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Economy of Brunei vs Nigeria compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Brunei has a GDP of $15B compared to $291B for Nigeria, ranking 147/197 and 50/197 by economy size, respectively.

Brunei has $232M in government debt (1.54% of GDP), compared to $103B (35.5% of GDP) in Nigeria.

Brunei vs Nigeria GDP by year

Brunei
Nigeria
1x
Year GDP, current $
Brunei Nigeria
2025 $15,031,980,994 $290,794,361,542
2024 $15,340,808,592 $252,261,880,140
2023 $15,095,084,656 $487,387,801,878
2022 $16,681,536,467 $646,950,257,575
2021 $14,006,496,617 $609,147,716,965
2020 $12,005,799,654 $598,586,817,817
2019 $13,469,235,365 $668,219,992,687
2018 $13,566,908,391 $421,739,251,509
2017 $12,128,168,045 $375,745,731,053
2016 $11,400,266,045 $404,649,125,252
2015 $12,930,296,870 $493,026,682,801
2014 $17,097,797,386 $574,183,763,412
2013 $18,094,148,099 $520,117,180,314
2012 $19,048,443,341 $463,971,018,239
2011 $18,524,791,063 $414,466,676,831
2010 $13,707,121,038 $366,990,417,129
2009 $11,912,904,510 $295,008,835,381
2008 $15,926,456,515 $339,476,276,258
2007 $13,432,029,484 $278,260,846,800
2006 $12,644,616,419 $238,454,997,161
2005 $10,547,202,621 $175,670,569,969
2004 $8,619,178,774 $135,764,731,646
2003 $7,167,725,262 $104,738,954,264
2002 $6,333,082,876 $95,054,059,303
2001 $6,096,155,767 $73,557,840,064
2000 $6,570,999,088 $69,171,451,627
1999 $6,309,070,378 $59,145,077,039
1998 $5,550,846,020 $218,416,200,673
1997 $7,793,034,376 $200,850,397,618
1996 $7,663,377,306 $185,730,236,700
1995 $7,700,144,069 $140,919,776,986
1994 $6,467,782,518 $80,399,613,064
1993 $6,203,339,912 $56,721,051,402
1992 $6,327,966,435 $52,058,181,854
1991 $6,284,497,294 $59,526,833,412
1990 $6,039,881,087 $54,035,795,388
1989 $4,983,622,881 $44,003,061,108
1988 $4,535,130,305 $49,648,470,440
1987 $4,918,010,080 $52,676,041,931
1986 $4,190,280,003 $54,805,852,581
1985 $6,967,623,884 $73,745,821,158
1984 $7,632,788,075 $73,484,359,521
1983 $7,927,590,750 $97,094,911,792
1982 $8,932,198,186 $142,769,363,314
1981 $9,367,218,664 $164,475,209,516
1980 $10,795,432,294 $64,201,788,123
1979 $6,044,367,628 $47,259,911,894
1978 $4,100,423,674 $36,527,862,209
1977 $3,681,242,528 $36,035,407,725
1976 $3,054,765,590 $36,308,883,249
1975 $2,496,420,258 $27,778,934,625
1974 $2,319,576,214 $24,846,641,318
1973 $433,095,527 $15,162,871,287
1972 $270,822,782 $12,274,416,018
1971 $197,525,768 $9,181,769,912
1970 $179,078,929 $12,546,094,982
1969 $161,210,236 $6,634,317,346
1968 $160,818,236 $5,200,997,920
1967 $139,029,537 $5,203,237,919
1966 $132,757,528 $6,366,917,453
1965 $114,039,501 $5,874,537,650
1964 - $5,552,931,319
1963 - $5,165,590,254
1962 - $4,909,399,176
1961 - $4,467,287,893
1960 - $4,196,174,502

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

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

GDP per capita in Brunei vs Nigeria by year

Brunei
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Nigeria
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Brunei Nigeria
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $32,235 - $1,224 -
2024 $33,153 $89,879 $1,084 $9,087
2023 $32,891 $85,033 $2,139 $8,705
2022 $36,633 $81,802 $2,899 $8,305
2021 $31,007 $78,249 $2,787 $7,588
2020 $26,834 $69,788 $2,797 $7,415
2019 $30,427 $69,354 $3,190 $7,551
2018 $30,988 $65,149 $2,058 $7,158
2017 $28,024 $61,658 $1,876 $7,037
2016 $26,663 $56,680 $2,070 $7,072
2015 $30,625 $62,708 $2,586 $7,308
2014 $41,027 $81,226 $3,089 $7,396
2013 $44,003 $83,237 $2,873 $7,004
2012 $46,969 $87,256 $2,633 $6,671
2011 $46,383 $82,735 $2,418 $6,585
2010 $34,938 $79,543 $2,202 $6,301
2009 $30,946 $77,957 $1,820 $5,927
2008 $42,157 $80,477 $2,154 $5,607
2007 $36,217 $83,693 $1,816 $5,298
2006 $34,675 $86,114 $1,600 $4,975
2005 $29,386 $81,534 $1,211 $4,678
2004 $24,423 $80,404 $962 $4,381
2003 $20,678 $79,632 $763 $4,015
2002 $18,621 $76,838 $712 $3,770
2001 $18,288 $74,254 $566 $3,309
2000 $20,130 $73,087 $547 $3,139
1999 $19,752 $70,585 $481 $3,002
1998 $17,769 $68,257 $1,822 $3,022
1997 $25,522 $73,980 $1,720 $2,990
1996 $25,692 $70,008 $1,633 $2,931
1995 $26,443 $70,440 $1,272 $2,835
1994 $22,767 $69,779 $745 $2,853
1993 $22,397 $69,387 $540 $2,921
1992 $23,451 $70,016 $509 $2,991
1991 $23,932 $72,610 $597 $2,870
1990 $23,659 $70,201 $556 $2,840
1989 $20,090 - $465 -
1988 $18,825 - $540 -
1987 $21,030 - $588 -
1986 $18,501 - $628 -
1985 $31,827 - $869 -
1984 $36,061 - $890 -
1983 $38,720 - $1,207 -
1982 $45,075 - $1,822 -
1981 $48,793 - $2,162 -
1980 $58,005 - $870 -
1979 $33,501 - $661 -
1978 $23,447 - $527 -
1977 $21,747 - $536 -
1976 $18,671 - $556 -
1975 $15,793 - $438 -
1974 $15,195 - $403 -
1973 $2,939 - $252.4 -
1972 $1,905 - $209.5 -
1971 $1,432 - $160.5 -
1970 $1,325 - $224.5 -
1969 $1,226 - $121.4 -
1968 $1,274 - $97.3 -
1967 $1,149 - $99.5 -
1966 $1,146 - $124.4 -
1965 $1,029 - $117.3 -
1964 - - $113.3 -
1963 - - $107.7 -
1962 - - $104.5 -
1961 - - $97.1 -
1960 - - $93.1 -

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

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

Brunei's GDP per capita is $32,235, ranking 42/197, compared to $1,224 in Nigeria, ranking 172/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Brunei ranks 9th at $89,879, while Nigeria ranks 136th at $9,087.

Economic indicators

Brunei Nigeria
Gross domestic product
$15B
2025
$291B
2025
GDP rank
147/197
2025
50/197
2025
GDP growth
0.67%
2024-2025
4.01%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$32,235
2025
$1,224
2025
GDP per capita rank
42/197
2025
172/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$89,879
2024
$9,087
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
9/197
2024
136/197
2024
Government debt
$232M
2025
$103B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
1.54%
2025
35.5%
2025
Government debt per person
$498
2025
$434
2025
Government debt per person rank
169/185
2025
170/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$25,392
2026
$768
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$86.9B
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
4
2026
Income share by richest 10% n/a
26.3%
2022
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
3%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
29.9%
2025
11.7%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
-0.3%
2024-2025
23%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate n/a
26.5%
2026
Unemployment rate
4.87%
2024
3.45%
2024
Population
471596
245016045

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Brunei
Spending

Debt
Nigeria
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Brunei Nigeria
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 29.9% 1.54% 11.7% 35.5%
2024 30.3% 1.57% 12% 39.3%
2023 30.1% 1.67% 10.4% 36.3%
2022 26.1% 1.33% 10.6% 29.8%
2021 30.1% 1.43% 9.09% 26.6%
2020 32.8% 2.16% 8.73% 25.7%
2019 32.1% 1.82% 8.87% 21.4%
2018 32.9% 1.9% 9.1% 20.4%
2017 36.6% 2.58% 8.51% 18%
2016 39.8% 3% 6.93% 17.4%
2015 37% 2.95% 7.85% 14.9%
2014 34% 3.23% 9.49% 15.8%
2013 33.4% 2.21% 10% 13%
2012 31.1% 2.1% 10.5% 12.5%
2011 29.9% 2.13% 12.3% 12.4%
2010 25.5% 1.11% 11.8% 6.67%
2009 34.8% 1.11% 11% 6.12%
2008 27.2% 0.94% 10.2% 5.17%
2007 29.3% 0.68% 12.9% 5.76%
2006 28% 0.59% 8.75% 6.68%
2005 29.1% 0% 12.6% 13.4%
2004 33.2% 0% 13% 25.2%
2003 30.9% 0% 16.5% 29.9%
2002 41.4% 0% 13.8% 30.7%
2001 35.5% 0% 21.9% 37.7%
2000 37.5% 0% 17.6% 40.9%
1999 44.1% 0% 14.9% 46.1%
1998 45.4% 0% 11.2% 15.8%
1997 39% 0% 9.68% 17.1%
1996 36.9% 0% 7.87% 17.9%
1995 44% 0% 8.87% 24.2%
1994 47.1% 0% 12.1% 39.7%
1993 38% 0% 20% 50.4%
1992 34.1% 0% 15.9% 49.8%
1991 30.6% 0% 13.6% 53.2%
1990 32% 0% 14.2% 50.9%

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

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

In 2025, Brunei's government spending was $4.5B, accounting for 29.9% of its GDP, while Nigeria spent $34.1B, or 11.7% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 1.54% in Brunei and 35.5% in Nigeria, ranking 185/185 and 143/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Brunei

Nigeria
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Brunei Nigeria
2025 -13.4% -1.76%
2024 -12.9% -1.27%
2023 -8.62% -3.12%
2022 -0.25% -4%
2021 -8.34% -3.97%
2020 -16.2% -4.03%
2019 -4.16% -3.31%
2018 -2.9% -3.06%
2017 -13.8% -3.85%
2016 -16.7% -3.3%
2015 -11.4% -2.7%
2014 1.25% -1.72%
2013 10.4% -1.89%
2012 19.5% -0.09%
2011 21.5% 0.31%
2010 11.3% -2.96%
2009 3.61% -3.78%
2008 36.1% 4.05%
2007 3.12% -0.79%
2006 19.8% 6.22%
2005 16% 3.49%
2004 8.57% 3.9%
2003 8.06% -1.56%
2002 -4.61% 0.95%
2001 2.59% -2.29%
2000 6.86% 2.89%
1999 -18.3% -1.39%
1998 -24% -3.47%
1997 -11.8% 1.14%
1996 -8.7% 3.37%
1995 -19.8% 2.52%
1994 -22.6% -2.96%
1993 -12.8% -6.07%
1992 -8.28% 0.94%
1991 -1.06% -1.18%
1990 -1.63% -0.48%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/brunei/nigeria | 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 Nigeria's deficit of $5.12B, or 1.76% of GDP.

Over the past 36 years, Brunei recorded a fiscal deficit in 22 of those years, while Nigeria ran a deficit in 25 years. On average, Brunei posted an annual deficit equal to 2.04% of GDP, compared to deficit of 0.98% of GDP for Nigeria.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Brunei

Nigeria
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Brunei Nigeria
2025 -0.3% 23%
2024 -0.39% 33.2%
2023 0.36% 24.7%
2022 3.68% 18.8%
2021 1.73% 17%
2020 1.94% 13.2%
2019 -0.39% 11.4%
2018 1.03% 12.1%
2017 -1.26% 16.5%
2016 -0.28% 15.7%
2015 -0.49% 9.01%
2014 -0.21% 8.05%
2013 0.39% 8.5%
2012 0.11% 12.2%
2011 0.14% 10.8%
2010 0.36% 13.7%
2009 1.04% 12.5%
2008 2.08% 11.6%
2007 0.97% 5.39%
2006 0.16% 8.23%
2005 1.24% 17.9%
2004 0.81% 15%
2003 0.3% 14%
2002 -2.31% 12.9%
2001 0.6% 18.9%
2000 1.56% 6.93%
1999 -0.42% 6.62%
1998 -0.44% 10%
1997 1.71% 8.53%

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

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

Over the past 29 years, Brunei has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 0.47%, compared with 13.7% in Nigeria. In 2025, inflation was -0.3% in Brunei and 23% in Nigeria.

Top exports between countries

Brunei
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $12K
Miscellaneous $11K
Chemicals & pharma $3K
Nigeria
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $65M

Balance of trade

Brunei Nigeria
Current account balance
$2.71B
2025
$14B
2025
Current account balance ranking
40/190
2025
21/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
+18%
2025
+4.83%
2025
Goods imports
$6.28B
2025
$43B
2025
Goods exports
$10.3B
2025
$57.5B
2025
Service imports
$1.54B
2025
$19.6B
2025
Service exports
$463M
2025
$5.06B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
52%
2025
16.9%
1960
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
71.6%
2025
9.24%
1960

Economic freedom indices

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

Brunei Nigeria
Economic freedom 67.5 54.8
Economic freedom ranking 55/197 132/197
Property rights 66.1 29.7
Government integrity 60.4 23.5
Judicial effectiveness 48.6 34.4
Tax burden 95 84.6
Government spending 75.6 96.3
Fiscal health 39 83.5
Business freedom 75.3 50.3
Labor freedom 75.1 75.4
Monetary freedom 74.8 56.1
Trade freedom 84.6 64.4
Investment freedom 65 30
Financial freedom 50 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Brunei
Nigeria
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Brunei Nigeria
2026 67.5 54.8
2025 67 53.4
2024 65.9 53.1
2023 65.7 53.9
2022 64.8 54.4
2021 66.6 58.7
2020 66.6 57.2
2019 65.1 57.3
2018 64.2 58.5
2017 69.8 57.1
2016 67.3 57.5
2015 68.9 55.6
2014 69 54.3
2013 - 55.1
2012 - 56.3
2011 - 56.7
2010 - 56.8
2009 - 55.1
2008 - 55.1
2007 - 55.6
2006 - 48.7
2005 - 48.4
2004 - 49.2
2003 - 49.5
2002 - 50.9
2001 - 49.6
2000 - 53.1
1999 - 55.7
1998 - 52.3
1997 - 52.8
1996 - 47.4
1995 - 47.3

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Brunei is 67.5, ranking 55/197, compared to 54.8 for Nigeria, ranking 132/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Brunei Nigeria
Services, % of GDP
40.2%
2025
58.2%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
60%
2025
16.4%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.18%
2025
23%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$16.2B
2025
$324B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$95,420
2025
$9,230
2025
Total reserves including gold
$5.49B
2025
$46B
2025
Total reserves ranking
100/177
2025
52/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$157M
2025
-$2.82B
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$29.1M
2024
$1.61B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$408M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
5.46%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines n/a
56.2%
2023
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/nigeria | 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 (2021–2024, 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.

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.