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Economy of Barbados vs Brunei compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Barbados has a GDP of $7.5B compared to $15.3B for Brunei, ranking 157/197 and 142/197 by economy size, respectively.

Barbados has $7.97B in government debt (106.3% of GDP), compared to $351M (2.29% of GDP) in Brunei.

Barbados vs Brunei GDP by year

Barbados
Brunei
1x
Year GDP, current $
Barbados Brunei
2024 $7,498,050,000 $15,340,808,592
2023 $7,223,250,000 $15,095,084,656
2022 $6,884,900,000 $16,681,536,467
2021 $5,947,550,000 $14,006,496,617
2020 $5,407,050,000 $12,005,799,654
2019 $6,161,850,000 $13,469,235,365
2018 $6,001,950,000 $13,566,908,391
2017 $5,683,150,000 $12,128,168,045
2016 $5,674,600,000 $11,400,266,045
2015 $5,698,150,000 $12,930,296,870
2014 $5,620,600,000 $17,097,797,386
2013 $5,667,200,000 $18,094,148,099
2012 $5,761,450,000 $19,048,443,341
2011 $5,663,100,000 $18,524,791,063
2010 $5,672,900,000 $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 (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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
2024 $26,545 $24,823 $33,153 $89,879
2023 $25,584 $23,660 $32,891 $85,033
2022 $24,387 $22,193 $36,633 $81,802
2021 $21,080 $17,683 $31,007 $78,249
2020 $19,194 $16,555 $26,834 $69,788
2019 $21,912 $19,971 $30,427 $69,354
2018 $21,381 $19,777 $30,988 $65,149
2017 $20,285 $18,437 $28,024 $61,658
2016 $20,296 $19,176 $26,663 $56,680
2015 $20,424 $19,186 $30,625 $62,708
2014 $20,193 $18,595 $41,027 $81,226
2013 $20,410 $19,032 $44,003 $83,237
2012 $20,804 $19,605 $46,969 $87,256
2011 $20,508 $20,316 $46,383 $82,735
2010 $20,611 $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 (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Barbados' GDP per capita is $26,545, ranking 46/197, compared to $33,153 in Brunei, ranking 36/197. 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
$7.5B
2024
$15.3B
2024
GDP rank
157/197
2024
142/197
2024
GDP growth
2.48%
2023-2024
4.05%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$26,545
2024
$33,153
2024
GDP per capita rank
46/197
2024
36/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$24,823
2024
$89,879
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
84/197
2024
9/197
2024
Government debt
$7.97B
2024
$351M
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
106.3%
2024
2.29%
2024
Government debt per person
$28,218
2024
$759
2024
Government debt per person rank
26/185
2024
153/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$18,869
2026
$24,405
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$2.78B
2020
n/a
Number of billionaires
1
2025
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
30.2%
2024
29.8%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
-0.44%
2023-2024
-0.39%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
2%
2020
n/a
Unemployment rate
6.54%
2023
4.87%
2024
Population
282798
470884

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
2024 30.2% 106.3% 29.8% 2.29%
2023 28.8% 113.4% 29.4% 2.33%
2022 30.3% 116.9% 26.4% 2.06%
2021 32.5% 130.2% 29.3% 2.51%
2020 30.3% 128.4% 33.2% 2.86%
2019 23.9% 109.5% 32.4% 2.58%
2018 26.9% 115% 32.2% 2.59%
2017 29.8% 143.6% 36.6% 2.83%
2016 30.7% 136.5% 39.4% 3%
2015 31.4% 131.9% 38.7% 2.95%
2014 29% 122% 34.1% 3.23%
2013 30.8% 118.6% 33.6% 2.21%
2012 30.6% 109.4% 31% 2.1%
2011 27.7% 98.7% 29.7% 2.13%
2010 29.7% 96% 36.2% 1.11%
2009 29.5% 88.5% 34.8% 1.11%
2008 28.1% 72.6% 27.2% 0.94%
2007 27.8% 69% 29.3% 0.68%
2006 27.2% 69.8% 28% 0.59%
2005 28.7% 68.2% 29.1% 0%
2004 28.5% 66.5% 33.2% 0%
2003 29.8% 66.6% 30.9% 0%
2002 31% 66.1% 41.4% 0%
2001 22% 62.6% 35.5% 0%
2000 20.8% 56.6% 37.5% 0%
1999 19.7% 50.1% 44.1% 0%
1998 19% 50.5% 45.4% 0%
1997 21.5% 56.9% 39% 0%
1996 20.5% 56.1% 36.9% 0%
1995 18.6% 55.9% 44% 0%
1994 17% 55% 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 (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Barbados' government spending was $2.26B, accounting for 30.2% of its GDP, while Brunei spent $4.57B, or 29.8% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 106.3% in Barbados and 2.29% in Brunei, ranking 18/185 and 185/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Barbados

Brunei
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Barbados Brunei
2024 -0.89% -10.2%
2023 -1.71% -10.9%
2022 -1.96% 2.53%
2021 -4.65% -8.16%
2020 -4.16% -15.8%
2019 3.08% -3.69%
2018 -0.34% -3.59%
2017 -3.89% -10.4%
2016 -4.88% -21.7%
2015 -8.16% -14.5%
2014 -6.57% 3.58%
2013 -8.98% 13%
2012 -7.07% 15.8%
2011 -3.63% 25.6%
2010 -7.55% 7.61%
2009 -6.56% 3.61%
2008 -4.1% 36.1%
2007 -4.34% 3.12%
2006 -3.41% 19.8%
2005 -3.03% 16%
2004 -2.97% 8.57%
2003 -3.08% 8.06%
2002 -5.28% -4.61%
2001 4.07% 2.59%
2000 4.94% 6.86%
1999 5.39% -18.3%
1998 6.03% -24%
1997 5.64% -11.8%
1996 3.76% -8.7%
1995 6.22% -19.8%
1994 6.72% -22.6%
1993 - -12.8%
1992 - -8.28%
1991 - -1.06%
1990 - -1.63%

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

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

In 2024, Barbados' government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $66.8M, equivalent to 0.89% of GDP. This compares to Brunei's deficit of $1.56B, or 10.2% of GDP.

Over the past 31 years, Barbados recorded a fiscal deficit in 22 of those years, while Brunei ran a deficit in 16 years. On average, Barbados posted an annual deficit equal to 1.66% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.15% of GDP for Brunei.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Barbados

Brunei
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Barbados Brunei
2024 -0.44% -0.39%
2023 9.79% 0.36%
2022 - 3.68%
2021 - 1.73%
2020 - 1.94%
2019 4.1% -0.39%
2018 3.67% 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 (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Over the past 28 years, Barbados has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 3.63%, compared with 0.5% in Brunei. In 2024, inflation was -0.44% in Barbados and -0.39% in Brunei.

Balance of trade

Barbados Brunei
Current account balance
-$296M
2017
$2.23B
2024
Current account balance ranking
100/190
2017
45/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-5.22%
2017
+14.5%
2024
Goods imports
$1.53B
2017
$7.36B
2024
Goods exports
$705M
2017
$11.1B
2024
Service imports
$687M
2017
$1.75B
2024
Service exports
$1.52B
2017
$410M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP n/a
58.3%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
14.5%
2025
74.3%
2024

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 2026-03-09).

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
75.5%
2024
39%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
12.4%
2024
61.7%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.58%
2024
1.17%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$7.1B
2024
$16.7B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$23,850
2024
$92,750
2024
Total reserves including gold
$1.65B
2024
$4.41B
2024
Total reserves ranking
131/177
2024
105/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$208M
2017
-$29.1M
2024
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
27.9%
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/barbados/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. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  6. 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.