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Economy of Brunei vs Congo compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Brunei has a GDP of $15B compared to $16.3B for the Congo, ranking 147/197 and 143/197 by economy size, respectively.

Brunei has $232M in government debt (1.54% of GDP), compared to $15.8B (96.8% of GDP) in the Congo.

Brunei vs Congo GDP by year

Brunei
Congo
1x
Year GDP, current $
Brunei Congo
2025 $15,031,980,994 $16,306,633,779
2024 $15,340,808,592 $15,719,986,077
2023 $15,095,084,656 $15,321,055,823
2022 $16,681,536,467 $15,817,030,155
2021 $14,006,496,617 $14,825,690,211
2020 $12,005,799,654 $11,468,687,464
2019 $13,469,235,365 $13,976,637,780
2018 $13,566,908,391 $14,773,900,289
2017 $12,128,168,045 $11,834,473,039
2016 $11,400,266,045 $10,931,328,151
2015 $12,930,296,870 $12,434,793,867
2014 $17,097,797,386 $17,919,321,078
2013 $18,094,148,099 $17,958,720,699
2012 $19,048,443,341 $17,692,911,296
2011 $18,524,791,063 $15,655,383,577
2010 $13,707,121,038 $13,148,396,212
2009 $11,912,904,510 $9,723,299,915
2008 $15,926,456,515 $11,649,857,673
2007 $13,432,029,484 $8,782,703,437
2006 $12,644,616,419 $8,072,305,029
2005 $10,547,202,621 $6,650,001,680
2004 $8,619,178,774 $4,656,974,940
2003 $7,167,725,262 $3,503,723,088
2002 $6,333,082,876 $3,034,250,924
2001 $6,096,155,767 $2,796,704,604
2000 $6,570,999,088 $3,227,927,698
1999 $6,309,070,378 $2,354,772,960
1998 $5,550,846,020 $1,949,481,379
1997 $7,793,034,376 $2,322,719,103
1996 $7,663,377,306 $2,540,697,539
1995 $7,700,144,069 $2,116,003,868
1994 $6,467,782,518 $1,769,365,438
1993 $6,203,339,912 $2,684,323,623
1992 $6,327,966,435 $2,933,222,703
1991 $6,284,497,294 $2,724,853,506
1990 $6,039,881,087 $2,798,746,050
1989 $4,983,622,881 $2,389,593,026
1988 $4,535,130,305 $2,212,536,312
1987 $4,918,010,080 $2,297,753,652
1986 $4,190,280,003 $1,849,268,212
1985 $6,967,623,884 $2,160,872,540
1984 $7,632,788,075 $2,193,581,365
1983 $7,927,590,750 $2,097,274,290
1982 $8,932,198,186 $2,160,640,565
1981 $9,367,218,664 $1,993,512,323
1980 $10,795,432,294 $1,705,796,853
1979 $6,044,367,628 $1,198,749,667
1978 $4,100,423,674 $878,771,772
1977 $3,681,242,528 $765,224,029
1976 $3,054,765,590 $754,549,601
1975 $2,496,420,258 $767,102,680
1974 $2,319,576,214 $585,364,634
1973 $433,095,527 $541,973,363
1972 $270,822,782 $410,669,264
1971 $197,525,768 $322,128,019
1970 $179,078,929 $274,960,700
1969 $161,210,236 $265,040,036
1968 $160,818,236 $251,247,458
1967 $139,029,537 $237,397,428
1966 $132,757,528 $220,613,582
1965 $114,039,501 $198,318,064
1964 - $185,693,725
1963 - $172,233,431
1962 - $166,521,240
1961 - $151,675,739
1960 - $131,731,863

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

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

GDP per capita in Brunei vs Congo by year

Brunei
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Congo
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Brunei Congo
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $32,235 - $2,515 -
2024 $33,153 $89,879 $2,482 $7,026
2023 $32,891 $85,033 $2,478 $6,850
2022 $36,633 $81,802 $2,621 $6,647
2021 $31,007 $78,249 $2,516 $6,263
2020 $26,834 $69,788 $1,994 $4,771
2019 $30,427 $69,354 $2,488 $5,720
2018 $30,988 $65,149 $2,694 $5,593
2017 $28,024 $61,658 $2,212 $4,445
2016 $26,663 $56,680 $2,093 $4,016
2015 $30,625 $62,708 $2,439 $4,715
2014 $41,027 $81,226 $3,601 $5,733
2013 $44,003 $83,237 $3,697 $5,834
2012 $46,969 $87,256 $3,732 $6,058
2011 $46,383 $82,735 $3,396 $5,175
2010 $34,938 $79,543 $2,947 $5,125
2009 $30,946 $77,957 $2,271 $4,801
2008 $42,157 $80,477 $2,832 $4,448
2007 $36,217 $83,693 $2,206 $4,243
2006 $34,675 $86,114 $2,104 $4,588
2005 $29,386 $81,534 $1,799 $4,279
2004 $24,423 $80,404 $1,306 $3,992
2003 $20,678 $79,632 $1,017 $3,887
2002 $18,621 $76,838 $906 $3,888
2001 $18,288 $74,254 $855 $3,748
2000 $20,130 $73,087 $1,024 $3,667
1999 $19,752 $70,585 $776 $3,464
1998 $17,769 $68,257 $660 $3,602
1997 $25,522 $73,980 $804 $3,510
1996 $25,692 $70,008 $899 $3,547
1995 $26,443 $70,440 $770 $3,434
1994 $22,767 $69,779 $662 $3,327
1993 $22,397 $69,387 $1,034 $3,550
1992 $23,451 $70,016 $1,164 $3,608
1991 $23,932 $72,610 $1,113 $3,536
1990 $23,659 $70,201 $1,176 $3,437
1989 $20,090 - $1,033 -
1988 $18,825 - $984 -
1987 $21,030 - $1,052 -
1986 $18,501 - $872 -
1985 $31,827 - $1,049 -
1984 $36,061 - $1,097 -
1983 $38,720 - $1,075 -
1982 $45,075 - $1,131 -
1981 $48,793 - $1,066 -
1980 $58,005 - $933 -
1979 $33,501 - $670 -
1978 $23,447 - $503 -
1977 $21,747 - $448 -
1976 $18,671 - $453 -
1975 $15,793 - $471 -
1974 $15,195 - $370 -
1973 $2,939 - $353 -
1972 $1,905 - $276.3 -
1971 $1,432 - $223.5 -
1970 $1,325 - $196.7 -
1969 $1,226 - $195.4 -
1968 $1,274 - $190.8 -
1967 $1,149 - $185.7 -
1966 $1,146 - $177.6 -
1965 $1,029 - $164.2 -
1964 - - $158.1 -
1963 - - $150.7 -
1962 - - $149.6 -
1961 - - $139.9 -
1960 - - $124.7 -

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

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

Brunei's GDP per capita is $32,235, ranking 42/197, compared to $2,515 in the Congo, ranking 153/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Brunei ranks 9th at $89,879, while the Congo ranks 148th at $7,026.

Economic indicators

Brunei Congo
Gross domestic product
$15B
2025
$16.3B
2025
GDP rank
147/197
2025
143/197
2025
GDP growth
0.67%
2024-2025
3.08%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$32,235
2025
$2,515
2025
GDP per capita rank
42/197
2025
153/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$89,879
2024
$7,026
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
9/197
2024
148/197
2024
Government debt
$232M
2025
$15.8B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
1.54%
2025
96.8%
2025
Government debt per person
$498
2025
$2,435
2025
Government debt per person rank
169/185
2025
114/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$25,392
2026
$2,494
2026
Income share by richest 10% n/a
37.9%
2011
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
1.6%
2011
Government expenditure, % of GDP
29.9%
2025
23.9%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
-0.3%
2024-2025
2.6%
2024-2025
Unemployment rate
4.87%
2024
10%
2012
Population
471596
6718789

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Brunei
Spending

Debt
Congo
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Brunei Congo
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 29.9% 1.54% 23.9% 96.8%
2024 30.3% 1.57% 21.7% 98%
2023 30.1% 1.67% 20.7% 102.9%
2022 26.1% 1.33% 22.8% 93.5%
2021 30.1% 1.43% 20.9% 97.8%
2020 32.8% 2.16% 21.1% 102.5%
2019 32.1% 1.82% 20.2% 77.6%
2018 32.9% 1.9% 17.8% 71.2%
2017 36.6% 2.58% 26.6% 88.5%
2016 39.8% 3% 38.8% 84.5%
2015 37% 2.95% 41.3% 74.2%
2014 34% 3.23% 48.6% 42.3%
2013 33.4% 2.21% 42.4% 33.9%
2012 31.1% 2.1% 30.7% 30.2%
2011 29.9% 2.13% 27.9% 34.4%
2010 25.5% 1.11% 23% 43.5%
2009 34.8% 1.11% 24.4% 83.8%
2008 27.2% 0.94% 24.2% 69.6%
2007 29.3% 0.68% 28.6% 93.8%
2006 28% 0.59% 26.6% 94.7%
2005 29.1% 0% 22.1% 99.8%
2004 33.2% 0% 24.4% 122.6%
2003 30.9% 0% 27% 185.3%
2002 41.4% 0% 32.1% 163.5%
2001 35.5% 0% 29.1% 180.1%
2000 37.5% 0% 22.6% 145%
1999 44.1% 0% 28.8% 0%
1998 45.4% 0% 25.1% 0%
1997 39% 0% 22.2% 0%
1996 36.9% 0% 15.7% 0%
1995 44% 0% 27.6% 0%
1994 47.1% 0% 30.7% 0%
1993 38% 0% 32.8% 0%
1992 34.1% 0% 32.8% 0%
1991 30.6% 0% 34.1% 0%
1990 32% 0% 30.4% 0%
1989 - - 20.3% 151.7%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Brunei's government spending was $4.5B, accounting for 29.9% of its GDP, while the Congo spent $3.9B, or 23.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 1.54% in Brunei and 96.8% in the Congo, ranking 185/185 and 27/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Brunei

Congo
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Brunei Congo
2025 -13.4% 0.28%
2024 -12.9% 3.62%
2023 -8.62% 5.81%
2022 -0.25% 8.94%
2021 -8.34% 1.63%
2020 -16.2% -1.1%
2019 -4.16% 4.3%
2018 -2.9% 5.22%
2017 -13.8% -5.57%
2016 -16.7% -14.5%
2015 -11.4% -17.8%
2014 1.25% -10.7%
2013 10.4% -2.85%
2012 19.5% 7.24%
2011 21.5% 16.1%
2010 11.3% 15.5%
2009 3.61% 4.76%
2008 36.1% 23.9%
2007 3.12% 8.99%
2006 19.8% 16%
2005 16% 13.4%
2004 8.57% 3.33%
2003 8.06% 0.37%
2002 -4.61% -7.34%
2001 2.59% -0.71%
2000 6.86% 1.05%
1999 -18.3% -4.75%
1998 -24% -5.16%
1997 -11.8% 3.67%
1996 -8.7% 9.2%
1995 -19.8% -6.38%
1994 -22.6% -10.6%
1993 -12.8% -11.3%
1992 -8.28% -12.7%
1991 -1.06% -11.2%
1990 -1.63% -4.1%
1989 - 0.78%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/brunei/congo | 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 the Congo's surplus of $45.6M, or 0.28% of GDP.

Over the past 36 years, Brunei recorded a fiscal deficit in 22 of those years, while the Congo ran a deficit in 16 years. On average, Brunei posted an annual deficit equal to 2.04% of GDP, compared to surplus of 0.73% of GDP for the Congo.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Brunei

Congo
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Brunei Congo
2025 -0.3% 2.6%
2024 -0.39% 3.1%
2023 0.36% 4.3%
2022 3.68% 3%
2021 1.73% 2%
2020 1.94% 1.4%
2019 -0.39% 0.4%
2018 1.03% 1.2%
2017 -1.26% 0.4%
2016 -0.28% 3.2%
2015 -0.49% 3.2%
2014 -0.21% 0.9%
2013 0.39% 4.6%
2012 0.11% 5%
2011 0.14% 1.8%
2010 0.36% 0.4%
2009 1.04% 4.3%
2008 2.08% 6%
2007 0.97% 2.6%
2006 0.16% 4.7%
2005 1.24% 2.5%
2004 0.81% 3.7%
2003 0.3% 1.7%
2002 -2.31% 3%
2001 0.6% 0.8%
2000 1.56% 0.5%
1999 -0.42% 3%
1998 -0.44% 2.2%
1997 1.71% 12.7%

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/congo | CC BY

Over the past 29 years, Brunei has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 0.47%, compared with 2.94% in the Congo. In 2025, inflation was -0.3% in Brunei and 2.6% in the Congo.

Top exports between countries

Brunei
Export category Export value
Congo
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $3K
Metals $2K
Textiles & consumer goods $1K
Wood & paper products $1K

Balance of trade

Brunei Congo
Current account balance
$2.71B
2025
$1.72B
2021
Current account balance ranking
40/190
2025
46/190
2021
Current account balance, % of GDP
+18%
2025
+11.6%
2021
Goods imports
$6.28B
2025
$2.78B
2021
Goods exports
$10.3B
2025
$7.51B
2021
Service imports
$1.54B
2025
$1.71B
2021
Service exports
$463M
2025
$240M
2021
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
52%
2025
43.6%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
71.6%
2025
48%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Brunei Congo
Economic freedom 67.5 48.6
Economic freedom ranking 55/197 169/197
Property rights 66.1 28.7
Government integrity 60.4 13.9
Judicial effectiveness 48.6 15.4
Tax burden 95 73.7
Government spending 75.6 85.8
Fiscal health 39 80.8
Business freedom 75.3 35.8
Labor freedom 75.1 52.4
Monetary freedom 74.8 78.4
Trade freedom 84.6 52.8
Investment freedom 65 35
Financial freedom 50 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Brunei
Congo
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Brunei Congo
2026 67.5 48.6
2025 67 48.6
2024 65.9 47.8
2023 65.7 48.1
2022 64.8 48.5
2021 66.6 50.7
2020 66.6 41.8
2019 65.1 39.7
2018 64.2 38.9
2017 69.8 40
2016 67.3 42.8
2015 68.9 42.7
2014 69 43.7
2013 - 43.5
2012 - 43.8
2011 - 43.6
2010 - 43.2
2009 - 45.4
2008 - 45.3
2007 - 44.4
2006 - 43.8
2005 - 46.2
2004 - 45.9
2003 - 47.7
2002 - 45.3
2001 - 44.3
2000 - 40.6
1999 - 41.6
1998 - 33.8
1997 - 42.2
1996 - 40.3

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Brunei is 67.5, ranking 55/197, compared to 48.6 for the Congo, ranking 169/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Brunei Congo
Services, % of GDP
40.2%
2025
54.3%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
60%
2025
35.6%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.18%
2025
10.1%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$16.2B
2025
$14.8B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$95,420
2025
$6,490
2025
Total reserves including gold
$5.49B
2025
$759M
2024
Total reserves ranking
100/177
2025
147/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$157M
2025
$330M
2021
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$29.1M
2024
$604M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$25.4M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
7.67%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines n/a
40.9%
2011
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
27.1%
2025
29.4%
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/congo | 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 (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1989, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. TradeMap (2020–2022, 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.