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Malaysia
(information)
Population as of 2020: 32.37 million 45 of 193
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Region: Southeast Asia
Nominal G.D.P. in 2024: $421.97 billion 37 of 193
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Top Exports
Malaysia is one of the world’s most **diversified export economies**, combining **electronics manufacturing, energy, and commodities (especially palm oil)**. In 2024, exports reached about **RM1.5 trillion (~$320–330B)** | Rank | Export Category | Notes | | ---- | ----------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | 1 | **Electrical machinery & electronics (E&E)** | Largest sector (~40%+ of exports; semiconductors dominate) | | 2 | **Mineral fuels (oil, LNG, refined petroleum)** | Major energy exporter | | 3 | **Machinery (industrial equipment)** | Computers, industrial systems | | 4 | **Animal/vegetable oils (palm oil)** ⭐ | Malaysia is one of the **top global palm oil exporters** | | 5 | **Optical, medical & precision instruments** | High-tech manufacturing | | 6 | **Plastics & plastic articles** | Petrochemical-based exports | | 7 | **Chemicals (organic & specialty)** | Industrial chemicals | | 8 | **Aluminum & aluminum products** | Smelting industry | | 9 | **Rubber & rubber products** | Gloves, tires, latex goods | | 10 | **Manufactured goods (misc. re-exports)** | Reflects trade hub activity | Key individual export products (by value) | Rank | Product | Estimated Value | | ---- | ----------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------- | | 11 | **Integrated circuits (semiconductors)** | Largest single export (~$70B+) | | 12 | **Refined petroleum products** | ~$25–30B | | 13 | **Petroleum gas (LNG)** | ~$10–15B | | 14 | **Palm oil** ⭐ | ~$10–15B | | 15 | **Semiconductor devices/components** | ~$10B+ | | 16 | **Telephones & communication equipment** | ~$7B | | 17 | **Crude petroleum** | ~$5–10B | | 18 | **Computers & data-processing machines** | ~$5–10B | | 19 | **Measuring & precision instruments** | ~$5–6B | | 20 | **Data storage devices (drives, memory)** | ~$5B | Key Takeaways * 🔌 **Electronics powerhouse:** * Electronics (especially semiconductors) dominate exports and drive the economy * 🛢️ **Energy exporter:** * Significant exports of **oil, LNG, and refined fuels** * 🌴 **Palm oil giant:** * Malaysia is one of the **largest global exporters of palm oil** * 🧪 **Industrial diversification:** * Strong in **chemicals, plastics, and metals** * 🔗 **Global supply chain hub:** * Deeply integrated into **Asian and global electronics manufacturing networks** Top Importers of Malaysia’s Exports (2024) | Rank | Country | Notes | | ---- | ----------------- | ------------------------------------------------------- | | 1 | **China** | Largest partner; semiconductors, electronics, palm oil. | | 2 | **Singapore** | Trade hub; re-exports and energy products. | | 3 | **United States** | Electronics, semiconductors, and machinery. | | 4 | **Hong Kong** | Re-export hub for electronics. | | 5 | **Japan** | LNG, electronics, and industrial goods. | | 6 | **Thailand** | Regional supply chains; electronics and parts. | | 7 | **Vietnam** | Growing partner; intermediate goods. | | 8 | **India** | Palm oil, petroleum, and chemicals. | | 9 | **South Korea** | Electronics and petrochemicals. | | 10 | **Indonesia** | Regional trade; fuels and industrial goods. | Key Patterns * 🌏 **Asia dominates strongly**: * Most top partners are **Asian economies**, reflecting regional production networks * 🔌 **Electronics drive trade**: * Semiconductors and electronic components dominate exports to most partners * 🔁 **Trade hubs matter**: * **Singapore and Hong Kong** act as major **redistribution centers** * 🌴 **Commodity flows still important**: * Countries like **India and China** import **palm oil and energy products**
