ASEAN: How big is Malaysia’s GDP by the way

ASEAN: How big is Malaysia’s GDP by the way

Who’s at the top? Where is Malaysia?

Where GDP numbers are concerned, Malaysia is just ranked 6th out of 11 countries. Seems small, right? We are smaller than countries like the Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore and our giant in ASEAN; Indonesia. Just need to note though that for many of these countries except for Singapore, they also have a huge population which could mean a much bigger domestic market too. That’s why just GDP alone may not tell the picture because Brunei’s GDP is small but it’s GDP per capita? Let’s just say many countries may still not beat them!

Malaysia’s GDP per capita?

Well, for a population of 34 million, we are ranked 2nd if we go deeper by one level to GDP per Capita. We are also towards the very last when it comes to military spending. Well, that’s not really a priority I guess. Do you know that Defence Ministers of many ASEAN countries are very powerful? Well, can you tell me who is the Defence Minister of Malaysia? Okay, I also could not remember who the person is.

Education more important than weapons

I also think perhaps it’s better to spend on healthcare and education instead yeah. For education, Malaysia’s spending versus GDP is right up there at the top. Well, the budget is either to the other wise or to the other side, right. Spend more here means spend less there. I still wish everyone who could enter tertiary education should be helped to complete their tertiary qualification. So, I think we are doing the right thing.

ASEAN as an economic bloc?

Unfortunately we are not an effective bloc. Somehow every member still believe they have something special in them. Well, perhaps the leaders just have to be more like-minded and start to realize that strength comes from being on the same team and speaking as the same group. I do wonder how many of these current leaders here in ASEAN are thinking about the importance of this versus trying to outdo one another. Let’s really integrate even more. Sometimes, the richer countries just have to help the poorer ones.

It’s all about building up one another so that the collective strength just get stronger. All the best yeah ASEAN. How well we do will depend on all the leaders currently. I wonder what the chair of ASEAN can do to strengthen the relationships further. Make it hard to let go… make it easy to come together… Make it always consistent when it comes to cooperation.

I know, two countries are technically ‘at war’ currently but let’s just focus on what matters.

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