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Economy of Brunei vs Iceland compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Brunei has a GDP of $15.3B compared to $33.3B for Iceland, ranking 142/197 and 108/197 by economy size, respectively.

Brunei has $351M in government debt (2.29% of GDP), compared to $19.8B (59.4% of GDP) in Iceland.

Brunei vs Iceland GDP by year

Brunei
Iceland
1x
Year GDP, current $
Brunei Iceland
2024 $15,340,808,592 $33,255,181,469
2023 $15,095,084,656 $31,677,891,897
2022 $16,681,536,467 $29,166,102,877
2021 $14,006,496,617 $26,234,872,402
2020 $12,005,799,654 $22,034,665,041
2019 $13,469,235,365 $24,985,687,022
2018 $13,566,908,391 $26,677,652,544
2017 $12,128,168,045 $25,060,086,488
2016 $11,400,266,045 $21,083,713,310
2015 $12,930,296,870 $17,700,486,957
2014 $17,097,797,386 $18,052,183,515
2013 $18,094,148,099 $16,244,319,959
2012 $19,048,443,341 $14,943,757,823
2011 $18,524,791,063 $15,394,005,872
2010 $13,707,121,038 $13,922,711,577
2009 $11,912,904,510 $13,212,543,838
2008 $15,926,456,515 $18,247,921,360
2007 $13,432,029,484 $21,960,110,030
2006 $12,644,616,419 $17,671,649,843
2005 $10,547,202,621 $17,146,410,561
2004 $8,619,178,774 $13,963,943,244
2003 $7,167,725,262 $11,564,687,742
2002 $6,333,082,876 $9,416,199,700
2001 $6,096,155,767 $8,323,401,820
2000 $6,570,999,088 $9,140,168,922
1999 $6,309,070,378 $9,107,644,691
1998 $5,550,846,020 $8,637,732,542
1997 $7,793,034,376 $7,716,781,803
1996 $7,663,377,306 $7,686,566,105
1995 $7,700,144,069 $7,372,640,169
1994 $6,467,782,518 $6,612,804,056
1993 $6,203,339,912 $6,435,952,174
1992 $6,327,966,435 $7,328,497,599
1991 $6,284,497,294 $7,151,260,062
1990 $6,039,881,087 $6,694,851,159
1989 $4,983,622,881 $5,870,854,233
1988 $4,535,130,305 $6,320,093,411
1987 $4,918,010,080 $5,713,281,235
1986 $4,190,280,003 $4,129,080,094
1985 $6,967,623,884 $3,088,359,967
1984 $7,632,788,075 $2,964,568,006
1983 $7,927,590,750 $2,862,634,164
1982 $8,932,198,186 $3,318,714,326
1981 $9,367,218,664 $3,615,094,820
1980 $10,795,432,294 $3,499,616,683
1979 $6,044,367,628 $2,953,176,971
1978 $4,100,423,674 $2,599,627,089
1977 $3,681,242,528 $2,285,707,749
1976 $3,054,765,590 $1,727,845,419
1975 $2,496,420,258 $1,456,052,700
1974 $2,319,576,214 $1,568,154,077
1973 $433,095,527 $1,194,794,186
1972 $270,822,782 $869,002,946
1971 $197,525,768 $693,679,545
1970 $179,078,929 $545,115,909
1969 $161,210,236 $435,659,610
1968 $160,818,236 $498,365,200
1967 $139,029,537 $652,609,076
1966 $132,757,528 $660,663,763
1965 $114,039,501 $550,150,988
1964 - $456,206,299
1963 - $357,240,896
1962 - $299,309,938
1961 - $266,711,460
1960 - $260,984,499

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

GDP per capita in Brunei vs Iceland by year

Brunei
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Iceland
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Brunei Iceland
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $33,153 $89,879 $86,041 $84,257
2023 $32,891 $85,033 $82,139 $81,608
2022 $36,633 $81,802 $76,350 $75,333
2021 $31,007 $78,249 $70,425 $61,610
2020 $26,834 $69,788 $60,128 $55,797
2019 $30,427 $69,354 $69,296 $60,524
2018 $30,988 $65,149 $75,634 $57,198
2017 $28,024 $61,658 $72,976 $55,638
2016 $26,663 $56,680 $62,854 $53,480
2015 $30,625 $62,708 $53,506 $49,201
2014 $41,027 $81,226 $55,140 $45,997
2013 $44,003 $83,237 $50,173 $44,410
2012 $46,969 $87,256 $46,595 $42,004
2011 $46,383 $82,735 $48,255 $40,937
2010 $34,938 $79,543 $43,776 $39,764
2009 $30,946 $77,957 $41,484 $41,885
2008 $42,157 $80,477 $57,489 $43,728
2007 $36,217 $83,693 $70,483 $41,471
2006 $34,675 $86,114 $58,172 $39,692
2005 $29,386 $81,534 $57,784 $37,323
2004 $24,423 $80,404 $47,810 $35,612
2003 $20,678 $79,632 $39,944 $32,697
2002 $18,621 $76,838 $32,749 $32,607
2001 $18,288 $74,254 $29,208 $31,882
2000 $20,130 $73,087 $32,504 $29,789
1999 $19,752 $70,585 $32,834 $29,558
1998 $17,769 $68,257 $31,519 $28,723
1997 $25,522 $73,980 $28,462 $26,874
1996 $25,692 $70,008 $28,584 $24,776
1995 $26,443 $70,440 $27,565 $23,954
1994 $22,767 $69,779 $24,858 $23,562
1993 $22,397 $69,387 $24,404 $22,460
1992 $23,451 $70,016 $28,072 $21,877
1991 $23,932 $72,610 $27,740 $22,416
1990 $23,659 $70,201 $26,272 $21,985
1989 $20,090 - $23,219 -
1988 $18,825 - $25,307 -
1987 $21,030 - $23,238 -
1986 $18,501 - $16,980 -
1985 $31,827 - $12,793 -
1984 $36,061 - $12,378 -
1983 $38,720 - $12,080 -
1982 $45,075 - $14,191 -
1981 $48,793 - $15,666 -
1980 $58,005 - $15,340 -
1979 $33,501 - $13,082 -
1978 $23,447 - $11,630 -
1977 $21,747 - $10,305 -
1976 $18,671 - $7,848 -
1975 $15,793 - $6,680 -
1974 $15,195 - $7,287 -
1973 $2,939 - $5,627 -
1972 $1,905 - $4,155 -
1971 $1,432 - $3,366 -
1970 $1,325 - $2,666 -
1969 $1,226 - $2,142 -
1968 $1,274 - $2,473 -
1967 $1,149 - $3,284 -
1966 $1,146 - $3,378 -
1965 $1,029 - $2,861 -
1964 - - $2,414 -
1963 - - $1,924 -
1962 - - $1,641 -
1961 - - $1,490 -
1960 - - $1,486 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Brunei's GDP per capita is $33,153, ranking 36/197, compared to $86,041 in Iceland, ranking 9/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Brunei ranks 9th at $89,879, while Iceland ranks 13th at $84,257.

Economic indicators

Brunei Iceland
Gross domestic product
$15.3B
2024
$33.3B
2024
GDP rank
142/197
2024
108/197
2024
GDP growth
4.05%
2023-2024
-0.97%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$33,153
2024
$86,041
2024
GDP per capita rank
36/197
2024
9/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$89,879
2024
$84,257
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
9/197
2024
13/197
2024
Government debt
$351M
2024
$19.8B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
2.29%
2024
59.4%
2024
Government debt per person
$759
2024
$51,148
2024
Government debt per person rank
153/185
2024
9/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$24,405
2026
$55,565
2026
Number of billionaires n/a
1
2025
Income share by richest 10% n/a
22.4%
2019
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
3.7%
2019
Government expenditure, % of GDP
29.8%
2024
46.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
-0.39%
2023-2024
5.86%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
7.25%
2025
Unemployment rate
4.87%
2024
3.56%
2024
Population
470884
397129

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Brunei
Spending

Debt
Iceland
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Brunei Iceland
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 29.8% 2.29% 46.5% 59.4%
2023 29.4% 2.33% 45% 61.5%
2022 26.4% 2.06% 45.9% 66.4%
2021 29.3% 2.51% 48.7% 73.6%
2020 33.2% 2.86% 50.2% 76.1%
2019 32.4% 2.58% 43% 65.7%
2018 32.2% 2.59% 43.2% 62.3%
2017 36.6% 2.83% 43.8% 70.8%
2016 39.4% 3% 45.8% 81.3%
2015 38.7% 2.95% 43% 96.3%
2014 34.1% 3.23% 45.4% 114.1%
2013 33.6% 2.21% 45.6% 121.1%
2012 31% 2.1% 47.1% 132.2%
2011 29.7% 2.13% 50% 136.6%
2010 36.2% 1.11% 48.2% 131.5%
2009 34.8% 1.11% 53.3% 128.2%
2008 27.2% 0.94% 62.8% 109.3%
2007 29.3% 0.68% 44.1% 67.4%
2006 28% 0.59% 44.3% 69.8%
2005 29.1% 0% 44.2% 67.8%
2004 33.2% 0% 46.2% 80.1%
2003 30.9% 0% 47.2% 84.1%
2002 41.4% 0% 45% 81.3%
2001 35.5% 0% 46.9% 82.5%
2000 37.5% 0% 44.3% 74.8%
1999 44.1% 0% 44.8% 75.5%
1998 45.4% 0% 40.2% 43.3%
1997 39% 0% 41.3% 51.1%
1996 36.9% 0% 43.9% 55.6%
1995 44% 0% 44.4% 58.1%
1994 47.1% 0% 45% 54.8%
1993 38% 0% 45.1% 52.3%
1992 34.1% 0% 44.7% 45.4%
1991 30.6% 0% 42.8% 37.6%
1990 32% 0% 42.6% 35.5%
1989 - - 42.9% 35.3%
1988 - - 41.4% 30.6%
1987 - - 36.5% 27.3%
1986 - - 39.5% 29.9%
1985 - - 37% 32%
1984 - - 34.7% 32.4%
1983 - - 37.8% 30.8%
1982 - - 36% 28.9%
1981 - - 35.3% 22.4%
1980 - - 33.9% 24.8%
1979 - - 32.4% 21.1%
1978 - - 31.9% 19.8%
1977 - - 31.7% 18.4%
1976 - - 32.1% 17.2%
1975 - - 36.9% 16.4%
1974 - - 36.6% 12.5%
1973 - - 33.7% 11.5%
1972 - - 33.3% 14.5%
1971 - - 32.5% 11.7%
1970 - - 29.9% 11.4%
1969 - - 30.3% 14.6%
1968 - - 33.3% 14.2%
1967 - - 31.6% 8.8%
1966 - - 28.3% 5.56%
1965 - - 28.3% 7.78%
1964 - - 28.2% 7.97%
1963 - - 26.2% 7.89%
1962 - - 24.9% 7.47%
1961 - - 25.3% 8.49%
1960 - - 33.2% 13.6%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Brunei's government spending was $4.57B, accounting for 29.8% of its GDP, while Iceland spent $15.5B, or 46.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 2.29% in Brunei and 59.4% in Iceland, ranking 185/185 and 80/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Brunei

Iceland
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Brunei Iceland
2024 -10.2% -3.51%
2023 -10.9% -2.28%
2022 2.53% -3.93%
2021 -8.16% -8.33%
2020 -15.8% -8.73%
2019 -3.69% -1.57%
2018 -3.59% 0.94%
2017 -10.4% 0.97%
2016 -21.7% 12.4%
2015 -14.5% -0.39%
2014 3.58% 0.29%
2013 13% -1.24%
2012 15.8% -2.59%
2011 25.6% -6.46%
2010 7.61% -6.58%
2009 3.61% -8.54%
2008 36.1% -12%
2007 3.12% 5.52%
2006 19.8% 6.37%
2005 16% 4.92%
2004 8.57% 0.28%
2003 8.06% -2.3%
2002 -4.61% -2.25%
2001 2.59% -0.28%
2000 6.86% 1.43%
1999 -18.3% 1.3%
1998 -24% -0.56%
1997 -11.8% 0.04%
1996 -8.7% -1.52%
1995 -19.8% -2.87%
1994 -22.6% -4.59%
1993 -12.8% -4.36%
1992 -8.28% -1.86%
1991 -1.06% -0.66%
1990 -1.63% -3.16%
1989 - -4.29%
1988 - -1.93%
1987 - -0.79%
1986 - -3.93%
1985 - -1.56%
1984 - 2.25%
1983 - -1.96%
1982 - 1.72%
1981 - 1.32%
1980 - 1.37%
1979 - -0.07%
1978 - -0.9%
1977 - -1.2%
1976 - 0.02%
1975 - -3.87%
1974 - -3.64%
1973 - -0.74%
1972 - 0.05%
1971 - -0.69%
1970 - 0.27%
1969 - -0.88%
1968 - -0.89%
1967 - 0.78%
1966 - 1.69%
1965 - 0.15%
1964 - -0.41%
1963 - 1.8%
1962 - 2.25%
1961 - 1.64%
1960 - 2.38%
1959 - 2.44%
1958 - 2.16%
1957 - 1.2%
1956 - -0.09%
1955 - 1.57%
1954 - 1.25%
1953 - 0.34%
1952 - 3.33%
1951 - 2.73%
1950 - 1.23%
1949 - -0.3%
1948 - 0.67%
1947 - -1.95%
1946 - -0.37%
1945 - -2.33%
1944 - -3.23%
1943 - -0.89%
1942 - -0.75%
1941 - -1.33%
1940 - -1.35%
1939 - -2.6%
1938 - -2.01%
1937 - -2.6%
1936 - -3.34%
1935 - -3.46%
1934 - -4.79%
1933 - -3.42%
1932 - -4.65%
1931 - -4.27%
1930 - -4.94%
1929 - -1.94%
1928 - -1.94%
1927 - -3.45%
1926 - -2.43%
1925 - 0.43%
1924 - -1.78%
1923 - -4.99%
1922 - -4.67%
1921 - -6.12%
1920 - -7.45%
1919 - -2.5%
1918 - -7.43%
1917 - -11.3%
1916 - -2.53%
1915 - -2.06%
1914 - -3.21%
1913 - -2.3%
1912 - -2.93%
1911 - -3.06%
1910 - -1.27%
1909 - -2.15%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1909–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/brunei/iceland | 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 Iceland's deficit of $1.17B, or 3.51% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Brunei recorded a fiscal deficit in 20 of those years, while Iceland ran a deficit in 24 years. On average, Brunei posted an annual deficit equal to 1.7% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.6% of GDP for Iceland.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Brunei

Iceland
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Brunei Iceland
2024 -0.39% 5.86%
2023 0.36% 8.74%
2022 3.68% 8.31%
2021 1.73% 4.44%
2020 1.94% 2.85%
2019 -0.39% 3.01%
2018 1.03% 2.68%
2017 -1.26% 1.76%
2016 -0.28% 1.7%
2015 -0.49% 1.63%
2014 -0.21% 2.04%
2013 0.39% 3.87%
2012 0.11% 5.19%
2011 0.14% 4%
2010 0.36% 5.4%
2009 1.04% 12%
2008 2.08% 12.7%
2007 0.97% 5.05%
2006 0.16% 6.69%
2005 1.24% 3.99%
2004 0.81% 3.16%
2003 0.3% 2.06%
2002 -2.31% 5.2%
2001 0.6% 6.41%
2000 1.56% 5.14%
1999 -0.42% 3.23%
1998 -0.44% 1.66%
1997 1.71% 1.82%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Over the past 28 years, Brunei has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 0.5%, compared with 4.66% in Iceland. In 2024, inflation was -0.39% in Brunei and 5.86% in Iceland.

Top exports between countries

Brunei
Export category Export value
Miscellaneous $35K
Machinery & equipment $9K
Iceland
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $11K

Balance of trade

Brunei Iceland
Current account balance
$2.23B
2024
-$867M
2024
Current account balance ranking
45/190
2024
121/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+14.5%
2024
-2.61%
2024
Goods imports
$7.36B
2024
$9.3B
2024
Goods exports
$11.1B
2024
$6.99B
2024
Service imports
$1.75B
2024
$5.16B
2024
Service exports
$410M
2024
$7.12B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
58.3%
2024
43.5%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
74.3%
2024
42.5%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Brunei Iceland
Economic freedom 67.5 75
Economic freedom ranking 55/197 19/197
Property rights 66.1 94.9
Government integrity 60.4 85
Judicial effectiveness 48.6 95.2
Tax burden 95 72.2
Government spending 75.6 37
Fiscal health 39 76.2
Business freedom 75.3 86.8
Labor freedom 75.1 59.3
Monetary freedom 74.8 73.5
Trade freedom 84.6 79.8
Investment freedom 65 70
Financial freedom 50 70

Economic freedom comparison by year

Brunei
Iceland
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Brunei Iceland
2026 67.5 75
2025 67 72.8
2024 65.9 70.5
2023 65.7 72.2
2022 64.8 77
2021 66.6 77.4
2020 66.6 77.1
2019 65.1 77.1
2018 64.2 77
2017 69.8 74.4
2016 67.3 73.3
2015 68.9 72
2014 69 72.4
2013 - 72.1
2012 - 70.9
2011 - 68.2
2010 - 73.7
2009 - 75.9
2008 - 75.8
2007 - 76
2006 - 75.8
2005 - 76.6
2004 - 72.1
2003 - 73.5
2002 - 73.1
2001 - 73.4
2000 - 74
1999 - 71.4
1998 - 71.2
1997 - 70.5

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Brunei is 67.5, ranking 55/197, compared to 75 for Iceland, ranking 19/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Brunei Iceland
Services, % of GDP
39%
2024
64.9%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
61.7%
2024
20.1%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.17%
2024
3.98%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$16.7B
2024
$31.8B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$92,750
2024
$84,060
2024
Total reserves including gold
$4.41B
2024
$6.4B
2024
Total reserves ranking
105/177
2024
90/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$29.1M
2024
-$2.24B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$29.1M
2024
$2.7B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$461M
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines n/a
8.8%
2017
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
27.9%
2024
26.1%
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/iceland | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1909–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1997–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2022–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. 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.

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.