Malaysia’s Real GDP Doubles in the
Last Quarter of a Century


 
Living standards have increased faster than the rise of regional peer groups, supported by relatively good governance and education.

Mayalsia's GDP Per Capita Growth
Index: 1995=100
Malaysia’s Real GDP Doubles in the - Last Quarter of a Century


Malaysia’s Real GDP Doubles in the - Last Quarter of a Century

* GDP in Purchasing Power Parity terms with added estimates for the size of the informal economy and adjustments for out-of-date GDP base year data.



Real GDP per capita in Malaysia has nearly doubled since 1996. The increase in average living standards at 76% was greater than the 73% rise experienced in the Asia-Pacific Region and the 45% uplift in the Emerging Markets. The steady rate of increase in GDP per capita overtook the increase in Emerging Markets in 2008 and the Asia-Pacific Region six years later.

Malaysia’s success in improving living standards has been assisted by three factors: consistent GDP growth, investments in human capital, and relatively good governance. The country’s cumulative average annual growth rate of real GDP has been good at 3.8%, while investment in education has produced mean years in school at 10.4 over the Asia-Pacific median figure of 9.4. Furthermore, although there have been some high-profile government corruption cases, perceptions of corruption are 48% better than the Regional median figure. The World Economics Governance Factors Index rates Malaysia at 52.0 higher than Thailand at 30.9, Indonesia at 44.8, and Vietnam at 20.3.

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