Malaysia: economy, interest rate and stock market
The central bank's policy rate is 2.75% (unchanged over 12 months). Inflation was 1.4% in 2025 and GDP grew 5.2% (World Bank).
Interest rate
2.75% set by Bank Negara Malaysia. Last change: −0.25 pt on 9 Jul 2025. Over 12 months: unchanged. As of 13 Oct 2026.
| Took effect | Rate | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 9 Jul 2025 | 2.75% | −0.25 pt |
| 3 May 2023 | 3.00% | +0.25 pt |
| 3 Nov 2022 | 2.75% | +0.25 pt |
| 8 Sep 2022 | 2.50% | +0.25 pt |
| 6 Jul 2022 | 2.25% | +0.25 pt |
| 11 May 2022 | 2.00% | +0.25 pt |
| 4 Jan 2021 | 1.75% | start of our data |
All countries: central bank interest rates. Rates move stocks through borrowing costs and the currency: rising rates usually weigh on rate-sensitive stocks and help banks, falling rates the opposite.
Stock market
Economy at a glance
| Measure | Latest | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Economy size (GDP) | $472.2 billion | 2025 |
| GDP per person | $13,125 | 2025 |
| GDP growth | 5.2% | 2025 |
| Inflation (consumer prices) | 1.4% | 2025 |
| Unemployment | 3.8% | 2025 |
| Population | 36.0 million | 2025 |
| Current account balance, % of GDP | 1.6% | 2025 |
| Central government debt, % of GDP | 64.6% | 2024 |
| Exports of goods and services, % of GDP | 71.0% | 2025 |
| Imports of goods and services, % of GDP | 65.4% | 2025 |
Source: World Bank World Development Indicators, annual figures. The latest year is usually the previous calendar year, so these numbers are not live and are revised later by the World Bank.
Trade structure
Share of merchandise exports and imports by product group. ■ exports ■ imports.
High-technology products are 58.6% of manufactured exports (2024).
- Fuels are 11.2% of merchandise exports and 12.0% of imports, so energy prices are not the main swing factor in its trade.
- Manufactured goods are 72.8% of merchandise exports: the economy sells made goods abroad, which ties it to global demand and to its exchange rate.
- High-technology products are 58.6% of manufactured exports (2024), which links trade to the electronics and equipment cycle.
- Exports plus imports equal 136% of GDP, so the economy is very open to trade: global conditions reach it quickly.
- The current account was a surplus of 1.6% of GDP (2025): the country earns more abroad than it spends.
These describe the structure of trade, using the figures above. They are not forecasts and not investment advice. Latest available year differs by group (usually 2024 or 2025).
More on Malaysia
Sources: Bank for International Settlements and central bank decisions (policy rates), World Bank (economy and trade), StocksXray price history (index). Educational only, not financial advice.