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Economy of Bahrain vs Brunei compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Bahrain has a GDP of $47.1B compared to $15.3B for Brunei, ranking 96/197 and 142/197 by economy size, respectively.

Bahrain has $62.8B in government debt (133.4% of GDP), compared to $351M (2.29% of GDP) in Brunei.

Bahrain vs Brunei GDP by year

Bahrain
Brunei
1x
Year GDP, current $
Bahrain Brunei
2024 $47,109,734,309 $15,340,808,592
2023 $46,192,260,638 $15,095,084,656
2022 $46,458,191,489 $16,681,536,467
2021 $40,840,212,766 $14,006,496,617
2020 $35,837,632,979 $12,005,799,654
2019 $40,446,808,511 $13,469,235,365
2018 $39,567,978,723 $13,566,908,391
2017 $37,204,813,830 $12,128,168,045
2016 $33,884,680,851 $11,400,266,045
2015 $32,523,297,872 $12,930,296,870
2014 $34,772,526,596 $17,097,797,386
2013 $33,823,324,468 $18,094,148,099
2012 $31,963,404,255 $19,048,443,341
2011 $29,914,680,851 $18,524,791,063
2010 $26,805,984,043 $13,707,121,038
2009 $22,938,218,085 $11,912,904,510
2008 $25,710,904,255 $15,926,456,515
2007 $21,730,000,000 $13,432,029,484
2006 $18,504,760,638 $12,644,616,419
2005 $15,968,723,404 $10,547,202,621
2004 $13,150,159,574 $8,619,178,774
2003 $11,074,813,830 $7,167,725,262
2002 $9,593,510,638 $6,333,082,876
2001 $8,976,196,809 $6,096,155,767
2000 $9,062,898,936 $6,570,999,088
1999 $7,528,469,149 $6,309,070,378
1998 $7,031,309,043 $5,550,846,020
1997 $7,219,407,713 $7,793,034,376
1996 $6,938,166,755 $7,663,377,306
1995 $6,651,180,851 $7,700,144,069
1994 $6,330,627,926 $6,467,782,518
1993 $5,913,001,064 $6,203,339,912
1992 $5,402,232,447 $6,327,966,435
1991 $5,248,911,170 $6,284,497,294
1990 $4,809,511,005 $6,039,881,087
1989 $4,393,093,963 $4,983,622,881
1988 $4,209,834,173 $4,535,130,305
1987 $3,856,922,694 $4,918,010,080
1986 $3,470,746,843 $4,190,280,003
1985 $4,152,376,484 $6,967,623,884
1984 $4,440,874,566 $7,632,788,075
1983 $4,247,030,468 $7,927,590,750
1982 $4,145,421,080 $8,932,198,186
1981 $3,943,109,532 $9,367,218,664
1980 $3,493,834,468 $10,795,432,294
1979 $2,710,160,739 $6,044,367,628
1978 $2,272,042,965 $4,100,423,674
1977 $1,989,060,283 $3,681,242,528
1976 $1,581,709,519 $3,054,765,590
1975 $1,099,107,601 $2,496,420,258
1974 $1,042,176,884 $2,319,576,214
1973 $761,132,545 $433,095,527
1972 $534,081,184 $270,822,782
1971 $422,181,562 $197,525,768
1970 $391,577,364 $179,078,929
1969 - $161,210,236
1968 - $160,818,236
1967 - $139,029,537
1966 - $132,757,528
1965 - $114,039,501

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1965–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

GDP per capita in Bahrain vs Brunei by year

Bahrain
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Brunei
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Bahrain Brunei
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $29,654 $66,941 $33,153 $89,879
2023 $29,290 $64,171 $32,891 $85,033
2022 $30,471 $61,678 $36,633 $81,802
2021 $27,148 $54,955 $31,007 $78,249
2020 $24,343 $53,436 $26,834 $69,788
2019 $27,260 $56,600 $30,427 $69,354
2018 $26,324 $51,993 $30,988 $65,149
2017 $24,785 $50,185 $28,024 $61,658
2016 $23,800 $47,429 $26,663 $56,680
2015 $23,734 $48,034 $30,625 $62,708
2014 $26,452 $54,299 $41,027 $81,226
2013 $26,990 $56,310 $44,003 $83,237
2012 $26,439 $56,713 $46,969 $87,256
2011 $25,033 $52,677 $46,383 $82,735
2010 $21,819 $49,255 $34,938 $79,543
2009 $19,465 $48,626 $30,946 $77,957
2008 $23,299 $50,330 $42,157 $80,477
2007 $20,908 $49,347 $36,217 $83,693
2006 $19,267 $48,009 $34,675 $86,114
2005 $17,966 $47,268 $29,386 $81,534
2004 $15,964 $46,317 $24,423 $80,404
2003 $14,486 $45,427 $20,678 $79,632
2002 $13,501 $45,091 $18,621 $76,838
2001 $13,573 $46,162 $18,288 $74,254
2000 $14,214 $45,688 $20,130 $73,087
1999 $12,123 $43,561 $19,752 $70,585
1998 $11,625 $42,281 $17,769 $68,257
1997 $12,255 $40,965 $25,522 $73,980
1996 $12,092 $40,106 $25,692 $70,008
1995 $11,901 $38,839 $26,443 $70,440
1994 $11,629 $37,579 $22,767 $69,779
1993 $11,152 $37,870 $22,397 $69,387
1992 $10,460 $33,648 $23,451 $70,016
1991 $10,434 $31,657 $23,932 $72,610
1990 $9,343 $26,902 $23,659 $70,201
1989 $8,833 - $20,090 -
1988 $8,772 - $18,825 -
1987 $8,333 - $21,030 -
1986 $7,777 - $18,501 -
1985 $9,649 - $31,827 -
1984 $10,697 - $36,061 -
1983 $10,599 - $38,720 -
1982 $10,712 - $45,075 -
1981 $10,557 - $48,793 -
1980 $9,733 - $58,005 -
1979 $7,891 - $33,501 -
1978 $6,926 - $23,447 -
1977 $6,358 - $21,747 -
1976 $5,310 - $18,671 -
1975 $3,880 - $15,793 -
1974 $3,874 - $15,195 -
1973 $2,981 - $2,939 -
1972 $2,206 - $1,905 -
1971 $1,830 - $1,432 -
1970 $1,742 - $1,325 -
1969 - - $1,226 -
1968 - - $1,274 -
1967 - - $1,149 -
1966 - - $1,146 -
1965 - - $1,029 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1965–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Bahrain's GDP per capita is $29,654, ranking 42/197, compared to $33,153 in Brunei, ranking 36/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Bahrain ranks 26th at $66,941, while Brunei ranks 9th at $89,879.

Economic indicators

Bahrain Brunei
Gross domestic product
$47.1B
2024
$15.3B
2024
GDP rank
96/197
2024
142/197
2024
GDP growth
2.6%
2023-2024
4.05%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$29,654
2024
$33,153
2024
GDP per capita rank
42/197
2024
36/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$66,941
2024
$89,879
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
26/197
2024
9/197
2024
Government debt
$62.8B
2024
$351M
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
133.4%
2024
2.29%
2024
Government debt per person
$39,552
2024
$759
2024
Government debt per person rank
14/185
2024
153/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$23,253
2026
$24,405
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$20.4B
2024
n/a
Government expenditure, % of GDP
29.1%
2024
29.8%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
0.92%
2023-2024
-0.39%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
4.25%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
1.2%
2012
4.87%
2024
Population
1669503
470884

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Bahrain
Spending

Debt
Brunei
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Bahrain Brunei
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 29.1% 133.4% 29.8% 2.29%
2023 29.1% 123% 29.4% 2.33%
2022 28.4% 111.6% 26.4% 2.06%
2021 30.6% 122.3% 29.3% 2.51%
2020 34.6% 125.7% 33.2% 2.86%
2019 31.2% 97.1% 32.4% 2.58%
2018 32.1% 90.4% 32.2% 2.59%
2017 30.7% 84% 36.6% 2.83%
2016 33.3% 77.4% 39.4% 3%
2015 34.8% 63.2% 38.7% 2.95%
2014 27.3% 42.6% 34.1% 3.23%
2013 32% 42.3% 33.6% 2.21%
2012 31.1% 34.8% 31% 2.1%
2011 30.2% 31.6% 29.7% 2.13%
2010 31.1% 28.8% 36.2% 1.11%
2009 24.6% 20.5% 34.8% 1.11%
2008 22.7% 12.1% 27.2% 0.94%
2007 22.4% 15.7% 29.3% 0.68%
2006 23.1% 19.4% 28% 0.59%
2005 23.9% 23.2% 29.1% 0%
2004 25% 28.2% 33.2% 0%
2003 28.1% 31.1% 30.9% 0%
2002 30.6% 27.2% 41.4% 0%
2001 26.5% 25% 35.5% 0%
2000 22.2% 24.7% 37.5% 0%
1999 27.1% 24.7% 44.1% 0%
1998 25.7% 20% 45.4% 0%
1997 31% 14.8% 39% 0%
1996 22.7% 13.1% 36.9% 0%
1995 25.1% 13.6% 44% 0%
1994 26.1% 5.62% 47.1% 0%
1993 26.7% 5.95% 38% 0%
1992 29.4% 6.45% 34.1% 0%
1991 28.5% 6.71% 30.6% 0%
1990 32.4% 7.24% 32% 0%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Bahrain's government spending was $13.7B, accounting for 29.1% of its GDP, while Brunei spent $4.57B, or 29.8% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 133.4% in Bahrain and 2.29% in Brunei, ranking 9/185 and 185/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Bahrain

Brunei
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Bahrain Brunei
2024 -10.6% -10.2%
2023 -9.67% -10.9%
2022 -6.02% 2.53%
2021 -10.6% -8.16%
2020 -17.3% -15.8%
2019 -8.57% -3.69%
2018 -11.3% -3.59%
2017 -13.4% -10.4%
2016 -16.6% -21.7%
2015 -17.5% -14.5%
2014 -3.32% 3.58%
2013 -8.55% 13%
2012 -5.77% 15.8%
2011 -4.9% 25.6%
2010 -9.29% 7.61%
2009 -5.36% 3.61%
2008 4.08% 36.1%
2007 1.52% 3.12%
2006 2.24% 19.8%
2005 2.8% 16%
2004 0.24% 8.57%
2003 -1.7% 8.06%
2002 -3.27% -4.61%
2001 0.7% 2.59%
2000 7.33% 6.86%
1999 -4.85% -18.3%
1998 -5.49% -24%
1997 -6.39% -11.8%
1996 0.24% -8.7%
1995 -3.99% -19.8%
1994 -5.18% -22.6%
1993 -2.77% -12.8%
1992 -5.41% -8.28%
1991 -3.47% -1.06%
1990 -6.79% -1.63%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Bahrain's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $5B, equivalent to 10.6% of GDP. This compares to Brunei's deficit of $1.56B, or 10.2% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Bahrain recorded a fiscal deficit in 27 of those years, while Brunei ran a deficit in 20 years. On average, Bahrain posted an annual deficit equal to 5.39% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.7% of GDP for Brunei.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Bahrain

Brunei
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Bahrain Brunei
2024 0.92% -0.39%
2023 0.07% 0.36%
2022 3.63% 3.68%
2021 -0.61% 1.73%
2020 -2.32% 1.94%
2019 1.01% -0.39%
2018 2.09% 1.03%
2017 1.39% -1.26%
2016 2.79% -0.28%
2015 1.85% -0.49%
2014 2.65% -0.21%
2013 3.3% 0.39%
2012 2.76% 0.11%
2011 -0.4% 0.14%
2010 1.96% 0.36%
2009 2.8% 1.04%
2008 3.53% 2.08%
2007 3.26% 0.97%
2006 2.01% 0.16%
2005 2.59% 1.24%
2004 2.35% 0.81%
2003 1.59% 0.3%
2002 -0.5% -2.31%
2001 -1.21% 0.6%
2000 -0.7% 1.56%
1999 -1.29% -0.42%
1998 -0.37% -0.44%
1997 2.43% 1.71%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Bahrain has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 1.34%, compared with 0.5% in Brunei. In 2024, inflation was 0.92% in Bahrain and -0.39% in Brunei.

Top exports between countries

Bahrain
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $25K
Textiles & consumer goods $6K
Chemicals & pharma $2K
Miscellaneous $2K
Brunei
Export category Export value
Precious metals & jewellery $70K
Miscellaneous $23K
Machinery & equipment $10K
Chemicals & pharma $5K
Textiles & consumer goods $4K

Balance of trade

Bahrain Brunei
Current account balance
$2.28B
2024
$2.23B
2024
Current account balance ranking
44/190
2024
45/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+4.84%
2024
+14.5%
2024
Goods imports
$20.7B
2024
$7.36B
2024
Goods exports
$24.3B
2024
$11.1B
2024
Service imports
$12.4B
2024
$1.75B
2024
Service exports
$17B
2024
$410M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
70.1%
2024
58.3%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
87.7%
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.

Bahrain Brunei
Economic freedom 65.7 67.5
Economic freedom ranking 63/197 55/197
Property rights 60.9 66.1
Government integrity 45.9 60.4
Judicial effectiveness 30 48.6
Tax burden 99.9 95
Government spending 75 75.6
Fiscal health 0 39
Business freedom 75.9 75.3
Labor freedom 55.5 75.1
Monetary freedom 88.8 74.8
Trade freedom 86.8 84.6
Investment freedom 90 65
Financial freedom 80 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Bahrain
Brunei
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Bahrain Brunei
2026 65.7 67.5
2025 65.6 67
2024 63.4 65.9
2023 62.5 65.7
2022 62 64.8
2021 69.9 66.6
2020 66.3 66.6
2019 66.4 65.1
2018 67.7 64.2
2017 68.5 69.8
2016 74.3 67.3
2015 73.4 68.9
2014 75.1 69
2013 75.5 -
2012 75.2 -
2011 77.7 -
2010 76.3 -
2009 74.8 -
2008 72.2 -
2007 71.2 -
2006 71.6 -
2005 71.2 -
2004 75.1 -
2003 76.3 -
2002 75.6 -
2001 75.9 -
2000 75.7 -
1999 75.2 -
1998 75.6 -
1997 76.1 -
1996 76.4 -
1995 76.2 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Bahrain is 65.7, ranking 63/197, 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

Bahrain Brunei
Services, % of GDP
53.2%
2024
39%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
42.3%
2024
61.7%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
0.25%
2024
1.17%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$44.6B
2024
$16.7B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$62,230
2024
$92,750
2024
Total reserves including gold
$4.95B
2024
$4.41B
2024
Total reserves ranking
102/177
2024
105/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$2.43B
2024
-$29.1M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$2.7B
2024
$29.1M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$275M
2024
$0
2024
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
28.4%
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/bahrain/brunei | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1965–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. TradeMap (2020–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)

Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) — you’re free to copy, share, remix, adapt, and use even commercially as long as you give appropriate credit and clearly indicate if you made changes. Other sources may be subject to different license terms.

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.