Malaysia Government Revenue
General government revenue as % of GDP GGR_NGDP
Malaysia's government revenue was 19.76% in 2025, ranked 137th globally. This represents a 0.8% decrease from 2024. Data from IMF WEO, covering 1990–2025.
Overview
Malaysia's government revenue stood at 19.76% in 2025, a decline of +0.15% from 2024. The IMF projects 19.76% by 2025. Malaysia ranked 137th globally.
Malaysia’s government revenue as a share of GDP fell from a post‑Asian‑financial‑crisis high of 30.67 percent in 1990 to a historic low of 18.42 percent in 2021, before modestly rebounding to 19.76 percent in 2025, placing the country 137th globally. The 36‑year series shows a long‑term downward trajectory, with the 2025 figure only marginally above the 2021 trough and still below the early‑1990s peak. By comparison, Singapore, a regional peer, recorded 19.93 percent in the same year, while Nepal posted 19.67 percent, illustrating that Malaysia’s revenue ratio remains slightly lower than its nearest counterparts. The persistent decline reflects structural fiscal pressures, including reduced oil‑related receipts and limited diversification of tax bases, compounded by expansive pandemic‑era spending. If Malaysia can broaden its tax net, improve compliance and curtail non‑productive expenditures, the modest upward swing seen in 2025 could evolve into a more sustained recovery, stabilising the revenue‑to‑GDP ratio above the recent trough.
Data & projection
| Year | Government Revenue | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2030* IMF | 18.28% | - | - |
| 2029* IMF | 18.43% | - | - |
| 2028* IMF | 18.62% | - | - |
| 2027* IMF | 18.84% | - | - |
| 2026* IMF | 19.12% | - | - |
| 2025* IMF | 19.76% | - | - |
| 2025 | 19.76% | −0.15% | #137 |
| 2024 | 19.91% | −1.03% | #135 |
| 2023 | 20.94% | +0.86% | #131 |
| 2022 | 20.08% | +1.67% | #140 |
| 2021 | 18.42% | −1.72% | #145 |
| 2020 | 20.14% | −1.43% | #135 |
| 2019 | 21.57% | +1.41% | #131 |
| 2018 | 20.16% | +0.52% | #137 |
| 2017 | 19.63% | −0.62% | #139 |
| 2016 | 20.26% | −1.91% | #128 |
| 2015 | 22.16% | −1.17% | #124 |
| 2014 | 23.33% | −0.97% | #122 |
| 2013 | 24.30% | −1.10% | #110 |
| 2012 | 25.40% | +1.88% | #102 |
| 2011 | 23.52% | +1.24% | #115 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Malaysia matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2011. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw government revenue improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Malaysia's government revenue was 19.76% in 2025. Ranked 137th globally. This represents a 0.8% decrease from the previous year.
Malaysia's government revenue peaked at 30.67% in 1990.
The lowest government revenue in Malaysia was 18.42% in 2021.
Malaysia ranks 137th globally in government revenue as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is GGR_NGDP. Data sourced from IMF WEO.
Malaysia's government revenue is projected to reach 19.76% by 2025 based on IMF projection.
The government revenue of Malaysia in 2025 was 19.76%. This ranks 137th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_malaysia_government-revenue,
title = {Malaysia Government Revenue},
url = {https://historysaid.com/malaysia/government-revenue/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}