Malaysia Tax Revenue
Tax revenue as % of GDP GC.TAX.TOTL.GD.ZS
Malaysia's tax revenue was 12.45% in 2025, ranked 88th globally. This represents a 0.9% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1996–2025.
Overview
Malaysia's tax revenue stood at 12.45% in 2025, a decline of +0.12% from 2023. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 12.45% by 2025. Malaysia ranked 88th globally.
Malaysia’s tax‑to‑GDP ratio has fallen markedly since the late 1990s, slipping from an all‑time peak of 19.75 % in 1997 to a trough of 10.88 % in 2020, before modestly recovering to 12.45 % in 2025, which places the country 88th globally. Over the 29‑year series the decline reflects both the Asian financial crisis of the late 1990s and the fiscal pressures of the COVID‑19 pandemic, which compressed revenue bases and prompted expansive fiscal stimulus. The 2025 figure remains slightly below peers such as Tanzania (12.61 %) and Kazakhstan (12.28 %), suggesting that Malaysia’s tax effort is still lagging relative to comparable emerging economies. Structural reforms aimed at broadening the tax base, improving compliance and enhancing digital collection could help reverse the downward trajectory, while any resurgence of global economic shocks may again depress revenue performance.
Data & projection
| Year | Tax Revenue | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026* trend | 12.65% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 12.45% | - | - |
| 2025 | 12.45% | −0.12% | #88 |
| 2023 | 12.56% | +0.93% | #21 |
| 2022 | 11.63% | +0.41% | #18 |
| 2021 | 11.22% | +0.33% | #23 |
| 2020 | 10.88% | −1.05% | #26 |
| 2019 | 11.94% | −0.09% | #31 |
| 2018 | 12.02% | −0.92% | #34 |
| 2017 | 12.95% | −0.60% | #44 |
| 2016 | 13.55% | −0.51% | #51 |
| 2015 | 14.06% | −0.78% | #56 |
| 2014 | 14.84% | −0.47% | #60 |
| 2013 | 15.31% | −0.30% | #59 |
| 2012 | 15.61% | +0.82% | #66 |
| 2011 | 14.79% | +1.46% | #53 |
| 2010 | 13.33% | −1.61% | #44 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Malaysia matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2011. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw tax revenue improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Malaysia's tax revenue was 12.45% in 2025. Ranked 88th globally. This represents a 0.9% decrease from the previous year.
Malaysia's tax revenue peaked at 19.75% in 1997.
The lowest tax revenue in Malaysia was 10.88% in 2020.
Malaysia ranks 88th globally in tax revenue as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is GC.TAX.TOTL.GD.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Malaysia's tax revenue is projected to reach 12.45% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The tax revenue of Malaysia in 2025 was 12.45%. This ranks 88th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_malaysia_tax-revenue,
title = {Malaysia Tax Revenue},
url = {https://historysaid.com/malaysia/tax-revenue/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}