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Economy of Brunei vs Pakistan compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Brunei has a GDP of $15.3B compared to $372B for Pakistan, ranking 142/197 and 43/197 by economy size, respectively.

Brunei has $351M in government debt (2.29% of GDP), compared to $262B (70.4% of GDP) in Pakistan.

Brunei vs Pakistan GDP by year

Brunei
Pakistan
1x
Year GDP, current $
Brunei Pakistan
2024 $15,340,808,592 $371,570,000,121
2023 $15,095,084,656 $336,686,348,609
2022 $16,681,536,467 $374,890,295,667
2021 $14,006,496,617 $348,516,647,445
2020 $12,005,799,654 $300,425,609,818
2019 $13,469,235,365 $320,909,472,771
2018 $13,566,908,391 $356,128,166,705
2017 $12,128,168,045 $339,205,534,861
2016 $11,400,266,045 $313,630,000,130
2015 $12,930,296,870 $299,963,590,535
2014 $17,097,797,386 $271,390,474,858
2013 $18,094,148,099 $258,657,231,672
2012 $19,048,443,341 $250,106,966,105
2011 $18,524,791,063 $230,586,581,060
2010 $13,707,121,038 $196,709,621,850
2009 $11,912,904,510 $187,337,783,856
2008 $15,926,456,515 $202,203,748,584
2007 $13,432,029,484 $184,140,869,997
2006 $12,644,616,419 $161,871,385,506
2005 $10,547,202,621 $145,208,562,961
2004 $8,619,178,774 $132,216,048,339
2003 $7,167,725,262 $112,371,913,741
2002 $6,333,082,876 $97,923,302,809
2001 $6,096,155,767 $97,145,618,480
2000 $6,570,999,088 $99,484,802,345
1999 $6,309,070,378 $62,973,857,069
1998 $5,550,846,020 $62,191,955,814
1997 $7,793,034,376 $62,433,340,468
1996 $7,663,377,306 $63,320,170,084
1995 $7,700,144,069 $60,636,071,684
1994 $6,467,782,518 $52,293,470,813
1993 $6,203,339,912 $51,809,999,353
1992 $6,327,966,435 $48,884,671,947
1991 $6,284,497,294 $45,625,336,680
1990 $6,039,881,087 $40,010,423,970
1989 $4,983,622,881 $40,171,106,279
1988 $4,535,130,305 $38,472,742,808
1987 $4,918,010,080 $33,351,529,275
1986 $4,190,280,003 $31,899,070,056
1985 $6,967,623,884 $31,144,920,844
1984 $7,632,788,075 $31,151,825,467
1983 $7,927,590,750 $28,691,889,764
1982 $8,932,198,186 $30,725,971,564
1981 $9,367,218,664 $28,100,606,061
1980 $10,795,432,294 $23,654,444,444
1979 $6,044,367,628 $19,688,383,838
1978 $4,100,423,674 $17,811,515,152
1977 $3,681,242,528 $15,126,060,606
1976 $3,054,765,590 $13,168,080,808
1975 $2,496,420,258 $11,230,606,061
1974 $2,319,576,214 $8,899,191,919
1973 $433,095,527 $6,383,429,490
1972 $270,822,782 $9,415,016,360
1971 $197,525,768 $10,665,896,682
1970 $179,078,929 $10,027,509,450
1969 $161,210,236 $8,683,116,338
1968 $160,818,236 $8,041,999,160
1967 $139,029,537 $7,464,510,710
1966 $132,757,528 $6,561,108,778
1965 $114,039,501 $5,929,231,415
1964 - $5,204,955,901
1963 - $4,630,827,383
1962 - $4,310,163,797
1961 - $4,118,647,627
1960 - $3,749,265,015

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

GDP per capita in Brunei vs Pakistan by year

Brunei
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Pakistan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Brunei Pakistan
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $33,153 $89,879 $1,479 $6,252
2023 $32,891 $85,033 $1,360 $6,014
2022 $36,633 $81,802 $1,538 $5,920
2021 $31,007 $78,249 $1,455 $5,367
2020 $26,834 $69,788 $1,278 $5,048
2019 $30,427 $69,354 $1,390 $5,038
2018 $30,988 $65,149 $1,569 $4,979
2017 $28,024 $61,658 $1,519 $4,790
2016 $26,663 $56,680 $1,425 $4,631
2015 $30,625 $62,708 $1,380 $4,480
2014 $41,027 $81,226 $1,267 $4,313
2013 $44,003 $83,237 $1,225 $4,174
2012 $46,969 $87,256 $1,204 $4,047
2011 $46,383 $82,735 $1,132 $3,880
2010 $34,938 $79,543 $987 $3,786
2009 $30,946 $77,957 $964 $3,777
2008 $42,157 $80,477 $1,067 $3,721
2007 $36,217 $83,693 $998 $3,672
2006 $34,675 $86,114 $901 $3,515
2005 $29,386 $81,534 $828 $3,293
2004 $24,423 $80,404 $772 $3,048
2003 $20,678 $79,632 $672 $2,822
2002 $18,621 $76,838 $600 $2,688
2001 $18,288 $74,254 $610 $2,644
2000 $20,130 $73,087 $642 $2,565
1999 $19,752 $70,585 $418 $2,475
1998 $17,769 $68,257 $424 $2,419
1997 $25,522 $73,980 $438 $2,398
1996 $25,692 $70,008 $457 $2,401
1995 $26,443 $70,440 $451 $2,315
1994 $22,767 $69,779 $400 $2,224
1993 $22,397 $69,387 $408 $2,160
1992 $23,451 $70,016 $396 $2,132
1991 $23,932 $72,610 $380 $1,992
1990 $23,659 $70,201 $344 $1,895
1989 $20,090 - $358 -
1988 $18,825 - $354 -
1987 $21,030 - $317 -
1986 $18,501 - $314 -
1985 $31,827 - $317 -
1984 $36,061 - $327 -
1983 $38,720 - $311 -
1982 $45,075 - $345 -
1981 $48,793 - $328 -
1980 $58,005 - $287.4 -
1979 $33,501 - $249.2 -
1978 $23,447 - $233.4 -
1977 $21,747 - $204.7 -
1976 $18,671 - $183.9 -
1975 $15,793 - $161.7 -
1974 $15,195 - $132 -
1973 $2,939 - $97.5 -
1972 $1,905 - $148.1 -
1971 $1,432 - $172.5 -
1970 $1,325 - $166.7 -
1969 $1,226 - $148.5 -
1968 $1,274 - $141.6 -
1967 $1,149 - $135.2 -
1966 $1,146 - $122.2 -
1965 $1,029 - $113.6 -
1964 - - $102.5 -
1963 - - $93.7 -
1962 - - $89.5 -
1961 - - $87.8 -
1960 - - $82 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Brunei's GDP per capita is $33,153, ranking 36/197, compared to $1,479 in Pakistan, ranking 163/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Brunei ranks 9th at $89,879, while Pakistan ranks 150th at $6,252.

Economic indicators

Brunei Pakistan
Gross domestic product
$15.3B
2024
$372B
2024
GDP rank
142/197
2024
43/197
2024
GDP growth
4.05%
2023-2024
3.05%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$33,153
2024
$1,479
2024
GDP per capita rank
36/197
2024
163/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$89,879
2024
$6,252
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
9/197
2024
150/197
2024
Government debt
$351M
2024
$262B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
2.29%
2024
70.4%
2024
Government debt per person
$759
2024
$1,041
2024
Government debt per person rank
153/185
2024
140/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$24,405
2026
$1,668
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$52.1B
2024
Income share by richest 10% n/a
25.5%
2018
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
4.2%
2018
Government expenditure, % of GDP
29.8%
2024
19.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
-0.39%
2023-2024
12.6%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
10.5%
2025
Unemployment rate
4.87%
2024
6.96%
2025
Population
470884
260356147

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Brunei
Spending

Debt
Pakistan
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Brunei Pakistan
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 29.8% 2.29% 19.5% 70.4%
2023 29.4% 2.33% 19.3% 78.5%
2022 26.4% 2.06% 20% 77.3%
2021 29.3% 2.51% 18.5% 74.7%
2020 33.2% 2.86% 20.3% 80.8%
2019 32.4% 2.58% 19.1% 78.7%
2018 32.2% 2.59% 19.1% 66.3%
2017 36.6% 2.83% 19.1% 62.1%
2016 39.4% 3% 17.7% 62.1%
2015 38.7% 2.95% 17.8% 59.1%
2014 34.1% 3.23% 18.1% 58.8%
2013 33.6% 2.21% 19.5% 59.2%
2012 31% 2.1% 19.4% 58.4%
2011 29.7% 2.13% 17.9% 56.2%
2010 36.2% 1.11% 18.3% 56.7%
2009 34.8% 1.11% 17.3% 54.6%
2008 27.2% 0.94% 18% 49.5%
2007 29.3% 0.68% 16.1% 44.2%
2006 28% 0.59% 14.5% 46.2%
2005 29.1% 0% 13% 47.9%
2004 33.2% 0% 12.1% 50.6%
2003 30.9% 0% 12.9% 56.3%
2002 41.4% 0% 14.4% 60.5%
2001 35.5% 0% 12.9% 65.1%
2000 37.5% 0% 13.8% 61.7%
1999 44.1% 0% 13.2% 60.7%
1998 45.4% 0% 14.1% 53.8%
1997 39% 0% 13.7% 52.8%
1996 36.9% 0% 15% 52.5%
1995 44% 0% 14% 52.3%
1994 47.1% 0% 14.5% 58.5%
1993 38% 0% 17% 57.9%
1992 34.1% 0% 22.6% 53.3%
1991 30.6% 0% 21.4% 55.8%
1990 32% 0% 23.9% 48.3%
1989 - - 26.1% 46.6%
1988 - - 27.9% 45%
1987 - - 29.5% 44.4%
1986 - - 27.6% 43.1%
1985 - - 28.3% 37%
1984 - - 25.4% 33.4%
1983 - - 24.8% 33.6%
1982 - - 24.5% 33.8%
1981 - - 21.6% 29.7%
1980 - - 22% 33.3%
1979 - - 25.3% 36.8%
1978 - - 25.5% 36.1%
1977 - - 20.4% 36.4%
1976 - - 21% 35.8%
1975 - - 20.4% 32.1%
1974 - - 15.3% 38%
1973 - - 13.9% 43.4%
1972 - - 13.5% 88.7%
1971 - - 22.1% 33.2%
1970 - - 23.6% 31.6%
1969 - - 15.6% 29.1%
1968 - - 13.7% 27.5%
1967 - - 12.9% 25.9%
1966 - - 12.2% 25.1%
1965 - - 11.2% 22.7%
1964 - - 12.1% 21.3%
1963 - - 14.7% 19.2%
1962 - - 11.8% 16.6%
1961 - - 10.6% 19.6%
1960 - - 10% 19.5%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1993, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Brunei's government spending was $4.57B, accounting for 29.8% of its GDP, while Pakistan spent $72.4B, or 19.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 2.29% in Brunei and 70.4% in Pakistan, ranking 185/185 and 56/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Brunei

Pakistan
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Brunei Pakistan
2024 -10.2% -6.81%
2023 -10.9% -7.76%
2022 2.53% -7.84%
2021 -8.16% -6.04%
2020 -15.8% -7.03%
2019 -3.69% -7.79%
2018 -3.59% -5.67%
2017 -10.4% -5.17%
2016 -21.7% -3.92%
2015 -14.5% -4.74%
2014 3.58% -4.37%
2013 13% -7.48%
2012 15.8% -7.74%
2011 25.6% -6.23%
2010 7.61% -5.42%
2009 3.61% -4.53%
2008 36.1% -5.94%
2007 3.12% -4.23%
2006 19.8% -2.79%
2005 16% -2.29%
2004 8.57% -1.29%
2003 8.06% -0.12%
2002 -4.61% -2.64%
2001 2.59% -2.45%
2000 6.86% -3.21%
1999 -18.3% -3.07%
1998 -24% -4.46%
1997 -11.8% -3.87%
1996 -8.7% -4.33%
1995 -19.8% -3.9%
1994 -22.6% -3.63%
1993 -12.8% -5.53%
1992 -8.28% -11.3%
1991 -1.06% -10.8%
1990 -1.63% -11.9%
1989 - -7.01%
1988 - -9.35%
1987 - -11.7%
1986 - -9.79%
1985 - -10.6%
1984 - -8.9%
1983 - -7.55%
1982 - -8.24%
1981 - -5.83%
1980 - -5.32%
1979 - -11.6%
1978 - -12.4%
1977 - -8.74%
1976 - -9.05%
1975 - -8.97%
1974 - -4.45%
1973 - -3.99%
1972 - -3.16%
1971 - -7.45%
1970 - -10.8%
1969 - -7.08%
1968 - -5.56%
1967 - -4.27%
1966 - -4.48%
1965 - -3.28%
1964 - -4.89%
1963 - -6.55%
1962 - -3.39%
1961 - -4.6%
1960 - -3.83%
1959 - -3.71%
1958 - -4.2%
1957 - -2.21%
1956 - -2.36%
1955 - -2%
1954 - -3.18%
1953 - -2.66%
1952 - -0.73%
1951 - 0.63%
1950 - -1.24%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1950–1992, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Brunei's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $1.56B, equivalent to 10.2% of GDP. This compares to Pakistan's deficit of $25.3B, or 6.81% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Brunei recorded a fiscal deficit in 20 of those years, while Pakistan ran a deficit in 35 years. On average, Brunei posted an annual deficit equal to 1.7% of GDP, compared to deficit of 5.32% of GDP for Pakistan.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Brunei

Pakistan
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Brunei Pakistan
2024 -0.39% 12.6%
2023 0.36% 30.8%
2022 3.68% 19.9%
2021 1.73% 9.5%
2020 1.94% 9.74%
2019 -0.39% 10.6%
2018 1.03% 5.08%
2017 -1.26% 4.09%
2016 -0.28% 3.77%
2015 -0.49% 2.53%
2014 -0.21% 7.19%
2013 0.39% 7.69%
2012 0.11% 9.68%
2011 0.14% 11.9%
2010 0.36% 12.9%
2009 1.04% 13.6%
2008 2.08% 20.3%
2007 0.97% 7.6%
2006 0.16% 7.92%
2005 1.24% 9.06%
2004 0.81% 7.44%
2003 0.3% 2.91%
2002 -2.31% 3.29%
2001 0.6% 3.15%
2000 1.56% 4.37%
1999 -0.42% 4.14%
1998 -0.44% 6.23%
1997 1.71% 11.4%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Over the past 28 years, Brunei has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 0.5%, compared with 9.26% in Pakistan. In 2024, inflation was -0.39% in Brunei and 12.6% in Pakistan.

Top exports between countries

Brunei
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $19.6M
Chemicals & pharma $87K
Machinery & equipment $26K
Metals $17K
Miscellaneous $15K
Pakistan
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $1.39M
Textiles & consumer goods $164K
Chemicals & pharma $39K
Animal & marine products $36K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $36K
Metals $31K
Wood & paper products $28K
Raw materials & minerals $21K
Machinery & equipment $7K
Miscellaneous $3K

Balance of trade

Brunei Pakistan
Current account balance
$2.23B
2024
$496M
2024
Current account balance ranking
45/190
2024
63/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+14.5%
2024
+0.13%
2024
Goods imports
$7.36B
2024
$55.6B
2024
Goods exports
$11.1B
2024
$32.1B
2024
Service imports
$1.75B
2024
$11.2B
2024
Service exports
$410M
2024
$8.1B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
58.3%
2024
17.2%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
74.3%
2024
10.4%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Brunei Pakistan
Economic freedom 67.5 48.9
Economic freedom ranking 55/197 168/197
Property rights 66.1 25.7
Government integrity 60.4 26.3
Judicial effectiveness 48.6 27.6
Tax burden 95 78.2
Government spending 75.6 88.5
Fiscal health 39 10.1
Business freedom 75.3 54.4
Labor freedom 75.1 51.7
Monetary freedom 74.8 54.1
Trade freedom 84.6 70.4
Investment freedom 65 60
Financial freedom 50 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Brunei
Pakistan
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Brunei Pakistan
2026 67.5 48.9
2025 67 49.1
2024 65.9 49.5
2023 65.7 49.4
2022 64.8 48.8
2021 66.6 51.7
2020 66.6 54.8
2019 65.1 55
2018 64.2 54.4
2017 69.8 52.8
2016 67.3 55.9
2015 68.9 55.6
2014 69 55.2
2013 - 55.1
2012 - 54.7
2011 - 55.1
2010 - 55.2
2009 - 57
2008 - 55.6
2007 - 57.2
2006 - 57.9
2005 - 53.3
2004 - 54.9
2003 - 55
2002 - 55.8
2001 - 56
2000 - 56.4
1999 - 53
1998 - 53.2
1997 - 56
1996 - 58.4
1995 - 57.6

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Brunei is 67.5, ranking 55/197, compared to 48.9 for Pakistan, ranking 168/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Brunei Pakistan
Services, % of GDP
39%
2024
50.7%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
61.7%
2024
20.2%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.17%
2024
23.7%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$16.7B
2024
$358B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$92,750
2024
$6,100
2024
Total reserves including gold
$4.41B
2024
$18.4B
2024
Total reserves ranking
105/177
2024
63/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$29.1M
2024
-$2.58B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$29.1M
2024
$2.66B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$84M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
4.5%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines n/a
21.9%
2018
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
27.9%
2024
13.2%
2024

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/pakistan | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1950–1993, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2021–2024, 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.