Brunei ranked 147/197 by economy size with a GDP of $15B and 42/197 by GDP per capita at $32,235. Brunei has $232M in government debt, with a debt-to-GDP ratio of 1.54%.
In 2025, Brunei made up 0.01% of the world's economy, compared to 0.006% in 1965.
Brunei GDP & GDP growth by year
| Year | GDP | GDP growth |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $15,031,980,994 | 0.67% |
| 2024 | $15,340,808,592 | 4.05% |
| 2023 | $15,095,084,656 | 1.13% |
| 2022 | $16,681,536,467 | -1.63% |
| 2021 | $14,006,496,617 | -1.59% |
| 2020 | $12,005,799,654 | 1.13% |
| 2019 | $13,469,235,365 | 3.87% |
| 2018 | $13,566,908,391 | 0.05% |
| 2017 | $12,128,168,045 | 1.33% |
| 2016 | $11,400,266,045 | -2.48% |
| 2015 | $12,930,296,870 | -0.39% |
| 2014 | $17,097,797,386 | -2.51% |
| 2013 | $18,094,148,099 | -2.12% |
| 2012 | $19,048,443,341 | 0.91% |
| 2011 | $18,524,791,063 | 3.74% |
| 2010 | $13,707,121,038 | 2.74% |
| 2009 | $11,912,904,510 | -1.9% |
| 2008 | $15,926,456,515 | -3.9% |
| 2007 | $13,432,029,484 | -3.76% |
| 2006 | $12,644,616,419 | 4.1% |
| 2005 | $10,547,202,621 | -0.004% |
| 2004 | $8,619,178,774 | 0.1% |
| 2003 | $7,167,725,262 | 3.58% |
| 2002 | $6,333,082,876 | 3.96% |
| 2001 | $6,096,155,767 | 1.47% |
| 2000 | $6,570,999,088 | 3.47% |
| 1999 | $6,309,070,378 | 4.26% |
| 1998 | $5,550,846,020 | -6.66% |
| 1997 | $7,793,034,376 | 6.34% |
| 1996 | $7,663,377,306 | -0.03% |
| 1995 | $7,700,144,069 | 1.35% |
| 1994 | $6,467,782,518 | 0.99% |
| 1993 | $6,203,339,912 | -0.63% |
| 1992 | $6,327,966,435 | -3.12% |
| 1991 | $6,284,497,294 | 2.91% |
| 1990 | $6,039,881,087 | 2.64% |
| 1989 | $4,983,622,881 | -2.73% |
| 1988 | $4,535,130,305 | -1.54% |
| 1987 | $4,918,010,080 | 2.08% |
| 1986 | $4,190,280,003 | -5.41% |
| 1985 | $6,967,623,884 | -2.91% |
| 1984 | $7,632,788,075 | -2.38% |
| 1983 | $7,927,590,750 | 0.4% |
| 1982 | $8,932,198,186 | 2.3% |
| 1981 | $9,367,218,664 | -22.4% |
| 1980 | $10,795,432,294 | -9.71% |
| 1979 | $6,044,367,628 | 24.3% |
| 1978 | $4,100,423,674 | 7.02% |
| 1977 | $3,681,242,528 | 9.93% |
| 1976 | $3,054,765,590 | 20.9% |
| 1975 | $2,496,420,258 | -0.65% |
| 1974 | $2,319,576,214 | - |
| 1973 | $433,095,527 | - |
| 1972 | $270,822,782 | - |
| 1971 | $197,525,768 | - |
| 1970 | $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 (1965–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).
GeoRank.org/economy/brunei | CC BY 
Brunei GDP per capita by year
| Year | Current $ | |
|---|---|---|
| GDP per capita | GDP per capita, PPP | |
| 2025 | $32,235 | - |
| 2024 | $33,153 | $89,879 |
| 2023 | $32,891 | $85,033 |
| 2022 | $36,633 | $81,802 |
| 2021 | $31,007 | $78,249 |
| 2020 | $26,834 | $69,788 |
| 2019 | $30,427 | $69,354 |
| 2018 | $30,988 | $65,149 |
| 2017 | $28,024 | $61,658 |
| 2016 | $26,663 | $56,680 |
| 2015 | $30,625 | $62,708 |
| 2014 | $41,027 | $81,226 |
| 2013 | $44,003 | $83,237 |
| 2012 | $46,969 | $87,256 |
| 2011 | $46,383 | $82,735 |
| 2010 | $34,938 | $79,543 |
| 2009 | $30,946 | $77,957 |
| 2008 | $42,157 | $80,477 |
| 2007 | $36,217 | $83,693 |
| 2006 | $34,675 | $86,114 |
| 2005 | $29,386 | $81,534 |
| 2004 | $24,423 | $80,404 |
| 2003 | $20,678 | $79,632 |
| 2002 | $18,621 | $76,838 |
| 2001 | $18,288 | $74,254 |
| 2000 | $20,130 | $73,087 |
| 1999 | $19,752 | $70,585 |
| 1998 | $17,769 | $68,257 |
| 1997 | $25,522 | $73,980 |
| 1996 | $25,692 | $70,008 |
| 1995 | $26,443 | $70,440 |
| 1994 | $22,767 | $69,779 |
| 1993 | $22,397 | $69,387 |
| 1992 | $23,451 | $70,016 |
| 1991 | $23,932 | $72,610 |
| 1990 | $23,659 | $70,201 |
| 1989 | $20,090 | - |
| 1988 | $18,825 | - |
| 1987 | $21,030 | - |
| 1986 | $18,501 | - |
| 1985 | $31,827 | - |
| 1984 | $36,061 | - |
| 1983 | $38,720 | - |
| 1982 | $45,075 | - |
| 1981 | $48,793 | - |
| 1980 | $58,005 | - |
| 1979 | $33,501 | - |
| 1978 | $23,447 | - |
| 1977 | $21,747 | - |
| 1976 | $18,671 | - |
| 1975 | $15,793 | - |
| 1974 | $15,195 | - |
| 1973 | $2,939 | - |
| 1972 | $1,905 | - |
| 1971 | $1,432 | - |
| 1970 | $1,325 | - |
| 1969 | $1,226 | - |
| 1968 | $1,274 | - |
| 1967 | $1,149 | - |
| 1966 | $1,146 | - |
| 1965 | $1,029 | - |
Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1965–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).
GeoRank.org/economy/brunei | CC BY
Brunei has a GDP per capita of $32,235, ranking 42/197, a GDP per capita based on purchasing power parity (PPP) of $89,879, ranking 9/197, and a median annual after tax income of $25,392, ranking 30/197.
Brunei GDP rankings by year
| Year | Rank | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| GDP | GDP per capita | GDP per capita, PPP | |
| 2025 | 138 | 35 | - |
| 2024 | 140 | 36 | 7 |
| 2023 | 141 | 36 | 8 |
| 2022 | 130 | 30 | 8 |
| 2021 | 135 | 35 | 7 |
| 2020 | 137 | 34 | 6 |
| 2019 | 135 | 34 | 9 |
| 2018 | 135 | 34 | 9 |
| 2017 | 137 | 35 | 9 |
| 2016 | 135 | 34 | 10 |
| 2015 | 128 | 31 | 9 |
| 2014 | 123 | 28 | 5 |
| 2013 | 118 | 24 | 4 |
| 2012 | 112 | 22 | 4 |
| 2011 | 111 | 26 | 5 |
| 2010 | 120 | 29 | 4 |
| 2009 | 123 | 30 | 6 |
| 2008 | 110 | 26 | 6 |
| 2007 | 107 | 28 | 6 |
| 2006 | 106 | 27 | 4 |
| 2005 | 107 | 28 | 4 |
| 2004 | 111 | 31 | 3 |
| 2003 | 111 | 31 | 3 |
| 2002 | 109 | 29 | 3 |
| 2001 | 109 | 29 | 3 |
| 2000 | 107 | 29 | 3 |
| 1999 | 106 | 28 | 3 |
| 1998 | 111 | 28 | 3 |
| 1997 | 95 | 18 | 3 |
| 1996 | 94 | 19 | 2 |
| 1995 | 92 | 17 | 2 |
| 1994 | 92 | 17 | 2 |
| 1993 | 92 | 15 | 2 |
| 1992 | 94 | 16 | 2 |
| 1991 | 94 | 13 | 2 |
| 1990 | 94 | 13 | 2 |
| 1989 | 87 | 14 | - |
| 1988 | 90 | 14 | - |
| 1987 | 87 | 11 | - |
| 1986 | 84 | 7 | - |
| 1985 | 71 | 2 | - |
| 1984 | 68 | 2 | - |
| 1983 | 67 | 2 | - |
| 1982 | 62 | 1 | - |
| 1981 | 63 | 1 | - |
| 1980 | 60 | 1 | - |
| 1979 | 67 | 3 | - |
| 1978 | 71 | 3 | - |
| 1977 | 71 | 3 | - |
| 1976 | 72 | 3 | - |
| 1975 | 76 | 3 | - |
| 1974 | 75 | 3 | - |
| 1973 | 108 | 32 | - |
| 1972 | 114 | 33 | - |
| 1971 | 118 | 34 | - |
| 1970 | 118 | 34 | - |
| 1969 | 110 | 28 | - |
| 1968 | 110 | 25 | - |
| 1967 | 108 | 25 | - |
| 1966 | 105 | 25 | - |
| 1965 | 106 | 24 | - |
Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1965–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).
GeoRank.org/economy/brunei | CC BY
Compared with 2000, in 2025 Brunei is ranked 138th out of 179 by GDP (down from 107th), 35th by GDP per capita (down from 29th), and 7th by GDP per capita PPP (down from 3rd).
Economic indicators
Brunei
|
Rank | |
|---|---|---|
| Gross domestic product |
$15B
2025 |
147/197 |
| GDP growth |
0.67%
2024-2025 |
169/194 |
| GDP per capita |
$32,235
2025 |
42/197 |
| GDP per capita, PPP |
$89,879
2024 |
9/197 |
| Government debt |
$232M
2025 |
180/185 |
| Debt-to-GDP ratio |
1.54%
2025 |
185/185 |
| Government debt per person |
$498
2025 |
169/185 |
| Average annual personal income after taxes |
$25,392
2026 |
30/197 |
| Government expenditure, % of GDP |
29.9%
2025 |
97/195 |
| Consumer prices inflation |
-0.3%
2024-2025 |
187/195 |
| Unemployment rate |
4.87%
2024 |
110/196 |
| Population |
471596
|
170/197 |
Government spending, deficit, and debt by year
| Year | % of GDP | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Government spending | Government debt | Government deficit/surplus | |
| 2025 | 29.9% | 1.54% | -13.4% |
| 2024 | 30.3% | 1.57% | -12.9% |
| 2023 | 30.1% | 1.67% | -8.62% |
| 2022 | 26.1% | 1.33% | -0.25% |
| 2021 | 30.1% | 1.43% | -8.34% |
| 2020 | 32.8% | 2.16% | -16.2% |
| 2019 | 32.1% | 1.82% | -4.16% |
| 2018 | 32.9% | 1.9% | -2.9% |
| 2017 | 36.6% | 2.58% | -13.8% |
| 2016 | 39.8% | 3% | -16.7% |
| 2015 | 37% | 2.95% | -11.4% |
| 2014 | 34% | 3.23% | 1.25% |
| 2013 | 33.4% | 2.21% | 10.4% |
| 2012 | 31.1% | 2.1% | 19.5% |
| 2011 | 29.9% | 2.13% | 21.5% |
| 2010 | 25.5% | 1.11% | 11.3% |
| 2009 | 34.8% | 1.11% | 3.61% |
| 2008 | 27.2% | 0.94% | 36.1% |
| 2007 | 29.3% | 0.68% | 3.12% |
| 2006 | 28% | 0.59% | 19.8% |
| 2005 | 29.1% | 0% | 16% |
| 2004 | 33.2% | 0% | 8.57% |
| 2003 | 30.9% | 0% | 8.06% |
| 2002 | 41.4% | 0% | -4.61% |
| 2001 | 35.5% | 0% | 2.59% |
| 2000 | 37.5% | 0% | 6.86% |
| 1999 | 44.1% | 0% | -18.3% |
| 1998 | 45.4% | 0% | -24% |
| 1997 | 39% | 0% | -11.8% |
| 1996 | 36.9% | 0% | -8.7% |
| 1995 | 44% | 0% | -19.8% |
| 1994 | 47.1% | 0% | -22.6% |
| 1993 | 38% | 0% | -12.8% |
| 1992 | 34.1% | 0% | -8.28% |
| 1991 | 30.6% | 0% | -1.06% |
| 1990 | 32% | 0% | -1.63% |
Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).
GeoRank.org/economy/brunei | CC BY
This chart shows Brunei's government spending, budget balance, and debt over time, each expressed as a share of GDP.
Over the past 36 years, Brunei recorded a fiscal deficit in 22 of them, with an average annual deficit equal to 2.04% of GDP. In 2025, government spending reached $4.5B (29.9% of GDP), with a deficit of 13.4%.
The national debt reached $232M, ranking 180th out of 185 countries by total size, with a debt-to-GDP ratio of 1.54%, ranking 185th.
Inflation rate by year
| Year | Inflation |
|---|---|
| 2025 | -0.3% |
| 2024 | -0.39% |
| 2023 | 0.36% |
| 2022 | 3.68% |
| 2021 | 1.73% |
| 2020 | 1.94% |
| 2019 | -0.39% |
| 2018 | 1.03% |
| 2017 | -1.26% |
| 2016 | -0.28% |
| 2015 | -0.49% |
| 2014 | -0.21% |
| 2013 | 0.39% |
| 2012 | 0.11% |
| 2011 | 0.14% |
| 2010 | 0.36% |
| 2009 | 1.04% |
| 2008 | 2.08% |
| 2007 | 0.97% |
| 2006 | 0.16% |
| 2005 | 1.24% |
| 2004 | 0.81% |
| 2003 | 0.3% |
| 2002 | -2.31% |
| 2001 | 0.6% |
| 2000 | 1.56% |
| 1999 | -0.42% |
| 1998 | -0.44% |
| 1997 | 1.71% |
| 1996 | 2% |
| 1995 | 5.97% |
| 1994 | 2.46% |
| 1993 | 4.25% |
| 1992 | 1.28% |
| 1991 | 1.6% |
| 1990 | 2.14% |
| 1989 | 1.3% |
| 1988 | 1.19% |
| 1987 | 1.25% |
| 1986 | 1.78% |
| 1985 | 2.35% |
| 1984 | 3.07% |
| 1983 | 1.17% |
| 1982 | 6.36% |
| 1981 | 9.14% |
Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1981–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).
GeoRank.org/economy/brunei | CC BY
Over the past 20 years, Brunei has had an average annual inflation rate of 0.53%. In 2025, inflation was -0.3%. The bar chart above shows consumer price inflation by year.
Balance of trade
|
Brunei
|
Rank | |
|---|---|---|
|
Current account balance
|
$2.71B
2025 |
40/190 |
| Current account balance, % of GDP |
+18%
2025 |
4/190 |
| Goods imports |
$6.28B
2025 |
128/189 |
| Goods exports |
$10.3B
2025 |
97/189 |
| Service imports |
$1.54B
2025 |
133/189 |
| Service exports |
$463M
2025 |
152/189 |
| Imports of goods and services, % of GDP |
52%
2025 |
73/182 |
| Exports of goods and services, % of GDP |
71.6%
2025 |
25/193 |
Brunei top 10 trading partners
Brunei's biggest trading partner accounting for 17.3% of all exports and imports is Malaysia, with a trade balance between the two of -$1.65B: Brunei exports $803M worth of goods and services to Malaysia and imports $2.46B.
Below is the list of the top 10 trade partners of Brunei.
| Rank | Country | Trade value | Share of total trade | Export to | Import from | Top export to | Top import from |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Malaysia
|
$3.26B | 17.3% | $803M | $2.46B | Raw materials & minerals | Raw materials & minerals |
| 2 |
Australia
|
$2.87B | 15.2% | $2.23B | $641M | Raw materials & minerals | Raw materials & minerals |
| 3 |
China
|
$2.66B | 14.1% | $2.05B | $613M | Chemicals & pharma | Raw materials & minerals |
| 4 |
Singapore
|
$1.71B | 9.08% | $1.46B | $248M | Raw materials & minerals | Machinery & equipment |
| 5 |
Japan
|
$1.6B | 8.51% | $1.53B | $75.6M | Raw materials & minerals | Machinery & equipment |
| 6 |
Russia
|
$826M | 4.38% | $0 | $826M | Animal & marine products | Raw materials & minerals |
| 7 |
Thailand
|
$707M | 3.75% | $602M | $105M | Raw materials & minerals | Raw materials & minerals |
| 8 |
Vietnam
|
$684M | 3.63% | $487M | $197M | Raw materials & minerals | Raw materials & minerals |
| 9 |
Indonesia
|
$634M | 3.36% | $375M | $259M | Raw materials & minerals | Raw materials & minerals |
| 10 |
UAE
|
$581M | 3.08% | $2.18M | $578M | Machinery & equipment | Raw materials & minerals |
Top 10 exports
|
Brunei
|
Rank | |
|---|---|---|
| Raw materials & minerals | $8.87B | 63/193 |
| Chemicals & pharma | $2.05B | 61/193 |
| Transport & tourism services | $348M | 146/191 |
| Machinery & equipment | $241M | 108/193 |
| Metals | $61.4M | 130/192 |
| Business & finance services | $22.5M | 163/189 |
| Government & miscellaneous services | $19.1M | 135/187 |
| IT & IP services | $14.8M | 148/185 |
| Precious metals & jewellery | $7.94M | 136/190 |
| Animal & marine products | $7.77M | 156/192 |
Top 10 imports
|
Brunei
|
Rank | |
|---|---|---|
| Raw materials & minerals | $4.9B | 73/193 |
| Transport & tourism services | $852M | 132/191 |
| Machinery & equipment | $837M | 151/193 |
| Business & finance services | $564M | 119/189 |
| Chemicals & pharma | $293M | 149/193 |
| Processed food, beverages & tobacco | $284M | 147/193 |
| Textiles & consumer goods | $228M | 149/193 |
| Manufacturing & construction services | $213M | 76/170 |
| Miscellaneous | $185M | 74/193 |
| Metals | $184M | 147/193 |
Economic freedom indices
|
Brunei
|
Rank | |
|---|---|---|
| Economic freedom | 67.5 | 55/197 |
| Property rights | 66.1 | 56/182 |
| Government integrity | 60.4 | 46/182 |
| Judicial effectiveness | 48.6 | 83/182 |
| Tax burden | 95 | 12/182 |
| Government spending | 75.6 | 83/180 |
| Fiscal health | 39 | 140/181 |
| Business freedom | 75.3 | 47/182 |
| Labor freedom | 75.1 | 6/182 |
| Monetary freedom | 74.8 | 82/180 |
| Trade freedom | 84.6 | 11/181 |
| Investment freedom | 65 | 50/181 |
| Financial freedom | 50 | 72/181 |
Economic freedom by year
| Year | Index | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economic freedom | Judicial effectiveness | Tax burden | Government spending | Fiscal health | |
| 2026 | 67.5 | 48.6 | 95 | 75.6 | 39 |
| 2025 | 67 | 52.8 | 95 | 75.9 | 51.7 |
| 2024 | 65.9 | 52.3 | 95.8 | 73.7 | 20 |
| 2023 | 65.7 | 61.9 | 96.3 | 70 | 20 |
| 2022 | 64.8 | 51.6 | 90.8 | 68.1 | 20 |
| 2021 | 66.6 | 62.3 | 92.3 | 67.6 | 20 |
| 2020 | 66.6 | 56.8 | 89.8 | 61.5 | 20 |
| 2019 | 65.1 | 56 | 90.7 | 59.9 | 20 |
| 2018 | 64.2 | 57.1 | 85.6 | 57.7 | 20 |
| 2017 | 69.8 | 39.9 | 85.6 | 61.2 | 100 |
| 2016 | 67.3 | - | 87 | 57.3 | - |
| 2015 | 68.9 | - | 87 | 63.6 | - |
| 2014 | 69 | - | 90.2 | 66.1 | - |
Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (2014–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).
GeoRank.org/economy/brunei | CC BY
Brunei is ranked 49/174 for economic freedom with a score of 67.5, compared to 38/176 and a score of 69 in 2014.
Other economic metrics
|
Brunei
|
Rank | |
|---|---|---|
| Services, % of GDP |
40.2%
2025 |
176/191 |
| Industry, % of GDP |
60%
2025 |
3/194 |
| Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP |
1.18%
2025 |
169/193 |
|
GNI, Atlas method
|
$16.2B
2025 |
143/194 |
| GNI per capita, PPP |
$95,420
2025 |
7/191 |
| Total reserves including gold |
$5.49B
2025 |
100/177 |
|
Net foreign direct investment
|
-$157M
2025 |
75/189 |
|
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
|
$29.1M
2024 |
158/193 |
|
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
|
$0
2024 |
138/193 |
|
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
|
27.1%
2025 |
49/179 |
Compare Brunei vs other countries
GDP per capita map
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/brunei | CC BY
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Data sources:
- World Bank | Economy & Growth (1965–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
- International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
- The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (2014–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
- U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
- TradeMap (2024, retrieved 2026-07-08)
- United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
- LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
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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.