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Economy of Australia vs Brunei compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Australia has a GDP of $1.76T compared to $15.3B for Brunei, ranking 14/197 and 142/197 by economy size, respectively.

Australia has $891B in government debt (50.7% of GDP), compared to $351M (2.29% of GDP) in Brunei.

Australia vs Brunei GDP by year

Australia
Brunei
1x
Year GDP, current $
Australia Brunei
2024 $1,757,022,451,653 $15,340,808,592
2023 $1,734,451,264,656 $15,095,084,656
2022 $1,695,627,535,476 $16,681,536,467
2021 $1,560,617,493,203 $14,006,496,617
2020 $1,333,336,461,648 $12,005,799,654
2019 $1,398,349,602,956 $13,469,235,365
2018 $1,433,144,978,762 $13,566,908,391
2017 $1,330,890,554,614 $12,128,168,045
2016 $1,211,588,128,418 $11,400,266,045
2015 $1,356,805,839,936 $12,930,296,870
2014 $1,474,677,007,566 $17,097,797,386
2013 $1,583,737,461,925 $18,094,148,099
2012 $1,552,728,401,402 $19,048,443,341
2011 $1,402,939,868,653 $18,524,791,063
2010 $1,152,566,632,022 $13,707,121,038
2009 $931,761,689,771 $11,912,904,510
2008 $1,058,448,244,064 $15,926,456,515
2007 $856,603,595,823 $13,432,029,484
2006 $749,708,370,333 $12,644,616,419
2005 $696,811,489,613 $10,547,202,621
2004 $615,643,050,221 $8,619,178,774
2003 $468,517,181,130 $7,167,725,262
2002 $396,436,967,263 $6,333,082,876
2001 $380,360,222,861 $6,096,155,767
2000 $416,901,962,163 $6,570,999,088
1999 $390,347,787,943 $6,309,070,378
1998 $400,361,527,505 $5,550,846,020
1997 $436,321,902,767 $7,793,034,376
1996 $401,962,517,479 $7,663,377,306
1995 $368,725,126,225 $7,700,144,069
1994 $323,269,456,935 $6,467,782,518
1993 $312,568,858,910 $6,203,339,912
1992 $325,982,966,981 $6,327,966,435
1991 $326,416,407,861 $6,284,497,294
1990 $311,840,666,465 $6,039,881,087
1989 $300,264,309,002 $4,983,622,881
1988 $236,461,079,970 $4,535,130,305
1987 $189,726,707,253 $4,918,010,080
1986 $182,707,050,923 $4,190,280,003
1985 $180,861,108,959 $6,967,623,884
1984 $193,749,932,078 $7,632,788,075
1983 $177,523,719,680 $7,927,590,750
1982 $194,323,071,831 $8,932,198,186
1981 $177,151,979,566 $9,367,218,664
1980 $150,200,557,103 $10,795,432,294
1979 $135,093,718,051 $6,044,367,628
1978 $118,660,813,780 $4,100,423,674
1977 $110,504,702,914 $3,681,242,528
1976 $105,209,354,856 $3,054,765,590
1975 $97,440,939,506 $2,496,420,258
1974 $89,086,219,602 $2,319,576,214
1973 $63,923,126,201 $433,095,527
1972 $52,117,990,654 $270,822,782
1971 $45,283,847,245 $197,525,768
1970 $41,395,206,623 $179,078,929
1969 $36,738,245,878 $161,210,236
1968 $32,763,365,242 $160,818,236
1967 $30,487,524,878 $139,029,537
1966 $27,349,284,376 $132,757,528
1965 $26,014,244,162 $114,039,501
1964 $23,835,843,814 -
1963 $21,573,443,452 -
1962 $19,953,923,193 -
1961 $19,713,123,154 -
1960 $18,635,682,982 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/australia/brunei | CC BY

GDP per capita in Australia vs Brunei by year

Australia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Brunei
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Australia Brunei
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $64,604 $72,111 $33,153 $89,879
2023 $65,058 $72,273 $32,891 $85,033
2022 $65,170 $66,103 $36,633 $81,802
2021 $60,759 $58,327 $31,007 $78,249
2020 $51,983 $54,184 $26,834 $69,788
2019 $55,195 $52,886 $30,427 $69,354
2018 $57,410 $50,371 $30,988 $65,149
2017 $54,118 $48,565 $28,024 $61,658
2016 $50,084 $47,446 $26,663 $56,680
2015 $56,970 $46,465 $30,625 $62,708
2014 $62,817 $47,109 $41,027 $81,226
2013 $68,477 $46,123 $44,003 $83,237
2012 $68,301 $43,007 $46,969 $87,256
2011 $62,799 $42,153 $46,383 $82,735
2010 $52,314 $39,504 $34,938 $79,543
2009 $42,955 $40,434 $30,946 $77,957
2008 $49,811 $37,616 $42,157 $80,477
2007 $41,128 $36,708 $36,217 $83,693
2006 $36,659 $34,890 $34,675 $86,114
2005 $34,535 $33,090 $29,386 $81,534
2004 $30,886 $31,815 $24,423 $80,404
2003 $23,758 $30,167 $20,678 $79,632
2002 $20,335 $29,080 $18,621 $76,838
2001 $19,734 $27,688 $18,288 $74,254
2000 $21,909 $26,585 $20,130 $73,087
1999 $20,750 $25,531 $19,752 $70,585
1998 $21,516 $24,386 $17,769 $68,257
1997 $23,683 $23,142 $25,522 $73,980
1996 $22,056 $22,134 $25,692 $70,008
1995 $20,479 $21,050 $26,443 $70,440
1994 $18,156 $20,174 $22,767 $69,779
1993 $17,725 $19,220 $22,397 $69,387
1992 $18,650 $18,259 $23,451 $70,016
1991 $18,885 $17,839 $23,932 $72,610
1990 $18,274 $17,385 $23,659 $70,201
1989 $17,858 - $20,090 -
1988 $14,303 - $18,825 -
1987 $11,666 - $21,030 -
1986 $11,406 - $18,501 -
1985 $11,455 - $31,827 -
1984 $12,436 - $36,061 -
1983 $11,532 - $38,720 -
1982 $12,798 - $45,075 -
1981 $11,871 - $48,793 -
1980 $10,223 - $58,005 -
1979 $9,308 - $33,501 -
1978 $8,264 - $23,447 -
1977 $7,786 - $21,747 -
1976 $7,497 - $18,671 -
1975 $7,014 - $15,793 -
1974 $6,492 - $15,195 -
1973 $4,778 - $2,939 -
1972 $3,955 - $1,905 -
1971 $3,500 - $1,432 -
1970 $3,310 - $1,325 -
1969 $2,996 - $1,226 -
1968 $2,728 - $1,274 -
1967 $2,584 - $1,149 -
1966 $2,347 - $1,146 -
1965 $2,284 - $1,029 -
1964 $2,134 - - -
1963 $1,970 - - -
1962 $1,858 - - -
1961 $1,880 - - -
1960 $1,813 - - -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/australia/brunei | CC BY

Australia's GDP per capita is $64,604, ranking 14/197, compared to $33,153 in Brunei, ranking 36/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Australia ranks 22nd at $72,111, while Brunei ranks 9th at $89,879.

Economic indicators

Australia Brunei
Gross domestic product
$1.76T
2024
$15.3B
2024
GDP rank
14/197
2024
142/197
2024
GDP growth
1.37%
2023-2024
4.05%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$64,604
2024
$33,153
2024
GDP per capita rank
14/197
2024
36/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$72,111
2024
$89,879
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
22/197
2024
9/197
2024
Government debt
$891B
2024
$351M
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
50.7%
2024
2.29%
2024
Government debt per person
$32,764
2024
$759
2024
Government debt per person rank
22/185
2024
153/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$49,463
2026
$24,405
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$1.74T
2024
n/a
Number of millionaires
1,904,000
2025
n/a
Number of billionaires
47
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
25.5%
2020
n/a
Income share by poorest 10%
2.7%
2020
n/a
Government expenditure, % of GDP
38.9%
2024
29.8%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
3.16%
2023-2024
-0.39%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
3.6%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
3.94%
2024
4.87%
2024
Population
27799169
470884

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Australia
Spending

Debt
Brunei
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Australia Brunei
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 38.9% 50.7% 29.8% 2.29%
2023 37.6% 49.6% 29.4% 2.33%
2022 37.6% 50.2% 26.4% 2.06%
2021 41.8% 55.5% 29.3% 2.51%
2020 44.4% 57.1% 33.2% 2.86%
2019 38.9% 46.7% 32.4% 2.58%
2018 36.9% 41.8% 32.2% 2.59%
2017 36.8% 41.2% 36.6% 2.83%
2016 37.3% 40.6% 39.4% 3%
2015 37.3% 37.7% 38.7% 2.95%
2014 36.7% 34% 34.1% 3.23%
2013 36.4% 30.5% 33.6% 2.21%
2012 36.5% 27.5% 31% 2.1%
2011 36.3% 24% 29.7% 2.13%
2010 37% 20.3% 36.2% 1.11%
2009 37.8% 16.6% 34.8% 1.11%
2008 35.1% 11.7% 27.2% 0.94%
2007 34.3% 9.67% 29.3% 0.68%
2006 34.5% 9.94% 28% 0.59%
2005 34.6% 10.9% 29.1% 0%
2004 34.8% 11.9% 33.2% 0%
2003 34.9% 13.2% 30.9% 0%
2002 34.9% 15% 41.4% 0%
2001 35.6% 17.1% 35.5% 0%
2000 35.2% 19.5% 37.5% 0%
1999 36.2% 22.5% 44.1% 0%
1998 34.6% 23.7% 45.4% 0%
1997 32.8% 25.9% 39% 0%
1996 33.5% 29.3% 36.9% 0%
1995 33.7% 31.1% 44% 0%
1994 33.7% 31.7% 47.1% 0%
1993 34.1% 30.7% 38% 0%
1992 34.1% 27.6% 34.1% 0%
1991 33.1% 21.6% 30.6% 0%
1990 30.5% 16.4% 32% 0%
1989 34.5% 17% - -
1988 34.6% 20.5% - -
1987 36% 25.2% - -
1986 38.4% 25.5% - -
1985 38.7% 24% - -
1984 38.4% 22.3% - -
1983 37% 21% - -
1982 36.7% 16.8% - -
1981 33.4% 19.1% - -
1980 33.2% 21.2% - -
1979 32.5% 22.8% - -
1978 33.2% 24.7% - -
1977 34.1% 23.6% - -
1976 33.3% 22.9% - -
1975 33% 23.6% - -
1974 30.9% 22.3% - -
1973 26.6% 27.3% - -
1972 27% 30.7% - -
1971 26.1% 32.2% - -
1970 25.3% 34.9% - -
1969 24.7% 36.7% - -
1968 25.3% 39.4% - -
1967 26.4% 40.5% - -
1966 25.6% 42.4% - -
1965 25.8% 43.7% - -
1964 23.5% 44.9% - -
1963 23% 47.5% - -
1962 22.7% 50.2% - -
1961 23.3% 49.3% - -
1960 21.8% 48.3% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/australia/brunei | CC BY

In 2024, Australia's government spending was $684B, accounting for 38.9% of its GDP, while Brunei spent $4.57B, or 29.8% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 50.7% in Australia and 2.29% in Brunei, ranking 104/185 and 185/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Australia

Brunei
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Australia Brunei
2024 -2.25% -10.2%
2023 -1.27% -10.9%
2022 -2.21% 2.53%
2021 -6.37% -8.16%
2020 -8.73% -15.8%
2019 -4.41% -3.69%
2018 -1.26% -3.59%
2017 -1.72% -10.4%
2016 -2.42% -21.7%
2015 -2.79% -14.5%
2014 -2.92% 3.58%
2013 -2.81% 13%
2012 -3.51% 15.8%
2011 -4.53% 25.6%
2010 -5.12% 7.61%
2009 -4.56% 3.61%
2008 -1.1% 36.1%
2007 1.47% 3.12%
2006 1.77% 19.8%
2005 1.71% 16%
2004 1.32% 8.57%
2003 1.05% 8.06%
2002 0.19% -4.61%
2001 -0.03% 2.59%
2000 1.25% 6.86%
1999 0.67% -18.3%
1998 -0.25% -24%
1997 -0.49% -11.8%
1996 -1.46% -8.7%
1995 -2.6% -19.8%
1994 -3.79% -22.6%
1993 -4.73% -12.8%
1992 -4.74% -8.28%
1991 -2.79% -1.06%
1990 -0.23% -1.63%
1989 -1.29% -
1988 -0.77% -
1987 -1.66% -
1986 -3.5% -
1985 -5.24% -
1984 -5.48% -
1983 -5.66% -
1982 -5.19% -
1981 -3.25% -
1980 -2.87% -
1979 -2.32% -
1978 -4.19% -
1977 -4.39% -
1976 -3.44% -
1975 -3.47% -
1974 -2.46% -
1973 0.16% -
1972 -0.97% -
1971 -0.23% -
1970 -0.23% -
1969 0.53% -
1968 -0.7% -
1967 -1.65% -
1966 -1.77% -
1965 -1.46% -
1964 0.19% -
1963 -0.26% -
1962 -0.38% -
1961 -0.78% -
1960 0.47% -
1959 0.06% -
1958 -0.25% -
1957 -0.33% -
1956 1% -
1955 0.08% -
1954 -0.27% -
1953 -0.86% -
1952 -0.44% -
1951 1.85% -
1950 4.29% -
1949 0.72% -
1948 2% -
1947 -0.45% -
1946 -4.09% -
1945 -8.87% -
1944 -11.8% -
1943 -12.4% -
1942 -5.17% -
1941 -2.14% -
1940 0.51% -
1939 0.77% -
1938 0.24% -
1937 0.28% -
1936 0.17% -
1935 0.24% -
1934 0.28% -
1933 0.28% -
1932 0.02% -
1931 -0.8% -
1930 -1% -
1929 -0.53% -
1928 -0.69% -
1927 -0.5% -
1926 -0.31% -
1925 -0.26% -
1924 -0.5% -
1923 -0.33% -
1922 -0.94% -
1921 -2% -
1920 -2.43% -
1919 -4.8% -
1918 -4.36% -
1917 -4.99% -
1916 -3.47% -
1915 -1.11% -
1914 -0.29% -
1913 0% -
1912 0.12% -
1911 0.39% -
1910 0.39% -
1909 0.37% -
1908 -0.15% -
1907 0.41% -
1906 0.23% -
1905 0.11% -
1904 -0.13% -
1903 -0.02% -
1902 0.16% -
1901 1.46% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1901–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/australia/brunei | CC BY

In 2024, Australia's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $39.5B, equivalent to 2.25% of GDP. This compares to Brunei's deficit of $1.56B, or 10.2% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Australia recorded a fiscal deficit in 27 of those years, while Brunei ran a deficit in 20 years. On average, Australia posted an annual deficit equal to 1.99% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.7% of GDP for Brunei.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Australia

Brunei
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Australia Brunei
2024 3.16% -0.39%
2023 5.6% 0.36%
2022 6.59% 3.68%
2021 2.86% 1.73%
2020 0.85% 1.94%
2019 1.61% -0.39%
2018 1.91% 1.03%
2017 1.95% -1.26%
2016 1.28% -0.28%
2015 1.51% -0.49%
2014 2.49% -0.21%
2013 2.45% 0.39%
2012 1.76% 0.11%
2011 3.3% 0.14%
2010 2.92% 0.36%
2009 1.77% 1.04%
2008 4.35% 2.08%
2007 2.33% 0.97%
2006 3.56% 0.16%
2005 2.69% 1.24%
2004 2.34% 0.81%
2003 2.73% 0.3%
2002 2.98% -2.31%
2001 4.41% 0.6%
2000 4.46% 1.56%
1999 1.48% -0.42%
1998 0.86% -0.44%
1997 0.22% 1.71%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/australia/brunei | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Australia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.66%, compared with 0.5% in Brunei. In 2024, inflation was 3.16% in Australia and -0.39% in Brunei.

Top exports between countries

Australia
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $434M
Business & finance services $53.2M
Transport & tourism services $32.1M
Animal & marine products $23.2M
Machinery & equipment $3.74M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $3.56M
Chemicals & pharma $3.44M
Raw agricultural goods $1.47M
Government & miscellaneous services $1.33M
IT & IP services $691K
Brunei
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $2.23B
Animal & marine products $1.5M
Machinery & equipment $1.02M
Miscellaneous $202K
Textiles & consumer goods $159K
Chemicals & pharma $51K
Metals $28K
Wood & paper products $12K
Precious metals & jewellery $3K

Balance of trade

Australia Brunei
Current account balance
-$34.8B
2024
$2.23B
2024
Current account balance ranking
187/190
2024
45/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-1.98%
2024
+14.5%
2024
Goods imports
$297B
2024
$7.36B
2024
Goods exports
$341B
2024
$11.1B
2024
Service imports
$109B
2024
$1.75B
2024
Service exports
$84.1B
2024
$410M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
22.5%
2024
58.3%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
24.6%
2024
74.3%
2024

Economic freedom indices

The indices of economic freedom below are issued by the Heritage Foundation. Higher scores indicate stronger economic health.

Australia Brunei
Economic freedom 80.1 67.5
Economic freedom ranking 5/197 55/197
Property rights 88.2 66.1
Government integrity 88.1 60.4
Judicial effectiveness 96.3 48.6
Tax burden 61.8 95
Government spending 56.6 75.6
Fiscal health 89 39
Business freedom 92.3 75.3
Labor freedom 61.5 75.1
Monetary freedom 77.2 74.8
Trade freedom 89.8 84.6
Investment freedom 80 65
Financial freedom 80 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Australia
Brunei
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Australia Brunei
2026 80.1 67.5
2025 79.3 67
2024 76.2 65.9
2023 74.8 65.7
2022 77.7 64.8
2021 82.4 66.6
2020 82.6 66.6
2019 80.9 65.1
2018 80.9 64.2
2017 81 69.8
2016 80.3 67.3
2015 81.4 68.9
2014 82 69
2013 82.6 -
2012 83.1 -
2011 82.5 -
2010 82.6 -
2009 82.6 -
2008 82.2 -
2007 81.1 -
2006 79.9 -
2005 79 -
2004 77.9 -
2003 77.4 -
2002 77.3 -
2001 77.4 -
2000 77.1 -
1999 76.4 -
1998 75.6 -
1997 75.5 -
1996 74 -
1995 74.1 -

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

GeoRank.org/economy/australia/brunei | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Australia is 80.1, ranking 5/197, compared to 67.5 for Brunei, ranking 55/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Australia Brunei
Services, % of GDP
66.1%
2024
39%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
25.5%
2024
61.7%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
2.04%
2024
1.17%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$1.7T
2024
$16.7B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$69,600
2024
$92,750
2024
Total reserves including gold
$60.4B
2024
$4.41B
2024
Total reserves ranking
39/177
2024
105/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$39.2B
2024
-$29.1M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$53.4B
2024
$29.1M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$13.9B
2024
$0
2024
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
24.3%
2024
27.9%
2024

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/australia/brunei | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1901–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2020–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)

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The current account balance is the sum of net trade in goods and services, net earnings from cross-border investments, and net transfer payments. It reflects a country's economic transactions with the rest of the world and is a fundamental component of the balance of payments. A surplus indicates that a country exports more than it imports, while a deficit shows the opposite.

Gross National Income (GNI) measures a country's total income. It encompasses income earned by residents, businesses, and foreign sources, defined as employee compensation and investment profits. GNI adds product taxes not included elsewhere and subtracts subsidies. It accounts for income from residents working abroad but excludes earnings from foreigners within the country.

A negative value for Net Foreign Direct Investment indicates a country is a net receiver of investments, as foreign inflows exceed outflows after Balance of Payments adjustments. A positive value indicates a net provider, with outflows exceeding inflows. Inflows are credits (increasing foreign claims on domestic assets), while outflows are debits (increasing domestic assets abroad).

Foreign direct investment (FDI, net inflows) shows how much capital foreign investors bring into a country after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of overseas companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in the reporting country. A positive number means more capital entered the country than was withdrawn, while a negative number means foreign investors pulled out more than they invested.

Foreign direct investment (FDI, net outflows) shows how much capital residents of a country invest abroad after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of domestic companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in other countries. A positive number means more capital was invested abroad than withdrawn, while a negative number means residents pulled back more than they invested.

Formerly gross domestic investment, gross capital formation measures the share of a country’s economic output invested in fixed assets, including buildings, machinery, and infrastructure. It indicates how much of the economy is devoted to building productive capacity.