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Economy of Brunei vs Kuwait compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Brunei has a GDP of $15.3B compared to $160B for Kuwait, ranking 142/197 and 59/197 by economy size, respectively.

Brunei has $351M in government debt (2.29% of GDP), compared to $4.68B (2.92% of GDP) in Kuwait.

Brunei vs Kuwait GDP by year

Brunei
Kuwait
1x
Year GDP, current $
Brunei Kuwait
2024 $15,340,808,592 $160,227,273,053
2023 $15,095,084,656 $165,384,407,116
2022 $16,681,536,467 $183,502,046,694
2021 $14,006,496,617 $148,350,671,489
2020 $12,005,799,654 $111,045,470,606
2019 $13,469,235,365 $140,856,394,861
2018 $13,566,908,391 $138,646,316,351
2017 $12,128,168,045 $120,687,539,806
2016 $11,400,266,045 $109,406,674,125
2015 $12,930,296,870 $114,585,555,689
2014 $17,097,797,386 $162,650,450,685
2013 $18,094,148,099 $174,168,116,535
2012 $19,048,443,341 $174,047,662,680
2011 $18,524,791,063 $154,039,231,246
2010 $13,707,121,038 $115,416,245,242
2009 $11,912,904,510 $105,968,691,905
2008 $15,926,456,515 $147,379,737,230
2007 $13,432,029,484 $114,634,043,362
2006 $12,644,616,419 $101,557,330,723
2005 $10,547,202,621 $80,798,630,137
2004 $8,619,178,774 $59,439,090,601
2003 $7,167,725,262 $47,874,582,232
2002 $6,333,082,876 $38,135,788,414
2001 $6,096,155,767 $34,889,559,870
2000 $6,570,999,088 $37,718,743,480
1999 $6,309,070,378 $30,122,365,849
1998 $5,550,846,020 $25,943,705,784
1997 $7,793,034,376 $30,350,190,704
1996 $7,663,377,306 $31,492,373,309
1995 $7,700,144,069 $27,186,980,647
1994 $6,467,782,518 $24,848,483,838
1993 $6,203,339,912 $23,941,391,391
1992 $6,327,966,435 $19,858,555,215
1991 $6,284,497,294 $11,009,993,703
1990 $6,039,881,087 $18,427,777,778
1989 $4,983,622,881 $24,313,855,653
1988 $4,535,130,305 $20,690,322,153
1987 $4,918,010,080 $22,368,704,134
1986 $4,190,280,003 $17,903,989,745
1985 $6,967,623,884 $21,445,970,614
1984 $7,632,788,075 $21,700,082,753
1983 $7,927,590,750 $20,871,081,080
1982 $8,932,198,186 $21,577,153,356
1981 $9,367,218,664 $25,058,020,338
1980 $10,795,432,294 $28,638,868,356
1979 $6,044,367,628 $24,749,063,922
1978 $4,100,423,674 $15,503,557,496
1977 $3,681,242,528 $14,137,406,741
1976 $3,054,765,590 $13,132,252,802
1975 $2,496,420,258 $12,022,811,621
1974 $2,319,576,214 $13,006,948,296
1973 $433,095,527 $5,408,804,607
1972 $270,822,782 $4,450,537,925
1971 $197,525,768 $3,880,392,195
1970 $179,078,929 $2,873,638,851
1969 $161,210,236 $2,769,198,892
1968 $160,818,236 $2,662,798,935
1967 $139,029,537 $2,441,599,023
1966 $132,757,528 $2,391,199,044
1965 $114,039,501 $2,097,199,161
1964 - $2,071,668,533
1963 - $1,900,895,857
1962 - $1,828,107,503

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1962–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

GDP per capita in Brunei vs Kuwait by year

Brunei
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Kuwait
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Brunei Kuwait
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $33,153 $89,879 $32,718 $52,444
2023 $32,891 $85,033 $34,076 $53,025
2022 $36,633 $81,802 $39,982 $55,043
2021 $31,007 $78,249 $34,019 $50,652
2020 $26,834 $69,788 $25,236 $41,462
2019 $30,427 $69,354 $31,708 $50,703
2018 $30,988 $65,149 $32,068 $51,371
2017 $28,024 $61,658 $29,048 $46,566
2016 $26,663 $56,680 $27,324 $41,862
2015 $30,625 $62,708 $29,882 $45,267
2014 $41,027 $81,226 $44,369 $68,337
2013 $44,003 $83,237 $49,651 $76,813
2012 $46,969 $87,256 $52,155 $82,090
2011 $46,383 $82,735 $49,170 $79,037
2010 $34,938 $79,543 $39,212 $75,184
2009 $30,946 $77,957 $37,907 $80,110
2008 $42,157 $80,477 $55,585 $90,337
2007 $36,217 $83,693 $45,709 $91,435
2006 $34,675 $86,114 $42,947 $89,075
2005 $29,386 $81,534 $36,123 $84,968
2004 $24,423 $80,404 $27,552 $77,227
2003 $20,678 $79,632 $22,691 $69,752
2002 $18,621 $76,838 $18,513 $59,713
2001 $18,288 $74,254 $17,374 $58,553
2000 $20,130 $73,087 $19,296 $58,703
1999 $19,752 $70,585 $15,854 $56,406
1998 $17,769 $68,257 $14,067 $58,344
1997 $25,522 $73,980 $16,977 $57,420
1996 $25,692 $70,008 $18,201 $56,913
1995 $26,443 $70,440 $16,168 $57,163
1994 $22,767 $69,779 $14,930 $53,946
1993 $22,397 $69,387 $14,318 $48,482
1992 $23,451 $70,016 $12,146 $36,149
1991 $23,932 $72,610 $8,147 $23,390
1990 $23,659 $70,201 $10,938 $30,763
1989 $20,090 - $10,965 -
1988 $18,825 - $9,692 -
1987 $21,030 - $10,896 -
1986 $18,501 - $9,077 -
1985 $31,827 - $11,322 -
1984 $36,061 - $11,919 -
1983 $38,720 - $11,965 -
1982 $45,075 - $12,979 -
1981 $48,793 - $15,825 -
1980 $58,005 - $19,032 -
1979 $33,501 - $17,386 -
1978 $23,447 - $11,567 -
1977 $21,747 - $11,238 -
1976 $18,671 - $11,141 -
1975 $15,793 - $10,882 -
1974 $15,195 - $12,527 -
1973 $2,939 - $5,532 -
1972 $1,905 - $4,836 -
1971 $1,432 - $4,486 -
1970 $1,325 - $3,552 -
1969 $1,226 - $3,695 -
1968 $1,274 - $3,872 -
1967 $1,149 - $3,887 -
1966 $1,146 - $4,176 -
1965 $1,029 - $4,024 -
1964 - - $4,379 -
1963 - - $4,445 -
1962 - - $4,748 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1962–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Brunei's GDP per capita is $33,153, ranking 36/197, compared to $32,718 in Kuwait, ranking 37/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Brunei ranks 9th at $89,879, while Kuwait ranks 40th at $52,444.

Economic indicators

Brunei Kuwait
Gross domestic product
$15.3B
2024
$160B
2024
GDP rank
142/197
2024
59/197
2024
GDP growth
4.05%
2023-2024
-2.56%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$33,153
2024
$32,718
2024
GDP per capita rank
36/197
2024
37/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$89,879
2024
$52,444
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
9/197
2024
40/197
2024
Government debt
$351M
2024
$4.68B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
2.29%
2024
2.92%
2024
Government debt per person
$759
2024
$956
2024
Government debt per person rank
153/185
2024
143/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$24,405
2026
$23,828
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$141B
2024
Government expenditure, % of GDP
29.8%
2024
50.4%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
-0.39%
2023-2024
2.9%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
3.5%
2025
Unemployment rate
4.87%
2024
2.16%
2016
Population
470884
5100145

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Brunei
Spending

Debt
Kuwait
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Brunei Kuwait
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 29.8% 2.29% 50.4% 2.92%
2023 29.4% 2.33% 48.3% 3.13%
2022 26.4% 2.06% 39.6% 2.95%
2021 29.3% 2.51% 48.3% 7.2%
2020 33.2% 2.86% 62.9% 10.2%
2019 32.4% 2.58% 50.3% 10.5%
2018 32.2% 2.59% 51.1% 14.3%
2017 36.6% 2.83% 51.9% 19.6%
2016 39.4% 3% 54.1% 9.88%
2015 38.7% 2.95% 55.4% 4.6%
2014 34.1% 3.23% 45% 3.43%
2013 33.6% 2.21% 38.4% 3.09%
2012 31% 2.1% 38.2% 3.6%
2011 29.7% 2.13% 39.7% 4.64%
2010 36.2% 1.11% 45.5% 6.16%
2009 34.8% 1.11% 42.9% 6.65%
2008 27.2% 0.94% 40.9% 5.38%
2007 29.3% 0.68% 30.4% 7.05%
2006 28% 0.59% 32.3% 7.79%
2005 29.1% 0% 28.8% 10.2%
2004 33.2% 0% 35.3% 13.9%
2003 30.9% 0% 38.2% 17.2%
2002 41.4% 0% 42.8% 21.3%
2001 35.5% 0% 41.4% 23%
2000 37.5% 0% 29.9% 21.4%
1999 44.1% 0% 44.5% 25.5%
1998 45.4% 0% 51.7% 25.6%
1997 39% 0% 43.8% 24.3%
1996 36.9% 0% 42.8% 26.5%
1995 44% 0% 52% 34.9%
1994 47.1% 0% 57.8% 37.7%
1993 38% 0% 58.2% 28.8%
1992 34.1% 0% 77.6% 27.9%
1991 30.6% 0% 208.9% 45.3%
1990 32% 0% 122.9% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Brunei's government spending was $4.57B, accounting for 29.8% of its GDP, while Kuwait spent $80.8B, or 50.4% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 2.29% in Brunei and 2.92% in Kuwait, ranking 185/185 and 184/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Brunei

Kuwait
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Brunei Kuwait
2024 -10.2% 23.8%
2023 -10.9% 28.2%
2022 2.53% 30%
2021 -8.16% 9.98%
2020 -15.8% 0.14%
2019 -3.69% 13%
2018 -3.59% 17.5%
2017 -10.4% 15.3%
2016 -21.7% 13.1%
2015 -14.5% 16.6%
2014 3.58% 30%
2013 13% 40.6%
2012 15.8% 40.7%
2011 25.6% 38.8%
2010 7.61% 31.9%
2009 3.61% 31.3%
2008 36.1% 21.3%
2007 3.12% 37.1%
2006 19.8% 28%
2005 16% 38.9%
2004 8.57% 32.5%
2003 8.06% 27.2%
2002 -4.61% 31%
2001 2.59% 45.2%
2000 6.86% 52.5%
1999 -18.3% 28.2%
1998 -24% 19.5%
1997 -11.8% 29.5%
1996 -8.7% 24.3%
1995 -19.8% 11.7%
1994 -22.6% 1.76%
1993 -12.8% -3.12%
1992 -8.28% -28.1%
1991 -1.06% -145%
1990 -1.63% -50%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/brunei/kuwait | 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 Kuwait's surplus of $38.1B, or 23.8% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Brunei recorded a fiscal deficit in 20 of those years, while Kuwait ran a deficit in 4 years. On average, Brunei posted an annual deficit equal to 1.7% of GDP, compared to surplus of 16.7% of GDP for Kuwait.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Brunei

Kuwait
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Brunei Kuwait
2024 -0.39% 2.9%
2023 0.36% 3.64%
2022 3.68% 3.98%
2021 1.73% 3.42%
2020 1.94% 2.1%
2019 -0.39% 1.09%
2018 1.03% 0.54%
2017 -1.26% 2.17%
2016 -0.28% 3.2%
2015 -0.49% 3.27%
2014 -0.21% 2.91%
2013 0.39% 2.68%
2012 0.11% 3.26%
2011 0.14% 4.84%
2010 0.36% 4.5%
2009 1.04% 4.61%
2008 2.08% 10.6%
2007 0.97% 5.48%
2006 0.16% 3.06%
2005 1.24% 4.14%
2004 0.81% 1.25%
2003 0.3% 0.96%
2002 -2.31% 0.89%
2001 0.6% 1.3%
2000 1.56% 1.81%
1999 -0.42% 2.99%
1998 -0.44% 0.13%
1997 1.71% 0.68%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Brunei has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 0.5%, compared with 2.94% in Kuwait. In 2024, inflation was -0.39% in Brunei and 2.9% in Kuwait.

Top exports between countries

Brunei
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $20K
Metals $6K
Chemicals & pharma $5K
Miscellaneous $4K
Textiles & consumer goods $2K
Kuwait
Export category Export value
Miscellaneous $23K
Machinery & equipment $7K
Chemicals & pharma $6K
Raw materials & minerals $4K
Textiles & consumer goods $3K

Balance of trade

Brunei Kuwait
Current account balance
$2.23B
2024
$46.7B
2024
Current account balance ranking
45/190
2024
15/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+14.5%
2024
+29.1%
2024
Goods imports
$7.36B
2024
$33.4B
2024
Goods exports
$11.1B
2024
$77.5B
2024
Service imports
$1.75B
2024
$28.1B
2024
Service exports
$410M
2024
$12.2B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
58.3%
2024
38.3%
2023
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
74.3%
2024
57.7%
2023

Economic freedom indices

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

Brunei Kuwait
Economic freedom 67.5 59.9
Economic freedom ranking 55/197 100/197
Property rights 66.1 42
Government integrity 60.4 47.9
Judicial effectiveness 48.6 43.4
Tax burden 95 97.7
Government spending 75.6 36.2
Fiscal health 39 99.9
Business freedom 75.3 57.4
Labor freedom 75.1 49.2
Monetary freedom 74.8 68.7
Trade freedom 84.6 75.8
Investment freedom 65 50
Financial freedom 50 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Brunei
Kuwait
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Brunei Kuwait
2026 67.5 59.9
2025 67 59.9
2024 65.9 58.5
2023 65.7 56.7
2022 64.8 58.3
2021 66.6 64.1
2020 66.6 63.2
2019 65.1 60.8
2018 64.2 62.2
2017 69.8 65.1
2016 67.3 62.7
2015 68.9 62.5
2014 69 62.3
2013 - 63.1
2012 - 62.5
2011 - 64.9
2010 - 67.7
2009 - 65.6
2008 - 68.1
2007 - 66.4
2006 - 66.5
2005 - 64.6
2004 - 63.6
2003 - 66.7
2002 - 65.4
2001 - 68.2
2000 - 69.7
1999 - 69.5
1998 - 66.3
1997 - 64.8
1996 - 66.1

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Brunei is 67.5, ranking 55/197, compared to 59.9 for Kuwait, ranking 100/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Brunei Kuwait
Services, % of GDP
39%
2024
55.9%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
61.7%
2024
57.1%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.17%
2024
0.49%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$16.7B
2024
$200B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$92,750
2024
$63,270
2024
Total reserves including gold
$4.41B
2024
$50.7B
2024
Total reserves ranking
105/177
2024
41/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$29.1M
2024
$9.71B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$29.1M
2024
$615M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$10.3B
2024
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
27.9%
2024
17.7%
2023

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/kuwait | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1962–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. TradeMap (2021–2024, 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.

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.