Bangladesh vs Malaysia
Population, economy and geography side by side
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Bangladesh has 4.9 times as many people as Malaysia (178 million vs 36.4 million in 2026). Malaysia is 2.5 times larger by land area. GDP per capita is higher in Malaysia ($13,125 vs $2,597). People live longer on average in Malaysia (76.8 vs 74.9 years).
| Bangladesh | Malaysia | |
|---|---|---|
| Population (2026) | 177,818,044 | 36,385,115 |
| Yearly population change | +1.21% | +1.13% |
| Population 2050 (projected) | 215 million | 44.3 million |
| Land area | 130,170 km² | 328,550 km² |
| Density | 1,366/km² | 111/km² |
| GDP | $456 billion (2025) | $472 billion (2025) |
| GDP per capita | $2,597 (2025) | $13,125 (2025) |
| Life expectancy | 74.9 years | 76.8 years |
| Births per woman | 2.14 | 1.54 |
| Urban population | 33% | 77% |
| Capital | Dhaka | Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya |
| Currency | Bangladeshi taka (BDT) | Malaysian ringgit (MYR) |
| Calling code | +880 | +60 |
Share of world population: Bangladesh 2.15%, Malaysia 0.44%.
Frequently asked questions
Which has a bigger population, Bangladesh or Malaysia?
Bangladesh: about 178 million people versus 36.4 million in Malaysia (2026).
Is Bangladesh bigger than Malaysia?
By land area, Malaysia is larger: 328,550 km² versus 130,170 km².
Which economy is bigger, Bangladesh or Malaysia?
Malaysia, with a GDP of $472 billion versus $456 billion (World Bank, current US$).
Sources: World Bank Open Data — World Development Indicators and Population Estimates and Projections (CC BY 4.0); Wikidata (CC0). Retrieved 2026-10-22. GDP in current US dollars (World Bank, latest available year).