Skip to content

Economy of Barbados vs Brunei compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Barbados has a GDP of $8.02B compared to $15B for Brunei, ranking 157/197 and 147/197 by economy size, respectively.

Barbados has $7.55B in government debt (94.2% of GDP), compared to $232M (1.54% of GDP) in Brunei.

Barbados vs Brunei GDP by year

Barbados
Brunei
1x
Year GDP, current $
Barbados Brunei
2025 $8,016,550,000 $15,031,980,994
2024 $7,597,571,450 $15,340,808,592
2023 $7,223,248,150 $15,095,084,656
2022 $6,886,644,900 $16,681,536,467
2021 $5,948,900,600 $14,006,496,617
2020 $5,403,246,950 $12,005,799,654
2019 $6,166,710,800 $13,469,235,365
2018 $6,001,101,550 $13,566,908,391
2017 $5,847,381,600 $12,128,168,045
2016 $5,679,029,450 $11,400,266,045
2015 $5,699,619,150 $12,930,296,870
2014 $5,684,901,000 $17,097,797,386
2013 $5,660,059,700 $18,094,148,099
2012 $5,486,500,500 $19,048,443,341
2011 $5,563,162,050 $18,524,791,063
2010 $5,428,683,250 $13,707,121,038
2009 $4,466,809,600 $11,912,904,510
2008 $4,790,410,400 $15,926,456,515
2007 $4,675,767,950 $13,432,029,484
2006 $4,217,323,400 $12,644,616,419
2005 $3,819,500,000 $10,547,202,621
2004 $3,444,500,000 $8,619,178,774
2003 $3,209,500,000 $7,167,725,262
2002 $3,106,500,000 $6,333,082,876
2001 $3,054,500,000 $6,096,155,767
2000 $3,059,500,000 $6,570,999,088
1999 $2,951,822,205 $6,309,070,378
1998 $2,817,083,478 $5,550,846,020
1997 $2,498,384,130 $7,793,034,376
1996 $2,363,645,403 $7,663,377,306
1995 $2,216,974,096 $7,700,144,069
1994 $2,151,344,901 $6,467,782,518
1993 $2,063,342,117 $6,203,339,912
1992 $1,957,000,000 $6,327,966,435
1991 $2,020,583,702 $6,284,497,294
1990 $2,012,131,457 $6,039,881,087
1989 $2,006,165,167 $4,983,622,881
1988 $1,812,757,918 $4,535,130,305
1987 $1,704,370,308 $4,918,010,080
1986 $1,547,755,183 $4,190,280,003
1985 $1,409,536,121 $6,967,623,884
1984 $1,346,890,071 $7,632,788,075
1983 $1,236,016,507 $7,927,590,750
1982 $1,163,923,830 $8,932,198,186
1981 $1,114,204,743 $9,367,218,664
1980 $1,012,280,615 $10,795,432,294
1979 $670,362,452 $6,044,367,628
1978 $552,883,707 $4,100,423,674
1977 $495,097,668 $3,681,242,528
1976 $435,911,269 $3,054,765,590
1975 $402,178,605 $2,496,420,258
1974 $311,804,630 $2,319,576,214
1973 $260,767,828 $433,095,527
1972 $213,725,217 $270,822,782
1971 $186,826,503 $197,525,768
1970 $166,210,203 $179,078,929
1969 $141,393,142 $161,210,236
1968 $125,733,669 $160,818,236
1967 $125,554,009 $139,029,537
1966 $113,195,123 $132,757,528
1965 $105,021,997 $114,039,501
1964 $99,252,731 -
1963 $99,893,761 -
1962 $88,782,583 -
1961 $85,363,759 -
1960 $80,021,847 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

GDP per capita in Barbados vs Brunei by year

Barbados
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Brunei
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Barbados Brunei
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $28,365 - $32,235 -
2024 $26,897 $24,823 $33,153 $89,879
2023 $25,584 $23,660 $32,891 $85,033
2022 $24,393 $22,193 $36,633 $81,802
2021 $21,084 $17,683 $31,007 $78,249
2020 $19,181 $16,555 $26,834 $69,788
2019 $21,929 $19,971 $30,427 $69,354
2018 $21,378 $19,777 $30,988 $65,149
2017 $20,871 $18,437 $28,024 $61,658
2016 $20,311 $19,176 $26,663 $56,680
2015 $20,429 $19,186 $30,625 $62,708
2014 $20,424 $18,595 $41,027 $81,226
2013 $20,384 $19,032 $44,003 $83,237
2012 $19,811 $19,605 $46,969 $87,256
2011 $20,146 $20,316 $46,383 $82,735
2010 $19,723 $20,033 $34,938 $79,543
2009 $16,295 $20,324 $30,946 $77,957
2008 $17,566 $21,376 $42,157 $80,477
2007 $17,235 $20,949 $36,217 $83,693
2006 $15,620 $20,076 $34,675 $86,114
2005 $14,214 $18,450 $29,386 $81,534
2004 $12,886 $17,299 $24,423 $80,404
2003 $12,076 $16,707 $20,678 $79,632
2002 $11,760 $16,133 $18,621 $76,838
2001 $11,640 $15,866 $18,288 $74,254
2000 $11,675 $15,914 $20,130 $73,087
1999 $11,244 $14,873 $19,752 $70,585
1998 $10,734 $14,621 $17,769 $68,257
1997 $9,522 $13,941 $25,522 $73,980
1996 $9,012 $13,090 $25,692 $70,008
1995 $8,460 $12,375 $26,443 $70,440
1994 $8,223 $11,900 $22,767 $69,779
1993 $7,905 $11,448 $22,397 $69,387
1992 $7,519 $11,127 $23,451 $70,016
1991 $7,790 $11,576 $23,932 $72,610
1990 $7,781 $11,687 $23,659 $70,201
1989 $7,773 - $20,090 -
1988 $7,033 - $18,825 -
1987 $6,625 - $21,030 -
1986 $6,031 - $18,501 -
1985 $5,510 - $31,827 -
1984 $5,284 - $36,061 -
1983 $4,866 - $38,720 -
1982 $4,599 - $45,075 -
1981 $4,417 - $48,793 -
1980 $4,025 - $58,005 -
1979 $2,668 - $33,501 -
1978 $2,198 - $23,447 -
1977 $1,968 - $21,747 -
1976 $1,734 - $18,671 -
1975 $1,601 - $15,793 -
1974 $1,243 - $15,195 -
1973 $1,042 - $2,939 -
1972 $856 - $1,905 -
1971 $750 - $1,432 -
1970 $666 - $1,325 -
1969 $567 - $1,226 -
1968 $506 - $1,274 -
1967 $508 - $1,149 -
1966 $462 - $1,146 -
1965 $433 - $1,029 -
1964 $414 - - -
1963 $421 - - -
1962 $377 - - -
1961 $366 - - -
1960 $347 - - -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Barbados' GDP per capita is $28,365, ranking 48/197, compared to $32,235 in Brunei, ranking 42/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Barbados ranks 84th at $24,823, while Brunei ranks 9th at $89,879.

Economic indicators

Barbados Brunei
Gross domestic product
$8.02B
2025
$15B
2025
GDP rank
157/197
2025
147/197
2025
GDP growth
2.7%
2024-2025
0.67%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$28,365
2025
$32,235
2025
GDP per capita rank
48/197
2025
42/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$24,823
2024
$89,879
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
84/197
2024
9/197
2024
Government debt
$7.55B
2025
$232M
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
94.2%
2025
1.54%
2025
Government debt per person
$26,731
2025
$498
2025
Government debt per person rank
28/185
2025
169/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$19,127
2026
$25,392
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$2.78B
2020
n/a
Number of billionaires
1
2026
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
25.8%
2016
n/a
Income share by poorest 10%
2.5%
2016
n/a
Government expenditure, % of GDP
27%
2025
29.9%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
0.85%
2024-2025
-0.3%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
2%
2020
n/a
Unemployment rate
6.03%
2024
4.87%
2024
Population
282789
471596

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Barbados
Spending

Debt
Brunei
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Barbados Brunei
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 27% 94.2% 29.9% 1.54%
2024 28.1% 98.9% 30.3% 1.57%
2023 26.5% 104.1% 30.1% 1.67%
2022 26.9% 104% 26.1% 1.33%
2021 27.1% 108.6% 30.1% 1.43%
2020 30.6% 129.6% 32.8% 2.16%
2019 22.2% 101.6% 32.1% 1.82%
2018 25% 107.2% 32.9% 1.9%
2017 28% 134.6% 36.6% 2.58%
2016 28.6% 127.1% 39.8% 3%
2015 29.2% 122.5% 37% 2.95%
2014 27.4% 115.1% 34% 3.23%
2013 29.1% 111.7% 33.4% 2.21%
2012 28.9% 103.5% 31.1% 2.1%
2011 26.5% 94.4% 29.9% 2.13%
2010 28% 90.3% 25.5% 1.11%
2009 27.8% 83.5% 34.8% 1.11%
2008 27.1% 69.8% 27.2% 0.94%
2007 26.1% 64.9% 29.3% 0.68%
2006 25% 64.1% 28% 0.59%
2005 26.4% 62.7% 29.1% 0%
2004 26.2% 61% 33.2% 0%
2003 27.7% 61.8% 30.9% 0%
2002 29.1% 62% 41.4% 0%
2001 20.7% 59% 35.5% 0%
2000 19.7% 53.6% 37.5% 0%
1999 18.5% 47% 44.1% 0%
1998 17.8% 47.2% 45.4% 0%
1997 19.6% 52% 39% 0%
1996 19.1% 52.3% 36.9% 0%
1995 17.3% 52% 44% 0%
1994 15.9% 51.4% 47.1% 0%
1993 - - 38% 0%
1992 - - 34.1% 0%
1991 - - 30.6% 0%
1990 - - 32% 0%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Barbados' government spending was $2.16B, accounting for 27% of its GDP, while Brunei spent $4.5B, or 29.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 94.2% in Barbados and 1.54% in Brunei, ranking 28/185 and 185/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Barbados

Brunei
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Barbados Brunei
2025 -0.31% -13.4%
2024 -0.84% -12.9%
2023 -1.57% -8.62%
2022 -1.74% -0.25%
2021 -3.88% -8.34%
2020 -4.19% -16.2%
2019 2.86% -4.16%
2018 -0.32% -2.9%
2017 -3.64% -13.8%
2016 -4.55% -16.7%
2015 -7.58% -11.4%
2014 -6.2% 1.25%
2013 -8.46% 10.4%
2012 -6.69% 19.5%
2011 -3.47% 21.5%
2010 -7.1% 11.3%
2009 -6.19% 3.61%
2008 -3.94% 36.1%
2007 -4.08% 3.12%
2006 -3.13% 19.8%
2005 -2.78% 16%
2004 -2.73% 8.57%
2003 -2.86% 8.06%
2002 -4.96% -4.61%
2001 3.83% 2.59%
2000 4.68% 6.86%
1999 5.06% -18.3%
1998 5.63% -24%
1997 5.15% -11.8%
1996 3.5% -8.7%
1995 5.79% -19.8%
1994 6.28% -22.6%
1993 - -12.8%
1992 - -8.28%
1991 - -1.06%
1990 - -1.63%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Barbados' government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $24.8M, equivalent to 0.31% of GDP. This compares to Brunei's deficit of $2.02B, or 13.4% of GDP.

Over the past 32 years, Barbados recorded a fiscal deficit in 23 of those years, while Brunei ran a deficit in 18 years. On average, Barbados posted an annual deficit equal to 1.51% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.55% of GDP for Brunei.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Barbados

Brunei
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Barbados Brunei
2025 0.85% -0.3%
2024 1.45% -0.39%
2023 3.19% 0.36%
2022 - 3.68%
2021 - 1.73%
2020 - 1.94%
2019 1.68% -0.39%
2018 3.11% 1.03%
2017 4.66% -1.26%
2016 1.28% -0.28%
2015 -1.11% -0.49%
2014 1.77% -0.21%
2013 1.81% 0.39%
2012 4.53% 0.11%
2011 9.43% 0.14%
2010 5.82% 0.36%
2009 3.64% 1.04%
2008 8.11% 2.08%
2007 4.03% 0.97%
2006 7.31% 0.16%
2005 6.08% 1.24%
2004 1.39% 0.81%
2003 1.62% 0.3%
2002 0.13% -2.31%
2001 2.58% 0.6%
2000 2.44% 1.56%
1999 1.56% -0.42%
1998 -1.27% -0.44%
1997 7.71% 1.71%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 29 years, Barbados has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 3.22%, compared with 0.47% in Brunei. In 2025, inflation was 0.85% in Barbados and -0.3% in Brunei.

Balance of trade

Barbados Brunei
Current account balance
-$296M
2017
$2.71B
2025
Current account balance ranking
96/190
2017
40/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
-5.07%
2017
+18%
2025
Goods imports
$1.53B
2017
$6.28B
2025
Goods exports
$705M
2017
$10.3B
2025
Service imports
$687M
2017
$1.54B
2025
Service exports
$1.52B
2017
$463M
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP n/a
52%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
14.5%
2026
71.6%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Barbados Brunei
Economic freedom 70.4 67.5
Economic freedom ranking 34/197 55/197
Property rights 76.4 66.1
Government integrity 71.3 60.4
Judicial effectiveness 87.3 48.6
Tax burden 83.2 95
Government spending 74.5 75.6
Fiscal health 76.5 39
Business freedom 72.3 75.3
Labor freedom 54.3 75.1
Monetary freedom 80.8 74.8
Trade freedom 48.2 84.6
Investment freedom 60 65
Financial freedom 60 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Barbados
Brunei
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Barbados Brunei
2026 70.4 67.5
2025 68.9 67
2024 66.8 65.9
2023 69.8 65.7
2022 71.3 64.8
2021 65 66.6
2020 61.4 66.6
2019 64.7 65.1
2018 57 64.2
2017 54.5 69.8
2016 68.3 67.3
2015 67.9 68.9
2014 68.3 69
2013 69.3 -
2012 69 -
2011 68.5 -
2010 68.3 -
2009 71.5 -
2008 71.3 -
2007 70 -
2006 71.9 -
2005 70.1 -
2004 69.4 -
2003 71.3 -
2002 73.6 -
2001 71.5 -
2000 69.5 -
1999 66.7 -
1998 67.9 -
1997 64.5 -
1996 62.3 -

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Barbados is 70.4, ranking 34/197, 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

Barbados Brunei
Services, % of GDP
75.8%
2024
40.2%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
12.2%
2024
60%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.55%
2024
1.18%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$7.65B
2025
$16.2B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$24,840
2025
$95,420
2025
Total reserves including gold
$1.65B
2024
$5.49B
2025
Total reserves ranking
131/177
2024
100/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$208M
2017
-$157M
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$303M
2024
$29.1M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$18.6M
2024
$0
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
25.7%
2016
n/a
Gross capital formation, % of GDP n/a
27.1%
2025

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Compare countries by 7 more topics

Help us show the world through your eyes

Share a photo of your city and help others discover what it looks like to live there. Your contribution makes our data come alive.

Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)

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.