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Economy of Brunei vs United Arab Emirates compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Brunei has a GDP of $15B compared to $552B for the United Arab Emirates, ranking 147/197 and 31/197 by economy size, respectively.

Brunei has $232M in government debt (1.54% of GDP), compared to $193B (34.3% of GDP) in the United Arab Emirates.

Brunei vs United Arab Emirates GDP by year

Brunei
United Arab Emirates
1x
Year GDP, current $
Brunei UAE
2025 $15,031,980,994 -
2024 $15,340,808,592 $552,324,919,096
2023 $15,095,084,656 $522,622,268,401
2022 $16,681,536,467 $511,403,404,642
2021 $14,006,496,617 $422,441,282,436
2020 $12,005,799,654 $357,161,776,271
2019 $13,469,235,365 $433,926,218,686
2018 $13,566,908,391 $440,560,003,161
2017 $12,128,168,045 $403,365,056,079
2016 $11,400,266,045 $381,717,208,621
2015 $12,930,296,870 $381,973,135,513
2014 $17,097,797,386 $424,935,834,104
2013 $18,094,148,099 $409,632,574,703
2012 $19,048,443,341 $392,793,559,051
2011 $18,524,791,063 $368,881,033,963
2010 $13,707,121,038 $307,736,348,527
2009 $11,912,904,510 $253,547,358,747
2008 $15,926,456,515 $315,474,615,741
2007 $13,432,029,484 $257,916,148,767
2006 $12,644,616,419 $222,116,532,963
2005 $10,547,202,621 $180,617,467,954
2004 $8,619,178,774 $147,824,249,958
2003 $7,167,725,262 $124,346,476,180
2002 $6,333,082,876 $109,816,091,079
2001 $6,096,155,767 $103,311,631,797
2000 $6,570,999,088 $104,337,463,730
1999 $6,309,070,378 $84,445,399,335
1998 $5,550,846,020 $75,674,384,205
1997 $7,793,034,376 $78,838,886,862
1996 $7,663,377,306 $73,571,217,377
1995 $7,700,144,069 $65,743,604,966
1994 $6,467,782,518 $59,305,111,228
1993 $6,203,339,912 $55,625,269,485
1992 $6,327,966,435 $54,239,188,746
1991 $6,284,497,294 $51,552,058,250
1990 $6,039,881,087 $50,701,374,187
1989 $4,983,622,881 $41,464,966,302
1988 $4,535,130,305 $36,275,613,877
1987 $4,918,010,080 $36,384,802,310
1986 $4,190,280,003 $33,943,568,481
1985 $6,967,623,884 $40,603,631,079
1984 $7,632,788,075 $41,807,931,453
1983 $7,927,590,750 $42,803,373,390
1982 $8,932,198,186 $46,622,715,281
1981 $9,367,218,664 $49,333,471,895
1980 $10,795,432,294 $43,599,134,193
1979 $6,044,367,628 $31,225,557,022
1978 $4,100,423,674 $23,775,718,541
1977 $3,681,242,528 $24,871,660,292
1976 $3,054,765,590 $19,213,212,475
1975 $2,496,420,258 $14,720,729,969
1974 $2,319,576,214 $11,651,505,689
1973 $433,095,527 $4,231,243,616
1972 $270,822,782 $1,415,086,929
1971 $197,525,768 $939,893,600
1970 $179,078,929 $685,986,701
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/united-arab-emirates | CC BY

GDP per capita in Brunei vs United Arab Emirates by year

Brunei
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
United Arab Emirates
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Brunei UAE
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $32,235 - - -
2024 $33,153 $89,879 $50,274 $79,229
2023 $32,891 $85,033 $49,851 $77,955
2022 $36,633 $81,802 $50,760 $75,072
2021 $31,007 $78,249 $44,118 $68,580
2020 $26,834 $69,788 $37,992 $66,791
2019 $30,427 $69,354 $45,939 $79,816
2018 $30,988 $65,149 $47,135 $77,446
2017 $28,024 $61,658 $43,734 $70,282
2016 $26,663 $56,680 $42,721 $69,987
2015 $30,625 $62,708 $44,910 $73,986
2014 $41,027 $81,226 $52,725 $87,478
2013 $44,003 $83,237 $53,247 $87,526
2012 $46,969 $87,256 $53,142 $89,198
2011 $46,383 $82,735 $51,922 $89,665
2010 $34,938 $79,543 $44,795 $85,120
2009 $30,946 $77,957 $37,803 $84,780
2008 $42,157 $80,477 $50,054 $94,628
2007 $36,217 $83,693 $45,855 $100,813
2006 $34,675 $86,114 $44,343 $106,814
2005 $29,386 $81,534 $38,719 $101,301
2004 $24,423 $80,404 $33,377 $98,661
2003 $20,678 $79,632 $29,660 $92,636
2002 $18,621 $76,838 $27,754 $88,467
2001 $18,288 $74,254 $27,745 $90,370
2000 $20,130 $73,087 $29,866 $92,899
1999 $19,752 $70,585 $25,856 $87,658
1998 $17,769 $68,257 $24,889 $90,229
1997 $25,522 $73,980 $27,983 $96,009
1996 $25,692 $70,008 $28,323 $94,620
1995 $26,443 $70,440 $27,003 $93,702
1994 $22,767 $69,779 $25,473 $89,959
1993 $22,397 $69,387 $25,033 $86,330
1992 $23,451 $70,016 $25,648 $87,509
1991 $23,932 $72,610 $25,691 $87,250
1990 $23,659 $70,201 $26,710 $88,455
1989 $20,090 - $23,167 -
1988 $18,825 - $21,570 -
1987 $21,030 - $23,113 -
1986 $18,501 - $23,132 -
1985 $31,827 - $29,468 -
1984 $36,061 - $32,012 -
1983 $38,720 - $34,650 -
1982 $45,075 - $39,972 -
1981 $48,793 - $44,855 -
1980 $58,005 - $42,925 -
1979 $33,501 - $34,238 -
1978 $23,447 - $29,379 -
1977 $21,747 - $35,020 -
1976 $18,671 - $31,197 -
1975 $15,793 - $27,117 -
1974 $15,195 - $23,823 -
1973 $2,939 - $9,696 -
1972 $1,905 - $3,675 -
1971 $1,432 - $2,805 -
1970 $1,325 - $2,394 -
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/united-arab-emirates | CC BY

Brunei's GDP per capita is $32,235, ranking 42/197, compared to $50,274 in the United Arab Emirates, ranking 25/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Brunei ranks 9th at $89,879, while the United Arab Emirates ranks 16th at $79,229.

Economic indicators

Brunei UAE
Gross domestic product
$15B
2025
$552B
2024
GDP rank
147/197
2025
31/197
2024
GDP growth
0.67%
2024-2025
3.99%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$32,235
2025
$50,274
2024
GDP per capita rank
42/197
2025
25/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$89,879
2024
$79,229
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
9/197
2024
16/197
2024
Government debt
$232M
2025
$193B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
1.54%
2025
34.3%
2025
Government debt per person
$498
2025
$17,568
2024
Government debt per person rank
169/185
2025
37/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$25,392
2026
$40,096
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$1.11T
2025
Number of millionaires n/a
183,000
2026
Number of billionaires n/a
6
2026
Income share by richest 10% n/a
20.5%
2018
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
2.8%
2018
Government expenditure, % of GDP
29.9%
2025
22.6%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
-0.3%
2024-2025
1.3%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate n/a
3.65%
2025
Unemployment rate
4.87%
2024
1.88%
2024
Population
471596
11885001

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Brunei
Spending

Debt
United Arab Emirates
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Brunei UAE
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 29.9% 1.54% 22.6% 34.3%
2024 30.3% 1.57% 21.4% 34.9%
2023 30.1% 1.67% 22.7% 31.9%
2022 26.1% 1.33% 22.7% 31.5%
2021 30.1% 1.43% 25.9% 35.7%
2020 32.8% 2.16% 30.5% 30.1%
2019 32.1% 1.82% 27.4% 25.8%
2018 32.9% 1.9% 25.9% 20.7%
2017 36.6% 2.58% 27.2% 21.2%
2016 39.8% 3% 31.7% 18.6%
2015 37% 2.95% 26.4% 15.6%
2014 34% 3.23% 31.4% 13.5%
2013 33.4% 2.21% 28.9% 15.3%
2012 31.1% 2.1% 27.8% 20.2%
2011 29.9% 2.13% 29.6% 20.4%
2010 25.5% 1.11% 30.4% 18.3%
2009 34.8% 1.11% 35% 21.1%
2008 27.2% 0.94% 22% 8.95%
2007 29.3% 0.68% 17.7% 8.89%
2006 28% 0.59% 15.6% 5.05%
2005 29.1% 0% 15.7% 4.48%
2004 33.2% 0% 17.7% 4.08%
2003 30.9% 0% 20% 3.33%
2002 41.4% 0% 21.3% 3.43%
2001 35.5% 0% 25.2% 2.69%
2000 37.5% 0% 21.8% 3.12%
1999 44.1% 0% 24.3% 4.73%
1998 45.4% 0% 25.8% 4.18%
1997 39% 0% 22.6% 2.86%
1996 36.9% 0% 27.6% 3.48%
1995 44% 0% 26.1% 5.06%
1994 47.1% 0% 30.1% 5.58%
1993 38% 0% 31.5% 6.01%
1992 34.1% 0% 29.6% 5.31%
1991 30.6% 0% 36% 4.97%
1990 32% 0% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1991–1998, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/brunei/united-arab-emirates | CC BY

In 2025, Brunei's government spending was $4.5B, accounting for 29.9% of its GDP, while the United Arab Emirates spent $118B, or 22.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 1.54% in Brunei and 34.3% in the United Arab Emirates, ranking 185/185 and 146/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Brunei

United Arab Emirates
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Brunei UAE
2025 -13.4% 5.15%
2024 -12.9% 6.41%
2023 -8.62% 5.82%
2022 -0.25% 9.8%
2021 -8.34% 3.96%
2020 -16.2% -2.42%
2019 -4.16% 2.5%
2018 -2.9% 3.65%
2017 -13.8% -0.16%
2016 -16.7% -2.95%
2015 -11.4% -6.35%
2014 1.25% 1.74%
2013 10.4% 7.99%
2012 19.5% 8.59%
2011 21.5% 5.05%
2010 11.3% 0.52%
2009 3.61% -6.13%
2008 36.1% 17.6%
2007 3.12% 17.1%
2006 19.8% 20.2%
2005 16% 16%
2004 8.57% 6.4%
2003 8.06% 2.35%
2002 -4.61% -1.24%
2001 2.59% 1.21%
2000 6.86% 10.7%
1999 -18.3% 1.31%
1998 -24% 1%
1997 -11.8% 6.71%
1996 -8.7% 0.92%
1995 -19.8% 3.58%
1994 -22.6% -1.78%
1993 -12.8% -2.89%
1992 -8.28% 3.34%
1991 -1.06% 3.89%
1990 -1.63% -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/brunei/united-arab-emirates | CC BY

In 2024, Brunei's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $1.98B, equivalent to 12.9% of GDP. This compares to the United Arab Emirates' surplus of $35.4B, or 6.41% of GDP.

Over the past 34 years, Brunei recorded a fiscal deficit in 20 of those years, while the United Arab Emirates ran a deficit in 8 years. On average, Brunei posted an annual deficit equal to 1.72% of GDP, compared to surplus of 4.25% of GDP for the United Arab Emirates.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Brunei

United Arab Emirates
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Brunei UAE
2025 -0.3% 1.3%
2024 -0.39% 1.7%
2023 0.36% 1.6%
2022 3.68% 4.8%
2021 1.73% -0.1%
2020 1.94% -2.1%
2019 -0.39% -1.9%
2018 1.03% 3.1%
2017 -1.26% 2%
2016 -0.28% 1.6%
2015 -0.49% 4.1%
2014 -0.21% 2.3%
2013 0.39% 1.1%
2012 0.11% 0.7%
2011 0.14% 0.9%
2010 0.36% 0.9%
2009 1.04% -4.7%
2008 2.08% 12.3%
2007 0.97% 11.1%
2006 0.16% 9.3%
2005 1.24% 6.2%
2004 0.81% 5%
2003 0.3% 3.1%
2002 -2.31% 2.9%
2001 0.6% 2.8%
2000 1.56% 1.3%
1999 -0.42% 2.1%
1998 -0.44% 2%
1997 1.71% 3%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/brunei/united-arab-emirates | CC BY

Over the past 29 years, Brunei has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 0.47%, compared with 2.7% in the United Arab Emirates. In 2025, inflation was -0.3% in Brunei and 1.3% in the United Arab Emirates.

Top exports between countries

Brunei
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $1.56M
Metals $293K
Chemicals & pharma $249K
Textiles & consumer goods $128K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $119K
Miscellaneous $72K
Raw materials & minerals $17K
Precious metals & jewellery $12K
UAE
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $53.3M
Precious metals & jewellery $10.3M
Machinery & equipment $7.02M
Metals $2.97M
Chemicals & pharma $2.19M
Textiles & consumer goods $2.04M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1.04M
Raw agricultural goods $329K
Wood & paper products $124K
Miscellaneous $15K

Balance of trade

Brunei UAE
Current account balance
$2.71B
2025
$80B
2024
Current account balance ranking
40/190
2025
9/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+18%
2025
+14.5%
2024
Goods imports
$6.28B
2025
$400B
2024
Goods exports
$10.3B
2025
$467B
2024
Service imports
$1.54B
2025
$117B
2024
Service exports
$463M
2025
$181B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
52%
2025
92.2%
2023
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
71.6%
2025
106.8%
2023

Economic freedom indices

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

Brunei UAE
Economic freedom 67.5 71.9
Economic freedom ranking 55/197 29/197
Property rights 66.1 62.9
Government integrity 60.4 65.3
Judicial effectiveness 48.6 34.4
Tax burden 95 99.9
Government spending 75.6 85.1
Fiscal health 39 97.6
Business freedom 75.3 84.5
Labor freedom 75.1 63.2
Monetary freedom 74.8 81.2
Trade freedom 84.6 78.6
Investment freedom 65 50
Financial freedom 50 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Brunei
United Arab Emirates
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Brunei UAE
2026 67.5 71.9
2025 67 71.6
2024 65.9 71.1
2023 65.7 70.9
2022 64.8 70.2
2021 66.6 76.9
2020 66.6 76.2
2019 65.1 77.6
2018 64.2 77.6
2017 69.8 76.9
2016 67.3 72.6
2015 68.9 72.4
2014 69 71.4
2013 - 71.1
2012 - 69.3
2011 - 67.8
2010 - 67.3
2009 - 64.7
2008 - 62.6
2007 - 62.6
2006 - 62.2
2005 - 65.2
2004 - 67.2
2003 - 73.4
2002 - 73.6
2001 - 74.9
2000 - 74.2
1999 - 71.5
1998 - 72.2
1997 - 71.9
1996 - 71.6

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/brunei/united-arab-emirates | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Brunei is 67.5, ranking 55/197, compared to 71.9 for the United Arab Emirates, ranking 29/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Brunei UAE
Services, % of GDP
40.2%
2025
54.9%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
60%
2025
44.3%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.18%
2025
0.77%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$16.2B
2025
$566B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$95,420
2025
$81,640
2024
Total reserves including gold
$5.49B
2025
$292B
2025
Total reserves ranking
100/177
2025
14/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$157M
2025
$31.5B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$29.1M
2024
$45.6B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$77.2B
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines n/a
19.5%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
27.1%
2025
26.6%
2023

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/united-arab-emirates | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

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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. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. TradeMap (2023–2024, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1991–1998, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  9. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, 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.