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Economy of Brunei vs Liberia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Brunei has a GDP of $15B compared to $5.25B for Liberia, ranking 147/197 and 162/197 by economy size, respectively.

Brunei has $232M in government debt (1.54% of GDP), compared to $2.88B (54.9% of GDP) in Liberia.

Brunei vs Liberia GDP by year

Brunei
Liberia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Brunei Liberia
2025 $15,031,980,994 $5,245,938,900
2024 $15,340,808,592 $4,779,300,900
2023 $15,095,084,656 $4,390,000,000
2022 $16,681,536,467 $4,001,047,000
2021 $14,006,496,617 $3,513,049,500
2020 $12,005,799,654 $3,176,126,300
2019 $13,469,235,365 $3,319,596,500
2018 $13,566,908,391 $3,422,754,800
2017 $12,128,168,045 $3,390,703,400
2016 $11,400,266,045 $3,398,419,600
2015 $12,930,296,870 $3,227,075,700
2014 $17,097,797,386 $3,225,652,000
2013 $18,094,148,099 $3,177,198,100
2012 $19,048,443,341 $2,791,614,000
2011 $18,524,791,063 $2,398,000,000
2010 $13,707,121,038 $1,998,000,000
2009 $11,912,904,510 $1,768,000,000
2008 $15,926,456,515 $1,726,000,000
2007 $13,432,029,484 $1,373,000,000
2006 $12,644,616,419 $1,119,000,000
2005 $10,547,202,621 $949,000,000
2004 $8,619,178,774 $897,000,000
2003 $7,167,725,262 $748,000,000
2002 $6,333,082,876 $927,000,000
2001 $6,096,155,767 $906,000,000
2000 $6,570,999,088 $874,000,000
1999 $6,309,070,378 $441,800,000
1998 $5,550,846,020 $359,600,000
1997 $7,793,034,376 $295,900,000
1996 $7,663,377,306 $159,400,000
1995 $7,700,144,069 $134,800,000
1994 $6,467,782,518 $132,200,000
1993 $6,203,339,912 $160,400,000
1992 $6,327,966,435 $223,500,000
1991 $6,284,497,294 $348,000,000
1990 $6,039,881,087 $384,400,000
1989 $4,983,622,881 $786,300,000
1988 $4,535,130,305 $1,038,300,000
1987 $4,918,010,080 $972,800,000
1986 $4,190,280,003 $840,964,400
1985 $6,967,623,884 $851,296,100
1984 $7,632,788,075 $848,478,300
1983 $7,927,590,750 $823,374,900
1982 $8,932,198,186 $863,933,200
1981 $9,367,218,664 $846,514,500
1980 $10,795,432,294 $854,711,500
1979 $6,044,367,628 $814,067,900
1978 $4,100,423,674 $717,240,400
1977 $3,681,242,528 $673,010,600
1976 $3,054,765,590 $596,675,700
1975 $2,496,420,258 $577,549,300
1974 $2,319,576,214 $486,955,000
1973 $433,095,527 $386,968,300
1972 $270,822,782 $368,098,000
1971 $197,525,768 $341,543,100
1970 $179,078,929 $323,099,700
1969 $161,210,236 $306,961,800
1968 $160,818,236 $276,820,700
1967 $139,029,537 $261,024,300
1966 $132,757,528 $244,459,500
1965 $114,039,501 $229,260,800
1964 - $218,929,100
1963 - $200,229,600
1962 - $191,861,800
1961 - $183,920,900
1960 - $190,495,600

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

GDP per capita in Brunei vs Liberia by year

Brunei
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Liberia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Brunei Liberia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $32,235 - $915 -
2024 $33,153 $89,879 $851 $1,871
2023 $32,891 $85,033 $799 $1,795
2022 $36,633 $81,802 $745 $1,692
2021 $31,007 $78,249 $668 $1,539
2020 $26,834 $69,788 $617 $1,660
2019 $30,427 $69,354 $658 $1,900
2018 $30,988 $65,149 $692 $1,800
2017 $28,024 $61,658 $699 $1,665
2016 $26,663 $56,680 $715 $1,490
2015 $30,625 $62,708 $693 $1,340
2014 $41,027 $81,226 $707 $1,419
2013 $44,003 $83,237 $711 $1,360
2012 $46,969 $87,256 $638 $1,157
2011 $46,383 $82,735 $568 $1,041
2010 $34,938 $79,543 $492 $980
2009 $30,946 $77,957 $448 $939
2008 $42,157 $80,477 $452 $915
2007 $36,217 $83,693 $374 $873
2006 $34,675 $86,114 $321 $815
2005 $29,386 $81,534 $287.5 $774
2004 $24,423 $80,404 $284.1 $745
2003 $20,678 $79,632 $239.8 $716
2002 $18,621 $76,838 $299.5 $1,013
2001 $18,288 $74,254 $300 $987
2000 $20,130 $73,087 $298.5 $965
1999 $19,752 $70,585 $156.6 $762
1998 $17,769 $68,257 $134.7 $652
1997 $25,522 $73,980 $122.6 $548
1996 $25,692 $70,008 $71.4 $282.2
1995 $26,443 $70,440 $62.1 $254.4
1994 $22,767 $69,779 $61.5 $262.6
1993 $22,397 $69,387 $74.4 $328
1992 $23,451 $70,016 $107.8 $497
1991 $23,932 $72,610 $177.9 $793
1990 $23,659 $70,201 $172.9 $787
1989 $20,090 - $312 -
1988 $18,825 - $424 -
1987 $21,030 - $409 -
1986 $18,501 - $364 -
1985 $31,827 - $380 -
1984 $36,061 - $390 -
1983 $38,720 - $391 -
1982 $45,075 - $422 -
1981 $48,793 - $426 -
1980 $58,005 - $443 -
1979 $33,501 - $435 -
1978 $23,447 - $394 -
1977 $21,747 - $381 -
1976 $18,671 - $347 -
1975 $15,793 - $346 -
1974 $15,195 - $299.4 -
1973 $2,939 - $244.4 -
1972 $1,905 - $238.6 -
1971 $1,432 - $227.1 -
1970 $1,325 - $220.3 -
1969 $1,226 - $214.7 -
1968 $1,274 - $198.6 -
1967 $1,149 - $192.2 -
1966 $1,146 - $184.6 -
1965 $1,029 - $177.6 -
1964 - - $173.9 -
1963 - - $163.1 -
1962 - - $160.3 -
1961 - - $157.5 -
1960 - - $167.2 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Brunei's GDP per capita is $32,235, ranking 42/197, compared to $915 in Liberia, ranking 184/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Brunei ranks 9th at $89,879, while Liberia ranks 188th at $1,871.

Economic indicators

Brunei Liberia
Gross domestic product
$15B
2025
$5.25B
2025
GDP rank
147/197
2025
162/197
2025
GDP growth
0.67%
2024-2025
5.02%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$32,235
2025
$915
2025
GDP per capita rank
42/197
2025
184/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$89,879
2024
$1,871
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
9/197
2024
188/197
2024
Government debt
$232M
2025
$2.88B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
1.54%
2025
54.9%
2025
Government debt per person
$498
2025
$502
2025
Government debt per person rank
169/185
2025
167/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$25,392
2026
$1,467
2026
Income share by richest 10% n/a
27.1%
2016
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
2.9%
2016
Government expenditure, % of GDP
29.9%
2025
22.4%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
-0.3%
2024-2025
8.3%
2024-2025
Unemployment rate
4.87%
2024
5.93%
2017
Population
471596
5916561

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Brunei
Spending

Debt
Liberia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Brunei Liberia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 29.9% 1.54% 22.4% 54.9%
2024 30.3% 1.57% 24.1% 56.4%
2023 30.1% 1.67% 28.6% 57.2%
2022 26.1% 1.33% 27.4% 54.4%
2021 30.1% 1.43% 29.8% 53.5%
2020 32.8% 2.16% 35.3% 58.5%
2019 32.1% 1.82% 32.3% 48.1%
2018 32.9% 1.9% 32.7% 36.2%
2017 36.6% 2.58% 35.1% 31.8%
2016 39.8% 3% 35.8% 28%
2015 37% 2.95% 37.1% 24.4%
2014 34% 3.23% 33.4% 24.3%
2013 33.4% 2.21% 27.4% 20.6%
2012 31.1% 2.1% 30.8% 20.5%
2011 29.9% 2.13% 29.8% 22.5%
2010 25.5% 1.11% 25.1% 25.4%
2009 34.8% 1.11% 24% 132.2%
2008 27.2% 0.94% 21.8% 235.3%
2007 29.3% 0.68% 16.1% 367%
2006 28% 0.59% 10.6% 451%
2005 29.1% 0% 11.7% 488%
2004 33.2% 0% 12.1% 543%
2003 30.9% 0% 8.98% 600%
2002 41.4% 0% 12.7% 464%
2001 35.5% 0% 12.1% 465%
2000 37.5% 0% 14.5% 468%
1999 44.1% 0% - -
1998 45.4% 0% - -
1997 39% 0% - -
1996 36.9% 0% - -
1995 44% 0% - -
1994 47.1% 0% - -
1993 38% 0% - -
1992 34.1% 0% - -
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/liberia | CC BY

In 2025, Brunei's government spending was $4.5B, accounting for 29.9% of its GDP, while Liberia spent $1.18B, or 22.4% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 1.54% in Brunei and 54.9% in Liberia, ranking 185/185 and 90/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Brunei

Liberia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Brunei Liberia
2025 -13.4% -1.41%
2024 -12.9% -1.8%
2023 -8.62% -8.55%
2022 -0.25% -5.82%
2021 -8.34% -2.5%
2020 -16.2% -4.02%
2019 -4.16% -4.92%
2018 -2.9% -4.7%
2017 -13.8% -7.14%
2016 -16.7% -3.83%
2015 -11.4% -3.74%
2014 1.25% -4.92%
2013 10.4% 1.29%
2012 19.5% -2.86%
2011 21.5% -4.39%
2010 11.3% 1.16%
2009 3.61% -1.4%
2008 36.1% -2.7%
2007 3.12% 2.28%
2006 19.8% 4.23%
2005 16% -0.51%
2004 8.57% -0.56%
2003 8.06% 0.36%
2002 -4.61% -1.57%
2001 2.59% -0.94%
2000 6.86% -0.08%
1999 -18.3% -
1998 -24% -
1997 -11.8% -
1996 -8.7% -
1995 -19.8% -
1994 -22.6% -
1993 -12.8% -
1992 -8.28% -
1991 -1.06% -
1990 -1.63% -

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

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

In 2025, Brunei's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $2.02B, equivalent to 13.4% of GDP. This compares to Liberia's deficit of $74.2M, or 1.41% of GDP.

Over the past 26 years, Brunei recorded a fiscal deficit in 12 of those years, while Liberia ran a deficit in 21 years. On average, Brunei posted an annual surplus equal to 2.13% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.27% of GDP for Liberia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Brunei

Liberia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Brunei Liberia
2025 -0.3% 8.3%
2024 -0.39% 8.2%
2023 0.36% 10.1%
2022 3.68% 7.6%
2021 1.73% 7.8%
2020 1.94% 17%
2019 -0.39% 27%
2018 1.03% 23.5%
2017 -1.26% 12.4%
2016 -0.28% 8.8%
2015 -0.49% 7.7%
2014 -0.21% 9.9%
2013 0.39% 7.6%
2012 0.11% 6.8%
2011 0.14% 8.5%
2010 0.36% 7.3%
2009 1.04% 7.4%
2008 2.08% 17.5%
2007 0.97% 11.4%
2006 0.16% 9.5%
2005 1.24% 6.9%
2004 0.81% 3.6%
2003 0.3% 10.3%
2002 -2.31% 14.2%
2001 0.6% 12.1%
2000 1.56% 5.3%
1999 -0.42% 2%
1998 -0.44% -
1997 1.71% -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1999–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 27 years, Brunei has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 0.46%, compared with 10.3% in Liberia. In 2025, inflation was -0.3% in Brunei and 8.3% in Liberia.

Balance of trade

Brunei Liberia
Current account balance
$2.71B
2025
$120M
2024
Current account balance ranking
40/190
2025
62/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+18%
2025
+2.51%
2024
Goods imports
$6.28B
2025
$1.51B
2024
Goods exports
$10.3B
2025
$1.31B
2024
Service imports
$1.54B
2025
$253M
2024
Service exports
$463M
2025
$42.6M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
52%
2025
n/a
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
71.6%
2025
28.5%
2026

Economic freedom indices

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

Brunei Liberia
Economic freedom 67.5 49.8
Economic freedom ranking 55/197 163/197
Property rights 66.1 40.4
Government integrity 60.4 25.8
Judicial effectiveness 48.6 23.4
Tax burden 95 86.1
Government spending 75.6 79.5
Fiscal health 39 56.9
Business freedom 75.3 38
Labor freedom 75.1 43.4
Monetary freedom 74.8 71.4
Trade freedom 84.6 57.4
Investment freedom 65 55
Financial freedom 50 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Brunei
Liberia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Brunei Liberia
2026 67.5 49.8
2025 67 48.5
2024 65.9 49.9
2023 65.7 49.6
2022 64.8 47.9
2021 66.6 49.2
2020 66.6 49
2019 65.1 49.7
2018 64.2 50.9
2017 69.8 49.1
2016 67.3 52.2
2015 68.9 52.7
2014 69 52.4
2013 - 49.3
2012 - 48.6
2011 - 46.5
2010 - 46.2
2009 - 48.1

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Brunei is 67.5, ranking 55/197, compared to 49.8 for Liberia, ranking 163/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Brunei Liberia
Services, % of GDP
40.2%
2025
40%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
60%
2025
24.5%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.18%
2025
32.7%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$16.2B
2025
$4.76B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$95,420
2025
$1,840
2025
Total reserves including gold
$5.49B
2025
$339M
2025
Total reserves ranking
100/177
2025
166/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$157M
2025
-$397M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$29.1M
2024
$472M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$74.9M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
3.12%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines n/a
50.9%
2016
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
27.1%
2025
n/a

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/liberia | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, 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. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. 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.