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Economy of Brunei vs Eritrea compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Brunei has a GDP of $15B compared to $2.07B for Eritrea, ranking 147/197 and 179/197 by economy size, respectively.

Brunei has $232M in government debt (1.54% of GDP), compared to $3.54B (260.4% of GDP) in Eritrea.

Brunei vs Eritrea GDP by year

Brunei
Eritrea
1x
Year GDP, current $
Brunei Eritrea
2025 $15,031,980,994 -
2024 $15,340,808,592 -
2023 $15,095,084,656 -
2022 $16,681,536,467 -
2021 $14,006,496,617 -
2020 $12,005,799,654 -
2019 $13,469,235,365 -
2018 $13,566,908,391 -
2017 $12,128,168,045 -
2016 $11,400,266,045 -
2015 $12,930,296,870 -
2014 $17,097,797,386 -
2013 $18,094,148,099 -
2012 $19,048,443,341 -
2011 $18,524,791,063 $2,065,001,626
2010 $13,707,121,038 $1,589,515,447
2009 $11,912,904,510 $1,856,695,551
2008 $15,926,456,515 $1,380,188,800
2007 $13,432,029,484 $1,317,974,491
2006 $12,644,616,419 $1,211,161,880
2005 $10,547,202,621 $1,098,424,686
2004 $8,619,178,774 $1,109,054,005
2003 $7,167,725,262 $870,248,268
2002 $6,333,082,876 $729,321,680
2001 $6,096,155,767 $752,371,689
2000 $6,570,999,088 $706,370,816
1999 $6,309,070,378 $688,918,537
1998 $5,550,846,020 $745,523,117
1997 $7,793,034,376 $686,490,090
1996 $7,663,377,306 $693,535,954
1995 $7,700,144,069 $578,015,625
1994 $6,467,782,518 $531,688,312
1993 $6,203,339,912 $467,872,715
1992 $6,327,966,435 $477,101,652
1991 $6,284,497,294 -
1990 $6,039,881,087 -
1989 $4,983,622,881 -
1988 $4,535,130,305 -
1987 $4,918,010,080 -
1986 $4,190,280,003 -
1985 $6,967,623,884 -
1984 $7,632,788,075 -
1983 $7,927,590,750 -
1982 $8,932,198,186 -
1981 $9,367,218,664 -
1980 $10,795,432,294 -
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/eritrea | CC BY

GDP per capita in Brunei vs Eritrea by year

Brunei
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Eritrea
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Brunei Eritrea
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP 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 $689 $1,742
2010 $34,938 $79,543 $540 $1,599
2009 $30,946 $77,957 $643 $1,577
2008 $42,157 $80,477 $490 $1,547
2007 $36,217 $83,693 $480 $1,727
2006 $34,675 $86,114 $448 $1,682
2005 $29,386 $81,534 $413 $1,674
2004 $24,423 $80,404 $427 $1,621
2003 $20,678 $79,632 $349 $1,621
2002 $18,621 $76,838 $305 $1,702
2001 $18,288 $74,254 $325 $1,684
2000 $20,130 $73,087 $314 $1,558
1999 $19,752 $70,585 $311 $1,597
1998 $17,769 $68,257 $342 $1,598
1997 $25,522 $73,980 $319 $1,573
1996 $25,692 $70,008 $326 $1,449
1995 $26,443 $70,440 $285.4 $1,369
1994 $22,767 $69,779 $277.8 $1,379
1993 $22,397 $69,387 $252.1 $1,149
1992 $23,451 $70,016 $265.2 $1,021
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/eritrea | CC BY

Brunei's GDP per capita is $32,235, ranking 42/197, compared to $689 in Eritrea, ranking 189/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Brunei ranks 9th at $89,879, while Eritrea ranks 191st at $1,742.

Economic indicators

Brunei Eritrea
Gross domestic product
$15B
2025
$2.07B
2011
GDP rank
147/197
2025
179/197
2011
GDP growth
0.67%
2024-2025
8.68%
2010-2011
GDP per capita
$32,235
2025
$689
2011
GDP per capita rank
42/197
2025
189/197
2011
GDP per capita, PPP
$89,879
2024
$1,742
2011
GDP per capita PPP rank
9/197
2024
191/197
2011
Government debt
$232M
2025
$3.54B
2011
Debt-to-GDP ratio
1.54%
2025
260.4%
2019
Government debt per person
$498
2025
$1,182
2011
Government debt per person rank
169/185
2025
137/185
2011
Average annual personal income after taxes
$25,392
2026
$1,350
2026
Government expenditure, % of GDP
29.9%
2025
31.3%
2019
Consumer prices inflation
-0.3%
2024-2025
1.3%
2018-2019
Unemployment rate
4.87%
2024
5.8%
2017
Population
471596
3722489

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Brunei
Spending

Debt
Eritrea
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Brunei Eritrea
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 29.9% 1.54% - -
2024 30.3% 1.57% - -
2023 30.1% 1.67% - -
2022 26.1% 1.33% - -
2021 30.1% 1.43% - -
2020 32.8% 2.16% - -
2019 32.1% 1.82% 31.3% 260.4%
2018 32.9% 1.9% 26.4% 267.1%
2017 36.6% 2.58% 42.5% 290.4%
2016 39.8% 3% 30.9% 251.2%
2015 37% 2.95% 31.1% 271.4%
2014 34% 3.23% 21.6% 204.5%
2013 33.4% 2.21% 32.7% 232.4%
2012 31.1% 2.1% 33.3% 171.6%
2011 29.9% 2.13% 32.3% 171.6%
2010 25.5% 1.11% 42.4% 201.8%
2009 34.8% 1.11% 44.9% 207.1%
2008 27.2% 0.94% 69.4% 259.7%
2007 29.3% 0.68% 51.2% 201.3%
2006 28% 0.59% 50.5% 199%
2005 29.1% 0% 76.6% 205.4%
2004 33.2% 0% 57.1% 193.5%
2003 30.9% 0% 58.1% 264%
2002 41.4% 0% 60.1% 243.4%
2001 35.5% 0% 59.5% 238.6%
2000 37.5% 0% 84.7% 219.1%
1999 44.1% 0% 106.1% -
1998 45.4% 0% 88% -
1997 39% 0% 60.1% -
1996 36.9% 0% 68.6% -
1995 44% 0% 81.2% -
1994 47.1% 0% 50.4% -
1993 38% 0% 67.2% -
1992 34.1% 0% 32.7% -
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/eritrea | CC BY

In 2025, Brunei's government spending was $4.5B, accounting for 29.9% of its GDP, while Eritrea spent $666M, or 31.3% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 1.54% in Brunei and 260.4% in Eritrea, ranking 185/185 and 2/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Brunei

Eritrea
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Brunei Eritrea
2025 -13.4% -
2024 -12.9% -
2023 -8.62% -
2022 -0.25% -
2021 -8.34% -
2020 -16.2% -
2019 -4.16% 2.72%
2018 -2.9% 5.22%
2017 -13.8% -5.74%
2016 -16.7% -1.44%
2015 -11.4% -2.77%
2014 1.25% -0.12%
2013 10.4% -7.62%
2012 19.5% -5.21%
2011 21.5% -5.5%
2010 11.3% -16.5%
2009 3.61% -22.2%
2008 36.1% -38%
2007 3.12% -19.8%
2006 19.8% -15.5%
2005 16% -31%
2004 8.57% -7.65%
2003 8.06% 6.23%
2002 -4.61% -13.3%
2001 2.59% -9.62%
2000 6.86% -25.4%
1999 -18.3% -59.7%
1998 -24% -40.3%
1997 -11.8% -5.65%
1996 -8.7% -18.4%
1995 -19.8% -22.9%
1994 -22.6% 8.69%
1993 -12.8% 4.22%
1992 -8.28% 6.85%
1991 -1.06% -
1990 -1.63% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2011, Brunei's government surplus, the difference between spending and revenue, was $3.99B, equivalent to 21.5% of GDP. This compares to Eritrea's deficit of $114M, or 5.5% of GDP.

Over the past 20 years, Brunei recorded a fiscal deficit in 9 of those years, while Eritrea ran a deficit in 16 years. On average, Brunei posted an annual surplus equal to 0.34% of GDP, compared to deficit of 16.3% of GDP for Eritrea.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Brunei

Eritrea
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Brunei Eritrea
2025 -0.3% -
2024 -0.39% -
2023 0.36% -
2022 3.68% -
2021 1.73% -
2020 1.94% -
2019 -0.39% 1.3%
2018 1.03% -14.4%
2017 -1.26% -13.3%
2016 -0.28% -5.6%
2015 -0.49% 28.5%
2014 -0.21% 8.4%
2013 0.39% 6.3%
2012 0.11% 6%
2011 0.14% 5.9%
2010 0.36% 10.3%
2009 1.04% 33.9%
2008 2.08% 22.2%
2007 0.97% 9.4%
2006 0.16% 7.7%
2005 1.24% 12.5%
2004 0.81% 25.1%
2003 0.3% 22.7%
2002 -2.31% 16.9%
2001 0.6% 14.6%
2000 1.56% 19.9%
1999 -0.42% 8.4%
1998 -0.44% 9.5%
1997 1.71% 3.7%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2019, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 23 years, Brunei has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 0.29%, compared with 10.4% in Eritrea. In 2019, inflation was -0.3% in Brunei and 1.3% in Eritrea.

Balance of trade

Brunei Eritrea
Current account balance
$2.71B
2025
-$105M
2000
Current account balance ranking
40/190
2025
82/190
2000
Current account balance, % of GDP
+18%
2025
-14.8%
2000
Goods imports
$6.28B
2025
$471M
2000
Goods exports
$10.3B
2025
$36.8M
2000
Service imports
$1.54B
2025
$28.5M
2000
Service exports
$463M
2025
$60.9M
2000
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
52%
2025
29.2%
2011
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
71.6%
2025
18.2%
2011

Economic freedom indices

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

Brunei Eritrea
Economic freedom 67.5 39.6
Economic freedom ranking 55/197 188/197
Property rights 66.1 4.8
Government integrity 60.4 10.9
Judicial effectiveness 48.6 5.5
Tax burden 95 80.3
Government spending 75.6 62.3
Fiscal health 39 69
Business freedom 75.3 30.7
Labor freedom 75.1 43.4
Monetary freedom 74.8 80
Trade freedom 84.6 68.4
Investment freedom 65 0
Financial freedom 50 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Brunei
Eritrea
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Brunei Eritrea
2026 67.5 39.6
2025 67 38.6
2024 65.9 39.5
2023 65.7 39.5
2022 64.8 39.7
2021 66.6 42.3
2020 66.6 38.5
2019 65.1 38.9
2018 64.2 41.7
2017 69.8 42.2
2016 67.3 42.7
2015 68.9 38.9
2014 69 38.5
2013 - 36.3
2012 - 36.2
2011 - 36.7
2010 - 35.3
2009 - 38.5

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (2009–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Brunei is 67.5, ranking 55/197, compared to 39.6 for Eritrea, ranking 188/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Brunei Eritrea
Services, % of GDP
40.2%
2025
n/a
Industry, % of GDP
60%
2025
21.8%
2009
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.18%
2025
14.1%
2009
GNI, Atlas method
$16.2B
2025
$1.94B
2011
GNI per capita, PPP
$95,420
2025
$1,720
2011
Total reserves including gold
$5.49B
2025
$192M
2019
Total reserves ranking
100/177
2025
170/177
2019
Net foreign direct investment
-$157M
2025
-$27.9M
2000
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$29.1M
2024
-$27.9M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
1.07%
2011
Poverty at national poverty lines n/a
50%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
27.1%
2025
12.6%
2011

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/eritrea | 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 (2009–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2017–2020, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. 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.