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Economy of Brunei vs Lebanon compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Brunei has a GDP of $15.3B compared to $20.1B for Lebanon, ranking 142/197 and 128/197 by economy size, respectively.

Brunei has $351M in government debt (2.29% of GDP), compared to $38.7B (163.8% of GDP) in Lebanon.

Brunei vs Lebanon GDP by year

Brunei
Lebanon
1x
Year GDP, current $
Brunei Lebanon
2024 $15,340,808,592 -
2023 $15,095,084,656 $20,078,620,357
2022 $16,681,536,467 $20,992,421,949
2021 $14,006,496,617 $23,131,941,557
2020 $12,005,799,654 $31,712,128,254
2019 $13,469,235,365 $51,605,959,131
2018 $13,566,908,391 $54,901,519,156
2017 $12,128,168,045 $53,027,680,686
2016 $11,400,266,045 $51,147,308,774
2015 $12,930,296,870 $49,929,337,837
2014 $17,097,797,386 $48,095,213,747
2013 $18,094,148,099 $46,880,103,081
2012 $19,048,443,341 $44,016,799,516
2011 $18,524,791,063 $39,927,125,962
2010 $13,707,121,038 $38,443,907,042
2009 $11,912,904,510 $35,399,582,929
2008 $15,926,456,515 $29,118,916,105
2007 $13,432,029,484 $24,827,355,015
2006 $12,644,616,419 $22,022,709,851
2005 $10,547,202,621 $21,497,336,499
2004 $8,619,178,774 $21,159,827,992
2003 $7,167,725,262 $20,082,918,740
2002 $6,333,082,876 $19,152,238,806
2001 $6,096,155,767 $17,649,751,244
2000 $6,570,999,088 $17,260,364,842
1999 $6,309,070,378 $17,391,056,369
1998 $5,550,846,020 $17,247,179,006
1997 $7,793,034,376 $15,751,867,489
1996 $7,663,377,306 $13,690,217,334
1995 $7,700,144,069 $11,718,795,529
1994 $6,467,782,518 $9,599,127,050
1993 $6,203,339,912 $7,941,744,492
1992 $6,327,966,435 $5,843,579,161
1991 $6,284,497,294 $4,690,415,093
1990 $6,039,881,087 $2,838,485,354
1989 $4,983,622,881 $2,717,998,688
1988 $4,535,130,305 $3,313,540,068
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 (1965–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

GDP per capita in Brunei vs Lebanon by year

Brunei
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Lebanon
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Brunei Lebanon
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $33,153 $89,879 - -
2023 $32,891 $85,033 $3,478 $12,575
2022 $36,633 $81,802 $3,654 $12,293
2021 $31,007 $78,249 $4,045 $11,600
2020 $26,834 $69,788 $5,561 $16,260
2019 $30,427 $69,354 $8,906 $21,710
2018 $30,988 $65,149 $9,175 $21,985
2017 $28,024 $61,658 $8,608 $20,964
2016 $26,663 $56,680 $8,089 $18,941
2015 $30,625 $62,708 $7,714 $17,046
2014 $41,027 $81,226 $7,578 $16,140
2013 $44,003 $83,237 $8,162 $16,316
2012 $46,969 $87,256 $8,407 $16,121
2011 $46,383 $82,735 $7,835 $14,975
2010 $34,938 $79,543 $7,626 $14,704
2009 $30,946 $77,957 $7,091 $13,586
2008 $42,157 $80,477 $5,912 $12,416
2007 $36,217 $83,693 $5,125 $11,356
2006 $34,675 $86,114 $4,635 $10,312
2005 $29,386 $81,534 $4,602 $10,020
2004 $24,423 $80,404 $4,601 $9,609
2003 $20,678 $79,632 $4,438 $8,914
2002 $18,621 $76,838 $4,291 $8,586
2001 $18,288 $74,254 $4,010 $8,289
2000 $20,130 $73,087 $3,987 $7,938
1999 $19,752 $70,585 $4,087 $7,793
1998 $17,769 $68,257 $4,125 $7,861
1997 $25,522 $73,980 $3,834 $7,632
1996 $25,692 $70,008 $3,393 $7,560
1995 $26,443 $70,440 $2,959 $6,796
1994 $22,767 $69,779 $2,468 $6,367
1993 $22,397 $69,387 $2,079 $5,871
1992 $23,451 $70,016 $1,559 $5,279
1991 $23,932 $72,610 $1,278 $4,527
1990 $23,659 $70,201 $790 $2,990
1989 $20,090 - $771 -
1988 $18,825 - $959 -
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 (1965–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Brunei's GDP per capita is $33,153, ranking 36/197, compared to $3,478 in Lebanon, ranking 135/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Brunei ranks 9th at $89,879, while Lebanon ranks 123rd at $12,575.

Economic indicators

Brunei Lebanon
Gross domestic product
$15.3B
2024
$20.1B
2023
GDP rank
142/197
2024
128/197
2023
GDP growth
4.05%
2023-2024
-0.76%
2022-2023
GDP per capita
$33,153
2024
$3,478
2023
GDP per capita rank
36/197
2024
135/197
2023
GDP per capita, PPP
$89,879
2024
$12,575
2023
GDP per capita PPP rank
9/197
2024
123/197
2023
Government debt
$351M
2024
$38.7B
2023
Debt-to-GDP ratio
2.29%
2024
163.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$759
2024
$6,704
2023
Government debt per person rank
153/185
2024
70/185
2023
Average annual personal income after taxes
$24,405
2026
$3,560
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$10.6B
2021
Number of billionaires n/a
6
2025
Income share by richest 10% n/a
25.1%
2022
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
2.8%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
29.8%
2024
16.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
-0.39%
2023-2024
45.2%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
20%
2023
Unemployment rate
4.87%
2024
11.3%
2019
Population
470884
5906622

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Brunei
Spending

Debt
Lebanon
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Brunei Lebanon
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 29.8% 2.29% 16.5% 163.8%
2023 29.4% 2.33% 14.9% 192.8%
2022 26.4% 2.06% 13.4% 244.6%
2021 29.3% 2.51% 10.9% 358%
2020 33.2% 2.86% 23.2% 148.7%
2019 32.4% 2.58% 31.3% 172.1%
2018 32.2% 2.59% 32.3% 155.1%
2017 36.6% 2.83% 30.6% 150%
2016 39.4% 3% 28.3% 146.4%
2015 38.7% 2.95% 26.7% 140.8%
2014 34.1% 3.23% 28.8% 138.4%
2013 33.6% 2.21% 28.9% 135.4%
2012 31% 2.1% 30.2% 131.1%
2011 29.7% 2.13% 28.8% 134.4%
2010 36.2% 1.11% 29.2% 136.8%
2009 34.8% 1.11% 32.1% 144.5%
2008 27.2% 0.94% 34.3% 161.5%
2007 29.3% 0.68% 35.2% 169.3%
2006 28% 0.59% 36.1% 183.3%
2005 29.1% 0% 31.4% 178.9%
2004 33.2% 0% 33.3% 169.5%
2003 30.9% 0% 36.4% 171.3%
2002 41.4% 0% 36.8% 163.1%
2001 35.5% 0% 38.9% 163.1%
2000 37.5% 0% 42.8% 148.1%
1999 44.1% 0% 35.6% 130.2%
1998 45.4% 0% 34.7% 108.2%
1997 39% 0% 40.5% 100.2%
1996 36.9% 0% 43.6% 101.2%
1995 44% 0% 31.1% 79.6%
1994 47.1% 0% 47.3% 71.5%
1993 38% 0% 23% 50.5%
1992 34.1% 0% 36.1% 51.7%
1991 30.6% 0% 35.6% 67.1%
1990 32% 0% 40% 99.7%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1990–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Brunei's government spending was $4.57B, accounting for 29.8% of its GDP, while Lebanon spent $2.99B, or 16.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 2.29% in Brunei and 163.8% in Lebanon, ranking 185/185 and 6/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Brunei

Lebanon
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Brunei Lebanon
2024 -10.2% -0.19%
2023 -10.9% -1.7%
2022 2.53% -7.77%
2021 -8.16% -2.67%
2020 -15.8% -7.37%
2019 -3.69% -10.5%
2018 -3.59% -11.3%
2017 -10.4% -8.65%
2016 -21.7% -8.88%
2015 -14.5% -7.48%
2014 3.58% -6.22%
2013 13% -8.82%
2012 15.8% -8.43%
2011 25.6% -5.94%
2010 7.61% -7.47%
2009 3.61% -8.1%
2008 36.1% -9.86%
2007 3.12% -10.9%
2006 19.8% -10.6%
2005 16% -8.57%
2004 8.57% -9.83%
2003 8.06% -14%
2002 -4.61% -16.2%
2001 2.59% -21%
2000 6.86% -23.9%
1999 -18.3% -16.7%
1998 -24% -17.3%
1997 -11.8% -24.5%
1996 -8.7% -25.7%
1995 -19.8% -13.6%
1994 -22.6% -29.1%
1993 -12.8% -7.19%
1992 -8.28% -24%
1991 -1.06% -19.5%
1990 -1.63% -30.2%

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

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

In 2023, Brunei's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $1.64B, equivalent to 10.9% of GDP. This compares to Lebanon's deficit of $342M, or 1.7% of GDP.

Over the past 34 years, Brunei recorded a fiscal deficit in 19 of those years, while Lebanon ran a deficit in 34 years. On average, Brunei posted an annual deficit equal to 1.45% of GDP, compared to deficit of 13.1% of GDP for Lebanon.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Brunei

Lebanon
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Brunei Lebanon
2024 -0.39% 45.2%
2023 0.36% 221.3%
2022 3.68% 171.2%
2021 1.73% 154.8%
2020 1.94% 84.9%
2019 -0.39% 2.9%
2018 1.03% 6.1%
2017 -1.26% 4.5%
2016 -0.28% -0.8%
2015 -0.49% -3.8%
2014 -0.21% 1.1%
2013 0.39% 5.6%
2012 0.11% 6.6%
2011 0.14% 5%
2010 0.36% 4%
2009 1.04% 1.2%
2008 2.08% 10.7%
2007 0.97% 4.1%
2006 0.16% 4.1%
2005 1.24% -1.4%
2004 0.81% 1.7%
2003 0.3% 1.3%
2002 -2.31% 1.8%
2001 0.6% -0.4%
2000 1.56% -0.4%
1999 -0.42% 0.2%
1998 -0.44% 4.5%
1997 1.71% 7.7%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Over the past 28 years, Brunei has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 0.5%, compared with 26.6% in Lebanon. In 2024, inflation was -0.39% in Brunei and 45.2% in Lebanon.

Top exports between countries

Brunei
Export category Export value
Lebanon
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $208K
Raw agricultural goods $35K
Miscellaneous $16K
Chemicals & pharma $8K
Wood & paper products $6K
Machinery & equipment $4K
Metals $4K
Textiles & consumer goods $4K
Raw materials & minerals $1K

Balance of trade

Brunei Lebanon
Current account balance
$2.23B
2024
-$5.64B
2023
Current account balance ranking
45/190
2024
168/190
2023
Current account balance, % of GDP
+14.5%
2024
-28.1%
2023
Goods imports
$7.36B
2024
$16.7B
2023
Goods exports
$11.1B
2024
$3.85B
2023
Service imports
$1.75B
2024
$6.63B
2023
Service exports
$410M
2024
$7.92B
2023
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
58.3%
2024
73.7%
2023
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
74.3%
2024
30.6%
2023

Economic freedom indices

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

Brunei Lebanon
Economic freedom 67.5 43.1
Economic freedom ranking 55/197 183/197
Property rights 66.1 21.8
Government integrity 60.4 23.4
Judicial effectiveness 48.6 23.8
Tax burden 95 90.3
Government spending 75.6 93.3
Fiscal health 39 63.4
Business freedom 75.3 47.6
Labor freedom 75.1 48.4
Monetary freedom 74.8 0
Trade freedom 84.6 65.6
Investment freedom 65 20
Financial freedom 50 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Brunei
Lebanon
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Brunei Lebanon
2026 67.5 43.1
2025 67 44.1
2024 65.9 48.3
2023 65.7 45.6
2022 64.8 47.3
2021 66.6 51.4
2020 66.6 51.7
2019 65.1 51.1
2018 64.2 53.2
2017 69.8 53.3
2016 67.3 59.5
2015 68.9 59.3
2014 69 59.4
2013 - 59.5
2012 - 60.1
2011 - 60.1
2010 - 59.5
2009 - 58.1
2008 - 60
2007 - 60.4
2006 - 57.5
2005 - 57.2
2004 - 56.9
2003 - 56.7
2002 - 57.1
2001 - 61
2000 - 56.1
1999 - 59.1
1998 - 59
1997 - 63.9
1996 - 63.2

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Brunei is 67.5, ranking 55/197, compared to 43.1 for Lebanon, ranking 183/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Brunei Lebanon
Services, % of GDP
39%
2024
42.4%
2023
Industry, % of GDP
61.7%
2024
2.09%
2023
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.17%
2024
0.97%
2023
GNI, Atlas method
$16.7B
2024
$21.4B
2023
GNI per capita, PPP
$92,750
2024
$12,420
2023
Total reserves including gold
$4.41B
2024
$33.3B
2024
Total reserves ranking
105/177
2024
54/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$29.1M
2024
-$583M
2023
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$29.1M
2024
$1.84B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$391M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
22%
2023
Poverty at national poverty lines n/a
27.4%
2012
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
27.9%
2024
1.9%
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/lebanon | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1965–2024, 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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1990–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  6. TradeMap (2022–2023, 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.

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.