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Economy of Brunei vs Lebanon compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Brunei has a GDP of $15B compared to $26B for Lebanon, ranking 147/197 and 121/197 by economy size, respectively.

Brunei has $232M in government debt (1.54% of GDP), compared to $41B (139.4% of GDP) in Lebanon.

Brunei vs Lebanon GDP by year

Brunei
Lebanon
1x
Year GDP, current $
Brunei Lebanon
2025 $15,031,980,994 -
2024 $15,340,808,592 $25,971,643,441
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 (1965–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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
2025 $32,235 - - -
2024 $33,153 $89,879 $4,473 -
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 (1965–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Brunei's GDP per capita is $32,235, ranking 42/197, compared to $4,473 in Lebanon, ranking 129/197. 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
$15B
2025
$26B
2024
GDP rank
147/197
2025
121/197
2024
GDP growth
0.67%
2024-2025
-7.08%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$32,235
2025
$4,473
2024
GDP per capita rank
42/197
2025
129/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$89,879
2024
$12,575
2023
GDP per capita PPP rank
9/197
2024
123/197
2023
Government debt
$232M
2025
$41B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
1.54%
2025
139.4%
2025
Government debt per person
$498
2025
$7,061
2024
Government debt per person rank
169/185
2025
71/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$25,392
2026
$3,055
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$10.6B
2021
Number of billionaires n/a
6
2026
Income share by richest 10% n/a
25.6%
2022
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
2.8%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
29.9%
2025
15.5%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
-0.3%
2024-2025
14.6%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate n/a
20%
2023
Unemployment rate
4.87%
2024
11.3%
2019
Population
471596
5921719

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
2025 29.9% 1.54% 15.5% 139.4%
2024 30.3% 1.57% 15.3% 157.9%
2023 30.1% 1.67% 14.3% 185.8%
2022 26.1% 1.33% 12.9% 235.9%
2021 30.1% 1.43% 10.5% 346%
2020 32.8% 2.16% 24.5% 157.2%
2019 32.1% 1.82% 31.3% 171.9%
2018 32.9% 1.9% 32.1% 154%
2017 36.6% 2.58% 30.7% 150.4%
2016 39.8% 3% 28.6% 147.9%
2015 37% 2.95% 26.7% 140.9%
2014 34% 3.23% 28.9% 138.5%
2013 33.4% 2.21% 28.9% 135.4%
2012 31.1% 2.1% 30.2% 131.1%
2011 29.9% 2.13% 28.8% 134.4%
2010 25.5% 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 (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1990–1999, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Brunei's government spending was $4.5B, accounting for 29.9% of its GDP, while Lebanon spent $3.98B, or 15.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 1.54% in Brunei and 139.4% in Lebanon, ranking 185/185 and 8/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Brunei

Lebanon
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Brunei Lebanon
2025 -13.4% 3.25%
2024 -12.9% 0.39%
2023 -8.62% -1.64%
2022 -0.25% -7.49%
2021 -8.34% -2.57%
2020 -16.2% -7.79%
2019 -4.16% -10.5%
2018 -2.9% -11.2%
2017 -13.8% -8.68%
2016 -16.7% -8.98%
2015 -11.4% -7.49%
2014 1.25% -6.22%
2013 10.4% -8.83%
2012 19.5% -8.43%
2011 21.5% -5.94%
2010 11.3% -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 (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2024, Brunei's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $1.98B, equivalent to 12.9% of GDP. This compares to Lebanon's surplus of $102M, or 0.39% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Brunei recorded a fiscal deficit in 21 of those years, while Lebanon ran a deficit in 34 years. On average, Brunei posted an annual deficit equal to 1.71% of GDP, compared to deficit of 12.7% of GDP for Lebanon.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Brunei

Lebanon
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Brunei Lebanon
2025 -0.3% 14.6%
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% 4.4%
2016 -0.28% -0.8%
2015 -0.49% -3.7%
2014 -0.21% 1.9%
2013 0.39% 4.8%
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 (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 29 years, Brunei has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 0.47%, compared with 26.1% in Lebanon. In 2025, inflation was -0.3% in Brunei and 14.6% in Lebanon.

Top exports between countries

Brunei
Export category Export value
Lebanon
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $258K
Raw agricultural goods $29K
Chemicals & pharma $8K
Metals $6K
Textiles & consumer goods $5K
Machinery & equipment $4K
Miscellaneous $3K
Raw materials & minerals $1K
Wood & paper products $1K

Balance of trade

Brunei Lebanon
Current account balance
$2.71B
2025
-$5.64B
2023
Current account balance ranking
40/190
2025
166/190
2023
Current account balance, % of GDP
+18%
2025
-28.1%
2023
Goods imports
$6.28B
2025
$16.7B
2023
Goods exports
$10.3B
2025
$3.85B
2023
Service imports
$1.54B
2025
$6.63B
2023
Service exports
$463M
2025
$7.92B
2023
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
52%
2025
58.9%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
71.6%
2025
23.3%
2024

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 2026-07-08).

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
40.2%
2025
35.7%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
60%
2025
2.63%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.18%
2025
1.05%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$16.2B
2025
$20.7B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$95,420
2025
$11,790
2024
Total reserves including gold
$5.49B
2025
$33.3B
2024
Total reserves ranking
100/177
2025
56/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$157M
2025
-$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
9.68%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines n/a
27.4%
2012
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
27.1%
2025
1.44%
2024

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/lebanon | 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 (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 (1990–1999, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. TradeMap (2022–2024, 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.