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Geo Factbook

Kuwait vs Malaysia: Compare Statistics

Side-by-side comparison of 167 key metrics across economy, population, geography, and more ā€” latest data through 2026.

Kuwait
kwt
Leads on 66 of 167 metrics
Malaysia
mys
Leads on 91 of 167 metrics

Summary

Malaysia has 7.1 times as many people as Kuwait (36.4 million vs 5.12 million). Malaysia's economy is 2.3 times the size of Kuwait's ($466.53 billion vs $199.86 billion GDP).

Comparing Kuwait and Malaysia: Malaysia leads on Oil Exports (644,900) against Kuwait (2.13); Malaysia leads on Oil Production (664,800) against Kuwait (2.45); Kuwait leads on Televisions (875,000) against Malaysia (10.80). Across 167 compared metrics, Kuwait wins on 66 and Malaysia wins on 91.

  • Communications: 9 metrics compared
  • Economy: 60 metrics compared
  • Environment: 12 metrics compared
  • Geography: 5 metrics compared
  • Government: 9 metrics compared
  • Health: 23 metrics compared
  • Military and Security: 3 metrics compared
  • People and Society: 40 metrics compared
  • Transportation: 4 metrics compared
  • Travel and Tourism: 1 metric compared
  • Other: 1 metric compared

Communications

9 metrics
MetricšŸ‡°šŸ‡¼ KuwaitšŸ‡²šŸ‡¾ MalaysiaShare
Fixed Broadband Penetration1.01 subscriptions per 100 inhabitants13.03 subscriptions per 100 inhabitantsā˜…
Internet Penetration Rate (%)99.75 %ā˜…98.02 %
Internet Usage Rate by Country (% of Population)99.75 %ā˜…97.69 %
Internet Userspercent of population: 100% (2023 est.)percent of population: 98% (2023 est.)
Mobile Internet Speed1.01 Mbps13.03 Mbpsā˜…
Press Freedom Index Score44.06 points56.09 pointsā˜…
Radios1.1810.9ā˜…
Televisions875,000ā˜…10.8
Waterwaysnone7,296

Economy

60 metrics
MetricšŸ‡°šŸ‡¼ KuwaitšŸ‡²šŸ‡¾ MalaysiaShare
Agriculture Value Added as a Share of GDP by Country782.32M $47.38B $ā˜…
Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by Country in Current US Dollars199.86B $466.53B $ā˜…
AI Investment (% of GDP)17.72 %22.8 %ā˜…
Apple Import Volume24.97M tonnes101.62M tonnesā˜…
Bank Account Ownership Rate74.46 %88.69 %ā˜…
Central Bank Discount Rate (%)2.75 %3 %ā˜…
Coal Revenue00.02ā˜…
Commercial Bank Prime Lending Rate (%)4.68 %ā˜…4.61 %
Current Health Expenditure (% of GDP)5 % of GDPā˜…3.8 % of GDP
Ease of Doing Business Index88.4ā˜…83.3
Electricity Consumption57.78136.9ā˜…
Electricity Exports03ā˜…
Electricity from Fossil Fuels100ā˜…78
Electricity from Hydroelectric Plants018ā˜…
Electricity from Nuclear Fuels00
Electricity from Other Renewables04ā˜…
Electricity Imports033ā˜…
Electricity Installed Capacity18.8933ā˜…
Electricity Production65.95148.3ā˜…
Energy Consumption per Capita (USD)389.85 USD per capitaā˜…113.16 USD per capita
Female Labor Force Participation Rate49.57 %56.67 %ā˜…
Gross Fixed Investment15.325.2ā˜…
Gross National Saving35.4ā˜…28.5
High-Tech Export Percentage6.32 %63.18 %ā˜…
Highest GDP per Capita Countries48,253.97 USDā˜…35,461.45 USD
Industrial Production Growth Rate (%)-5.2 %4.9 %ā˜…
Inflation Rate2.36 %1.38 %ā˜…
Inflation Rate (Consumer Prices)2.9 %1.8 %ā˜…
Military Expenditures (% of GDP)4.9 % of GDPā˜…1 % of GDP
Natural Gas Consumption21.7230.44ā˜…
Natural Gas Exports038.23ā˜…
Natural Gas Imports5.13ā˜…2.8
Natural Gas Production17.169.49ā˜…
Natural Gas Proved Reserves1.78ā˜…1.18
Oil Consumption354,000561,000ā˜…
Oil Exports2.13644,900ā˜…
Oil Imports0355,300ā˜…
Oil Production2.45664,800ā˜…
Oil Proved Reserves104ā˜…4
Population Below Poverty LineNA5.6 people
Public Debt9.9ā˜…64.3
R&D Expenditure (% of GDP)0.08 %1.01 %ā˜…
Real GDP Growth Rate (USD)-2.6 USD5.1 USDā˜…
Real Interest Rate Trends10.52 %ā˜…5.3 %
Refined Petroleum Products Consumption446,000704,000ā˜…
Refined Petroleum Products Exports705,500ā˜…208,400
Refined Petroleum Products Imports0304,600ā˜…
Refined Petroleum Products Production915,800ā˜…528,300
Remittances00.4ā˜…
Researchers in R&D per Million176.26 researchers1,218.33 researchersā˜…
Revenue from Forest Resources01.57ā˜…
Robotics Research Funding0.08 USD1.01 USDā˜…
Taxes and Other Revenues41.8ā˜…11.65
Top Exporting Countries95.48B USD274.68B USDā˜…
Top FDI Inflows (% of GDP)0.38 %3.69 %ā˜…
Tourism Contribution to GDP0.47 %2.67 %ā˜…
Tourism Revenue (% of GDP)0.47 %2.67 %ā˜…
Unemployment Rate2.2 %ā˜…3.9 %
Youth Labor Force Participation Rate73.37 %66.12 %ā˜…
Youth Unemployment Rate15.06 %11.95 %ā˜…

Environment

12 metrics
MetricšŸ‡°šŸ‡¼ KuwaitšŸ‡²šŸ‡¾ MalaysiaShare
Annual COā‚‚ Emissions Growth (abs)6.35Mā˜…13.93M
Annual Forest Area Change Rate42 %ā˜…-55,896.09 %
Average Annual Temperature26.74 Ā°Cā˜…25.87 Ā°C
Carbon Dioxide Emissions100.46ā˜…260.01
Continental Shelfnot specific;200
Global Precipitation Distribution106.55 mm3,150.09 mmā˜…
Population Distributiondensest settlement is along the Persian Gulf, particularly in Kuwait City and on Bubiyan Island; significant population threads extend south and west along highways that radiate from the capital, particularly in the southern half of the countrya highly uneven distribution, with over 80% of the population residing on the Malay Peninsula
Protected Land Area for Adaptation17.08 sq kmā˜…13.3 sq km
Protected Land Area Percentage17.1 %ā˜…13.3 %
Total Renewable Groundwater Resources by Country0.02 Cubic meters per year64 Cubic meters per yearā˜…
Total Renewable Water Resources20580ā˜…
Total Threatened Mammal Species7 speciesā˜…80 species

Geography

5 metrics
MetricšŸ‡°šŸ‡¼ KuwaitšŸ‡²šŸ‡¾ MalaysiaShare
Percentage of land area by degree of urbanization5.25 %ā˜…4.11 %
Agricultural land1,500 sq. km85,710 sq. kmā˜…
Airports per 1,000 Sq Km17,820328,550ā˜…
Coastline Length (km)499 km4,675 kmā˜…
Irrigated Land1004,420ā˜…

Government

9 metrics
MetricšŸ‡°šŸ‡¼ KuwaitšŸ‡²šŸ‡¾ MalaysiaShare
Rule of Law Index by Country57.28 %67.87 %ā˜…
Administrative Divisions613ā˜…
Corruption Perception Index46 indexā˜…50 index
Corruption Perceptions Index Score46 index50 indexā˜…
Independence1931ā˜…
LGBT Rights Index Score-1.26ā˜…-2.46
Prison Population Rate117 per 100,000ā˜…188 per 100,000
Public Sector Corruption Perception46ā˜…50
Suffrage Participation Rate21ā˜…18

Health

23 metrics
MetricšŸ‡°šŸ‡¼ KuwaitšŸ‡²šŸ‡¾ MalaysiaShare
Access to Safe Drinking Water100 %ā˜…94.7 %
Average BMI for Adults29 kg/mĀ²ā˜…25.3 kg/mĀ²
Change in Measles Immunization Rate98 %ā˜…96 %
Diabetes Deaths Per 100,000 (Age-Std)42.9813.34ā˜…
Diabetes Prevalence (% of Population)25.6ā˜…21.1
Female Life Expectancy Leaders84.58 yearsā˜…76.82 years
Global Stillbirth Rate Trends0.52 per 1,000 births0.48 per 1,000 birthsā˜…
Health Care Spending per Capita2,367.31 USDā˜…1,703.34 USD
Health Coverage Index Score84 scoreā˜…80 score
Health Expenditure (% of GDP)5.8 % of GDPā˜…4.4 % of GDP
Highest Male Life Expectancy84.58 yearsā˜…76.82 years
HIV/AIDS Adult Prevalence RateNA0.3 %
Hospital Bed Density2.4 people/sq kmā˜…2 people/sq km
Hospital Beds per Capita2.33 beds per 1,000ā˜…1.93 beds per 1,000
Low Birth Weight Prevalence14.37 %13.81 %ā˜…
Maternal Mortality Ratio (%)8 %ā˜…26 %
Nurses and Midwives Density4.55 per 1,000 peopleā˜…3.9 per 1,000 people
Obesity Adult Prevalence Rate (%)37.9 %15.6 %ā˜…
Out-of-Pocket Health Spending10 %ā˜…37.09 %
People Living With HIV/AIDS<1000 (2018 est.)92,000
Psychiatrist Density Per 100,000 People2 per 100,000 peopleā˜…1 per 100,000 people
Total Number of Doctors2.27ā˜…2.18
Underweight Children Under 52.8ā˜…15.3

Military and Security

3 metrics
MetricšŸ‡°šŸ‡¼ KuwaitšŸ‡²šŸ‡¾ MalaysiaShare
Active Military Personnel18,000 personnel113,000 personnelā˜…
Military Expenditure (% of GDP)4.69 %1.04 %ā˜…
Total Armed Forces Personnel (PPP)25,000136,000ā˜…

People and Society

40 metrics
MetricšŸ‡°šŸ‡¼ KuwaitšŸ‡²šŸ‡¾ MalaysiaShare
Currently married (Percent)56.94 %58.88 %ā˜…
Human Capital Index0.560.65ā˜…
Life expectancy at birth83.34 yearsā˜…80.87 years
Median age of population34.92 yearsā˜…31.44 years
Population Change73,768.4 persons428,622.9 personsā˜…
Population density294.79 per sq. km110.8 per sq. kmā˜…
Total population5.12M persons36.40M personsā˜…
Academic Freedom Index0.42ā˜…0.29
Beer Consumption per Capita0 liters0.51 litersā˜…
Birth Rate (%)17.36 %ā˜…14.05 %
Contraceptive Prevalence RateNA52.2 %
Crude Birth Rate10.02 per 1,000 people12.36 per 1,000 peopleā˜…
Death Rate (%)2.3 %ā˜…5.8 %
Education Expenditure (% of GDP)6.4 % of GDPā˜…3.5 % of GDP
Female population of reproductive age1.24M persons9.69M personsā˜…
Female Tertiary Enrollment Rate (%)65.94 %ā˜…45.24 %
Fixed Broadband Penetration Rate1.01 %13.03 %ā˜…
Global Average Sex Ratio at Birth105.33 male/female106.37 male/femaleā˜…
Human Development Index0.40.48ā˜…
Labor Force Participation Rate318.26ā˜…
Learning-adjusted years of school7.22 years9.72 yearsā˜…
Length of paid parental leave for mother0 days0 days
Major Urban Areas Population3.3 people8.62 peopleā˜…
Mean Male Height (cm)172.07ā˜…167.88
Mean Years of Schooling6.62 years11.96 yearsā˜…
Military Manpower at Military Age1821ā˜…
Military Service Age and Obligation18ā˜…17
Old-Age Dependency Ratio3.76 %ā˜…10.6 %
Percentage of population by degree of urbanization96.55 %ā˜…83.21 %
Physician Density2.27 people/sq km2.34 people/sq kmā˜…
Population Growth Rate1.07 %ā˜…0.97 %
Population living in slums0 %0.2 %ā˜…
Primary School Pupil-Teacher Ratio8.86ā˜…11.66
Total deaths7,044.1 personsā˜…179,998.3 persons
Total demand for family planning (Percent)43.04 %ā˜…42.17 %
Total fertility rate1.38 per woman1.53 per womanā˜…
Total net-migration30,306.4 persons162,673.4 personsā˜…
Under-five mortality rate7.07 per live births5.53 per live birthsā˜…
Urban Population Annual Growth Rate-0.65 %1.79 %ā˜…
Voting Age Population18.93 millions63.6 millionsā˜…

Transportation

4 metrics
MetricšŸ‡°šŸ‡¼ KuwaitšŸ‡²šŸ‡¾ MalaysiaShare
Air Travel Trips Per Capita (PPP)1.441.58ā˜…
Airports6100ā˜…
Civil Air Travel953ā˜…
Heliports2024ā˜…

Travel and Tourism

1 metric
MetricšŸ‡°šŸ‡¼ KuwaitšŸ‡²šŸ‡¾ MalaysiaShare
Tourism Receipts per Capita2.88B USD24.59B USDā˜…

Other

1 metric
MetricšŸ‡°šŸ‡¼ KuwaitšŸ‡²šŸ‡¾ MalaysiaShare
Current Bank Rate3.5 %ā˜…2.75 %

Frequently Asked Questions About Kuwait vs Malaysia

Which has a larger population, Kuwait or Malaysia?ā–¾

Malaysia. Malaysia has 7.1 times as many people as Kuwait (36.4 million vs 5.12 million). Data for 2026.

Which has a bigger economy, Kuwait or Malaysia?ā–¾

Malaysia. Malaysia's economy is 2.3 times the size of Kuwait's ($466.53 billion vs $199.86 billion GDP). Data for 2026.

Which is richer per person, Kuwait or Malaysia?ā–¾

Kuwait is richer per person: GDP per capita is about $39,053 in Kuwait vs $12,818 in Malaysia (2026 GDP in current US dollars divided by population).

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