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Economy of Brunei vs Cameroon compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Brunei has a GDP of $15B compared to $58.9B for Cameroon, ranking 147/197 and 92/197 by economy size, respectively.

Brunei has $232M in government debt (1.54% of GDP), compared to $23.8B (40.4% of GDP) in Cameroon.

Brunei vs Cameroon GDP by year

Brunei
Cameroon
1x
Year GDP, current $
Brunei Cameroon
2025 $15,031,980,994 $58,933,453,924
2024 $15,340,808,592 $53,296,694,320
2023 $15,095,084,656 $48,814,501,547
2022 $16,681,536,467 $44,347,206,073
2021 $14,006,496,617 $45,011,937,347
2020 $12,005,799,654 $40,773,241,177
2019 $13,469,235,365 $39,667,757,528
2018 $13,566,908,391 $39,955,552,190
2017 $12,128,168,045 $36,098,547,033
2016 $11,400,266,045 $33,814,337,044
2015 $12,930,296,870 $32,210,233,020
2014 $17,097,797,386 $36,386,544,706
2013 $18,094,148,099 $33,728,621,180
2012 $19,048,443,341 $30,155,062,329
2011 $18,524,791,063 $30,630,910,495
2010 $13,707,121,038 $27,507,501,821
2009 $11,912,904,510 $27,932,970,317
2008 $15,926,456,515 $27,715,142,033
2007 $13,432,029,484 $23,928,250,433
2006 $12,644,616,419 $20,910,512,975
2005 $10,547,202,621 $19,509,852,207
2004 $8,619,178,774 $18,826,214,136
2003 $7,167,725,262 $15,970,315,035
2002 $6,333,082,876 $12,417,251,350
2001 $6,096,155,767 $10,953,485,349
2000 $6,570,999,088 $10,566,579,295
1999 $6,309,070,378 $11,565,826,465
1998 $5,550,846,020 $11,298,144,990
1997 $7,793,034,376 $10,789,458,433
1996 $7,663,377,306 $11,093,538,846
1995 $7,700,144,069 $10,864,772,471
1994 $6,467,782,518 $8,902,446,252
1993 $6,203,339,912 $16,181,814,713
1992 $6,327,966,435 $12,071,775,335
1991 $6,284,497,294 $11,840,192,296
1990 $6,039,881,087 $12,314,482,628
1989 $4,983,622,881 $11,012,566,195
1988 $4,535,130,305 $12,236,057,362
1987 $4,918,010,080 $13,049,659,981
1986 $4,190,280,003 $11,857,056,199
1985 $6,967,623,884 $8,544,810,498
1984 $7,632,788,075 $7,311,938,026
1983 $7,927,590,750 $6,870,200,010
1982 $8,932,198,186 $6,611,255,964
1981 $9,367,218,664 $6,610,938,617
1980 $10,795,432,294 $6,674,569,047
1979 $6,044,367,628 $5,919,002,983
1978 $4,100,423,674 $4,662,852,583
1977 $3,681,242,528 $3,394,664,024
1976 $3,054,765,590 $2,898,090,002
1975 $2,496,420,258 $2,857,037,371
1974 $2,319,576,214 $2,157,415,533
1973 $433,095,527 $1,901,393,361
1972 $270,822,782 $1,498,251,890
1971 $197,525,768 $1,236,941,394
1970 $179,078,929 $1,151,216,993
1969 $161,210,236 $1,100,551,489
1968 $160,818,236 $1,046,191,218
1967 $139,029,537 $936,175,260
1966 $132,757,528 $851,112,535
1965 $114,039,501 $814,083,266
1964 - $776,650,177
1963 - $718,320,845
1962 - $694,247,864
1961 - $652,777,608
1960 - $614,206,068

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

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

GDP per capita in Brunei vs Cameroon by year

Brunei
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Cameroon
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Brunei Cameroon
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $32,235 - $1,972 -
2024 $33,153 $89,879 $1,830 $5,589
2023 $32,891 $85,033 $1,720 $5,411
2022 $36,633 $81,802 $1,605 $5,189
2021 $31,007 $78,249 $1,672 $4,794
2020 $26,834 $69,788 $1,556 $4,365
2019 $30,427 $69,354 $1,555 $4,241
2018 $30,988 $65,149 $1,611 $4,011
2017 $28,024 $61,658 $1,496 $3,767
2016 $26,663 $56,680 $1,442 $3,627
2015 $30,625 $62,708 $1,415 $3,498
2014 $41,027 $81,226 $1,649 $3,422
2013 $44,003 $83,237 $1,576 $3,239
2012 $46,969 $87,256 $1,449 $3,060
2011 $46,383 $82,735 $1,514 $2,989
2010 $34,938 $79,543 $1,399 $2,914
2009 $30,946 $77,957 $1,461 $2,879
2008 $42,157 $80,477 $1,492 $2,870
2007 $36,217 $83,693 $1,326 $2,818
2006 $34,675 $86,114 $1,191 $2,704
2005 $29,386 $81,534 $1,143 $2,598
2004 $24,423 $80,404 $1,133 $2,533
2003 $20,678 $79,632 $988 $2,368
2002 $18,621 $76,838 $790 $2,263
2001 $18,288 $74,254 $715 $2,191
2000 $20,130 $73,087 $709 $2,108
1999 $19,752 $70,585 $796 $2,039
1998 $17,769 $68,257 $799 $1,975
1997 $25,522 $73,980 $783 $1,915
1996 $25,692 $70,008 $827 $1,850
1995 $26,443 $70,440 $832 $1,790
1994 $22,767 $69,779 $701 $1,752
1993 $22,397 $69,387 $1,310 $1,731
1992 $23,451 $70,016 $1,005 $1,890
1991 $23,932 $72,610 $1,015 $1,963
1990 $23,659 $70,201 $1,087 $2,032
1989 $20,090 - $1,001 -
1988 $18,825 - $1,145 -
1987 $21,030 - $1,258 -
1986 $18,501 - $1,179 -
1985 $31,827 - $875 -
1984 $36,061 - $772 -
1983 $38,720 - $746 -
1982 $45,075 - $732 -
1981 $48,793 - $750 -
1980 $58,005 - $784 -
1979 $33,501 - $718 -
1978 $23,447 - $582 -
1977 $21,747 - $435 -
1976 $18,671 - $381 -
1975 $15,793 - $386 -
1974 $15,195 - $299.9 -
1973 $2,939 - $271.8 -
1972 $1,905 - $220.1 -
1971 $1,432 - $186.7 -
1970 $1,325 - $178.5 -
1969 $1,226 - $175.2 -
1968 $1,274 - $170.8 -
1967 $1,149 - $156.6 -
1966 $1,146 - $145.8 -
1965 $1,029 - $142.7 -
1964 - - $139.2 -
1963 - - $131.6 -
1962 - - $130 -
1961 - - $124.6 -
1960 - - $119.1 -

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

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

Brunei's GDP per capita is $32,235, ranking 42/197, compared to $1,972 in Cameroon, ranking 159/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Brunei ranks 9th at $89,879, while Cameroon ranks 156th at $5,589.

Economic indicators

Brunei Cameroon
Gross domestic product
$15B
2025
$58.9B
2025
GDP rank
147/197
2025
92/197
2025
GDP growth
0.67%
2024-2025
3.2%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$32,235
2025
$1,972
2025
GDP per capita rank
42/197
2025
159/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$89,879
2024
$5,589
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
9/197
2024
156/197
2024
Government debt
$232M
2025
$23.8B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
1.54%
2025
40.4%
2025
Government debt per person
$498
2025
$796
2025
Government debt per person rank
169/185
2025
151/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$25,392
2026
$1,941
2026
Income share by richest 10% n/a
31.1%
2021
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
2.1%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
29.9%
2025
16.3%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
-0.3%
2024-2025
3.4%
2024-2025
Unemployment rate
4.87%
2024
3.28%
2021
Population
471596
31045453

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Brunei
Spending

Debt
Cameroon
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Brunei Cameroon
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 29.9% 1.54% 16.3% 40.4%
2024 30.3% 1.57% 17.1% 43.4%
2023 30.1% 1.67% 17.3% 43.6%
2022 26.1% 1.33% 17.1% 45.6%
2021 30.1% 1.43% 17% 47.2%
2020 32.8% 2.16% 16.8% 44.9%
2019 32.1% 1.82% 19.1% 41.6%
2018 32.9% 1.9% 17.8% 38.3%
2017 36.6% 2.58% 18.2% 36.5%
2016 39.8% 3% 20.1% 32.1%
2015 37% 2.95% 17.9% 31.6%
2014 34% 3.23% 19.5% 20.7%
2013 33.4% 2.21% 19.2% 17.5%
2012 31.1% 2.1% 17% 14.9%
2011 29.9% 2.13% 17.1% 15.9%
2010 25.5% 1.11% 14.8% 14%
2009 34.8% 1.11% 14.7% 11.3%
2008 27.2% 0.94% 15.9% 11.2%
2007 29.3% 0.68% 13.5% 13.8%
2006 28% 0.59% 12% 18.4%
2005 29.1% 0% 11.4% 43.8%
2004 33.2% 0% 10.7% 51.7%
2003 30.9% 0% 10.6% 51.5%
2002 41.4% 0% 14% 56.6%
2001 35.5% 0% 14.4% 62.2%
2000 37.5% 0% 14.4% 75.9%
1999 44.1% 0% - 68.4%
1998 45.4% 0% - 67.8%
1997 39% 0% - -
1996 36.9% 0% - -
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 (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Brunei's government spending was $4.5B, accounting for 29.9% of its GDP, while Cameroon spent $9.58B, or 16.3% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 1.54% in Brunei and 40.4% in Cameroon, ranking 185/185 and 133/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Brunei

Cameroon
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Brunei Cameroon
2025 -13.4% -2.01%
2024 -12.9% -1.51%
2023 -8.62% -0.64%
2022 -0.25% -1.11%
2021 -8.34% -2.88%
2020 -16.2% -3.52%
2019 -4.16% -3.65%
2018 -2.9% -2.3%
2017 -13.8% -3.68%
2016 -16.7% -5.79%
2015 -11.4% -2.86%
2014 1.25% -3.36%
2013 10.4% -3.54%
2012 19.5% -1.22%
2011 21.5% -1.55%
2010 11.3% -0.57%
2009 3.61% -0.05%
2008 36.1% 1.94%
2007 3.12% 3.66%
2006 19.8% 6.34%
2005 16% 3.43%
2004 8.57% 2.07%
2003 8.06% 3.51%
2002 -4.61% 1.59%
2001 2.59% 1.2%
2000 6.86% 2.06%
1999 -18.3% -
1998 -24% -
1997 -11.8% -
1996 -8.7% -
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 (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/brunei/cameroon | 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 Cameroon's deficit of $1.18B, or 2.01% of GDP.

Over the past 26 years, Brunei recorded a fiscal deficit in 12 of those years, while Cameroon ran a deficit in 17 years. On average, Brunei posted an annual surplus equal to 2.13% of GDP, compared to deficit of 0.56% of GDP for Cameroon.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Brunei

Cameroon
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Brunei Cameroon
2025 -0.3% 3.4%
2024 -0.39% 4.53%
2023 0.36% 7.38%
2022 3.68% 6.25%
2021 1.73% 2.27%
2020 1.94% 2.44%
2019 -0.39% 2.45%
2018 1.03% 1.07%
2017 -1.26% 0.64%
2016 -0.28% 0.87%
2015 -0.49% 2.68%
2014 -0.21% 1.85%
2013 0.39% 2.05%
2012 0.11% 2.74%
2011 0.14% 2.94%
2010 0.36% 1.28%
2009 1.04% 3.04%
2008 2.08% 5.34%
2007 0.97% 0.92%
2006 0.16% 5.12%
2005 1.24% 2.01%
2004 0.81% 0.23%
2003 0.3% 0.62%
2002 -2.31% 2.83%
2001 0.6% 4.42%
2000 1.56% 1.23%
1999 -0.42% 1.87%
1998 -0.44% 3.17%
1997 1.71% 4.79%

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

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

Over the past 29 years, Brunei has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 0.47%, compared with 2.77% in Cameroon. In 2025, inflation was -0.3% in Brunei and 3.4% in Cameroon.

Balance of trade

Brunei Cameroon
Current account balance
$2.71B
2025
-$1.75B
2024
Current account balance ranking
40/190
2025
134/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+18%
2025
-3.28%
2024
Goods imports
$6.28B
2025
$7.77B
2024
Goods exports
$10.3B
2025
$6.79B
2024
Service imports
$1.54B
2025
$2.4B
2024
Service exports
$463M
2025
$1.81B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
52%
2025
20.3%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
71.6%
2025
13.1%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Brunei Cameroon
Economic freedom 67.5 52
Economic freedom ranking 55/197 151/197
Property rights 66.1 28.1
Government integrity 60.4 21
Judicial effectiveness 48.6 10.1
Tax burden 95 72.2
Government spending 75.6 91.4
Fiscal health 39 94.5
Business freedom 75.3 48.6
Labor freedom 75.1 45.6
Monetary freedom 74.8 75.3
Trade freedom 84.6 57.2
Investment freedom 65 30
Financial freedom 50 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Brunei
Cameroon
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Brunei Cameroon
2026 67.5 52
2025 67 52.1
2024 65.9 53.6
2023 65.7 51.9
2022 64.8 52.9
2021 66.6 53.4
2020 66.6 53.6
2019 65.1 52.4
2018 64.2 51.9
2017 69.8 51.8
2016 67.3 54.2
2015 68.9 51.9
2014 69 52.6
2013 - 52.3
2012 - 51.8
2011 - 51.8
2010 - 52.3
2009 - 53
2008 - 54.3
2007 - 55.6
2006 - 54.6
2005 - 53
2004 - 52.3
2003 - 52.7
2002 - 52.8
2001 - 53.3
2000 - 49.9
1999 - 50.3
1998 - 48
1997 - 44.6
1996 - 45.7
1995 - 51.3

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Brunei is 67.5, ranking 55/197, compared to 52 for Cameroon, ranking 151/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Brunei Cameroon
Services, % of GDP
40.2%
2025
50.4%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
60%
2025
24.8%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.18%
2025
16.8%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$16.2B
2025
$55.4B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$95,420
2025
$5,700
2025
Total reserves including gold
$5.49B
2025
$5.06B
2024
Total reserves ranking
100/177
2025
105/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$157M
2025
-$825M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$29.1M
2024
$888M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$63.4M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
3.21%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines n/a
37.7%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
27.1%
2025
19.3%
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/cameroon | CC BY

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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 (1995–2026, 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.

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.