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Economy of Brunei vs Cambodia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Brunei has a GDP of $15.3B compared to $46.4B for Cambodia, ranking 142/197 and 97/197 by economy size, respectively.

Brunei has $351M in government debt (2.29% of GDP), compared to $12B (25.9% of GDP) in Cambodia.

Brunei vs Cambodia GDP by year

Brunei
Cambodia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Brunei Cambodia
2024 $15,340,808,592 $46,352,647,037
2023 $15,095,084,656 $42,335,646,896
2022 $16,681,536,467 $39,994,532,960
2021 $14,006,496,617 $36,790,163,687
2020 $12,005,799,654 $34,818,073,901
2019 $13,469,235,365 $36,685,356,408
2018 $13,566,908,391 $33,145,892,169
2017 $12,128,168,045 $29,355,665,910
2016 $11,400,266,045 $26,556,545,153
2015 $12,930,296,870 $24,174,170,369
2014 $17,097,797,386 $22,041,463,968
2013 $18,094,148,099 $19,807,135,253
2012 $19,048,443,341 $17,826,536,700
2011 $18,524,791,063 $16,032,622,024
2010 $13,707,121,038 $13,808,673,288
2009 $11,912,904,510 $12,502,901,170
2008 $15,926,456,515 $12,174,303,999
2007 $13,432,029,484 $10,127,916,460
2006 $12,644,616,419 $8,350,531,017
2005 $10,547,202,621 $7,066,296,463
2004 $8,619,178,774 $5,883,297,160
2003 $7,167,725,262 $5,046,693,484
2002 $6,333,082,876 $4,501,227,627
2001 $6,096,155,767 $4,145,665,970
2000 $6,570,999,088 $3,694,168,979
1999 $6,309,070,378 $3,517,242,477
1998 $5,550,846,020 $3,120,425,503
1997 $7,793,034,376 $3,443,413,389
1996 $7,663,377,306 $3,506,695,720
1995 $7,700,144,069 $3,441,205,693
1994 $6,467,782,518 $2,791,435,272
1993 $6,203,339,912 $2,533,727,592
1992 $6,327,966,435 $2,491,486,594
1991 $6,284,497,294 $2,054,974,089
1990 $6,039,881,087 $1,402,541,177
1989 $4,983,622,881 $1,353,137,648
1988 $4,535,130,305 $1,662,877,859
1987 $4,918,010,080 $1,036,974,910
1986 $4,190,280,003 $1,167,630,318
1985 $6,967,623,884 $1,102,669,184
1984 $7,632,788,075 $1,021,176,059
1983 $7,927,590,750 $939,291,262
1982 $8,932,198,186 $865,516,040
1981 $9,367,218,664 $815,153,652
1980 $10,795,432,294 $744,384,130
1979 $6,044,367,628 $723,738,503
1978 $4,100,423,674 $766,642,356
1977 $3,681,242,528 $716,261,764
1976 $3,054,765,590 $790,357,255
1975 $2,496,420,258 $749,129,748
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 (1965–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

GDP per capita in Brunei vs Cambodia by year

Brunei
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Cambodia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Brunei Cambodia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $33,153 $89,879 $2,628 $7,967
2023 $32,891 $85,033 $2,430 $7,431
2022 $36,633 $81,802 $2,325 $6,919
2021 $31,007 $78,249 $2,167 $6,226
2020 $26,834 $69,788 $2,082 $5,942
2019 $30,427 $69,354 $2,226 $6,154
2018 $30,988 $65,149 $2,037 $5,617
2017 $28,024 $61,658 $1,826 $5,050
2016 $26,663 $56,680 $1,675 $4,748
2015 $30,625 $62,708 $1,547 $4,434
2014 $41,027 $81,226 $1,432 $4,118
2013 $44,003 $83,237 $1,306 $3,891
2012 $46,969 $87,256 $1,193 $3,583
2011 $46,383 $82,735 $1,089 $3,223
2010 $34,938 $79,543 $952 $2,989
2009 $30,946 $77,957 $876 $2,854
2008 $42,157 $80,477 $866 $2,769
2007 $36,217 $83,693 $732 $2,566
2006 $34,675 $86,114 $612 $2,297
2005 $29,386 $81,534 $526 $2,038
2004 $24,423 $80,404 $444 $1,770
2003 $20,678 $79,632 $387 $1,598
2002 $18,621 $76,838 $350 $1,442
2001 $18,288 $74,254 $328 $1,357
2000 $20,130 $73,087 $296.4 $1,256
1999 $19,752 $70,585 $286.8 $1,134
1998 $17,769 $68,257 $258.8 $1,009
1997 $25,522 $73,980 $297.6 $994
1996 $25,692 $70,008 $325 $1,006
1995 $26,443 $70,440 $343 $1,006
1994 $22,767 $69,779 $302 $972
1993 $22,397 $69,387 $294.1 $1,565
1992 $23,451 $70,016 $307 $1,560
1991 $23,932 $72,610 $267.3 $1,504
1990 $23,659 $70,201 $190.2 $1,410
1989 $20,090 - $191.3 -
1988 $18,825 - $244.1 -
1987 $21,030 - $158.1 -
1986 $18,501 - $185.8 -
1985 $31,827 - $182.4 -
1984 $36,061 - $174.7 -
1983 $38,720 - $166.7 -
1982 $45,075 - $159.2 -
1981 $48,793 - $154.3 -
1980 $58,005 - $143.2 -
1979 $33,501 - $142.2 -
1978 $23,447 - $147.1 -
1977 $21,747 - $126.4 -
1976 $18,671 - $128.8 -
1975 $15,793 - $113.8 -
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 (1965–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Brunei's GDP per capita is $33,153, ranking 36/197, compared to $2,628 in Cambodia, ranking 145/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Brunei ranks 9th at $89,879, while Cambodia ranks 142nd at $7,967.

Economic indicators

Brunei Cambodia
Gross domestic product
$15.3B
2024
$46.4B
2024
GDP rank
142/197
2024
97/197
2024
GDP growth
4.05%
2023-2024
5.98%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$33,153
2024
$2,628
2024
GDP per capita rank
36/197
2024
145/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$89,879
2024
$7,967
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
9/197
2024
142/197
2024
Government debt
$351M
2024
$12B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
2.29%
2024
25.9%
2024
Government debt per person
$759
2024
$681
2024
Government debt per person rank
153/185
2024
156/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$24,405
2026
$2,258
2026
Government expenditure, % of GDP
29.8%
2024
17.3%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
-0.39%
2023-2024
0.9%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
4.87%
2024
0.26%
2023
Population
470884
18113986

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Brunei
Spending

Debt
Cambodia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Brunei Cambodia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 29.8% 2.29% 17.3% 25.9%
2023 29.4% 2.33% 19.1% 26.3%
2022 26.4% 2.06% 18.7% 25.5%
2021 29.3% 2.51% 21% 25.9%
2020 33.2% 2.86% 20.3% 25.2%
2019 32.4% 2.58% 17.6% 20.8%
2018 32.2% 2.59% 16.1% 21.1%
2017 36.6% 2.83% 16.2% 22.6%
2016 39.4% 3% 15.2% 21.8%
2015 38.7% 2.95% 14.5% 23.3%
2014 34.1% 3.23% 16.5% 24.2%
2013 33.6% 2.21% 16.4% 24.4%
2012 31% 2.1% 17.1% 24.9%
2011 29.7% 2.13% 16.5% 23.8%
2010 36.2% 1.11% 17% 23.4%
2009 34.8% 1.11% 17% 23.7%
2008 27.2% 0.94% 13.1% 23%
2007 29.3% 0.68% 12.3% 25.1%
2006 28% 0.59% 11.3% 26.7%
2005 29.1% 0% 11% 31.7%
2004 33.2% 0% 12.6% 38.7%
2003 30.9% 0% 14.5% 39.8%
2002 41.4% 0% 16.1% 37.8%
2001 35.5% 0% 14.5% 33.5%
2000 37.5% 0% 14.9% 34.9%
1999 44.1% 0% 13.8% 34.6%
1998 45.4% 0% 13.4% 37.2%
1997 39% 0% 12.4% 31.4%
1996 36.9% 0% 15.7% 30.1%
1995 44% 0% - -
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 (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Brunei's government spending was $4.57B, accounting for 29.8% of its GDP, while Cambodia spent $8B, or 17.3% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 2.29% in Brunei and 25.9% in Cambodia, ranking 185/185 and 164/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Brunei

Cambodia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Brunei Cambodia
2024 -10.2% -2.67%
2023 -10.9% -2.83%
2022 2.53% -0.29%
2021 -8.16% -5.18%
2020 -15.8% -2.53%
2019 -3.69% 2.19%
2018 -3.59% 0.28%
2017 -10.4% -0.76%
2016 -21.7% -0.29%
2015 -14.5% -0.65%
2014 3.58% -1.24%
2013 13% -2.01%
2012 15.8% -3.57%
2011 25.6% -3.76%
2010 7.61% -3.09%
2009 3.61% -3.98%
2008 36.1% 0.43%
2007 3.12% 0.62%
2006 19.8% -0.15%
2005 16% -0.34%
2004 8.57% -3.23%
2003 8.06% -5.69%
2002 -4.61% -6.07%
2001 2.59% -4.95%
2000 6.86% -4.76%
1999 -18.3% -3.79%
1998 -24% -5.35%
1997 -11.8% -3.7%
1996 -8.7% -7.53%
1995 -19.8% -
1994 -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/brunei/cambodia | CC BY

In 2024, Brunei's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $1.56B, equivalent to 10.2% of GDP. This compares to Cambodia's deficit of $1.24B, or 2.67% of GDP.

Over the past 29 years, Brunei recorded a fiscal deficit in 14 of those years, while Cambodia ran a deficit in 25 years. On average, Brunei posted an annual surplus equal to 0.23% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.58% of GDP for Cambodia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Brunei

Cambodia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Brunei Cambodia
2024 -0.39% 0.9%
2023 0.36% 2.1%
2022 3.68% 5.3%
2021 1.73% 2.9%
2020 1.94% 2.9%
2019 -0.39% 2%
2018 1.03% 2.4%
2017 -1.26% 2.9%
2016 -0.28% 3%
2015 -0.49% 1.2%
2014 -0.21% 3.9%
2013 0.39% 2.9%
2012 0.11% 2.9%
2011 0.14% 5.5%
2010 0.36% 4%
2009 1.04% -0.7%
2008 2.08% 25%
2007 0.97% 7.7%
2006 0.16% 6.1%
2005 1.24% 6.3%
2004 0.81% 3.9%
2003 0.3% 1%
2002 -2.31% 0%
2001 0.6% -0.1%
2000 1.56% -0.8%
1999 -0.42% 2%
1998 -0.44% 12.9%
1997 1.71% 10.5%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Over the past 28 years, Brunei has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 0.5%, compared with 4.24% in Cambodia. In 2024, inflation was -0.39% in Brunei and 0.9% in Cambodia.

Top exports between countries

Brunei
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $27M
Raw agricultural goods $40K
Wood & paper products $12K
Textiles & consumer goods $9K
Miscellaneous $7K
Machinery & equipment $1K
Metals $1K
Cambodia
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $7.8M
Raw materials & minerals $95K
Machinery & equipment $25K
Miscellaneous $12K
Textiles & consumer goods $7K

Balance of trade

Brunei Cambodia
Current account balance
$2.23B
2024
$228M
2024
Current account balance ranking
45/190
2024
65/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+14.5%
2024
+0.49%
2024
Goods imports
$7.36B
2024
$31.2B
2024
Goods exports
$11.1B
2024
$26.8B
2024
Service imports
$1.75B
2024
$3.08B
2024
Service exports
$410M
2024
$4.97B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
58.3%
2024
72.1%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
74.3%
2024
71.4%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Brunei Cambodia
Economic freedom 67.5 58.7
Economic freedom ranking 55/197 108/197
Property rights 66.1 38.1
Government integrity 60.4 18.9
Judicial effectiveness 48.6 21.2
Tax burden 95 90.3
Government spending 75.6 89.9
Fiscal health 39 92.7
Business freedom 75.3 60.8
Labor freedom 75.1 48.3
Monetary freedom 74.8 77
Trade freedom 84.6 67.8
Investment freedom 65 50
Financial freedom 50 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Brunei
Cambodia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Brunei Cambodia
2026 67.5 58.7
2025 67 58.2
2024 65.9 55.6
2023 65.7 56.5
2022 64.8 57.1
2021 66.6 57.3
2020 66.6 57.3
2019 65.1 57.8
2018 64.2 58.7
2017 69.8 59.5
2016 67.3 57.9
2015 68.9 57.5
2014 69 57.4
2013 - 58.5
2012 - 57.6
2011 - 57.9
2010 - 56.6
2009 - 56.6
2008 - 55.9
2007 - 55.9
2006 - 56.7
2005 - 60
2004 - 61.1
2003 - 63.7
2002 - 60.7
2001 - 59.6
2000 - 59.3
1999 - 59.9
1998 - 59.8
1997 - 52.8

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1997–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Brunei is 67.5, ranking 55/197, compared to 58.7 for Cambodia, ranking 108/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Brunei Cambodia
Services, % of GDP
39%
2024
35.6%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
61.7%
2024
41.8%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.17%
2024
16.6%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$16.7B
2024
$44.9B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$92,750
2024
$7,910
2024
Total reserves including gold
$4.41B
2024
$22.5B
2024
Total reserves ranking
105/177
2024
58/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$29.1M
2024
-$4.22B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$29.1M
2024
$4.39B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$172M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
7.41%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines n/a
17.7%
2012
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
27.9%
2024
32.2%
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/brunei/cambodia | 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 (1997–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. TradeMap (2022–2024, 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.

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.