aligned to IFRS. M2 Growth Rate prior to January 2014 is based on taxonomy in 1999. M2 Growth Rate prior to January 1985 is sourced from the International Monetary Fund.


Further information about Malaysia M2 Growth

• In the latest reports, Malaysia Foreign Exchange Reserves was measured at 108.1 USD bn in Feb 2025
• The Foreign Exchange Reserves equaled 6.3 Months of Import in May 2023
• Malaysia Domestic Credit reached 634.4 USD bn in Jan 2025, representing an increased of 4.3 % YoY
• The country's Non Performing Loans Ratio stood at 1.5 % in Jan 2025, compared with the ratio of 1.4 % in the previous month
• Household Debt of Malaysia reached 334.3 USD bn in Dec 2023, accounting for 84.2 % of the country's Nominal GDP

Malaysia GDP: USD: Adjusted Net National Income per Capita data was reported at 7,477.456 USD in 2016. This records a decrease from the previous number of 7,616.383 USD for 2015. Malaysia GDP: USD: Adjusted Net National Income per Capita data is updated yearly, averaging 2,334.755 USD from Dec 1970 (Median) to 2016, with 47 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 8,612.521 USD in 2014 and a record low of 319.242 USD in 1970. Malaysia GDP: USD: Adjusted Net National Income per Capita data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Malaysia – Table MY.World Bank: Gross Domestic Product: Nominal. Adjusted net national income is GNI minus consumption of fixed capital and natural resources depletion.; ; World Bank staff estimates based on sources and methods in World Bank's 'The Changing Wealth of Nations: Measuring Sustainable Development in the New Millennium' (2011).; Weighted Average;

Retail Sales in Malaysia increased 2.40 percent in September of 2025 over the previous month. This dataset provides - Malaysia Retail Sales MoM- actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Malaysia Net Official Development Assistance Received: 2014 Price data was reported at -41.410 USD mn in 2016. This records a decrease from the previous number of -0.600 USD mn for 2015. Malaysia Net Official Development Assistance Received: 2014 Price data is updated yearly, averaging 182.280 USD mn from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2016, with 57 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 658.290 USD mn in 1984 and a record low of -341.000 USD mn in 1996. Malaysia Net Official Development Assistance Received: 2014 Price data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Malaysia – Table MY.World Bank: Defense and Official Development Assistance. Net official development assistance (ODA) consists of disbursements of loans made on concessional terms (net of repayments of principal) and grants by official agencies of the members of the Development Assistance Committee (DAC), by multilateral institutions, and by non-DAC countries to promote economic development and welfare in countries and territories in the DAC list of ODA recipients. It includes loans with a grant element of at least 25 percent (calculated at a rate of discount of 10 percent). Data are in constant 2014 U.S. dollars.; ; Development Assistance Committee of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, Geographical Distribution of Financial Flows to Developing Countries, Development Co-operation Report, and International Development Statistics database. Data are available online at: www.oecd.org/dac/stats/idsonline.; Sum;

Malaysia Research and Development Expenditure: % of GDP data was reported at 1.298 % in 2015. This records an increase from the previous number of 1.259 % for 2014. Malaysia Research and Development Expenditure: % of GDP data is updated yearly, averaging 0.788 % from Dec 1996 (Median) to 2015, with 13 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 1.298 % in 2015 and a record low of 0.216 % in 1996. Malaysia Research and Development Expenditure: % of GDP data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Malaysia – Table MY.World Bank: Technology. Gloss domestic expenditures on research and development (R&D), expressed as a percent of GDP. They include both capital and current expenditures in the four main sectors: Business enterprise, Government, Higher education and Private non-profit. R&D covers basic research, applied research, and experimental development.; ; UNESCO Institute for Statistics; Weighted average; Each economy is classified based on the classification of World Bank Group's fiscal year 2018 (July 1, 2017-June 30, 2018).

Key information about Malaysia Domestic Credit Growth

• Malaysia Domestic Credit increased 5.3 % YoY in Oct 2025, compared with an increase of 5.0 % YoY in the previous month
• Malaysia Domestic Credit Growth YoY data is updated monthly
• It averaged 6.3 %, available from Jan 1988 to Oct 2025
• The data reached an all-time high of 33.3 % in Jun 1997 and a record low of -6.1 % in Apr 1999

CEIC calculates Domestic Credit Growth from monthly Domestic Credit. Domestic Credit is calculated as the sum of Net Claims on Government and Claims on Private Sector. Bank Negara Malaysia provides Domestic Credit in local currency. Since January 2014, Domestic Credit is based on the new taxonomy aligned to IFRS. Domestic Credit prior to January 2014 is based on taxonomy in 1999.


Further information about Malaysia Domestic Credit Growth

• In the latest reports, Malaysia Domestic Credit reached 699.0 USD bn in Oct 2025
• Money Supply M2 in Malaysia increased to 606.0 USD bn YoY in Oct 2025
• Malaysia Foreign Exchange Reserves was measured at 111.7 USD bn in Oct 2025
• The Foreign Exchange Reserves equaled 5.8 Months of Import in Oct 2025
• The country's Non Performing Loans Ratio stood at 1.4 % in Oct 2025, compared with the ratio of 1.4 % in the previous month
• Household Debt of Malaysia reached 84.1 % in Dec 2024, accounting for 84.1 % of the country's Nominal GDP

This statistic shows the unemployment rate in Malaysia from 1999 to 2024. In 2024, the unemployment rate in Malaysia was at approximately 3.83 percent. Unemployment in Malaysia Malaysia’s unemployment is relatively low and stable at around three percent which means the population is experiencing close to full employment. The country reached its lowest level of unemployment in 2014, with a rate of 2.85 percent. Malaysia’s vibrant economy is considered one of the strongest in South_East Asia. Together with years of political stability, it has been supporting such a low unemployment rate and good growth rates each year. Industry has been a strong contributor to GDP and currently provides around 30 percent of employment opportunities. But even more - about 50 percent - of GDP is generated by the services sector. Given the country’s strong and growing economy, average GDP per capita is growing at increasing rates as well. However, despite these positive statistics, news reports state that the number of job seekers and those unemployed – the three percent - are generally young people, both graduates and non-graduates, who have had trouble entering the job market. Because of this, the Malaysian government is encouraging companies to open up employment opportunities specifically to young adults. The favorable economic climate should help. Yet, there have also been some complaints about underemployment and gender discrimination within the country.

Malaysia Built Up Area per Capita data was reported at 129.170 sq m in 2014. This records a decrease from the previous number of 143.560 sq m for 2000. Malaysia Built Up Area per Capita data is updated yearly, averaging 143.560 sq m from Dec 1990 (Median) to 2014, with 3 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 144.510 sq m in 1990 and a record low of 129.170 sq m in 2014. Malaysia Built Up Area per Capita data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Malaysia – Table MY.OECD.GGI: Environmental: Land Resources: Non OECD Member: Annual.

The house price index in Malaysia reached ***** in 2023, an increase of more than twofold compared to the base index of 100 in 2010. The price index, which measures the average change in prices over a period of time, indicated that the value of housing in the country continued to increase every year since 2014. Recovery in the housing market Malaysia’s real estate industry was significantly hit by the COVID-19 pandemic but showed signs of recovery in 2022 when the restrictions were finally lifted. Subsequently, the housing market also signaled a positive recovery, with the transaction value of the residential sector growing by approximately ** percent in the same year. Going into 2024, despite uncertainties in the global economy, the housing market in Malaysia is likely to experience more growth. Demand for more affordable housing Although the real estate market is recovering and the inflation rate in the country has slowed down, the average price of houses reached nearly ******* Malaysian ringgit in 2022, an increase of around ****** Malaysian ringgit compared to the previous year. According to a survey conducted in the capital city, Kuala Lumpur, the majority of potential home buyers had a housing budget of less than ******* Malaysian ringgit. As of 2024, the Malaysian government already has several low-cost housing schemes catered for the B40 lower-income and M40 middle-income groups. Nevertheless, with the rising residential prices and current cost of living, there will be more demand for affordable housing options among home buyers.

MY: Built Up Area: % of Total Land data was reported at 1.170 % in 2014. This records an increase from the previous number of 1.010 % for 2000. MY: Built Up Area: % of Total Land data is updated yearly, averaging 1.010 % from Dec 1990 (Median) to 2014, with 3 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 1.170 % in 2014 and a record low of 0.790 % in 1990. MY: Built Up Area: % of Total Land data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Malaysia – Table MY.OECD.GGI: Environmental: Land Resources: Non OECD Member: Annual.

Malaysia Projects Awarded: Expansion: Year to Date: Social Amenities data was reported at 8.000 Unit in Jun 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 3.000 Unit for Mar 2017. Malaysia Projects Awarded: Expansion: Year to Date: Social Amenities data is updated quarterly, averaging 16.000 Unit from Sep 2006 (Median) to Jun 2017, with 42 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 403.000 Unit in Dec 2009 and a record low of 0.000 Unit in Mar 2014. Malaysia Projects Awarded: Expansion: Year to Date: Social Amenities data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Construction Industry Development Board. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Malaysia – Table MY.EA013: Projects Awarded by Category: Number of Projects.

Malaysia Imports: Lead Time: Median Case data was reported at 7.000 Day in 2016. This records an increase from the previous number of 1.000 Day for 2014. Malaysia Imports: Lead Time: Median Case data is updated yearly, averaging 2.750 Day from Dec 2007 (Median) to 2016, with 5 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 7.000 Day in 2016 and a record low of 1.000 Day in 2014. Malaysia Imports: Lead Time: Median Case data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Malaysia – Table MY.World Bank: Trade Statistics. Lead time to import is the median time (the value for 50 percent of shipments) from port of discharge to arrival at the consignee. Data are from the Logistics Performance Index survey. Respondents provided separate values for the best case (10 percent of shipments) and the median case (50 percent of shipments). The data are exponentiated averages of the logarithm of single value responses and of midpoint values of range responses for the median case.; ; World Bank and Turku School of Economics, Logistic Performance Index Surveys. Data are available online at : http://www.worldbank.org/lpi. Summary results are published in Arvis and others' Connecting to Compete: Trade Logistics in the Global Economy, The Logistics Performance Index and Its Indicators report.; Unweighted average;

Malaysia Projects Awarded: Melaka: Year to Date: MYR >0.5-1 mn data was reported at 20.000 Unit in Jun 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 6.000 Unit for Mar 2017. Malaysia Projects Awarded: Melaka: Year to Date: MYR >0.5-1 mn data is updated quarterly, averaging 20.000 Unit from Sep 2006 (Median) to Jun 2017, with 42 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 87.000 Unit in Dec 2014 and a record low of 2.000 Unit in Mar 2014. Malaysia Projects Awarded: Melaka: Year to Date: MYR >0.5-1 mn data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Construction Industry Development Board. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Malaysia – Table MY.EA007: Projects Awarded by State: Number of Projects.