Malaysia: economy

What is Malaysia's GDP growth rate?

Malaysia's economy grew by 6.0% in the second quarter of 2026 compared with a year earlier, up from 5.4% in the first quarter, according to the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM). Adjusted for seasonal effects, GDP rose 2.5% on the previous quarter. Services led growth, and agriculture was the only sector to shrink.

Bank Negara Malaysia's monetary policy statement of 3 September 2026 put growth in the first half of 2026 at 5.7% and said it expects growth for 2026 as a whole of around 5%. DOSM publishes an advance estimate first (on 17 July for the second quarter of 2026) and the full estimate later (14 August), which can revise the figure.

Official sources: DOSM: GDP, second quarter 2026 · Bank Negara Malaysia: Monetary policy statement, 3 September 2026

What is the inflation rate in Malaysia?

Consumer prices in Malaysia were 1.9% higher in August 2026 than a year earlier, according to the DOSM consumer price index release. Prices rose 0.3% over the month. Core inflation, which excludes the most volatile items, was 1.7%.

The CPI covers 13 main groups of goods and services; the open data catalogue gives monthly rates for each. In August 2026 annual increases ranged from 0.1% for clothing and footwear to 3.2% for personal care and miscellaneous goods and services. Bank Negara Malaysia reported that headline and core inflation averaged 1.8% and 2% in the first seven months of 2026.

Official sources: DOSM: Consumer price index, August 2026 · data.gov.my: CPI inflation by division · Bank Negara Malaysia: Monetary policy statement, 3 September 2026

What is the interest rate in Malaysia?

Bank Negara Malaysia's Overnight Policy Rate (OPR) is 2.75%. The Monetary Policy Committee kept it unchanged at its meeting on 3 September 2026, according to its monetary policy statement.

The OPR is the target rate for overnight lending between banks, and it feeds into the base rates that banks use to price variable-rate loans, including most mortgages. The committee meets six times a year; the OPR decisions page lists every decision and statement. NAPIC's house price report notes that the OPR has been unchanged at 2.75% since July 2025.

Official sources: Bank Negara Malaysia: Monetary policy statement, 3 September 2026 · Bank Negara Malaysia: OPR decisions

What are Malaysia's exports and trade balance?

Malaysia's exports were RM191.0 billion in August 2026, 45.5% more than a year earlier, and imports were RM163.0 billion, up 41.1%, giving a trade surplus of RM28.1 billion, according to DOSM external trade statistics. In January to August 2026, total trade reached RM2.5 trillion and the surplus RM198.7 billion.

Domestic exports made up 79.0% of the August total and re-exports 21.0%. The figures are for goods only, compiled from customs declarations, and are first released as preliminary. Monthly figures swing with commodity prices and shipments, so DOSM also publishes seasonally adjusted month-on-month changes; on that basis exports rose 1.3% in August.

Official sources: DOSM: Malaysia external trade statistics, August 2026

What is Malaysia's GDP per capita?

Malaysia's GDP per capita was about USD 13,120 in 2025 at current prices, according to the World Bank.

The World Bank converts GDP in ringgit to US dollars at market exchange rates, so the figure moves with the ringgit as well as with output. DOSM publishes GDP in ringgit, and per-capita figures by state, in its national accounts releases. Malaysia's population was estimated at 34.4 million in the second quarter of 2026, according to DOSM's demographic statistics.

Official sources: World Bank: GDP per capita, Malaysia · DOSM: GDP, second quarter 2026 · DOSM: Demographic statistics, Q2 2026

Is Malaysia's economy growing?

5.2%: that is real GDP growth in Malaysia for 2025, according to the World Bank. The peak was 9.0% in 2022 and the low -5.5% in 2020. East Asia & Pacific median: 3.6%; Malaysia is 7th highest of 29. Worldwide: 42nd of 180.

What is Malaysia's GDP per person?

The World Bank puts GDP per person in Malaysia at $13,125 in 2025. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. Across East Asia & Pacific the middle value was $6,547, and Malaysia placed 10th highest of 29. Of 180 countries with 2025 data, 69th highest.

What is Malaysia's GDP per capita at PPP?

The World Bank puts GDP per person at purchasing power parity in Malaysia at $41,498 in international dollars in 2025. No year since 2005 has been higher. Across East Asia & Pacific the middle value was $14,200 in international dollars, and Malaysia placed 7th highest of 29. World rank, highest first: 52nd of 179.

What share of Malaysia's economy is exports?

The latest figure from the World Bank, for 2025, is 71.0% of GDP. The peak was 112.9% of GDP in 2005 and the low 61.6% of GDP in 2020. East Asia & Pacific median: 53.8% of GDP; Malaysia is 5th highest of 16. Worldwide: 20th of 133.

What is Malaysia's current account balance?

The IMF puts the current account balance in Malaysia at 1.6% of GDP in 2025. Since 2005 it has ranged from 1.1% of GDP (2023) to 16.9% of GDP (2008). East Asia & Pacific median: 1.6% of GDP; Malaysia is 10th highest of 19. Worldwide: 40th of 132.

What is FDI in Malaysia?

4.6% of GDP: that is net inflows of foreign direct investment in Malaysia for 2025, according to the IMF. The peak was 5.4% of GDP in 2021 and the low 0.1% of GDP in 2009. Across East Asia & Pacific the middle value was 1.9% of GDP, and Malaysia placed 7th highest of 28. Of 179 countries with 2025 data, 38th highest.

What are bank lending rates in Malaysia?

The latest figure from the IMF, for 2025, is 4.8%. The peak was 6.5% in 2006 and the low 3.4% in 2021. It is 8th highest of 10 in East Asia & Pacific, where the median is 6.5%. World rank, highest first: 64th of 73.