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Economy of Brunei vs Malaysia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Brunei has a GDP of $15B compared to $472B for Malaysia, ranking 147/197 and 35/197 by economy size, respectively.

Brunei has $232M in government debt (1.54% of GDP), compared to $334B (70.7% of GDP) in Malaysia.

Brunei vs Malaysia GDP by year

Brunei
Malaysia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Brunei Malaysia
2025 $15,031,980,994 $472,193,128,645
2024 $15,340,808,592 $422,227,005,429
2023 $15,095,084,656 $399,949,418,753
2022 $16,681,536,467 $407,830,525,990
2021 $14,006,496,617 $373,784,553,030
2020 $12,005,799,654 $337,456,163,961
2019 $13,469,235,365 $365,177,721,022
2018 $13,566,908,391 $358,788,845,713
2017 $12,128,168,045 $319,109,094,160
2016 $11,400,266,045 $301,256,033,870
2015 $12,930,296,870 $301,355,266,965
2014 $17,097,797,386 $338,066,095,097
2013 $18,094,148,099 $323,276,235,524
2012 $19,048,443,341 $314,443,047,642
2011 $18,524,791,063 $297,951,668,675
2010 $13,707,121,038 $255,017,638,456
2009 $11,912,904,510 $202,257,453,037
2008 $15,926,456,515 $230,811,614,370
2007 $13,432,029,484 $193,549,569,478
2006 $12,644,616,419 $162,692,258,307
2005 $10,547,202,621 $143,534,405,819
2004 $8,619,178,774 $124,749,473,684
2003 $7,167,725,262 $110,202,368,421
2002 $6,333,082,876 $100,845,526,316
2001 $6,096,155,767 $92,783,947,368
2000 $6,570,999,088 $93,789,736,842
1999 $6,309,070,378 $79,148,421,053
1998 $5,550,846,020 $72,167,498,981
1997 $7,793,034,376 $100,005,323,302
1996 $7,663,377,306 $100,855,393,910
1995 $7,700,144,069 $88,705,342,903
1994 $6,467,782,518 $74,478,356,958
1993 $6,203,339,912 $66,894,966,969
1992 $6,327,966,435 $59,167,550,163
1991 $6,284,497,294 $49,143,148,094
1990 $6,039,881,087 $44,024,585,240
1989 $4,983,622,881 $38,847,965,293
1988 $4,535,130,305 $35,272,109,220
1987 $4,918,010,080 $32,181,210,158
1986 $4,190,280,003 $27,734,111,400
1985 $6,967,623,884 $31,199,633,353
1984 $7,632,788,075 $33,942,897,422
1983 $7,927,590,750 $30,347,442,111
1982 $8,932,198,186 $26,804,493,635
1981 $9,367,218,664 $25,004,285,792
1980 $10,795,432,294 $24,488,224,677
1979 $6,044,367,628 $21,213,264,962
1978 $4,100,423,674 $16,358,079,862
1977 $3,681,242,528 $13,139,488,633
1976 $3,054,765,590 $11,050,234,599
1975 $2,496,420,258 $9,298,800,799
1974 $2,319,576,214 $9,496,204,302
1973 $433,095,527 $7,662,902,678
1972 $270,822,782 $5,043,347,250
1971 $197,525,768 $4,244,395,956
1970 $179,078,929 $3,864,145,667
1969 $161,210,236 $3,664,552,041
1968 $160,818,236 $3,330,371,551
1967 $139,029,537 $3,188,924,677
1966 $132,757,528 $3,143,517,944
1965 $114,039,501 $2,956,337,669
1964 - $2,674,423,922
1963 - $2,510,110,348
1962 - $2,001,489,602
1961 - $1,901,856,123
1960 - $1,916,229,477

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

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

GDP per capita in Brunei vs Malaysia by year

Brunei
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Malaysia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Brunei Malaysia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $32,235 - $13,125 -
2024 $33,153 $89,879 $11,874 $38,779
2023 $32,891 $85,033 $11,386 $36,467
2022 $36,633 $81,802 $11,755 $34,420
2021 $31,007 $78,249 $10,903 $29,823
2020 $26,834 $69,788 $9,958 $27,475
2019 $30,427 $69,354 $10,920 $28,934
2018 $30,988 $65,149 $10,902 $27,794
2017 $28,024 $61,658 $9,863 $26,416
2016 $26,663 $56,680 $9,477 $25,286
2015 $30,625 $62,708 $9,649 $24,526
2014 $41,027 $81,226 $11,013 $24,307
2013 $44,003 $83,237 $10,714 $23,161
2012 $46,969 $87,256 $10,601 $22,639
2011 $46,383 $82,735 $10,217 $21,324
2010 $34,938 $79,543 $8,899 $20,193
2009 $30,946 $77,957 $7,191 $18,923
2008 $42,157 $80,477 $8,372 $19,480
2007 $36,217 $83,693 $7,169 $18,617
2006 $34,675 $86,114 $6,158 $17,426
2005 $29,386 $81,534 $5,556 $16,371
2004 $24,423 $80,404 $4,939 $15,416
2003 $20,678 $79,632 $4,465 $14,387
2002 $18,621 $76,838 $4,184 $13,656
2001 $18,288 $74,254 $3,944 $13,072
2000 $20,130 $73,087 $4,084 $13,027
1999 $19,752 $70,585 $3,528 $11,980
1998 $17,769 $68,257 $3,294 $11,398
1997 $25,522 $73,980 $4,679 $12,469
1996 $25,692 $70,008 $4,837 $11,709
1995 $26,443 $70,440 $4,363 $10,720
1994 $22,767 $69,779 $3,758 $9,806
1993 $22,397 $69,387 $3,462 $9,018
1992 $23,451 $70,016 $3,141 $8,224
1991 $23,932 $72,610 $2,679 $7,583
1990 $23,659 $70,201 $2,469 $6,887
1989 $20,090 - $2,244 -
1988 $18,825 - $2,100 -
1987 $21,030 - $1,977 -
1986 $18,501 - $1,760 -
1985 $31,827 - $2,046 -
1984 $36,061 - $2,300 -
1983 $38,720 - $2,124 -
1982 $45,075 - $1,938 -
1981 $48,793 - $1,866 -
1980 $58,005 - $1,886 -
1979 $33,501 - $1,680 -
1978 $23,447 - $1,327 -
1977 $21,747 - $1,092 -
1976 $18,671 - $940 -
1975 $15,793 - $811 -
1974 $15,195 - $848 -
1973 $2,939 - $701 -
1972 $1,905 - $472 -
1971 $1,432 - $407 -
1970 $1,325 - $380 -
1969 $1,226 - $368 -
1968 $1,274 - $342 -
1967 $1,149 - $335 -
1966 $1,146 - $339 -
1965 $1,029 - $326 -
1964 - - $303 -
1963 - - $291.8 -
1962 - - $238.8 -
1961 - - $232.9 -
1960 - - $240.8 -

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

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

Brunei's GDP per capita is $32,235, ranking 42/197, compared to $13,125 in Malaysia, ranking 78/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Brunei ranks 9th at $89,879, while Malaysia ranks 60th at $38,779.

Economic indicators

Brunei Malaysia
Gross domestic product
$15B
2025
$472B
2025
GDP rank
147/197
2025
35/197
2025
GDP growth
0.67%
2024-2025
5.17%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$32,235
2025
$13,125
2025
GDP per capita rank
42/197
2025
78/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$89,879
2024
$38,779
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
9/197
2024
60/197
2024
Government debt
$232M
2025
$334B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
1.54%
2025
70.7%
2025
Government debt per person
$498
2025
$9,273
2025
Government debt per person rank
169/185
2025
62/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$25,392
2026
$11,034
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$487B
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
19
2026
Income share by richest 10% n/a
30.9%
2021
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
2.3%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
29.9%
2025
23.4%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
-0.3%
2024-2025
1.38%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate n/a
2.75%
2025
Unemployment rate
4.87%
2024
3.9%
2022
Population
471596
36600906

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Brunei
Spending

Debt
Malaysia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Brunei Malaysia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 29.9% 1.54% 23.4% 70.7%
2024 30.3% 1.57% 24% 69.8%
2023 30.1% 1.67% 25% 69.7%
2022 26.1% 1.33% 24.6% 65.5%
2021 30.1% 1.43% 24.5% 69.2%
2020 32.8% 2.16% 25% 67.7%
2019 32.1% 1.82% 23.6% 57.1%
2018 32.9% 1.9% 22.8% 55.6%
2017 36.6% 2.58% 22% 54.4%
2016 39.8% 3% 22.9% 55.8%
2015 37% 2.95% 24.7% 57%
2014 34% 3.23% 26% 55.4%
2013 33.4% 2.21% 27.8% 55.7%
2012 31.1% 2.1% 28.5% 53.8%
2011 29.9% 2.13% 27.1% 51.9%
2010 25.5% 1.11% 26.6% 51.2%
2009 34.8% 1.11% 30.9% 50.4%
2008 27.2% 0.94% 26.9% 39.4%
2007 29.3% 0.68% 25.9% 39.3%
2006 28% 0.59% 25.6% 39.7%
2005 29.1% 0% 24.5% 40.8%
2004 33.2% 0% 25.9% 42%
2003 30.9% 0% 28.1% 41.4%
2002 41.4% 0% 27.1% 39.5%
2001 35.5% 0% 28.2% 38.1%
2000 37.5% 0% 25.6% 32.5%
1999 44.1% 0% 24.6% 34.4%
1998 45.4% 0% 23.1% 33.6%
1997 39% 0% 21.2% 29.6%
1996 36.9% 0% 22.4% 32.8%
1995 44% 0% 22.6% 38.2%
1994 47.1% 0% 23.3% 43.7%
1993 38% 0% 24.6% 51.1%
1992 34.1% 0% 28.2% 59.1%
1991 30.6% 0% 27.4% 67.3%
1990 32% 0% 30.5% 74.1%

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

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

In 2025, Brunei's government spending was $4.5B, accounting for 29.9% of its GDP, while Malaysia spent $111B, or 23.4% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 1.54% in Brunei and 70.7% in Malaysia, ranking 185/185 and 56/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Brunei

Malaysia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Brunei Malaysia
2025 -13.4% -3.54%
2024 -12.9% -3.45%
2023 -8.62% -4.11%
2022 -0.25% -4.56%
2021 -8.34% -6.03%
2020 -16.2% -4.9%
2019 -4.16% -2.01%
2018 -2.9% -2.64%
2017 -13.8% -2.41%
2016 -16.7% -2.6%
2015 -11.4% -2.55%
2014 1.25% -2.63%
2013 10.4% -3.48%
2012 19.5% -3.1%
2011 21.5% -3.57%
2010 11.3% -4.32%
2009 3.61% -5.88%
2008 36.1% -3.4%
2007 3.12% -2.57%
2006 19.8% -2.6%
2005 16% -2.83%
2004 8.57% -3.35%
2003 8.06% -4.6%
2002 -4.61% -3.96%
2001 2.59% -4.36%
2000 6.86% -6.05%
1999 -18.3% -3%
1998 -24% -0.63%
1997 -11.8% 4.84%
1996 -8.7% 3.27%
1995 -19.8% 3.1%
1994 -22.6% 5.45%
1993 -12.8% 3.44%
1992 -8.28% 1.81%
1991 -1.06% 1.6%
1990 -1.63% 0.15%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/brunei/malaysia | 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 Malaysia's deficit of $16.7B, or 3.54% of GDP.

Over the past 36 years, Brunei recorded a fiscal deficit in 22 of those years, while Malaysia ran a deficit in 28 years. On average, Brunei posted an annual deficit equal to 2.04% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.1% of GDP for Malaysia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Brunei

Malaysia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Brunei Malaysia
2025 -0.3% 1.38%
2024 -0.39% 1.83%
2023 0.36% 2.49%
2022 3.68% 3.38%
2021 1.73% 2.48%
2020 1.94% -1.14%
2019 -0.39% 0.66%
2018 1.03% 0.88%
2017 -1.26% 3.87%
2016 -0.28% 2.09%
2015 -0.49% 2.1%
2014 -0.21% 3.14%
2013 0.39% 2.11%
2012 0.11% 1.66%
2011 0.14% 3.17%
2010 0.36% 1.62%
2009 1.04% 0.58%
2008 2.08% 5.44%
2007 0.97% 2.03%
2006 0.16% 3.61%
2005 1.24% 2.98%
2004 0.81% 1.42%
2003 0.3% 1.09%
2002 -2.31% 1.81%
2001 0.6% 1.42%
2000 1.56% 1.53%
1999 -0.42% 2.74%
1998 -0.44% 5.27%
1997 1.71% 2.66%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 29 years, Brunei has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 0.47%, compared with 2.22% in Malaysia. In 2025, inflation was -0.3% in Brunei and 1.38% in Malaysia.

Top exports between countries

Brunei
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $739M
Machinery & equipment $29.5M
Metals $18.7M
Chemicals & pharma $7.24M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $3.53M
Wood & paper products $1.69M
Textiles & consumer goods $1.54M
Miscellaneous $658K
Animal & marine products $611K
Precious metals & jewellery $223K
Malaysia
Export category Export value
Transport & tourism services $708M
Raw materials & minerals $328M
Chemicals & pharma $188M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $167M
Machinery & equipment $137M
Business & finance services $125M
Metals $56M
Textiles & consumer goods $29.8M
IT & IP services $24.8M
Animal & marine products $24.8M

Balance of trade

Brunei Malaysia
Current account balance
$2.71B
2025
$7.15B
2024
Current account balance ranking
40/190
2025
29/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+18%
2025
+1.69%
2024
Goods imports
$6.28B
2025
$223B
2024
Goods exports
$10.3B
2025
$248B
2024
Service imports
$1.54B
2025
$56.4B
2024
Service exports
$463M
2025
$53.4B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
52%
2025
65.4%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
71.6%
2025
71%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Brunei Malaysia
Economic freedom 67.5 68
Economic freedom ranking 55/197 51/197
Property rights 66.1 62.7
Government integrity 60.4 52.9
Judicial effectiveness 48.6 63.4
Tax burden 95 83.5
Government spending 75.6 82
Fiscal health 39 62.5
Business freedom 75.3 79.6
Labor freedom 75.1 55.4
Monetary freedom 74.8 80.8
Trade freedom 84.6 83
Investment freedom 65 60
Financial freedom 50 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Brunei
Malaysia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Brunei Malaysia
2026 67.5 68
2025 67 67.1
2024 65.9 65.7
2023 65.7 67.3
2022 64.8 68.1
2021 66.6 74.4
2020 66.6 74.7
2019 65.1 74
2018 64.2 74.5
2017 69.8 73.8
2016 67.3 71.5
2015 68.9 70.8
2014 69 69.6
2013 - 66.1
2012 - 66.4
2011 - 66.3
2010 - 64.8
2009 - 64.6
2008 - 63.9
2007 - 63.8
2006 - 61.6
2005 - 61.9
2004 - 59.9
2003 - 61.1
2002 - 60.1
2001 - 60.2
2000 - 66
1999 - 68.9
1998 - 68.2
1997 - 66.8
1996 - 69.9
1995 - 71.9

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Brunei is 67.5, ranking 55/197, compared to 68 for Malaysia, ranking 51/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Brunei Malaysia
Services, % of GDP
40.2%
2025
54.8%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
60%
2025
35.7%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.18%
2025
8.22%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$16.2B
2025
$445B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$95,420
2025
$40,070
2025
Total reserves including gold
$5.49B
2025
$126B
2025
Total reserves ranking
100/177
2025
25/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$157M
2025
-$2.55B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$29.1M
2024
$15.6B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$13B
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines n/a
5.1%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
27.1%
2025
20.5%
2025

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/malaysia | 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 (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. TradeMap (2024–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. 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.

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.