Central government revenues as a share of GDP in Malaysia
Malaysia: Central government revenues as a share of GDP was 16.8% in 2024. ▼ Falling
Central government revenues as a share of GDP in Malaysia, 1996–2024
Source: International Monetary Fund (IMF) Government Finance Statistics, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in % of GDP.
Analysis
The most recent figure for central government revenues as a share of gdp in Malaysia is 16.8%, measured in 2024.
The figure is down 2.7% on the previous year and down 15.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, central government revenues as a share of gdp in Malaysia peaked at 23.4% in 1997 and was at its lowest, 15.1%, in 2021.
That places Malaysia 120th out of 157 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the bottom quarter.
The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 29 years of available data.
Central government revenues as a share of GDP in Malaysia, year by year
| Year | % of GDP | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1996 | 23.3% | — |
| 1997 | 23.4% | +0.7% |
| 1998 | 20.1% | -14.4% |
| 1999 | 19.6% | -2.1% |
| 2000 | 17.5% | -11.0% |
| 2001 | 22.7% | +29.7% |
| 2002 | 21.8% | -3.8% |
| 2003 | 22.1% | +1.5% |
| 2004 | 21.0% | -5.2% |
| 2005 | 19.6% | -6.7% |
| 2006 | 20.7% | +5.9% |
| 2007 | 21.0% | +1.6% |
| 2008 | 20.8% | -1.3% |
| 2009 | 22.3% | +7.2% |
| 2010 | 19.4% | -12.7% |
| 2011 | 20.3% | +4.6% |
| 2012 | 21.4% | +5.3% |
| 2013 | 20.9% | -2.1% |
| 2014 | 19.9% | -4.8% |
| 2015 | 18.6% | -6.6% |
| 2016 | 17.0% | -8.7% |
| 2017 | 16.1% | -5.5% |
| 2018 | 16.1% | +0.2% |
| 2019 | 17.5% | +8.7% |
| 2020 | 15.9% | -9.2% |
| 2021 | 15.1% | -4.9% |
| 2022 | 16.4% | +8.7% |
| 2023 | 17.3% | +5.3% |
| 2024 | 16.8% | -2.7% |
Malaysia compared with similar countries
- Malaysia's 16.8% is below the median for upper middle income countries, which is 25.7%, 65% of the median. (48 countries reporting)
- Malaysia's 16.8% is below the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 24.8%, 68% of the median. (26 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 21.6% | 19.6% | 23.4% | 4 |
| 2000s | 20.9% | 17.5% | 22.7% | 10 |
| 2010s | 18.7% | 16.1% | 21.4% | 10 |
| 2020s | 16.3% | 15.1% | 17.3% | 5 |
Countries ranked near Malaysia
- 117 Dominican Republic 17.5% compare
- 118 Switzerland 17.0% compare
- 119 Argentina 16.9% compare
- 121 Philippines 16.7% compare
- 122 Papua New Guinea 16.6% compare
- 123 Kazakhstan 16.5% compare
More economy & growth data for Malaysia
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 04 - Annual real GDP 3.04 Percent per annum (2029)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 02 - Annual real GDP 3.97 Percent per annum (2029)
- Foreign direct investment, net outflows (BoP, current US$), gaps 13.04 billion BoP, current US$ (2024)
- Foreign direct investment, net outflows (BoP, current US$), per unit 0.0309 BoP, current US$ per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Foreign direct investment, net outflows (BoP, current US$), per capita 366.69 BoP, current US$ per person (2024)
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (BoP, current US$), gaps filled 15.59 billion BoP, current US$ (2024)
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (BoP, current US$), annual 96.92 % change on previous year (2024)
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (BoP, current US$), per unit 0.0369 BoP, current US$ per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (BoP, current US$), per capita 438.53 BoP, current US$ per person (2024)
- Total reserves (includes gold, current US$), annual growth rate 8.09 % change on previous year (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is central government revenues as a share of gdp in Malaysia?
- Central government revenues as a share of gdp in Malaysia was 16.8% in 2024, according to International Monetary Fund (IMF) Government Finance Statistics, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest central government revenues as a share of gdp recorded in Malaysia?
- The highest recorded value was 23.4% in 1997.
- What is the lowest central government revenues as a share of gdp recorded in Malaysia?
- The lowest recorded value was 15.1% in 2021.
- How does Malaysia rank for central government revenues as a share of gdp?
- Malaysia ranks 120th out of 157 countries with data for 2024.
- Is central government revenues as a share of gdp rising or falling in Malaysia?
- Over the last ten years it is down 15.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Malaysia data come from?
- The figures come from International Monetary Fund (IMF) Government Finance Statistics, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Central government revenues as a share of GDP. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Taxes, social contributions, and other revenues such as fines, fees, rent, and income from property or sales included. Grants excluded.