Malaysia vs South Korea
Malaysia and South Korea compared on 147 measures that both have. Each pair of values is for the same period, the latest one with data for both countries, so the year can differ from one row to the next.
Where Malaysia and South Korea differ most
- Level of water stress, 2022: Malaysia 3.4%, South Korea 85.2% (24.8 times as high)
- Alcohol consumption, 2024: Malaysia 0.66 litres, South Korea 7.59 litres (11.6 times as high)
- Adolescent birth rate, 2024: Malaysia 5.7 per 1,000 women aged 15 to 19, South Korea 0.5 per 1,000 women aged 15 to 19 (10.8 times as high)
- Out-of-school youth, 2024: Malaysia 34.9%, South Korea 4.5% (7.8 times as high)
- Researchers per million people, 2022: Malaysia 1,218 per million people, South Korea 9,435 per million people (7.7 times as high)
Measures where one value is the largest multiple of the other, among measures with positive values. Totals such as population, index values and growth rates are left out, because their size says little about the difference.
Population and ageing
| Measure | Malaysia | South Korea | Malaysia compared with South Korea | Period | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Population estimates and projections people |
35,126,298 people | 51,748,739 people | −32.1% | 2023 | UN Population Division |
| Median age estimates and projections years |
30.1 years | 44.5 years | −32.4% | 2023 | UN Population Division |
| Fertility rate estimates and projections live births per woman |
1.55 births per woman | 0.72 births per woman | +115.3% | 2023 | UN Population Division |
| Population growth estimates and projections % per year |
1.24% | -0.04% | +1.28 percentage points | 2023 | UN Population Division |
| Population people |
35,977,838 people | 51,684,564 people | −30.4% | 2025 | World Bank |
| Population growth annual % change |
1.17% | -0.13% | +1.30 percentage points | 2025 | World Bank |
| Population aged 65 and over % of total population |
8.0% | 20.3% | −12.3 percentage points | 2025 | World Bank |
| Population aged 0 to 14 % of total population |
21.3% | 10.2% | +11.1 percentage points | 2025 | World Bank |
| Fertility rate births per woman |
1.54 births per woman | 0.75 births per woman | +106.3% | 2024 | World Bank |
| Crude birth rate births per 1,000 people |
12.4 per 1,000 people | 4.7 per 1,000 people | +7.7 per 1,000 people | 2024 | World Bank |
| Crude death rate deaths per 1,000 people |
5.3 per 1,000 people | 7.0 per 1,000 people | −1.7 per 1,000 people | 2024 | World Bank |
| Urban population share % of total population |
77.4% | 81.2% | −3.8 percentage points | 2025 | World Bank |
| Adolescent birth rate births per 1,000 women aged 15 to 19 |
5.7 per 1,000 women aged 15 to 19 | 0.5 per 1,000 women aged 15 to 19 | +5.2 per 1,000 women aged 15 to 19 | 2024 | World Bank |
| Age dependency ratio dependants per 100 people aged 15 to 64 |
41.5 per 100 working-age people | 44.0 per 100 working-age people | −2.4 per 100 working-age people | 2025 | World Bank |
| Population density people per square kilometre of land |
108.2 people per km² | 530.2 people per km² | −79.6% | 2024 | World Bank |
| Urban population growth annual % change |
1.79% | -0.12% | +1.92 percentage points | 2025 | World Bank |
Migration and citizenship
| Measure | Malaysia | South Korea | Malaysia compared with South Korea | Period | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net migration estimates and projections per 1,000 people |
5.2 per 1,000 people | 1.7 per 1,000 people | +3.5 per 1,000 people | 2023 | UN Population Division |
| Net migration people |
166,615 people | 65,731 people | +153.5% | 2025 | World Bank |
| International migrant stock % of population |
10.7% | 3.5% | +7.2 percentage points | 2024 | World Bank |
| Personal remittances received % of GDP |
1.9% | 0.4% | +1.5 percentage points | 2025 | World Bank |
Employment and occupations
| Measure | Malaysia | South Korea | Malaysia compared with South Korea | Period | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ILO estimate of the unemployment rate % of the labour force aged 15 and over |
3.8% | 2.7% | +1.1 percentage points | 2025 | ILOSTAT |
| ILO estimate of youth unemployment % of the labour force aged 15 to 24 |
12.0% | 6.7% | +5.3 percentage points | 2025 | ILOSTAT |
| Labour force participation % of working-age population aged 15 and over |
66.1% | 64.4% | +1.8 percentage points | 2025 | ILOSTAT |
| Women's labour force participation % of women aged 15 and over |
51.6% | 56.8% | −5.1 percentage points | 2025 | ILOSTAT |
| Employment-to-population ratio % of population aged 15 and over |
63.6% | 62.6% | +1.0 percentage points | 2025 | ILOSTAT |
| Employment in agriculture % of total employment |
9.2% | 5.1% | +4.1 percentage points | 2025 | World Bank |
| Employment in industry % of total employment |
26.0% | 23.4% | +2.6 percentage points | 2025 | World Bank |
| Employment in services % of total employment |
64.9% | 71.5% | −6.7 percentage points | 2025 | World Bank |
Economy and productivity
| Measure | Malaysia | South Korea | Malaysia compared with South Korea | Period | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GDP in US dollars current US dollars |
US$472.2 billion | US$1.87 trillion | −74.8% | 2025 | World Bank |
| GDP per capita in US dollars current US dollars per person |
US$13,125 per person | US$36,227 per person | −63.8% | 2025 | World Bank |
| GDP per capita, PPP constant 2021 international dollars per person |
Int$35,461 per person | Int$55,697 per person | −36.3% | 2025 | World Bank |
| GNI per capita, Atlas method current US dollars per person |
US$12,380 per person | US$37,880 per person | −67.3% | 2025 | World Bank |
| Real GDP growth annual % change |
5.2% | 1.0% | +4.2 percentage points | 2025 | World Bank |
| Services share of GDP % of GDP |
54.8% | 57.2% | −2.4 percentage points | 2025 | World Bank |
| Investment share of GDP % of GDP |
20.5% | 29.1% | −8.7 percentage points | 2025 | World Bank |
| Savings share of GDP % of GDP |
22.0% | 35.6% | −13.6 percentage points | 2025 | World Bank |
| Household consumption per person constant 2015 US dollars per person |
US$7,491 per person | US$17,853 per person | −58.0% | 2025 | World Bank |
Prices and purchasing power
| Measure | Malaysia | South Korea | Malaysia compared with South Korea | Period | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Consumer price inflation annual % change |
1.4% | 2.1% | −0.7 percentage points | 2025 | World Bank |
| Consumer price index index, 2010 = 100 |
134.6 (2010 = 100) | 135.0 (2010 = 100) | −0.4 points | 2025 | World Bank |
| Inflation measured by the GDP deflator annual % change |
-0.4% | 3.1% | −3.6 percentage points | 2025 | World Bank |
| Exchange rate to the US dollar local currency units per US dollar, annual average |
4.284 per US$ | 1,422.441 per US$ | −99.7% | 2025 | World Bank |
Housing and households
| Measure | Malaysia | South Korea | Malaysia compared with South Korea | Period | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Slum population % of urban population |
0.2% | 5.6% | −5.4 percentage points | 2020 | World Bank |
Education and skills
| Measure | Malaysia | South Korea | Malaysia compared with South Korea | Period | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ILO estimate of the youth NEET rate % of youth aged 15 to 24 |
10.3% | 11.0% | −0.8 percentage points | 2025 | ILOSTAT |
| Out-of-school children % of children of primary school age |
12.0% | 0.1%nat_est (National estimate) | +11.9 percentage points | 2024 | UNESCO UIS |
| Out-of-school adolescents % of adolescents of lower secondary school age |
18.0% | 2.9%nat_est (National estimate) | +15.1 percentage points | 2024 | UNESCO UIS |
| Out-of-school youth % of youth of upper secondary school age |
34.9% | 4.5%nat_est (National estimate) | +30.4 percentage points | 2024 | UNESCO UIS |
| Primary net enrolment % of children of primary school age |
88.0% | 99.9%nat_est (National estimate) | −11.9 percentage points | 2024 | UNESCO UIS |
| Qualified primary teachers % of primary teachers |
94.0% | 100.0% | −6.0 percentage points | 2024 | UNESCO UIS |
| Education spending % of GDP |
3.5% | 5.4% | −1.9 percentage points | 2022 | World Bank |
| Primary school enrolment (gross) % of the official primary school-age population |
90.4% | 100.9% | −10.5 percentage points | 2024 | World Bank |
| Tertiary education enrolment (gross) % of the population in the five years after secondary school age |
38.5% | 111.9% | −73.4 percentage points | 2024 | World Bank |
| Primary school completion rate % of the relevant age group |
87.7% | 102.9% | −15.1 percentage points | 2024 | World Bank |
| Secondary school enrolment (gross) % of the official secondary school-age population |
80.3% | 96.3% | −16.0 percentage points | 2024 | World Bank |
Health and healthcare
| Measure | Malaysia | South Korea | Malaysia compared with South Korea | Period | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Life expectancy estimates and projections years |
76.7 years | 84.3 years | −9.1% | 2023 | UN Population Division |
| Life expectancy at 65, estimates and projections years |
17.6 years | 21.3 years | −17.4% | 2023 | UN Population Division |
| Healthy life expectancy years |
65.5 years | 72.0 years | −9.0% | 2023 | WHO |
| UHC service coverage index from 0 to 100 |
80 | 88 | −8 points | 2023 | WHO |
| Alcohol consumption litres of pure alcohol per person aged 15+ |
0.66 litres | 7.59 litres | −91.4% | 2024 | WHO |
| Adult obesity % of adults aged 18+ |
23.3% | 8.4% | +15.0 percentage points | 2024 | WHO |
| Hypertension % of adults aged 30 to 79 |
40.8% | 26.7% | +14.1 percentage points | 2019 | WHO |
| Suicide rate deaths per 100,000 people |
5.0 per 100,000 people | 23.4 per 100,000 people | −18.4 per 100,000 people | 2023 | WHO |
| Premature NCD mortality % probability |
19.5% | 6.6% | +12.9 percentage points | 2023 | WHO |
| Physical inactivity % of adults aged 18+ |
39.2% | 60.7% | −21.5 percentage points | 2022 | WHO |
| DTP3 immunisation % of one-year-olds |
95% | 97% | −2.0 percentage points | 2025 | WHO |
| Anaemia in women % of women aged 15 to 49 |
31.3% | 15.7% | +15.6 percentage points | 2023 | WHO |
| Poisoning deaths deaths per 100,000 people |
0.7 per 100,000 people | 0.2 per 100,000 people | +0.5 per 100,000 people | 2023 | WHO |
| Nurses and midwives per 10,000 people |
40.3 per 10,000 people | 98.0 per 10,000 people | −57.7 per 10,000 people | 2024 | WHO |
| Dentists per 10,000 people |
4.06 per 10,000 people | 5.49 per 10,000 people | −1.43 per 10,000 people | 2023 | WHO |
| Life expectancy at birth years |
76.8 years | 83.6 years | −8.1% | 2024 | World Bank |
| Life expectancy at birth, women years |
79.5 years | 86.6 years | −8.2% | 2024 | World Bank |
| Life expectancy at birth, men years |
74.4 years | 80.8 years | −7.9% | 2024 | World Bank |
| Health spending share of GDP % of GDP |
4.0% | 8.6% | −4.6 percentage points | 2023 | World Bank |
| Under-five mortality rate deaths per 1,000 live births |
8.3 per 1,000 live births | 2.8 per 1,000 live births | +5.5 per 1,000 live births | 2024 | World Bank |
| Infant mortality rate deaths per 1,000 live births |
7.0 per 1,000 live births | 2.3 per 1,000 live births | +4.7 per 1,000 live births | 2024 | World Bank |
| Maternal mortality ratio maternal deaths per 100,000 live births |
26 per 100,000 live births | 4 per 100,000 live births | +22 per 100,000 live births | 2023 | World Bank |
| Physicians physicians per 1,000 people |
2.29 per 1,000 people | 2.61 per 1,000 people | −0.32 per 1,000 people | 2022 | World Bank |
| Hospital beds beds per 1,000 people |
1.9 per 1,000 people | 12.8 per 1,000 people | −10.9 per 1,000 people | 2022 | World Bank |
| Measles immunisation % of children aged 12 to 23 months |
96% | 97% | −1.0 percentage points | 2024 | World Bank |
| Tobacco use % of adults aged 15 and over |
16.9% | 18.6% | −1.7 percentage points | 2024 | World Bank |
| Out-of-pocket health spending % of current health expenditure |
37.1% | 31.8% | +5.3 percentage points | 2023 | World Bank |
| Health spending per person current US dollars per person |
US$450 per person | US$3,044 per person | −85.2% | 2023 | World Bank |
| Diabetes prevalence % of population aged 20 to 79 |
21.1% | 9.6% | +11.5 percentage points | 2024 | World Bank |
| Neonatal mortality rate deaths per 1,000 live births |
4.3 per 1,000 live births | 1.2 per 1,000 live births | +3.1 per 1,000 live births | 2024 | World Bank |
| Malaria incidence new cases per 1,000 people at risk |
0.0 per 1,000 at risk | 0.2 per 1,000 at risk | −0.2 per 1,000 at risk | 2024 | World Bank |
| Tuberculosis incidence new cases per 100,000 people |
96 per 100,000 people | 35 per 100,000 people | +61 per 100,000 people | 2024 | World Bank |
Internet and digital society
| Measure | Malaysia | South Korea | Malaysia compared with South Korea | Period | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Internet users % of population |
98.0% | 97.9% | +0.1 percentage points | 2024 | World Bank |
| Mobile subscriptions subscriptions per 100 people |
140 per 100 people | 173 per 100 people | −33 per 100 people | 2024 | World Bank |
| Fixed broadband subscriptions subscriptions per 100 people |
13.5 per 100 people | 47.8 per 100 people | −34.3 per 100 people | 2024 | World Bank |
Business and industry
| Measure | Malaysia | South Korea | Malaysia compared with South Korea | Period | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Industry share of GDP % of GDP |
35.7% | 34.3% | +1.3 percentage points | 2025 | World Bank |
| New businesses registered new limited liability companies |
55,510 companies | 128,455 companies | −56.8% | 2023 | World Bank |
| Medium and high-tech manufacturing % of manufacturing value added |
44.8% | 61.2% | −16.4 percentage points | 2024 | World Bank |
| Manufacturing share of GDP % of GDP |
22.1% | 27.4% | −5.3 percentage points | 2025 | World Bank |
Trade and investment
| Measure | Malaysia | South Korea | Malaysia compared with South Korea | Period | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exports share of GDP % of GDP |
71.0% | 45.8% | +25.2 percentage points | 2025 | World Bank |
| Imports share of GDP % of GDP |
65.4% | 40.6% | +24.8 percentage points | 2025 | World Bank |
| Trade as a share of GDP % of GDP |
136.4% | 86.4% | +50.0 percentage points | 2025 | World Bank |
| Foreign direct investment inflows % of GDP |
4.6% | 0.8% | +3.7 percentage points | 2025 | World Bank |
| Current account balance % of GDP |
1.6% | 6.6% | −5.0 percentage points | 2025 | World Bank |
| High-technology exports % of manufactured exports |
58.6% | 36.3% | +22.4 percentage points | 2024 | World Bank |
Transport and mobility
| Measure | Malaysia | South Korea | Malaysia compared with South Korea | Period | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Road traffic deaths deaths per 100,000 people |
22.5 per 100,000 people | 8.6 per 100,000 people | +13.9 per 100,000 people | 2019 | World Bank |
| Air passengers carried passengers |
46,698,381 passengers | 76,272,454 passengers | −38.8% | 2023 | World Bank |
Energy and electricity
| Measure | Malaysia | South Korea | Malaysia compared with South Korea | Period | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Access to electricity % of population |
100.0% | 100.0% | same | 2024 | World Bank |
| Clean cooking access % of population |
100.0% | 100.0% | same | 2024 | World Bank |
| Renewable energy share % of total final energy consumption |
7.5% | 3.6% | +3.9 percentage points | 2021 | World Bank |
| Fossil electricity share % of total electricity production |
79.9% | 59.7% | +20.3 percentage points | 2024 | World Bank |
| Net energy imports % of energy use |
8.5% | 83.2% | −74.8 percentage points | 2024 | World Bank |
Climate and emissions
| Measure | Malaysia | South Korea | Malaysia compared with South Korea | Period | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temperature change °C difference from the 1951 to 1980 average |
1.25 °Ce (Estimated value) | 1.90 °Ce (Estimated value) | −0.65 °C | 2025 | FAOSTAT |
| Agrifood emissions per person tonnes of CO2 equivalent per person |
5.18 t CO2e per persone (Estimated value) | 1.70 t CO2e per persone (Estimated value) | +204.2% | 2024 | FAOSTAT |
| Total greenhouse gas emissions million tonnes of CO2 equivalent |
332.2 Mt CO2e | 668.2 Mt CO2e | −50.3% | 2024 | World Bank |
| Greenhouse gas emissions per person tonnes of CO2 equivalent per person |
9.3 t CO2e per person | 12.9 t CO2e per person | −27.7% | 2024 | World Bank |
| CO2 emissions per person tonnes of CO2 per person |
8.32 t CO2 per person | 11.36 t CO2 per person | −26.7% | 2024 | World Bank |
| Methane emissions million tonnes of CO2 equivalent |
26.3 Mt CO2e | 44.7 Mt CO2e | −41.3% | 2024 | World Bank |
| Nitrous oxide emissions million tonnes of CO2 equivalent |
7.45 Mt CO2e | 13.14 Mt CO2e | −43.3% | 2024 | World Bank |
Air quality and ecosystems
| Measure | Malaysia | South Korea | Malaysia compared with South Korea | Period | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 air pollution micrograms per cubic metre |
17.6 µg/m³ | 19.2 µg/m³ | −8.3% | 2023 | WHO |
| Forest area % of land area |
57.7% | 64.4% | −6.7 percentage points | 2024 | World Bank |
| Protected areas % of total territorial area |
8.4% | 5.9% | +2.5 percentage points | 2025 | World Bank |
| PM2.5 air pollution exposure micrograms per cubic metre |
15.9 µg/m³ | 21.9 µg/m³ | −27.5% | 2023 | World Bank |
| Terrestrial protected areas % of land area |
13.3% | 17.7% | −4.4 percentage points | 2025 | World Bank |
Water, sanitation and waste
| Measure | Malaysia | South Korea | Malaysia compared with South Korea | Period | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basic drinking water access % of population |
97.9% | 100.0% | −2.1 percentage points | 2024 | World Bank |
| Safely managed drinking water % of population |
94.7% | 99.3% | −4.6 percentage points | 2024 | World Bank |
| Basic sanitation access % of population |
96.0% | 99.7% | −3.7 percentage points | 2024 | World Bank |
| Level of water stress % of available freshwater resources |
3.4% | 85.2% | −81.8 percentage points | 2022 | World Bank |
| Renewable internal freshwater per person cubic metres per person |
16,717 m³ per person | 1,255 m³ per person | +1,232.0% | 2022 | World Bank |
| Safely managed sanitation % of population |
85.8% | 99.3% | −13.5 percentage points | 2024 | World Bank |
Agriculture, food and fisheries
| Measure | Malaysia | South Korea | Malaysia compared with South Korea | Period | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cost of a healthy diet international dollars (PPP) per person per day |
Int$4.42 per person per daye (Estimated value) | Int$7.37 per person per daye (Estimated value) | −40.0% | 2025 | FAOSTAT |
| Healthy diet unaffordable % of the population |
1.4%e (Estimated value) | 5.3%e (Estimated value) | −3.9 percentage points | 2025 | FAOSTAT |
| Pesticide use kg of active ingredients per hectare of cropland |
2.73 kg/hae (Estimated value) | 13.03 kg/hae (Estimated value) | −79.0% | 2024 | FAOSTAT |
| Nitrogen fertiliser use kg of nitrogen (N) per hectare of cropland |
55.9 kg/hae (Estimated value) | 135.2 kg/hae (Estimated value) | −58.6% | 2024 | FAOSTAT |
| Agriculture share of GDP % of GDP |
8.2% | 1.5% | +6.8 percentage points | 2025 | World Bank |
| Cereal yield kilograms per hectare |
3,544 kg per hectare | 6,544 kg per hectare | −45.9% | 2024 | World Bank |
| Agricultural land % of land area |
24.8% | 16.0% | +8.8 percentage points | 2024 | World Bank |
| Capture fisheries production metric tonnes |
1,405,587 tonnes | 1,273,391 tonnes | +10.4% | 2024 | World Bank |
| Prevalence of undernourishment % of population |
2.5% | 2.5% | same | 2024 | World Bank |
| Food production index index, 2014 to 2016 = 100 |
105.2 (2014-16 = 100) | 101.4 (2014-16 = 100) | +3.7% | 2024 | World Bank |
| Fertiliser use kilograms per hectare of arable land |
1,869.4 kg per hectare | 285.6 kg per hectare | +554.6% | 2024 | World Bank |
| Land area square kilometres |
328,550 km² | 97,600 km² | +236.6% | 2024 | World Bank |
Poverty and social protection
| Measure | Malaysia | South Korea | Malaysia compared with South Korea | Period | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gini index Gini index, 0 to 100 |
40.7 (0 to 100) | 32.9 (0 to 100) | +7.8 points | 2021 | World Bank |
| Income share held by the richest 10% % of total income or consumption |
30.9% | 25.0% | +5.9 percentage points | 2021 | World Bank |
| Extreme poverty rate % of population |
0.0% | 0.1% | −0.1 percentage points | 2021 | World Bank |
| Poverty rate at $4.20 a day (2021 PPP) % of population |
0.1% | 0.2% | −0.1 percentage points | 2021 | World Bank |
| Poverty rate at $8.30 a day (2021 PPP) % of population |
2.9% | 0.5% | +2.4 percentage points | 2021 | World Bank |
Government finance and taxation
| Measure | Malaysia | South Korea | Malaysia compared with South Korea | Period | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tax revenue % of GDP |
12.4% | 13.3% | −0.9 percentage points | 2024 | World Bank |
| Central government expense % of GDP |
17.0% | 28.3% | −11.3 percentage points | 2023 | World Bank |
Science and innovation
| Measure | Malaysia | South Korea | Malaysia compared with South Korea | Period | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| R&D spending share of GDP % of GDP |
1.01% | 4.85% | −3.84 percentage points | 2022 | World Bank |
| Researchers per million people researchers per million people |
1,218 per million people | 9,435 per million people | −8,216 per million people | 2022 | World Bank |
| Scientific and technical journal articles articles, fractional count |
23,691 articles | 71,724 articles | −67.0% | 2023 | World Bank |
Crime, justice and public safety
| Measure | Malaysia | South Korea | Malaysia compared with South Korea | Period | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Intentional homicides victims per 100,000 people |
0.7 per 100,000 people | 0.5 per 100,000 people | +0.3 per 100,000 people | 2023 | World Bank |
Culture, society and wellbeing
| Measure | Malaysia | South Korea | Malaysia compared with South Korea | Period | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Women in national parliament % of seats in the single or lower chamber |
13.5% | 20.3% | −6.8 percentage points | 2025 | World Bank |
The difference column shows Malaysia compared with South Korea: in percentage points for percentages, in the same unit for rates per population and index values, and in percent for other measures.
Open a measure to see both countries on a chart. All statistics for Malaysia · All statistics for South Korea · Other pairs