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Economy of Brunei vs Samoa compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Brunei has a GDP of $15.3B compared to $1.18B for Samoa, ranking 142/197 and 185/197 by economy size, respectively.

Brunei has $351M in government debt (2.29% of GDP), compared to $296M (25.2% of GDP) in Samoa.

Brunei vs Samoa GDP by year

Brunei
Samoa
1x
Year GDP, current $
Brunei Samoa
2024 $15,340,808,592 $1,175,749,786
2023 $15,095,084,656 $1,044,909,500
2022 $16,681,536,467 $889,554,712
2021 $14,006,496,617 $859,724,936
2020 $12,005,799,654 $868,884,903
2019 $13,469,235,365 $912,950,466
2018 $13,566,908,391 $878,448,433
2017 $12,128,168,045 $884,844,384
2016 $11,400,266,045 $843,924,797
2015 $12,930,296,870 $824,150,499
2014 $17,097,797,386 $796,683,520
2013 $18,094,148,099 $797,736,334
2012 $19,048,443,341 $773,141,661
2011 $18,524,791,063 $744,097,050
2010 $13,707,121,038 $680,260,907
2009 $11,912,904,510 $628,006,115
2008 $15,926,456,515 $641,346,192
2007 $13,432,029,484 $573,548,460
2006 $12,644,616,419 $499,923,758
2005 $10,547,202,621 $476,801,793
2004 $8,619,178,774 $407,747,565
2003 $7,167,725,262 $333,426,188
2002 $6,333,082,876 $281,790,134
2001 $6,096,155,767 $266,299,591
2000 $6,570,999,088 $258,856,140
1999 $6,309,070,378 $255,408,060
1998 $5,550,846,020 $269,485,244
1997 $7,793,034,376 $285,475,592
1996 $7,663,377,306 $249,907,869
1995 $7,700,144,069 $224,865,731
1994 $6,467,782,518 $221,098,107
1993 $6,203,339,912 $133,122,897
1992 $6,327,966,435 $132,303,041
1991 $6,284,497,294 $125,597,205
1990 $6,039,881,087 $125,766,270
1989 $4,983,622,881 $122,888,610
1988 $4,535,130,305 $133,016,065
1987 $4,918,010,080 $111,713,922
1986 $4,190,280,003 $100,947,849
1985 $6,967,623,884 $95,572,173
1984 $7,632,788,075 $109,200,934
1983 $7,927,590,750 $111,862,824
1982 $8,932,198,186 $121,221,652
1981 $9,367,218,664 $118,190,655
1980 $10,795,432,294 $125,747,038
1979 $6,044,367,628 $122,257,393
1978 $4,100,423,674 $108,223,444
1977 $3,681,242,528 $98,295,671
1976 $3,054,765,590 $85,003,078
1975 $2,496,420,258 $93,489,283
1974 $2,319,576,214 $93,549,611
1973 $433,095,527 $82,452,985
1972 $270,822,782 $62,566,116
1971 $197,525,768 $53,719,569
1970 $179,078,929 $45,208,338
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 (1965–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

GDP per capita in Brunei vs Samoa by year

Brunei
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Samoa
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Brunei Samoa
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $33,153 $89,879 $5,393 $8,737
2023 $32,891 $85,033 $4,823 $8,195
2022 $36,633 $81,802 $4,132 $6,909
2021 $31,007 $78,249 $4,022 $6,350
2020 $26,834 $69,788 $4,100 $6,451
2019 $30,427 $69,354 $4,352 $6,638
2018 $30,988 $65,149 $4,232 $6,318
2017 $28,024 $61,658 $4,308 $6,280
2016 $26,663 $56,680 $4,147 $6,141
2015 $30,625 $62,708 $4,084 $5,682
2014 $41,027 $81,226 $3,983 $5,468
2013 $44,003 $83,237 $4,024 $5,387
2012 $46,969 $87,256 $3,935 $5,339
2011 $46,383 $82,735 $3,822 $5,494
2010 $34,938 $79,543 $3,524 $5,229
2009 $30,946 $77,957 $3,279 $4,906
2008 $42,157 $80,477 $3,374 $4,939
2007 $36,217 $83,693 $3,039 $4,713
2006 $34,675 $86,114 $2,663 $4,592
2005 $29,386 $81,534 $2,550 $4,379
2004 $24,423 $80,404 $2,189 $3,997
2003 $20,678 $79,632 $1,798 $3,792
2002 $18,621 $76,838 $1,528 $3,553
2001 $18,288 $74,254 $1,454 $3,335
2000 $20,130 $73,087 $1,425 $3,062
1999 $19,752 $70,585 $1,417 $2,871
1998 $17,769 $68,257 $1,506 $2,792
1997 $25,522 $73,980 $1,608 $2,722
1996 $25,692 $70,008 $1,419 $2,681
1995 $26,443 $70,440 $1,288 $2,478
1994 $22,767 $69,779 $1,277 $2,294
1993 $22,397 $69,387 $775 $2,323
1992 $23,451 $70,016 $777 $2,198
1991 $23,932 $72,610 $742 $2,166
1990 $23,659 $70,201 $744 $2,148
1989 $20,090 - $728 -
1988 $18,825 - $790 -
1987 $21,030 - $666 -
1986 $18,501 - $604 -
1985 $31,827 - $573 -
1984 $36,061 - $655 -
1983 $38,720 - $671 -
1982 $45,075 - $728 -
1981 $48,793 - $713 -
1980 $58,005 - $765 -
1979 $33,501 - $751 -
1978 $23,447 - $671 -
1977 $21,747 - $615 -
1976 $18,671 - $541 -
1975 $15,793 - $610 -
1974 $15,195 - $626 -
1973 $2,939 - $563 -
1972 $1,905 - $433 -
1971 $1,432 - $377 -
1970 $1,325 - $322 -
1969 $1,226 - - -
1968 $1,274 - - -
1967 $1,149 - - -
1966 $1,146 - - -
1965 $1,029 - - -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1965–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Brunei's GDP per capita is $33,153, ranking 36/197, compared to $5,393 in Samoa, ranking 117/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Brunei ranks 9th at $89,879, while Samoa ranks 137th at $8,737.

Economic indicators

Brunei Samoa
Gross domestic product
$15.3B
2024
$1.18B
2024
GDP rank
142/197
2024
185/197
2024
GDP growth
4.05%
2023-2024
4.75%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$33,153
2024
$5,393
2024
GDP per capita rank
36/197
2024
117/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$89,879
2024
$8,737
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
9/197
2024
137/197
2024
Government debt
$351M
2024
$296M
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
2.29%
2024
25.2%
2024
Government debt per person
$759
2024
$1,357
2024
Government debt per person rank
153/185
2024
135/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$24,405
2026
$3,750
2026
Income share by richest 10% n/a
31.3%
2013
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
2.7%
2013
Government expenditure, % of GDP
29.8%
2024
26.3%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
-0.39%
2023-2024
2.17%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
0.37%
2024
Unemployment rate
4.87%
2024
5.05%
2022
Population
470884
220932

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Brunei
Spending

Debt
Samoa
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Brunei Samoa
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 29.8% 2.29% 26.3% 25.2%
2023 29.4% 2.33% 28.8% 31.8%
2022 26.4% 2.06% 31.1% 41%
2021 29.3% 2.51% 34.1% 45.4%
2020 33.2% 2.86% 30.5% 43.2%
2019 32.4% 2.58% 31.8% 44.3%
2018 32.2% 2.59% 30% 49.4%
2017 36.6% 2.83% 30.9% 46.7%
2016 39.4% 3% 27.3% 49%
2015 38.7% 2.95% 30.5% 56.4%
2014 34.1% 3.23% 35.3% 54.9%
2013 33.6% 2.21% 30.7% 54.1%
2012 31% 2.1% 33.6% 50.9%
2011 29.7% 2.13% 33.7% 41.5%
2010 36.2% 1.11% 29.4% 40.3%
2009 34.8% 1.11% 31.5% 33.3%
2008 27.2% 0.94% 27.7% 28.2%
2007 29.3% 0.68% 31.1% 31.5%
2006 28% 0.59% 27.7% 33.5%
2005 29.1% 0% 30.6% 34.2%
2004 33.2% 0% 27.3% 39.8%
2003 30.9% 0% 28.5% 42.8%
2002 41.4% 0% 30.7% 50.3%
2001 35.5% 0% 30% 53.8%
2000 37.5% 0% 30.4% 55.8%
1999 44.1% 0% 33.8% 59.4%
1998 45.4% 0% 28.1% 58.9%
1997 39% 0% 31% -
1996 36.9% 0% 38.9% -
1995 44% 0% 42.2% -
1994 47.1% 0% 54.1% -
1993 38% 0% 49.5% -
1992 34.1% 0% 43.4% -
1991 30.6% 0% - -
1990 32% 0% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Brunei's government spending was $4.57B, accounting for 29.8% of its GDP, while Samoa spent $310M, or 26.3% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 2.29% in Brunei and 25.2% in Samoa, ranking 185/185 and 165/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Brunei

Samoa
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Brunei Samoa
2024 -10.2% 9.29%
2023 -10.9% 2.7%
2022 2.53% 5.03%
2021 -8.16% 1.71%
2020 -15.8% 5.41%
2019 -3.69% 1.51%
2018 -3.59% 0.06%
2017 -10.4% -1.98%
2016 -21.7% -0.35%
2015 -14.5% -3.79%
2014 3.58% -5.38%
2013 13% -3.82%
2012 15.8% -7.43%
2011 25.6% -5.25%
2010 7.61% -5.49%
2009 3.61% -2.98%
2008 36.1% -0.36%
2007 3.12% 0.55%
2006 19.8% -0.44%
2005 16% 0.23%
2004 8.57% -0.74%
2003 8.06% -0.51%
2002 -4.61% -1.77%
2001 2.59% -1.96%
2000 6.86% -0.62%
1999 -18.3% 0.27%
1998 -24% 1.64%
1997 -11.8% 1.92%
1996 -8.7% 1.21%
1995 -19.8% -5.82%
1994 -22.6% -9.51%
1993 -12.8% -13.2%
1992 -8.28% -9.89%
1991 -1.06% -
1990 -1.63% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/brunei/samoa | 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 Samoa's surplus of $109M, or 9.29% of GDP.

Over the past 33 years, Brunei recorded a fiscal deficit in 18 of those years, while Samoa ran a deficit in 20 years. On average, Brunei posted an annual deficit equal to 1.72% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.51% of GDP for Samoa.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Brunei

Samoa
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Brunei Samoa
2024 -0.39% 2.17%
2023 0.36% 7.92%
2022 3.68% 11%
2021 1.73% 3.13%
2020 1.94% -1.57%
2019 -0.39% 0.98%
2018 1.03% 4.2%
2017 -1.26% 1.75%
2016 -0.28% 1.3%
2015 -0.49% 0.72%
2014 -0.21% -0.41%
2013 0.39% 0.61%
2012 0.11% 2.05%
2011 0.14% 5.24%
2010 0.36% 0.78%
2009 1.04% 6.32%
2008 2.08% 11.6%
2007 0.97% 5.58%
2006 0.16% 3.7%
2005 1.24% 1.86%
2004 0.81% 16.3%
2003 0.3% 0.12%
2002 -2.31% 8.05%
2001 0.6% 3.84%
2000 1.56% 0.97%
1999 -0.42% 0.27%
1998 -0.44% 2.22%
1997 1.71% 6.86%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Brunei has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 0.5%, compared with 3.84% in Samoa. In 2024, inflation was -0.39% in Brunei and 2.17% in Samoa.

Balance of trade

Brunei Samoa
Current account balance
$2.23B
2024
$65.6M
2024
Current account balance ranking
45/190
2024
72/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+14.5%
2024
+5.58%
2024
Goods imports
$7.36B
2024
$448M
2024
Goods exports
$11.1B
2024
$42.2M
2024
Service imports
$1.75B
2024
$128M
2024
Service exports
$410M
2024
$327M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
58.3%
2024
48.9%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
74.3%
2024
30.7%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Brunei Samoa
Economic freedom 67.5 68
Economic freedom ranking 55/197 52/197
Property rights 66.1 77.1
Government integrity 60.4 64.1
Judicial effectiveness 48.6 77.6
Tax burden 95 79.3
Government spending 75.6 75.2
Fiscal health 39 98.7
Business freedom 75.3 63.7
Labor freedom 75.1 73.7
Monetary freedom 74.8 69.4
Trade freedom 84.6 67.2
Investment freedom 65 40
Financial freedom 50 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Brunei
Samoa
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Brunei Samoa
2026 67.5 68
2025 67 66.6
2024 65.9 67.2
2023 65.7 68.3
2022 64.8 68.3
2021 66.6 61.9
2020 66.6 62.1
2019 65.1 62.2
2018 64.2 61.5
2017 69.8 58.4
2016 67.3 63.5
2015 68.9 61.9
2014 69 61.1
2013 - 57.1
2012 - 60.5
2011 - 60.6
2010 - 60.4
2009 - 59.5
2008 - -
2007 - -
2006 - -
2005 - -
2004 - -
2003 - -
2002 - -
2001 - 63.1
2000 - 60.8
1999 - 58.7
1998 - 49.9
1997 - 51.5
1996 - 47.6

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Brunei is 67.5, ranking 55/197, compared to 68 for Samoa, ranking 52/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Brunei Samoa
Services, % of GDP
39%
2024
69.4%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
61.7%
2024
10.6%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.17%
2024
9.8%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$16.7B
2024
$1.1B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$92,750
2024
$8,620
2024
Total reserves including gold
$4.41B
2024
$508M
2024
Total reserves ranking
105/177
2024
155/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$29.1M
2024
-$1.69M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$29.1M
2024
$3.74M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$2.05M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
3.15%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines n/a
21.9%
2018
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
27.9%
2024
29%
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/samoa | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1965–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  6. 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.