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Economy of Brunei vs South Sudan compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Brunei has a GDP of $15B compared to $12B for South Sudan, ranking 147/197 and 151/197 by economy size, respectively.

Brunei has $232M in government debt (1.54% of GDP), compared to $6.98B (62.1% of GDP) in South Sudan.

Brunei vs South Sudan GDP by year

Brunei
South Sudan
1x
Year GDP, current $
Brunei South Sudan
2025 $15,031,980,994 -
2024 $15,340,808,592 -
2023 $15,095,084,656 -
2022 $16,681,536,467 -
2021 $14,006,496,617 -
2020 $12,005,799,654 -
2019 $13,469,235,365 -
2018 $13,566,908,391 -
2017 $12,128,168,045 -
2016 $11,400,266,045 -
2015 $12,930,296,870 $11,997,800,760
2014 $17,097,797,386 $13,962,212,847
2013 $18,094,148,099 $18,426,469,017
2012 $19,048,443,341 $11,931,472,169
2011 $18,524,791,063 $14,907,308,933
2010 $13,707,121,038 $14,602,072,411
2009 $11,912,904,510 $12,231,264,525
2008 $15,926,456,515 $14,586,253,383
2007 $13,432,029,484 -
2006 $12,644,616,419 -
2005 $10,547,202,621 -
2004 $8,619,178,774 -
2003 $7,167,725,262 -
2002 $6,333,082,876 -
2001 $6,096,155,767 -
2000 $6,570,999,088 -
1999 $6,309,070,378 -
1998 $5,550,846,020 -
1997 $7,793,034,376 -
1996 $7,663,377,306 -
1995 $7,700,144,069 -
1994 $6,467,782,518 -
1993 $6,203,339,912 -
1992 $6,327,966,435 -
1991 $6,284,497,294 -
1990 $6,039,881,087 -
1989 $4,983,622,881 -
1988 $4,535,130,305 -
1987 $4,918,010,080 -
1986 $4,190,280,003 -
1985 $6,967,623,884 -
1984 $7,632,788,075 -
1983 $7,927,590,750 -
1982 $8,932,198,186 -
1981 $9,367,218,664 -
1980 $10,795,432,294 -
1979 $6,044,367,628 -
1978 $4,100,423,674 -
1977 $3,681,242,528 -
1976 $3,054,765,590 -
1975 $2,496,420,258 -
1974 $2,319,576,214 -
1973 $433,095,527 -
1972 $270,822,782 -
1971 $197,525,768 -
1970 $179,078,929 -
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 (1965–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/brunei/south-sudan | CC BY

GDP per capita in Brunei vs South Sudan by year

Brunei
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
South Sudan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Brunei South Sudan
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $32,235 - - -
2024 $33,153 $89,879 - -
2023 $32,891 $85,033 - -
2022 $36,633 $81,802 - -
2021 $31,007 $78,249 - -
2020 $26,834 $69,788 - -
2019 $30,427 $69,354 - -
2018 $30,988 $65,149 - -
2017 $28,024 $61,658 - -
2016 $26,663 $56,680 - -
2015 $30,625 $62,708 $1,080 $1,155
2014 $41,027 $81,226 $1,243 $1,373
2013 $44,003 $83,237 $1,650 $1,917
2012 $46,969 $87,256 $1,109 $1,417
2011 $46,383 $82,735 $1,449 $2,718
2010 $34,938 $79,543 $1,498 $2,948
2009 $30,946 $77,957 $1,323 $2,911
2008 $42,157 $80,477 $1,654 $2,887
2007 $36,217 $83,693 - -
2006 $34,675 $86,114 - -
2005 $29,386 $81,534 - -
2004 $24,423 $80,404 - -
2003 $20,678 $79,632 - -
2002 $18,621 $76,838 - -
2001 $18,288 $74,254 - -
2000 $20,130 $73,087 - -
1999 $19,752 $70,585 - -
1998 $17,769 $68,257 - -
1997 $25,522 $73,980 - -
1996 $25,692 $70,008 - -
1995 $26,443 $70,440 - -
1994 $22,767 $69,779 - -
1993 $22,397 $69,387 - -
1992 $23,451 $70,016 - -
1991 $23,932 $72,610 - -
1990 $23,659 $70,201 - -
1989 $20,090 - - -
1988 $18,825 - - -
1987 $21,030 - - -
1986 $18,501 - - -
1985 $31,827 - - -
1984 $36,061 - - -
1983 $38,720 - - -
1982 $45,075 - - -
1981 $48,793 - - -
1980 $58,005 - - -
1979 $33,501 - - -
1978 $23,447 - - -
1977 $21,747 - - -
1976 $18,671 - - -
1975 $15,793 - - -
1974 $15,195 - - -
1973 $2,939 - - -
1972 $1,905 - - -
1971 $1,432 - - -
1970 $1,325 - - -
1969 $1,226 - - -
1968 $1,274 - - -
1967 $1,149 - - -
1966 $1,146 - - -
1965 $1,029 - - -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1965–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/brunei/south-sudan | CC BY

Brunei's GDP per capita is $32,235, ranking 42/197, compared to $1,080 in South Sudan, ranking 180/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Brunei ranks 9th at $89,879, while South Sudan ranks 197th at $1,155.

Economic indicators

Brunei South Sudan
Gross domestic product
$15B
2025
$12B
2015
GDP rank
147/197
2025
151/197
2015
GDP growth
0.67%
2024-2025
-10.8%
2014-2015
GDP per capita
$32,235
2025
$1,080
2015
GDP per capita rank
42/197
2025
180/197
2015
GDP per capita, PPP
$89,879
2024
$1,155
2015
GDP per capita PPP rank
9/197
2024
197/197
2015
Government debt
$232M
2025
$6.98B
2015
Debt-to-GDP ratio
1.54%
2025
62.1%
2025
Government debt per person
$498
2025
$628
2015
Government debt per person rank
169/185
2025
160/185
2015
Average annual personal income after taxes
$25,392
2026
$1,514
2026
Income share by richest 10% n/a
33%
2016
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
1.8%
2016
Government expenditure, % of GDP
29.9%
2025
18.4%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
-0.3%
2024-2025
91.4%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
13%
2025
Unemployment rate
4.87%
2024
12.3%
2008
Population
471596
12565048

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Brunei
Spending

Debt
South Sudan
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Brunei South Sudan
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 29.9% 1.54% 18.4% 62.1%
2024 30.3% 1.57% 18.9% 53.4%
2023 30.1% 1.67% 21.3% 62%
2022 26.1% 1.33% 29.5% 42.1%
2021 30.1% 1.43% 44.1% 56.4%
2020 32.8% 2.16% 34.1% 48.3%
2019 32.1% 1.82% 47.9% 43.4%
2018 32.9% 1.9% 59.2% 84.3%
2017 36.6% 2.58% 42.2% 77.5%
2016 39.8% 3% 52% 128.9%
2015 37% 2.95% 33.7% 58.2%
2014 34% 3.23% 37.6% 39.6%
2013 33.4% 2.21% 25.3% 17.6%
2012 31.1% 2.1% 31.6% 8.91%
2011 29.9% 2.13% 20.8% 0%
2010 25.5% 1.11% - -
2009 34.8% 1.11% - -
2008 27.2% 0.94% - -
2007 29.3% 0.68% - -
2006 28% 0.59% - -
2005 29.1% 0% - -
2004 33.2% 0% - -
2003 30.9% 0% - -
2002 41.4% 0% - -
2001 35.5% 0% - -
2000 37.5% 0% - -
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/south-sudan | CC BY

In 2025, Brunei's government spending was $4.5B, accounting for 29.9% of its GDP, while South Sudan spent $4.04B, or 18.4% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 1.54% in Brunei and 62.1% in South Sudan, ranking 185/185 and 71/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Brunei

South Sudan
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Brunei South Sudan
2025 -13.4% 3.45%
2024 -12.9% 11.5%
2023 -8.62% 9.12%
2022 -0.25% 4.43%
2021 -8.34% -9.3%
2020 -16.2% -5.5%
2019 -4.16% 0.04%
2018 -2.9% -1.15%
2017 -13.8% 4.16%
2016 -16.7% -15.5%
2015 -11.4% -16.3%
2014 1.25% -9.53%
2013 10.4% -3.45%
2012 19.5% -14.8%
2011 21.5% 4.57%
2010 11.3% -
2009 3.61% -
2008 36.1% -
2007 3.12% -
2006 19.8% -
2005 16% -
2004 8.57% -
2003 8.06% -
2002 -4.61% -
2001 2.59% -
2000 6.86% -
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/south-sudan | CC BY

In 2015, Brunei's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $1.47B, equivalent to 11.4% of GDP. This compares to South Sudan's deficit of $1.95B, or 16.3% of GDP.

Over the past 5 years, Brunei recorded a fiscal deficit in 1 of those years, while South Sudan ran a deficit in 4 years. On average, Brunei posted an annual surplus equal to 8.27% of GDP, compared to deficit of 7.9% of GDP for South Sudan.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Brunei

South Sudan
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Brunei South Sudan
2025 -0.3% -
2024 -0.39% 91.4%
2023 0.36% 2.38%
2022 3.68% -6.69%
2021 1.73% 10.5%
2020 1.94% 29.7%
2019 -0.39% 87.2%
2018 1.03% 83.5%
2017 -1.26% 187.9%
2016 -0.28% 380%
2015 -0.49% 52.8%
2014 -0.21% 1.67%
2013 0.39% -0.06%
2012 0.11% 45.5%
2011 0.14% 46.9%
2010 0.36% 1.17%
2009 1.04% 5.01%
2008 2.08% -
2007 0.97% -
2006 0.16% -
2005 1.24% -
2004 0.81% -
2003 0.3% -
2002 -2.31% -
2001 0.6% -
2000 1.56% -
1999 -0.42% -
1998 -0.44% -
1997 1.71% -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/brunei/south-sudan | CC BY

Over the past 16 years, Brunei has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 0.48%, compared with 63.7% in South Sudan. In 2024, inflation was -0.3% in Brunei and 91.4% in South Sudan.

Top exports between countries

Brunei
Export category Export value
South Sudan
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $2K

Balance of trade

Brunei South Sudan
Current account balance
$2.71B
2025
$578M
2023
Current account balance ranking
40/190
2025
56/190
2023
Current account balance, % of GDP
+18%
2025
-4.17%
2015
Goods imports
$6.28B
2025
$2.25B
2023
Goods exports
$10.3B
2025
$4.01B
2023
Service imports
$1.54B
2025
$2.19B
2023
Service exports
$463M
2025
$484M
2023
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
52%
2025
28.9%
2015
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
71.6%
2025
36.7%
2015

Economic freedom indices

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

Brunei South Sudan
Economic freedom 67.5 41
Economic freedom ranking 55/197 186/197
Property rights 66.1 n/a
Government integrity 60.4 n/a
Judicial effectiveness 48.6 n/a
Tax burden 95 n/a
Government spending 75.6 n/a
Fiscal health 39 n/a
Business freedom 75.3 n/a
Labor freedom 75.1 n/a
Monetary freedom 74.8 n/a
Trade freedom 84.6 n/a
Investment freedom 65 n/a
Financial freedom 50 n/a

Other economic metrics

Brunei South Sudan
Services, % of GDP
40.2%
2025
56.6%
2015
Industry, % of GDP
60%
2025
33.1%
2015
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.18%
2025
10.4%
2015
GNI, Atlas method
$16.2B
2025
$11.7B
2015
GNI per capita, PPP
$95,420
2025
$1,010
2015
Total reserves including gold
$5.49B
2025
$16M
2024
Total reserves ranking
100/177
2025
177/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$157M
2025
$2.21M
2019
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$29.1M
2024
$83.4M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$0
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines n/a
66%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
27.1%
2025
5.75%
2015

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/south-sudan | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1965–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. TradeMap (2024, 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.