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Economy of Brunei vs Bulgaria compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Brunei has a GDP of $15B compared to $131B for Bulgaria, ranking 147/197 and 63/197 by economy size, respectively.

Brunei has $232M in government debt (1.54% of GDP), compared to $35.4B (27.1% of GDP) in Bulgaria.

Brunei vs Bulgaria GDP by year

Brunei
Bulgaria
1x
Year GDP, current $
Brunei Bulgaria
2025 $15,031,980,994 $130,777,235,530
2024 $15,340,808,592 $113,349,149,167
2023 $15,095,084,656 $102,204,457,335
2022 $16,681,536,467 $90,510,784,778
2021 $14,006,496,617 $84,378,926,047
2020 $12,005,799,654 $70,490,478,088
2019 $13,469,235,365 $68,511,235,459
2018 $13,566,908,391 $66,100,606,677
2017 $12,128,168,045 $59,170,671,046
2016 $11,400,266,045 $53,932,152,154
2015 $12,930,296,870 $50,768,512,173
2014 $17,097,797,386 $57,083,817,240
2013 $18,094,148,099 $55,822,115,861
2012 $19,048,443,341 $54,299,825,600
2011 $18,524,791,063 $57,684,243,980
2010 $13,707,121,038 $50,691,645,231
2009 $11,912,904,510 $52,026,461,290
2008 $15,926,456,515 $54,483,464,293
2007 $13,432,029,484 $44,433,521,725
2006 $12,644,616,419 $34,382,295,487
2005 $10,547,202,621 $29,870,182,425
2004 $8,619,178,774 $26,159,078,743
2003 $7,167,725,262 $21,146,038,619
2002 $6,333,082,876 $16,403,880,783
2001 $6,096,155,767 $14,184,170,319
2000 $6,570,999,088 $13,246,669,554
1999 $6,309,070,378 $13,637,793,854
1998 $5,550,846,020 $15,031,821,788
1997 $7,793,034,376 $11,316,706,412
1996 $7,663,377,306 $12,295,588,924
1995 $7,700,144,069 $18,992,388,645
1994 $6,467,782,518 $9,709,230,161
1993 $6,203,339,912 $10,832,041,595
1992 $6,327,966,435 $8,602,874,120
1991 $6,284,497,294 $7,628,764,750
1990 $6,039,881,087 $20,726,605,649
1989 $4,983,622,881 $21,746,286,447
1988 $4,535,130,305 $23,003,003,708
1987 $4,918,010,080 $28,428,718,531
1986 $4,190,280,003 $20,261,546,635
1985 $6,967,623,884 $17,562,270,447
1984 $7,632,788,075 $17,410,894,971
1983 $7,927,590,750 $16,959,180,922
1982 $8,932,198,186 $19,803,624,625
1981 $9,367,218,664 $20,055,685,481
1980 $10,795,432,294 $20,039,544,133
1979 $6,044,367,628 -
1978 $4,100,423,674 -
1977 $3,681,242,528 -
1976 $3,054,765,590 -
1975 $2,496,420,258 -
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/bulgaria | CC BY

GDP per capita in Brunei vs Bulgaria by year

Brunei
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Bulgaria
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Brunei Bulgaria
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $32,235 - $20,328 -
2024 $33,153 $89,879 $17,597 $41,969
2023 $32,891 $85,033 $15,854 $38,829
2022 $36,633 $81,802 $14,000 $36,320
2021 $31,007 $78,249 $12,967 $30,959
2020 $26,834 $69,788 $10,761 $27,352
2019 $30,427 $69,354 $10,354 $26,766
2018 $30,988 $65,149 $9,850 $23,998
2017 $28,024 $61,658 $8,697 $22,317
2016 $26,663 $56,680 $7,823 $20,746
2015 $30,625 $62,708 $7,269 $18,896
2014 $41,027 $81,226 $8,070 $17,991
2013 $44,003 $83,237 $7,796 $16,894
2012 $46,969 $87,256 $7,432 $16,327
2011 $46,383 $82,735 $7,850 $15,747
2010 $34,938 $79,543 $6,854 $14,954
2009 $30,946 $77,957 $6,989 $14,188
2008 $42,157 $80,477 $7,272 $14,347
2007 $36,217 $83,693 $5,889 $12,822
2006 $34,675 $86,114 $4,523 $11,406
2005 $29,386 $81,534 $3,900 $10,291
2004 $24,423 $80,404 $3,390 $9,200
2003 $20,678 $79,632 $2,720 $8,416
2002 $18,621 $76,838 $2,093 $7,786
2001 $18,288 $74,254 $1,771 $6,960
2000 $20,130 $73,087 $1,621 $6,424
1999 $19,752 $70,585 $1,661 $5,808
1998 $17,769 $68,257 $1,821 $6,178
1997 $25,522 $73,980 $1,361 $5,751
1996 $25,692 $70,008 $1,470 $6,849
1995 $26,443 $70,440 $2,259 $7,743
1994 $22,767 $69,779 $1,150 $7,338
1993 $22,397 $69,387 $1,279 $7,032
1992 $23,451 $70,016 $1,007 $6,917
1991 $23,932 $72,610 $884 $7,215
1990 $23,659 $70,201 $2,377 $7,548
1989 $20,090 - $2,450 -
1988 $18,825 - $2,561 -
1987 $21,030 - $3,169 -
1986 $18,501 - $2,262 -
1985 $31,827 - $1,960 -
1984 $36,061 - $1,943 -
1983 $38,720 - $1,897 -
1982 $45,075 - $2,221 -
1981 $48,793 - $2,256 -
1980 $58,005 - $2,261 -
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/bulgaria | CC BY

Brunei's GDP per capita is $32,235, ranking 42/197, compared to $20,328 in Bulgaria, ranking 58/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Brunei ranks 9th at $89,879, while Bulgaria ranks 54th at $41,969.

Economic indicators

Brunei Bulgaria
Gross domestic product
$15B
2025
$131B
2025
GDP rank
147/197
2025
63/197
2025
GDP growth
0.67%
2024-2025
3.1%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$32,235
2025
$20,328
2025
GDP per capita rank
42/197
2025
58/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$89,879
2024
$41,969
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
9/197
2024
54/197
2024
Government debt
$232M
2025
$35.4B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
1.54%
2025
27.1%
2025
Government debt per person
$498
2025
$5,507
2025
Government debt per person rank
169/185
2025
79/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$25,392
2026
$16,126
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$11.2B
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
2
2026
Income share by richest 10% n/a
31.1%
2023
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
2.1%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
29.9%
2025
38.9%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
-0.3%
2024-2025
3.5%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate n/a
1.81%
2025
Unemployment rate
4.87%
2024
3.5%
2025
Population
471596
6390149

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Brunei
Spending

Debt
Bulgaria
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Brunei Bulgaria
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 29.9% 1.54% 38.9% 27.1%
2024 30.3% 1.57% 36.3% 23.8%
2023 30.1% 1.67% 37.5% 22.9%
2022 26.1% 1.33% 37.6% 22.5%
2021 30.1% 1.43% 38.5% 23.9%
2020 32.8% 2.16% 37.7% 22.7%
2019 32.1% 1.82% 36.1% 18.4%
2018 32.9% 1.9% 34.4% 20.1%
2017 36.6% 2.58% 32% 22.9%
2016 39.8% 3% 32.7% 27%
2015 37% 2.95% 37.3% 25.4%
2014 34% 3.23% 37.1% 26.3%
2013 33.4% 2.21% 35.5% 17.2%
2012 31.1% 2.1% 32.5% 16.5%
2011 29.9% 2.13% 32% 14.3%
2010 25.5% 1.11% 34.6% 14.1%
2009 34.8% 1.11% 33.8% 14.5%
2008 27.2% 0.94% 33.5% 14.7%
2007 29.3% 0.68% 33.1% 17.6%
2006 28% 0.59% 32.5% 22.6%
2005 29.1% 0% 34% 28.5%
2004 33.2% 0% 34.6% 37.8%
2003 30.9% 0% 35.8% 45.4%
2002 41.4% 0% 35.1% 53.4%
2001 35.5% 0% 36.5% 67.1%
2000 37.5% 0% 37.1% 73.3%
1999 44.1% 0% 36.2% 78.7%
1998 45.4% 0% 30.6% 67.3%
1997 39% 0% 32.9% 88.4%
1996 36.9% 0% 44% 113.8%
1995 44% 0% 45.4% 72%
1994 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); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1995–1997, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Brunei's government spending was $4.5B, accounting for 29.9% of its GDP, while Bulgaria spent $50.8B, or 38.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 1.54% in Brunei and 27.1% in Bulgaria, ranking 185/185 and 164/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Brunei

Bulgaria
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Brunei Bulgaria
2025 -13.4% -3.01%
2024 -12.9% -3.01%
2023 -8.62% -3.04%
2022 -0.25% -0.8%
2021 -8.34% -2.8%
2020 -16.2% -2.92%
2019 -4.16% -0.96%
2018 -2.9% 0.12%
2017 -13.8% 0.82%
2016 -16.7% 1.54%
2015 -11.4% -2.77%
2014 1.25% -3.65%
2013 10.4% -1.75%
2012 19.5% -0.43%
2011 21.5% -1.83%
2010 11.3% -3.77%
2009 3.61% -0.86%
2008 36.1% 2.73%
2007 3.12% 3.09%
2006 19.8% 3.22%
2005 16% 2.19%
2004 8.57% 1.59%
2003 8.06% 0.003%
2002 -4.61% -0.61%
2001 2.59% -0.58%
2000 6.86% -0.6%
1999 -18.3% 0.15%
1998 -24% 1.08%
1997 -11.8% 0.83%
1996 -8.7% -10.1%
1995 -19.8% -7.98%
1994 -22.6% -
1993 -12.8% -
1992 -8.28% -
1991 -1.06% -
1990 -1.63% -
1989 - -
1988 - -
1987 - -
1986 - -
1985 - -
1984 - -
1983 - -
1982 - -
1981 - -
1980 - -
1979 - -
1978 - -
1977 - -
1976 - -
1975 - -
1974 - -
1973 - -
1972 - -
1971 - -
1970 - -
1969 - -
1968 - -
1967 - -
1966 - -
1965 - -
1964 - -
1963 - -
1962 - -
1961 - -
1960 - -
1959 - -
1958 - -
1957 - -
1956 - -
1955 - -
1954 - -
1953 - -
1952 - -
1951 - -
1950 - -
1949 - -
1948 - -
1947 - -
1946 - -
1945 - -
1944 - 0%
1943 - 0%
1942 - -0.3%
1941 - 3.96%
1940 - 0.75%
1939 - 0.72%
1938 - 1%
1937 - 1.41%
1936 - 1.17%
1935 - 1.34%
1934 - -0.12%
1933 - -0.56%
1932 - -2.14%
1931 - -3.07%
1930 - -5.48%
1929 - -6.67%
1928 - -1.09%
1927 - -0.02%
1926 - -0.25%
1925 - -0.97%
1924 - 1.26%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1924–1997, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Brunei's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $2.02B, equivalent to 13.4% of GDP. This compares to Bulgaria's deficit of $3.94B, or 3.01% of GDP.

Over the past 31 years, Brunei recorded a fiscal deficit in 17 of those years, while Bulgaria ran a deficit in 19 years. On average, Brunei posted an annual deficit equal to 0.87% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.1% of GDP for Bulgaria.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Brunei

Bulgaria
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Brunei Bulgaria
2025 -0.3% 3.5%
2024 -0.39% 2.6%
2023 0.36% 8.6%
2022 3.68% 13%
2021 1.73% 2.8%
2020 1.94% 1.2%
2019 -0.39% 2.5%
2018 1.03% 2.6%
2017 -1.26% 1.2%
2016 -0.28% -1.3%
2015 -0.49% -1.1%
2014 -0.21% -1.6%
2013 0.39% 0.4%
2012 0.11% 2.4%
2011 0.14% 3.4%
2010 0.36% 3%
2009 1.04% 2.5%
2008 2.08% 12%
2007 0.97% 7.6%
2006 0.16% 7.4%
2005 1.24% 6%
2004 0.81% 6.1%
2003 0.3% 2.3%
2002 -2.31% 5.8%
2001 0.6% 7.4%
2000 1.56% 10.3%
1999 -0.42% 2.6%
1998 -0.44% 18.7%
1997 1.71% 1,061%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 29 years, Brunei has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 0.47%, compared with 41.1% in Bulgaria. In 2025, inflation was -0.3% in Brunei and 3.5% in Bulgaria.

Top exports between countries

Brunei
Export category Export value
Bulgaria
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $22K
Machinery & equipment $7K
Precious metals & jewellery $2K
Metals $1K

Balance of trade

Brunei Bulgaria
Current account balance
$2.71B
2025
-$7.64B
2025
Current account balance ranking
40/190
2025
170/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
+18%
2025
-5.84%
2025
Goods imports
$6.28B
2025
$58.5B
2025
Goods exports
$10.3B
2025
$47.9B
2025
Service imports
$1.54B
2025
$9.42B
2025
Service exports
$463M
2025
$18.6B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
52%
2025
51.8%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
71.6%
2025
50.7%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Brunei Bulgaria
Economic freedom 67.5 68.9
Economic freedom ranking 55/197 44/197
Property rights 66.1 75.8
Government integrity 60.4 48.4
Judicial effectiveness 48.6 58.5
Tax burden 95 89.1
Government spending 75.6 58.4
Fiscal health 39 90.4
Business freedom 75.3 78.2
Labor freedom 75.1 62.4
Monetary freedom 74.8 75.8
Trade freedom 84.6 79.4
Investment freedom 65 60
Financial freedom 50 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Brunei
Bulgaria
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Brunei Bulgaria
2026 67.5 68.9
2025 67 68.8
2024 65.9 68.5
2023 65.7 69.3
2022 64.8 71
2021 66.6 70.4
2020 66.6 70.2
2019 65.1 69
2018 64.2 68.3
2017 69.8 67.9
2016 67.3 65.9
2015 68.9 66.8
2014 69 65.7
2013 - 65
2012 - 64.7
2011 - 64.9
2010 - 62.3
2009 - 64.6
2008 - 63.7
2007 - 62.7
2006 - 64.1
2005 - 62.3
2004 - 59.2
2003 - 57
2002 - 57.1
2001 - 51.9
2000 - 47.3
1999 - 46.2
1998 - 45.7
1997 - 47.6
1996 - 48.6
1995 - 50

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Brunei is 67.5, ranking 55/197, compared to 68.9 for Bulgaria, ranking 44/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Brunei Bulgaria
Services, % of GDP
40.2%
2025
63.3%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
60%
2025
21.2%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.18%
2025
2.47%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$16.2B
2025
$114B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$95,420
2025
$42,170
2025
Total reserves including gold
$5.49B
2025
$47.1B
2025
Total reserves ranking
100/177
2025
51/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$157M
2025
-$3.37B
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$29.1M
2024
$3.05B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$1.21B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
6.8%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines n/a
21.7%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
27.1%
2025
21.7%
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/brunei/bulgaria | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1965–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1924–1997, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. TradeMap (2024–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. 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.

Principal and interest payments to the IMF in currency, goods, or services on long-term debt expressed as a share of GNI.

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.