Malaysia vs Singapore

Singapore scores 82.1 in the NationsTree Index (3rd in the world) and Malaysia scores 69.7 (38th), a gap of 12.4 points. Their trees are 25 m and 22 m tall; tree height grows with real GDP and is adjusted by the index.

Malaysia has 5.9 times the population of Singapore. Malaysia is 449 times larger than Singapore by land area. The economy of Malaysia is 50% larger than that of Singapore (GDP at purchasing power parity). Population: Malaysia 36.0 million and Singapore 6.1 million (2025).

GDP per person at purchasing power parity is $163,354 in Singapore and $41,498 in Malaysia (2025, international dollars). People in Singapore live on average 6.5 years longer (83.3 vs 76.8 years).

Of 37 indicators reported by both countries, Malaysia ranks higher in the world on 8 and Singapore on 29. Malaysia is clearly stronger in natural resources, main industries and land & people. Singapore is clearly stronger in military, society & health and institutions & safety.

As a nation, Malaysia is the older of the two (statehood since 1963, 63 years), compared with Singapore (since 1965). Over the last five years Malaysia improved faster (direction score 59 vs 51 out of 100).