Merchandise trade (% of GDP) — all countries

Merchandise trade (% of GDP) — Malaysia

Merchandise trade (% of GDP) in Malaysia in 2025 — 151.73%. Ranked 8 in the world out of 189. Since 1960, the indicator has risen by 42.3 pp.

2025 151.73% +2.29 pp vs 2024
World rank 8of 189
Period maximum 192.12%2000
Period minimum 66.09%1972

Trend over time

1960–2025 · % of GDP

Merchandise trade (% of GDP) — Malaysia, 1960–202505010015020019601967197419811988199520022009201620231960: 109.43%1962: 103.07%1964: 80.47%1966: 75.08%1968: 75.28%1970: 79.91%1972: 66.09%1974: 87.93%1976: 82.52%1978: 81.38%1980: 96.88%1982: 91.21%1984: 89.96%1986: 88.32%1988: 106.57%1990: 133.36%1992: 136.27%1994: 159.03%1996: 155.42%1998: 182.25%2000: 192.12%2002: 172.36%2004: 185.82%2006: 178.98%2008: 154.14%2010: 142.43%2012: 134.82%2014: 130.97%2016: 118.98%2018: 129.62%2020: 126.13%2022: 158.37%2024: 149.44%2025: 151.73%
Change over the period: +42.3 pp Annual average: 0.65 pp

Comparison, 2025

How the value compares with the world and the groups this territory belongs to: Malaysia

Malaysia 151.73%
World 43.89%
South-Eastern Asia computed 100.39%
Merchandise trade (% of GDP) — Malaysia, by year Malaysia All countries CSV XLSX
Year % Change, pp
2025 151.73 +2.29 pp
2024 149.44 +4.76 pp
2023 144.68 −13.7 pp
2022 158.37 +14.53 pp
2021 143.84 +17.72 pp
2020 126.13 +4.76 pp
2019 121.36 −8.25 pp
2018 129.62 +0.02 pp
2017 129.59 +10.62 pp
2016 118.98 −5.77 pp
2015 124.74 −6.23 pp
2014 130.97 −3.35 pp
2013 134.32 −0.5 pp
2012 134.82 −4.65 pp
2011 139.47 −2.96 pp
2010 142.43 +3.5 pp
2009 138.93 −15.2 pp
2008 154.14 −12.3 pp
2007 166.44 −12.55 pp
2006 178.98 +0.66 pp
2005 178.32 −7.5 pp
2004 185.82 +15.22 pp
2003 170.6 −1.76 pp
2002 172.36 −1.93 pp
2001 174.29 −17.83 pp
2000 192.12 +2.59 pp
1999 189.53 +7.28 pp
1998 182.25 +24.5 pp
1997 157.76 +2.34 pp
1996 155.42 −15.49 pp
1995 170.91 +11.88 pp
1994 159.03 +20.34 pp
1993 138.7 +2.43 pp
1992 136.27 −8.2 pp
1991 144.47 +11.12 pp
1990 133.36 +11.02 pp
1989 122.34 +15.77 pp
1988 106.57 +11.36 pp
1987 95.21 +6.88 pp
1986 88.32 −0.04 pp
1985 88.36 −1.59 pp
1984 89.96 −0.22 pp
1983 90.18 −1.03 pp
1982 91.21 −2.06 pp
1981 93.26 −3.62 pp
1980 96.88 +7.65 pp
1979 89.23 +7.84 pp
1978 81.38 +0.55 pp
1977 80.83 −1.69 pp
1976 82.52 +2.85 pp
1975 79.68 −8.25 pp
1974 87.93 +16.17 pp
1973 71.76 +5.67 pp
1972 66.09 −6.74 pp
1971 72.83 −7.09 pp
1970 79.91 +2.72 pp
1969 77.2 +1.92 pp
1968 75.28 +3.06 pp
1967 72.22 −2.86 pp
1966 75.08 −3.81 pp
1965 78.88 −1.58 pp
1964 80.47 −4.43 pp
1963 84.9 −18.18 pp
1962 103.07 −0.93 pp
1961 104 −5.43 pp
1960 109.43

About the indicator

The sum of exports and imports of goods as a percent of GDP. It differs from trade openness in that services are not counted here, and the difference between the two indicators is exactly what shows the weight of services in a country's foreign trade. The highest values come not from large exporters but from transshipment economies — Singapore, Hong Kong, Luxembourg — where goods are brought in to be sent out again, and both flows are counted in full.

Important: Goods only. The value can exceed 100% of GDP: exports and imports are counted at the full value of the goods while GDP is counted as value added, so in transshipment economies the values run to several hundred percent.

Source: World Development Indicators (World Bank), license CC BY 4.0.