Bahrain vs Malaysia
A data-driven side-by-side: investment score, economy, business climate, political stability, and tax, to help you decide where to invest, incorporate, or relocate.
Overall: Bahrain ranks higher
Bahrain scores 68/100 on our composite investment index, ahead of Malaysia at 67/100. This blends economic strength, political stability, business climate, financial maturity, and growth outlook. Read the breakdown below to see where each country actually leads.
Category breakdown
68
Economic strength
Malaysia leads
70
55
Political stability
Malaysia leads
60
72
Business climate
72
72
Financial maturity
Bahrain leads
68
65
Growth outlook
Malaysia leads
70
Macro snapshot
44
GDP (USD bn)
-362.8 bn
407
3.0%
GDP growth (%)
-1.7 pp
4.7%
$28,780
GDP per capita (USD)
+16480.0
$12,300
1.5%
Inflation (%)
-1.0 pp
2.5%
3.5%
FDI (% of GDP)
0.0 pp
3.5%
118%
Public debt (% of GDP)
+52.2 pp
66%
1.5
Population (M)
-32.5M
34
Bahrain: strong sectors
- Financial Services17.0% of GDP75
- Tourism5.0% of GDP68
- Oil Refining12.0% of GDP62
- Aluminum5.0% of GDP60
Malaysia: strong sectors
- Electronics22.0% of GDP85
- Palm Oil4.0% of GDP72
- Financial Services7.0% of GDP70
- Tourism6.0% of GDP68
Frequently asked
Which is better for investment: Bahrain or Malaysia?
Our composite investment index gives Bahrain a score of 68/100 and Malaysia a score of 67/100. Bahrain ranks higher overall, but the right answer depends on your sector and risk tolerance. See the category breakdown above.
Is Bahrain a safer market than Malaysia?
Risk classification puts Bahrain as moderate (Growing economy with manageable risks - suitable for diversified portfolios) and Malaysia as moderate (Growing economy with manageable risks - suitable for diversified portfolios).
Which has higher GDP growth: Bahrain or Malaysia?
Bahrain is currently growing at 3.0% per year, vs 4.7% for Malaysia. Malaysia has the faster headline growth rate today.