Skip to content

Economy of Brunei vs Vietnam compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Brunei has a GDP of $15B compared to $515B for Vietnam, ranking 147/197 and 33/197 by economy size, respectively.

Brunei has $232M in government debt (1.54% of GDP), compared to $156B (30.3% of GDP) in Vietnam.

Brunei vs Vietnam GDP by year

Brunei
Vietnam
1x
Year GDP, current $
Brunei Vietnam
2025 $15,031,980,994 $514,697,215,165
2024 $15,340,808,592 $476,324,572,784
2023 $15,095,084,656 $433,805,036,898
2022 $16,681,536,467 $413,445,230,669
2021 $14,006,496,617 $366,474,752,771
2020 $12,005,799,654 $346,615,738,538
2019 $13,469,235,365 $334,365,270,497
2018 $13,566,908,391 $310,106,478,395
2017 $12,128,168,045 $281,353,605,987
2016 $11,400,266,045 $257,096,001,178
2015 $12,930,296,870 $239,258,328,382
2014 $17,097,797,386 $233,451,469,643
2013 $18,094,148,099 $213,708,811,665
2012 $19,048,443,341 $195,590,661,129
2011 $18,524,791,063 $172,595,049,184
2010 $13,707,121,038 $147,201,173,197
2009 $11,912,904,510 $106,014,659,565
2008 $15,926,456,515 $99,130,304,099
2007 $13,432,029,484 $77,414,425,532
2006 $12,644,616,419 $66,371,664,817
2005 $10,547,202,621 $57,633,255,738
2004 $8,619,178,774 $45,427,854,693
2003 $7,167,725,262 $39,552,513,232
2002 $6,333,082,876 $35,064,105,501
2001 $6,096,155,767 $32,685,198,809
2000 $6,570,999,088 $31,172,518,403
1999 $6,309,070,378 $28,683,659,007
1998 $5,550,846,020 $27,209,602,050
1997 $7,793,034,376 $26,843,700,442
1996 $7,663,377,306 $24,657,470,575
1995 $7,700,144,069 $20,736,164,459
1994 $6,467,782,518 $16,286,433,533
1993 $6,203,339,912 $13,180,953,598
1992 $6,327,966,435 $9,866,990,236
1991 $6,284,497,294 $9,613,369,520
1990 $6,039,881,087 $6,471,740,806
1989 $4,983,622,881 $6,293,304,975
1988 $4,535,130,305 $25,423,812,649
1987 $4,918,010,080 $36,658,108,850
1986 $4,190,280,003 $26,336,616,250
1985 $6,967,623,884 $14,094,687,821
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/vietnam | CC BY

GDP per capita in Brunei vs Vietnam by year

Brunei
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Vietnam
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Brunei Vietnam
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $32,235 - $5,066 -
2024 $33,153 $89,879 $4,717 $16,386
2023 $32,891 $85,033 $4,323 $15,034
2022 $36,633 $81,802 $4,148 $13,905
2021 $31,007 $78,249 $3,704 $12,049
2020 $26,834 $69,788 $3,534 $11,609
2019 $30,427 $69,354 $3,441 $11,029
2018 $30,988 $65,149 $3,222 $10,010
2017 $28,024 $61,658 $2,956 $9,170
2016 $26,663 $56,680 $2,735 $8,375
2015 $30,625 $62,708 $2,578 $7,672
2014 $41,027 $81,226 $2,546 $7,297
2013 $44,003 $83,237 $2,360 $6,758
2012 $46,969 $87,256 $2,185 $6,377
2011 $46,383 $82,735 $1,951 $5,786
2010 $34,938 $79,543 $1,683 $5,389
2009 $30,946 $77,957 $1,226 $5,061
2008 $42,157 $80,477 $1,164 $4,844
2007 $36,217 $83,693 $926 $4,581
2006 $34,675 $86,114 $808 $4,237
2005 $29,386 $81,534 $711 $3,894
2004 $24,423 $80,404 $565 $3,543
2003 $20,678 $79,632 $497 $3,240
2002 $18,621 $76,838 $445 $3,002
2001 $18,288 $74,254 $419 $2,809
2000 $20,130 $73,087 $404 $2,614
1999 $19,752 $70,585 $376 $2,421
1998 $17,769 $68,257 $361 $2,308
1997 $25,522 $73,980 $362 $2,189
1996 $25,692 $70,008 $337 $2,019
1995 $26,443 $70,440 $287.8 $1,841
1994 $22,767 $69,779 $229.9 $1,674
1993 $22,397 $69,387 $189.4 $1,534
1992 $23,451 $70,016 $144.5 $1,413
1991 $23,932 $72,610 $143.7 $1,298
1990 $23,659 $70,201 $98.8 $1,210
1989 $20,090 - $98.1 -
1988 $18,825 - $405 -
1987 $21,030 - $595 -
1986 $18,501 - $436 -
1985 $31,827 - $238.6 -
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/vietnam | CC BY

Brunei's GDP per capita is $32,235, ranking 42/197, compared to $5,066 in Vietnam, ranking 122/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Brunei ranks 9th at $89,879, while Vietnam ranks 108th at $16,386.

Economic indicators

Brunei Vietnam
Gross domestic product
$15B
2025
$515B
2025
GDP rank
147/197
2025
33/197
2025
GDP growth
0.67%
2024-2025
8.02%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$32,235
2025
$5,066
2025
GDP per capita rank
42/197
2025
122/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$89,879
2024
$16,386
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
9/197
2024
108/197
2024
Government debt
$232M
2025
$156B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
1.54%
2025
30.3%
2025
Government debt per person
$498
2025
$1,537
2025
Government debt per person rank
169/185
2025
130/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$25,392
2026
$5,133
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$316B
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
5
2026
Income share by richest 10% n/a
28.1%
2022
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
2.6%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
29.9%
2025
22.1%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
-0.3%
2024-2025
3.3%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate n/a
4.5%
2023
Unemployment rate
4.87%
2024
1.53%
2024
Population
471596
102486146

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Brunei
Spending

Debt
Vietnam
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Brunei Vietnam
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 29.9% 1.54% 22.1% 30.3%
2024 30.3% 1.57% 19.1% 31.2%
2023 30.1% 1.67% 18.8% 34.3%
2022 26.1% 1.33% 18.2% 34.9%
2021 30.1% 1.43% 20.1% 39.2%
2020 32.8% 2.16% 21.3% 41.3%
2019 32.1% 1.82% 19.8% 41%
2018 32.9% 1.9% 20.5% 43.8%
2017 36.6% 2.58% 21.5% 46.6%
2016 39.8% 3% 22.2% 47.9%
2015 37% 2.95% 24.2% 46.1%
2014 34% 3.23% 22.8% 43.6%
2013 33.4% 2.21% 24.5% 41.4%
2012 31.1% 2.1% 23.5% 38.3%
2011 29.9% 2.13% 21.2% 36.2%
2010 25.5% 1.11% 23.7% 37.3%
2009 34.8% 1.11% 25% 36.2%
2008 27.2% 0.94% 21.4% 31%
2007 29.3% 0.68% 22.3% 32.2%
2006 28% 0.59% 20.5% 30.2%
2005 29.1% 0% 20.6% 28.7%
2004 33.2% 0% 19.4% 29.4%
2003 30.9% 0% 22.2% 29.8%
2002 41.4% 0% 19.7% 27.7%
2001 35.5% 0% 19.2% 25.4%
2000 37.5% 0% 17.8% 24.8%
1999 44.1% 0% 16.7% -
1998 45.4% 0% 16% -
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/vietnam | CC BY

In 2025, Brunei's government spending was $4.5B, accounting for 29.9% of its GDP, while Vietnam spent $114B, or 22.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 1.54% in Brunei and 30.3% in Vietnam, ranking 185/185 and 153/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Brunei

Vietnam
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Brunei Vietnam
2025 -13.4% -2.2%
2024 -12.9% -1.54%
2023 -8.62% -1.72%
2022 -0.25% 0.67%
2021 -8.34% -1.43%
2020 -16.2% -2.86%
2019 -4.16% -0.4%
2018 -2.9% -1.02%
2017 -13.8% -1.96%
2016 -16.7% -3.16%
2015 -11.4% -4.98%
2014 1.25% -5.02%
2013 10.4% -5.96%
2012 19.5% -5.46%
2011 21.5% -0.9%
2010 11.3% -2.25%
2009 3.61% -4.82%
2008 36.1% -0.45%
2007 3.12% -1.74%
2006 19.8% 0.2%
2005 16% -0.95%
2004 8.57% -0.15%
2003 8.06% -2.56%
2002 -4.61% -1.85%
2001 2.59% -2.19%
2000 6.86% -1.61%
1999 -18.3% -1.25%
1998 -24% -0.1%
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/vietnam | 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 Vietnam's deficit of $11.3B, or 2.2% of GDP.

Over the past 28 years, Brunei recorded a fiscal deficit in 14 of those years, while Vietnam ran a deficit in 26 years. On average, Brunei posted an annual surplus equal to 0.47% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.06% of GDP for Vietnam.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Brunei

Vietnam
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Brunei Vietnam
2025 -0.3% 3.3%
2024 -0.39% 3.6%
2023 0.36% 3.3%
2022 3.68% 3.2%
2021 1.73% 1.8%
2020 1.94% 3.2%
2019 -0.39% 2.8%
2018 1.03% 3.5%
2017 -1.26% 3.5%
2016 -0.28% 2.7%
2015 -0.49% 0.6%
2014 -0.21% 4.1%
2013 0.39% 6.6%
2012 0.11% 9.1%
2011 0.14% 18.7%
2010 0.36% 10.5%
2009 1.04% 6.7%
2008 2.08% 23.1%
2007 0.97% 8.3%
2006 0.16% 7.5%
2005 1.24% 8.4%
2004 0.81% 7.9%
2003 0.3% 3.3%
2002 -2.31% 4.1%
2001 0.6% -0.3%
2000 1.56% -1.8%
1999 -0.42% 4.1%
1998 -0.44% 7.2%
1997 1.71% 3.1%

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/vietnam | CC BY

Over the past 29 years, Brunei has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 0.47%, compared with 5.59% in Vietnam. In 2025, inflation was -0.3% in Brunei and 3.3% in Vietnam.

Top exports between countries

Brunei
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $461M
Chemicals & pharma $24.4M
Machinery & equipment $1.19M
Metals $94K
Miscellaneous $50K
Textiles & consumer goods $22K
Wood & paper products $22K
Animal & marine products $18K
Precious metals & jewellery $1K
Vietnam
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $132M
Machinery & equipment $3.27M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $2.39M
Animal & marine products $1.77M
Metals $1.28M
Textiles & consumer goods $1.21M
Chemicals & pharma $770K
Wood & paper products $418K
Raw agricultural goods $213K
Miscellaneous $56K

Balance of trade

Brunei Vietnam
Current account balance
$2.71B
2025
$30.2B
2024
Current account balance ranking
40/190
2025
18/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+18%
2025
+6.33%
2024
Goods imports
$6.28B
2025
$363B
2024
Goods exports
$10.3B
2025
$407B
2024
Service imports
$1.54B
2025
$35.6B
2024
Service exports
$463M
2025
$25B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
52%
2025
92.1%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
71.6%
2025
98.2%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Brunei Vietnam
Economic freedom 67.5 64.4
Economic freedom ranking 55/197 73/197
Property rights 66.1 47.3
Government integrity 60.4 39.2
Judicial effectiveness 48.6 31.3
Tax burden 95 80.9
Government spending 75.6 89.5
Fiscal health 39 96.9
Business freedom 75.3 70
Labor freedom 75.1 54.7
Monetary freedom 74.8 73.2
Trade freedom 84.6 79.8
Investment freedom 65 60
Financial freedom 50 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Brunei
Vietnam
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Brunei Vietnam
2026 67.5 64.4
2025 67 65.2
2024 65.9 62.8
2023 65.7 61.8
2022 64.8 60.6
2021 66.6 61.7
2020 66.6 58.8
2019 65.1 55.3
2018 64.2 53.1
2017 69.8 52.4
2016 67.3 54
2015 68.9 51.7
2014 69 50.8
2013 - 51
2012 - 51.3
2011 - 51.6
2010 - 49.8
2009 - 51
2008 - 50.4
2007 - 49.8
2006 - 50.5
2005 - 48.1
2004 - 46.1
2003 - 46.2
2002 - 45.6
2001 - 44.3
2000 - 43.7
1999 - 42.7
1998 - 40.4
1997 - 38.6
1996 - 40.2
1995 - 41.7

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Brunei is 67.5, ranking 55/197, compared to 64.4 for Vietnam, ranking 73/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Brunei Vietnam
Services, % of GDP
40.2%
2025
42.7%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
60%
2025
37.6%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.18%
2025
11.6%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$16.2B
2025
$505B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$95,420
2025
$17,580
2025
Total reserves including gold
$5.49B
2025
$85.6B
2025
Total reserves ranking
100/177
2025
33/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$157M
2025
-$19.6B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$29.1M
2024
$20.2B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$600M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
7.29%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines n/a
4.2%
2022
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
27.1%
2025
30.8%
2025

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/vietnam | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

Help us show the world through your eyes

Share a photo of your city and help others discover what it looks like to live there. Your contribution makes our data come alive.

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 (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. TradeMap (2023–2024, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. 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.