Malaysia Economy

Is Malaysia a wealthy country?

Malaysia, an upper middle-income country, has transformed itself since the 1970s from a producer of raw materials into a multi-sector economy. Under current Prime Minister NAJIB, Malaysia is attempting to achieve high-income status by 2020 and to move further up the value-added production chain by attracting investments in high technology, knowledge-based industries and services. NAJIB's Economic Transformation Program is a series of projects and policy measures intended to accelerate the country's economic growth. The government has also taken steps to liberalize some services sub-sectors. Malaysia is vulnerable to a fall in world commodity prices or a general slowdown in global economic activity.

The NAJIB administration is continuing efforts to boost domestic demand and reduce the economy's dependence on exports. Domestic demand continues to anchor economic growth, supported mainly by private consumption, which accounts for 53% of GDP. Nevertheless, exports - particularly of electronics, oil and gas, and palm oil - remain a significant driver of the economy. In 2015, gross exports of goods and services were equivalent to 73% of GDP. The oil and gas sector supplied about 22% of government revenue in 2015, down significantly from prior years amid a decline in commodity prices and diversification of government revenues. Malaysia has embarked on a fiscal reform program aimed at achieving a balanced budget by 2020, including rationalization of subsidies and the 2015 introduction of a 6% value added tax. Sustained low commodity prices throughout the period not only strained government finances, but also shrunk Malaysia’s current account surplus and weighed heavily on the Malaysian ringgit, which was among the region’s worst performing currencies during 2013-17. The ringgit hit new lows following the US presidential election amid a broader selloff of emerging market assets.

Bank Negara Malaysia (the central bank) maintains adequate foreign exchange reserves; a well-developed regulatory regime has limited Malaysia's exposure to riskier financial instruments, although it remains vulnerable to volatile global capital flows. In order to increase Malaysia’s competitiveness, Prime Minister NAJIB raised possible revisions to the special economic and social preferences accorded to ethnic Malays under the New Economic Policy of 1970, but retreated in 2013 after he encountered significant opposition from Malay nationalists and other vested interests. In September 2013 NAJIB launched the new Bumiputra Economic Empowerment Program, policies that favor and advance the economic condition of ethnic Malays.

Malaysia signed the 12-nation Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) free trade agreement in February 2016, although the future of the TPP remains unclear following the US withdrawal from the agreement. Along with nine other ASEAN members, Malaysia established the ASEAN Economic Community in 2015, which aims to advance regional economic integration.

Malaysia Economy Data

What is the GDP of Malaysia?

Currency Name and Code Malaysian Ringgit (MYR)
GDP - Gross Domestic Product (PPP) $855,600,000,000 (USD)
GDP - official exchange rate $313,500,000,000 (USD)
GDP - real growth rate 4.7%
GDP Per Capita $26,600.00 (USD)
GDP by Sector- agriculture 8.9%
GDP by Sector- Industry 35%
GDP by Sector- services 56.1%
GDP - composition, by end use household consumption: 54%

government consumption: 13.6%

investment in fixed capital: 26.9%

investment in inventories: 0%

exports of goods and services: 74.6%

imports of goods and services: -69.1%
Population Below Poverty Line 3.6%
Inflation Rate 1.7%
Labor Force 12,200,000
Labor Force By Occupation- agriculture 11.1%
Labor Force By Occupation- industry 36%
Labor Force By Occupation- services 53.5%
Unemployment Rate 3.5%
Fiscal Year calendar year
Annual Budget $46,780,000,000 (USD)
Budget Surplus or Deficit - percent of GDP -4.4%
Public Debt (% of GDP) 48.3%
Taxes and other revenues - percent of GDP 21%
Major Industries Peninsular Malaysia - rubber and oil palm processing and manufacturing, light manufacturing industry, electronics, tin mining and smelting, logging and processing timber; Sabah - logging, petroleum production; Sarawak - agriculture processing, petroleum production and refining, logging
Industrial Growth Rate 7.5%
Agriculture Products Peninsular Malaysia - rubber, palm oil, cocoa, rice; Sabah - subsistence crops, rubber, timber, coconuts, rice; Sarawak - rubber, pepper; timber
Exchange Rate per US Dollar ringgit (MYR)
Commercial Bank Prime Lending Rate 4.5%

Labor Force by Occupation- As reported by Malaysia

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