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Photo: kulimpapat derivative work: Inkey · CC BY 2.0 · via Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale
Brunei
Brunei places highest on GNI per Capita (PPP) (top 1% worldwide) and lowest on Renewable Share of Electricity Generation (bottom 4%).
Brunei in the Nations Inquiry Country Index
At a glance
Population
458,949
people
since 1950
Land area
5,270
km²
since 1961
GDP per person
78,985
international $, PPP
since 1990
Life expectancy
75.33
years at birth
since 1950
Human development
0.837
HDI, 0–1
since 1990
Unemployment
5.277
% of the labour force
since 1991
The newest published figure for each, the year it describes and who published it, with a line showing how it has moved.
01The country
About Brunei
Key facts about Brunei
- Capital
- Bandar Seri Begawan
- Official languages
- British English, Malay
- Currency
- Brunei dollar (BND)
- ISO code
- BRN · BN
- Domain · dialling
- .bn · +673
As Wikidata records them. Official languages are the least consistent — some countries list only a national language, others every regional one. Sources and licences.
02Country Index 2026
Where it stands, topic by topic
Strongest first. Each position is Brunei’s place among the countries with a standing on that topic, built from a few key statistics chosen to measure different things.
9thof 191
From 3 of 3 key statistics
66thof 193
From 5 of 5 key statistics
joint72ndof 182
From 4 of 4 key statistics
83rdof 201
From 2 of 4 key statistics
joint88thof 194
From 3 of 3 key statistics
88thof 177
From 2 of 3 key statistics
102ndof 198
From 2 of 3 key statistics
122ndof 178
From 2 of 3 key statistics
137thof 147
From 2 of 3 key statistics
No standing — Brunei holds too few of this subject’s key statistics to be placed on it.
No standing — Brunei holds too few of this subject’s key statistics to be placed on it.
No standing — Brunei holds too few of this subject’s key statistics to be placed on it.
Each standing is built from a few key statistics chosen to measure different things. Select a subject for Brunei’s readings on it, or see every statistic held for Brunei in the table further down this page.
03Highs and lows
Where Brunei stands out
The two ends of its own record: every statistic on which Brunei sits within ten places of the best or worst in the world, plus its strongest and weakest readings overall. Each is turned into a percentile — its place among every country measured — which is what lets a hunger score and a press-freedom rank be compared at all.
Where Brunei does best6
In the top third of all countries measured. 5 are within ten places of the best in the world, in a field of at least 50 countries — marked with that place.
- 1stDeaths in Organized Violencetop 35%
Position · derived 59th of 59 · 1 = worst · 0 · 2025
world median 0
- 2ndGNI per Capita (PPP)top 1%
Position · derived 2nd of 102 · 78,957 · 2025
world median 14,273 (better) · ▲ 3 pts since 2015
- 7thAdjusted Net Savingstop 5%
Position · derived 7th of 118 · 23.99 · 2021
world median 8.389 (better) · ▼ 4 pts since 2011
- 7thGDP per Person Employedtop 4%
Position · derived 7th of 168 · 163,544 · 2025
world median 47,384 (better)
- 9th
Position · derived 11th of 179 · 37.93 · 2025
world median 19.16 (better)
Where Brunei struggles most5
In the bottom third of all countries measured. 1 is within ten places of the worst in the world, in a field of at least 50 countries — marked with that place.
- 5th
Position · derived 186th of 190 · 0.18 · 2024
world median 31.14 (worse) · ▼ 4 pts since 2014
- Women, Business and the Lawbottom 9%
Position · derived 173rd of 190 · 53.13 · 2024
world median 81.25 (worse) · ▼ 8 pts since 2014
- Global Militarisation Indexbottom 10%
Rank 16th of 149 · 1 = worst · 201.15 · 2023
world median 100.66 (worse) · ▲ 3 pts since 2013
- Labour Income Sharebottom 11%
Position · derived 162nd of 182 · 33.21 · 2025
world median 46.23 (worse) · ▲ 8 pts since 2015
A band is a place among the countries each publisher scores, so Brunei can move because other countries moved. See the Country Index for the full method.
04Over time
Which way it is moving
The published rank in widely quoted reports, edition by edition — each end with the size of that year’s field — and the statistics, not already named above, on which it has gained or lost the most ground.
Human Development Index
UNDP Human Development Report Office
22nd
of 141 · 1990
60th
of 193 · 2023
Ranked in 34 of 34 editions
Corruption Perceptions Index
Transparency International
45th
of 173 · 2012
31st
of 181 · 2025
Ranked in 8 of 14 editions
Gender Inequality Index
UNDP Human Development Report Office
66th
of 162 · 2016
66th
of 172 · 2023
Ranked in 8 of 34 editions
Global Innovation Index
World Intellectual Property Organization
92nd
of 132 · 2022
88th
of 139 · 2025
Ranked in 4 of 4 editions
Government AI Readiness Index
Oxford Insights
49th
of 172 · 2020
97th
of 195 · 2025
Ranked in 6 of 6 editions
Gaining ground
Where Brunei has climbed against the rest of the world, in percentile points.
- Cereal Yield+22 pts since 2013
- PISA Reading Performance+19 pts since 2018
- PISA Mathematics Performance+12 pts since 2018
Losing ground
Where Brunei has slipped against the rest of the world, in percentile points.
- Out-of-School Rate, Primary-29 pts since 2014
- Government AI Readiness Index-21 pts since 2020
- Births Attended by Skilled Health Staff-21 pts since 2009
05In context
Brunei and its neighbours
A position reads best beside the countries around it. Every position below is a place in the world ranking of 174, not within the region.
Shares a land border with
Placed either side in the Country Index 2026
Across South-eastern Asia
Every country in the sub-region, by its position in the world (of 174 placed).
- 21
Singapore - 51
Malaysia - 61
Thailand - 68
Vietnam - 77Brunei
- 90
Indonesia - 91
Timor-Leste - 98
Philippines - 120
Laos - 123
Cambodia - 152
Myanmar
06The evidence
Every statistic we hold for Brunei
Grouped by topic. Each row gives the newest edition’s rank or position, the published value and the year the numbers describe — select a row for the world median, the best in the world and the trend.
Governance & Institutions15
Agriculture Orientation Index30th of 132position · derived0.64Agriculture orientation index (1.0 = spending matches sector size)2024
Upper middle · top 22% of 132 countries measured
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) · Agriculture orientation index (1.0 = spending matches sector size)
Brunei 0.64 · world median 0.305 (better)
Best in the world 5.38 (Singapore)
▼ -3 percentile points since 2014
Civic Space Ratings142nd of 198position · derived29.58Civic space score (0–100)2025
Lower middle · bottom 28% of 198 countries measured
CIVICUS · Civic space score (0–100)
Brunei 29.58 · world median 50.46 (worse)
Best in the world 100 (Kiribati)
No earlier reading to compare
Completeness of Birth Registrationtop 30%99.9Children under 5 whose birth is registered (%)2025
Upper middle · top 30% of 185 countries measured
UNICEF · Children under 5 whose birth is registered (%)
Brunei 99.9 · world median 98.4 (better)
Best in the world 100 (53 countries tied)
No earlier reading to compare
Corruption Perceptions Index31st of 181rank63CPI score (0–100, where 100 is very clean)2025
Top fifth · top 17% of 182 countries measured · 182 share 181 positions
Transparency International · CPI score (0–100, where 100 is very clean)
Brunei 63 · world median 39 (better)
Best in the world 89 (Denmark)
▲ +6 percentile points since 2016
General Government Consumption15th of 132position · derived23.81General government final consumption expenditure (% of GDP)2025
Top fifth · top 11% of 132 countries measured
World Bank Group · General government final consumption expenditure (% of GDP)
Brunei 23.81 · world median 16.21
Highest 38.94 (Ukraine)
No real change since 2015
Government AI Readiness Index97th of 195rank40.51AI readiness score (0–100)2025
Middle · top 49% of 195 countries measured
Oxford Insights · AI readiness score (0–100)
Brunei 40.51 · world median 40.19 (better)
Best in the world 88.36 (United States)
▼ -21 percentile points since 2020
Government Effectiveness47th of 209position · derived0.835Governance estimate (−2.5 weak to 2.5 strong)2024
Upper middle · top 22% of 209 countries measured
World Bank Group · Governance estimate (−2.5 weak to 2.5 strong)
Brunei 0.835 · world median 0.01 (better)
Best in the world 2.28 (Singapore)
▼ -6 percentile points since 2014
Open Data Inventory73rd of 168rank61ODIN overall score (0–100)2024
Middle · top 44% of 168 countries measured
Open Data Watch · ODIN overall score (0–100)
Brunei 61 · world median 59 (better)
Best in the world 90 (2 countries tied)
No real change since 2020
Public Sector Wage Bill84th of 168position · derived7.975Public sector wage bill (% of GDP)2022
Middle · top 50% of 168 countries measured
World Bank Group · Public sector wage bill (% of GDP)
Brunei 7.975 · world median 7.975
Highest 42.65 (Nauru)
No real change since 2012
Regulatory Quality41st of 209position · derived0.887Regulatory Quality (−2.5 to 2.5)2024
Top fifth · top 19% of 209 countries measured
World Bank Group · Regulatory Quality (−2.5 to 2.5)
Brunei 0.887 · world median -0.09 (better)
Best in the world 2.132 (Singapore)
▼ -4 percentile points since 2014
Rule of Law68th of 211position · derived0.588Rule of Law estimate (−2.5 to 2.5)2024
Upper middle · top 32% of 211 countries measured
World Bank Group · Rule of Law estimate (−2.5 to 2.5)
Brunei 0.588 · world median -0.1 (better)
Best in the world 2.021 (Finland)
No real change since 2014
Statistical Performance Indicators128th of 188position · derived61.44SPI overall score (0–100)2024
Lower middle · bottom 32% of 188 countries measured
World Bank Group · SPI overall score (0–100)
Brunei 61.44 · world median 69.3 (worse)
Best in the world 94.14 (Norway)
▼ -3 percentile points since 2020
Voice and Accountability147th of 208position · derived-0.8Voice and Accountability estimate (−2.5 to 2.5)2024
Lower middle · bottom 29% of 208 countries measured
World Bank Group · Voice and Accountability estimate (−2.5 to 2.5)
Brunei -0.8 · world median -0.02 (worse)
Best in the world 1.929 (Norway)
▼ -3 percentile points since 2014
Women, Business and the Law173rd of 190position · derived53.13WBL Index (0–100, where 100 is full legal parity)2024
Bottom fifth · bottom 9% of 190 countries measured
World Bank Group · WBL Index (0–100, where 100 is full legal parity)
Brunei 53.13 · world median 81.25 (worse)
Best in the world 100 (14 countries tied)
▼ -8 percentile points since 2014
Economy & Innovation26
Adjusted Net Savings7th of 118position · derived23.99Adjusted net savings, including particulate emission damage (% of GNI)2021
Top fifth · top 5% of 118 countries measured
World Bank Group · Adjusted net savings, including particulate emission damage (% of GNI)
Brunei 23.99 · world median 8.389 (better)
Best in the world 32.18 (Bangladesh)
▼ -4 percentile points since 2011
Agricultural Land203rd of 209position · derived2.543Agricultural land (% of land area)2023
Bottom fifth · bottom 3% of 209 countries measured
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) · Agricultural land (% of land area)
Brunei 2.543 · world median 37.96
Highest 86.48 (Côte d’Ivoire)
No real change since 2013
Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing Value Added (% of GDP)143rd of 158position · derived1.181Agriculture, forestry and fishing value added (% of GDP)2025
Bottom fifth · bottom 10% of 158 countries measured
World Bank Group · Agriculture, forestry and fishing value added (% of GDP)
Brunei 1.181 · world median 6.572
Highest 47.59 (Niger)
▼ -5 percentile points since 2015
Cereal Yield102nd of 179position · derived2,467Cereal yield (kg per hectare)2023
Middle · bottom 43% of 179 countries measured
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) · Cereal yield (kg per hectare)
Brunei 2,467 · world median 3,072 (worse)
Best in the world 29,147 (Oman)
▲ +22 percentile points since 2013
Crop Production Index143rd of 195position · derived97.29Crop production index (2014–2016 = 100)2022
Lower middle · bottom 27% of 195 countries measured
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) · Crop production index (2014–2016 = 100)
Brunei 97.29 · world median 106.23 (worse)
Best in the world 189.93 (Senegal)
▼ -11 percentile points since 2012
Exports of Goods and Services (% of GDP)20th of 138position · derived71.57Exports of goods and services (% of GDP)2025
Top fifth · top 14% of 138 countries measured
World Bank Group · Exports of goods and services (% of GDP)
Brunei 71.57 · world median 36.34
Highest 199.76 (Hong Kong)
▲ +11 percentile points since 2015
Fertilizer Consumption per Hectare47th of 188position · derived177.25Fertilizer consumption (kg per hectare of arable land)2023
Upper middle · top 24% of 191 countries measured · 191 share 188 positions
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) · Fertilizer consumption (kg per hectare of arable land)
Brunei 177.25 · world median 87.36
Highest 2,926 (Malaysia)
▲ +35 percentile points since 2013
Food Production Index47th of 195position · derived119.3Food production index (2014–2016 = 100)2022
Upper middle · top 24% of 195 countries measured
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) · Food production index (2014–2016 = 100)
Brunei 119.3 · world median 106.08 (better)
Best in the world 177.49 (Senegal)
▲ +7 percentile points since 2012
GDP Growth165th of 186position · derived0.67GDP growth (annual %)2025
Bottom fifth · bottom 11% of 186 countries measured
World Bank Group · GDP growth (annual %)
Brunei 0.67 · world median 3.396 (worse)
Best in the world 19.34 (Guyana)
No real change since 2015
GDP per Capita (PPP)9th of 185position · derived78,985GDP per capita (constant 2021 international $, PPP)2025
Top fifth · top 4% of 185 countries measured
World Bank Group · GDP per capita (constant 2021 international $, PPP)
Brunei 78,985 · world median 17,265 (better)
Best in the world 139,593 (Singapore)
No real change since 2015
Global Innovation Index88th of 139rank24.46GII score (0–100)2025
Lower middle · bottom 37% of 139 countries measured
World Intellectual Property Organization · GII score (0–100)
Brunei 24.46 · world median 28.52 (worse)
Best in the world 65.96 (Switzerland)
▲ +6 percentile points since 2022
GNI per Capita (PPP)2nd of 102position · derived78,957GNI per capita (constant 2021 international $, PPP)2025
Top fifth · top 1% of 102 countries measured
World Bank Group · GNI per capita (constant 2021 international $, PPP)
Brunei 78,957 · world median 14,273 (better)
Best in the world 116,633 (Singapore)
▲ +3 percentile points since 2015
Gross Capital Formation (% of GDP)33rd of 131position · derived27.13Gross capital formation (% of GDP)2025
Upper middle · top 25% of 131 countries measured
World Bank Group · Gross capital formation (% of GDP)
Brunei 27.13 · world median 22.93
Highest 45.27 (Algeria)
▼ -16 percentile points since 2015
Gross Savings (% of GDP)2nd of 146position · derived47.65Gross savings (% of GDP)2024
Top fifth · top 1% of 146 countries measured
World Bank Group · Gross savings (% of GDP)
Brunei 47.65 · world median 22.06
Highest 47.82 (Macau)
No real change since 2014
Household Consumption130th of 131position · derived29.31Household and NPISH final consumption expenditure (% of GDP)2025
Bottom fifth · bottom 1% of 131 countries measured
World Bank Group · Household and NPISH final consumption expenditure (% of GDP)
Brunei 29.31 · world median 62.04
Highest 133.34 (Somalia)
No real change since 2015
ICT Goods Exports102nd of 119position · derived0.06ICT goods exports (% of total goods exports)2024
Bottom fifth · bottom 14% of 120 countries measured · 120 share 119 positions
UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) · ICT goods exports (% of total goods exports)
Brunei 0.06 · world median 0.975 (worse)
Best in the world 61.45 (Hong Kong)
▼ -17 percentile points since 2014
Imports of Goods and Services (% of GDP)54th of 138position · derived52.04Imports of goods and services (% of GDP)2025
Upper middle · top 39% of 138 countries measured
World Bank Group · Imports of goods and services (% of GDP)
Brunei 52.04 · world median 41.72
Highest 196.89 (Hong Kong)
▲ +16 percentile points since 2015
Industry Value Added including Construction (% of GDP)3rd of 158position · derived60Industry, including construction, value added (% of GDP)2025
Top fifth · top 1% of 158 countries measured
World Bank Group · Industry, including construction, value added (% of GDP)
Brunei 60 · world median 24.65
Highest 75.09 (Guyana)
No real change since 2015
Inequality-adjusted Human Development Index48th of 169position · derived0.756IHDI (0–1)2023
Upper middle · top 28% of 169 countries measured
UNDP Human Development Report Office · IHDI (0–1)
Brunei 0.756 · world median 0.609 (better)
Best in the world 0.923 (Iceland)
▼ -4 percentile points since 2013
Liner Shipping Connectivity Index135th of 175rank23.36LSCI (index, average Q1 2023 = 100)2026
Lower middle · bottom 21% of 167 countries measured · 167 share 175 positions
UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) · LSCI (index, average Q1 2023 = 100)
Brunei 23.36 · world median 56.21 (worse)
Best in the world 1,319 (China)
No real change since 2016
Livestock Density3rd of 188position · derived15.91Livestock units per hectare of agricultural land2023
Top fifth · top 1% of 188 countries measured
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) · Livestock units per hectare of agricultural land
Brunei 15.91 · world median 0.535
Highest 43.97 (Singapore)
No real change since 2013
Livestock Production Index42nd of 194position · derived123.11Livestock production index (2014–2016 = 100)2022
Upper middle · top 22% of 194 countries measured
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) · Livestock production index (2014–2016 = 100)
Brunei 123.11 · world median 107.06 (better)
Best in the world 190.08 (Malawi)
▲ +12 percentile points since 2012
Manufacturing Value Added (% of GDP)79th of 132position · derived9.935Manufacturing value added (% of GDP)2025
Middle · bottom 40% of 132 countries measured
World Bank Group · Manufacturing value added (% of GDP)
Brunei 9.935 · world median 11.26
Highest 43.97 (Puerto Rico)
▲ +36 percentile points since 2015
Total Natural Resources Rents (% of GDP)17th of 180position · derived24.28Natural resources rents (% of GDP)2021
Top fifth · top 8% of 197 countries measured · 197 share 180 positions
World Bank Group · Natural resources rents (% of GDP)
Brunei 24.28 · world median 1.708
Highest 61.03 (Libya)
No real change since 2011
Trade (% of GDP)32nd of 138position · derived123.61Exports plus imports (% of GDP)2025
Upper middle · top 23% of 138 countries measured
World Bank Group · Exports plus imports (% of GDP)
Brunei 123.61 · world median 79.68
Highest 396.65 (Hong Kong)
▲ +15 percentile points since 2015
World Energy Trilemma Index45th of 99rank64.8Trilemma score (0–100)2023
Middle · top 46% of 126 countries measured · 126 share 99 positions
World Energy Council · Trilemma score (0–100)
Brunei 64.8 · world median 63.8 (better)
Best in the world 83.2 (Denmark)
No earlier reading to compare
Work & Labour18
Average Weekly Hours Worked23rd of 182position · derived44.75Average weekly hours actually worked per employed person2025
Top fifth · top 12% of 182 countries measured
International Labour Organization (ILO) · Average weekly hours actually worked per employed person
Brunei 44.75 · world median 38.89
Highest 54.7 (Bhutan)
No real change since 2015
Employment in Agriculture168th of 182position · derived1.201Employment in agriculture (% of total employment)2025
Bottom fifth · bottom 8% of 182 countries measured
International Labour Organization (ILO) · Employment in agriculture (% of total employment)
Brunei 1.201 · world median 14.38
Highest 85.34 (Burundi)
No real change since 2015
Employment in Industry74th of 182position · derived20.39Employment in industry (% of total employment)2025
Middle · top 40% of 182 countries measured
International Labour Organization (ILO) · Employment in industry (% of total employment)
Brunei 20.39 · world median 18.88
Highest 39.44 (Oman)
▲ +22 percentile points since 2015
Employment in Services26th of 182position · derived78.41Employment in services (% of total employment)2025
Top fifth · top 14% of 182 countries measured
International Labour Organization (ILO) · Employment in services (% of total employment)
Brunei 78.41 · world median 59.51
Highest 92.17 (Djibouti)
▼ -8 percentile points since 2015
Employment-to-Population Ratio65th of 182position · derived60.85Employed share of the population aged 15+ (%)2025
Upper middle · top 35% of 182 countries measured
International Labour Organization (ILO) · Employed share of the population aged 15+ (%)
Brunei 60.85 · world median 57.72 (better)
Best in the world 86.9 (Qatar)
▼ -2 percentile points since 2015
Female Labour Force Participation Rate86th of 182position · derived54.44Women aged 15+ in the labour force (%)2025
Middle · top 47% of 182 countries measured
International Labour Organization (ILO) · Women aged 15+ in the labour force (%)
Brunei 54.44 · world median 53.36 (better)
Best in the world 82.91 (Madagascar)
▼ -17 percentile points since 2015
Female Share of Senior and Middle Management41st of 86position · derived36.43Women in senior and middle management (% of managers)2024
Middle · top 47% of 86 countries measured
International Labour Organization (ILO) · Women in senior and middle management (% of managers)
Brunei 36.43 · world median 35.86 (better)
Best in the world 56.69 (Nauru)
▼ -5 percentile points since 2014
Firms with a Female Top Manager11th of 179position · derived37.93Firms with a female top manager (%)2025
Top fifth · top 6% of 179 countries measured
World Bank Group · Firms with a female top manager (%)
Brunei 37.93 · world median 19.16 (better)
Best in the world 62.9 (Kiribati)
No earlier reading to compare
GDP per Person Employed7th of 168position · derived163,544GDP per person employed (constant 2021 international $)2025
Top fifth · top 4% of 168 countries measured
World Bank Group · GDP per person employed (constant 2021 international $)
Brunei 163,544 · world median 47,384 (better)
Best in the world 262,554 (Luxembourg)
No real change since 2015
Informal Employment Rate53rd of 97position · derived · 1 = worst33.19Informal employment (% of total employment)2025
Middle · top 46% of 97 countries measured
International Labour Organization (ILO) · Informal employment (% of total employment)
Brunei 33.19 · world median 36.83 (better)
Best in the world 0.857 (Hungary)
No earlier reading to compare
Labour Force Participation Rate74th of 182position · derived64.23Population aged 15+ in the labour force (%)2025
Middle · top 40% of 182 countries measured
International Labour Organization (ILO) · Population aged 15+ in the labour force (%)
Brunei 64.23 · world median 61.66 (better)
Best in the world 87.01 (Qatar)
▼ -11 percentile points since 2015
Labour Productivity per Hour Worked21st of 182position · derived71.07Output per hour worked (constant 2021 international $ at PPP)2025
Top fifth · top 11% of 182 countries measured
International Labour Organization (ILO) · Output per hour worked (constant 2021 international $ at PPP)
Brunei 71.07 · world median 22.16 (better)
Best in the world 164.65 (Ireland)
▼ -3 percentile points since 2015
Self-Employment Rate171st of 182position · derived7.271Self-employed (% of total employment)2025
Bottom fifth · bottom 6% of 182 countries measured
International Labour Organization (ILO) · Self-employed (% of total employment)
Brunei 7.271 · world median 31.84
Highest 91.56 (Chad)
No real change since 2015
Unemployment Rate87th of 182position · derived · 1 = worst5.277Unemployment (% of labour force)2025
Middle · bottom 48% of 182 countries measured
International Labour Organization (ILO) · Unemployment (% of labour force)
Brunei 5.277 · world median 5.084 (worse)
Best in the world 0.13 (Qatar)
▲ +9 percentile points since 2015
Vulnerable Employment171st of 182position · derived · 1 = worst4.478Vulnerable employment (% of total employment)2025
Top fifth · top 6% of 182 countries measured
International Labour Organization (ILO) · Vulnerable employment (% of total employment)
Brunei 4.478 · world median 28.67 (better)
Best in the world 0.456 (Qatar)
No real change since 2015
Youth Not in Education, Employment or Training33rd of 97position · derived · 1 = worst19.05Youth not in education, employment or training (%)2024
Lower middle · bottom 33% of 97 countries measured
International Labour Organization (ILO) · Youth not in education, employment or training (%)
Brunei 19.05 · world median 14.31 (worse)
Best in the world 3.975 (Iceland)
▼ -18 percentile points since 2014
Youth Unemployment Rate59th of 182position · derived · 1 = worst18.23Unemployment, ages 15-24 (% of youth labour force)2025
Lower middle · bottom 32% of 182 countries measured
International Labour Organization (ILO) · Unemployment, ages 15-24 (% of youth labour force)
Brunei 18.23 · world median 12.83 (worse)
Best in the world 0.457 (Niger)
▲ +10 percentile points since 2015
Education & Knowledge10
Adult Literacy Rate72nd of 172position · derived96.09Adults 15+ who can read and write (%)2024
Middle · top 42% of 172 countries measured
UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS) · Adults 15+ who can read and write (%)
Brunei 96.09 · world median 93.99 (better)
Best in the world 100 (3 countries tied)
No earlier reading to compare
Expected Years of Schooling94th of 195position · derived13.7Expected years of schooling2023
Middle · top 48% of 195 countries measured
UNDP Human Development Report Office · Expected years of schooling
Brunei 13.7 · world median 13.34 (better)
Best in the world 21.69 (Monaco)
▼ -17 percentile points since 2013
Mean Years of Schooling107th of 193position · derived9.282Mean years of schooling (adults 25+)2023
Middle · bottom 45% of 193 countries measured
UNDP Human Development Report Office · Mean years of schooling (adults 25+)
Brunei 9.282 · world median 9.933 (worse)
Best in the world 14.3 (Germany)
▼ -6 percentile points since 2013
Out-of-School Rate, Primary62nd of 121position · derived · 1 = worst3.612Out-of-school rate, primary age (%)2024
Middle · top 49% of 121 countries measured
UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS) · Out-of-school rate, primary age (%)
Brunei 3.612 · world median 3.691 (better)
Best in the world 0.004 (United Arab Emirates)
▼ -29 percentile points since 2014
PISA Mathematics Performance40th of 79position · derived442.09Mean mathematics score2022
Middle · top 50% of 79 countries measured
OECD · Mean mathematics score
Brunei 442.09 · world median 442.09
Best in the world 574.66 (Singapore)
▲ +12 percentile points since 2018
PISA Reading Performance44th of 79position · derived429.23Mean reading score2022
Middle · bottom 45% of 79 countries measured
OECD · Mean reading score
Brunei 429.23 · world median 440.35 (worse)
Best in the world 542.55 (Singapore)
▲ +19 percentile points since 2018
PISA Science Performance41st of 79position · derived445.86Mean science score2022
Middle · bottom 49% of 79 countries measured
OECD · Mean science score
Brunei 445.86 · world median 446.93 (worse)
Best in the world 561.43 (Singapore)
▲ +10 percentile points since 2018
Pre-Primary Net Enrolment Rate71st of 120position · derived56.31Net enrolment rate, pre-primary (%)2024
Middle · bottom 41% of 120 countries measured
UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS) · Net enrolment rate, pre-primary (%)
Brunei 56.31 · world median 65.93 (worse)
Best in the world 99.85 (Moldova)
No real change since 2014
Upper Secondary Attainment46th of 95position · derived67.87Adults 25+ who completed upper secondary or higher (%)2023
Middle · top 48% of 95 countries measured
UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS) · Adults 25+ who completed upper secondary or higher (%)
Brunei 67.87 · world median 65.76 (better)
Best in the world 97.89 (Belarus)
▼ -14 percentile points since 2014
Youth Literacy Ratetop 30%99.3715–24 year-olds who can read and write (%)2024
Upper middle · top 30% of 174 countries measured
UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS) · 15–24 year-olds who can read and write (%)
Brunei 99.37 · world median 98.22 (better)
Best in the world 100 (6 countries tied)
No earlier reading to compare
Health & Wellbeing10
Births Attended by Skilled Health Staff30th of 86position · derived99.6Births attended by skilled health staff (%)2019
Upper middle · top 36% of 86 countries measured
UNICEF · Births attended by skilled health staff (%)
Brunei 99.6 · world median 98.8 (better)
Best in the world 100 (11 countries tied)
▼ -21 percentile points since 2009
Gender Inequality Index66th of 172rank0.257GII (0 = full equality, 1 = maximum inequality)2023
Upper middle · top 38% of 172 countries measured
UNDP Human Development Report Office · GII (0 = full equality, 1 = maximum inequality)
Brunei 0.257 · world median 0.351 (better)
Best in the world 0.003 (Denmark)
▲ +2 percentile points since 2016
Global Violent Deaths196th of 206position · derived · 1 = worst0.45Violent deaths per 100,000 people2021
Top fifth · top 6% of 209 countries measured · 209 share 206 positions
Small Arms Survey · Violent deaths per 100,000 people
Brunei 0.45 · world median 4.02 (better)
Best in the world 0 (4 countries tied)
▼ -4 percentile points since 2011
Human Capital Index56th of 172position · derived0.626HCI score (0–1)2020
Upper middle · top 32% of 172 countries measured
World Bank Group · HCI score (0–1)
Brunei 0.626 · world median 0.564 (better)
Best in the world 0.879 (Singapore)
No earlier reading to compare
Human Development Index60th of 193rank0.837HDI score (0–1)2023
Upper middle · top 31% of 193 countries measured
UNDP Human Development Report Office · HDI score (0–1)
Brunei 0.837 · world median 0.762 (better)
Best in the world 0.972 (Iceland)
▼ -7 percentile points since 2013
Life Expectancy at Birth104th of 222position · derived75.33Years a newborn would live at current death rates2023
Middle · top 47% of 222 countries measured
UN DESA Population Division · Years a newborn would live at current death rates
Brunei 75.33 · world median 74.63 (better)
Best in the world 86.37 (Monaco)
▼ -5 percentile points since 2013
Maternal Mortality Ratio107th of 195position · derived · 1 = worst36.35Maternal deaths per 100,000 live births2023
Middle · top 45% of 195 countries measured
UN Maternal Mortality Estimation Inter-Agency Group (MMEIG) · Maternal deaths per 100,000 live births
Brunei 36.35 · world median 46.65 (better)
Best in the world 0.11 (Cook Islands)
▼ -3 percentile points since 2013
Pesticide Use per Hectare25th of 178position · derived12.59Pesticide use (kg per hectare of cropland)2024
Top fifth · top 13% of 181 countries measured · 181 share 178 positions
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) · Pesticide use (kg per hectare of cropland)
Brunei 12.59 · world median 1.73
Highest 37.72 (Antigua and Barbuda)
▼ -7 percentile points since 2014
Stunting Prevalence in Children Under Five61st of 162position · derived · 1 = worst19.62Children under 5 who are stunted (%)2024
Lower middle · bottom 37% of 162 countries measured
UNICEF, WHO and World Bank Group (Joint Malnutrition Estimates) · Children under 5 who are stunted (%)
Brunei 19.62 · world median 13.8 (worse)
Best in the world 0.518 (Latvia)
No earlier reading to compare
Under-Five Mortality Rate123rd of 200position · derived · 1 = worst9.944Deaths before age five (per 1,000 live births)2024
Upper middle · top 39% of 200 countries measured
UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME) · Deaths before age five (per 1,000 live births)
Brunei 9.944 · world median 14.54 (better)
Best in the world 1.26 (San Marino)
▼ -7 percentile points since 2014
Development & Human Capital8
Access to Electricitytop 28%100Population with electricity access (%)2024
Upper middle · top 28% of 215 countries measured
World Bank Group · Population with electricity access (%)
Brunei 100 · world median 100
Best in the world 100 (122 countries tied)
▼ -8 percentile points since 2014
Agricultural Irrigated Land39th of 121position · derived8.235Irrigated share of agricultural land (%)2023
Upper middle · top 32% of 121 countries measured
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) · Irrigated share of agricultural land (%)
Brunei 8.235 · world median 3.66
Highest 89.04 (Bangladesh)
No earlier reading to compare
Arable Land per Person190th of 206position · derived0.009Arable land (hectares per person)2023
Bottom fifth · bottom 8% of 206 countries measured
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) · Arable land (hectares per person)
Brunei 0.009 · world median 0.109
Highest 1.459 (Kazakhstan)
No real change since 2013
Coefficient of Human Inequality127th of 169position · derived · 1 = worst9.715Coefficient of Human Inequality (%)2023
Upper middle · top 25% of 169 countries measured
UNDP Human Development Report Office · Coefficient of Human Inequality (%)
Brunei 9.715 · world median 17.05 (better)
Best in the world 4.865 (Slovenia)
▼ -3 percentile points since 2013
Gender Development Index23rd of 184position · derived0.993Gender Development Index (1.000 = parity)2023
Top fifth · top 13% of 184 countries measured
UNDP Human Development Report Office · Gender Development Index (1.000 = parity)
Brunei 0.993 · world median 0.971 (better)
Best in the world 1 (2 countries tied)
▼ -8 percentile points since 2013
Land Under Cereal Production162nd of 179position · derived1,500Land under cereal production (hectares)2023
Bottom fifth · bottom 10% of 180 countries measured · 180 share 179 positions
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) · Land under cereal production (hectares)
Brunei 1,500 · world median 689,278
Highest 103,715,108 (India)
No real change since 2013
Planetary pressures-adjusted HDI107th of 156position · derived0.6PHDI (0–1)2023
Lower middle · bottom 32% of 156 countries measured
UNDP Human Development Report Office · PHDI (0–1)
Brunei 0.6 · world median 0.678 (worse)
Best in the world 0.827 (United Kingdom)
▼ -5 percentile points since 2013
Water Withdrawal by Sector151st of 171position · derived5.761Freshwater withdrawn for agriculture (% of total)2022
Bottom fifth · bottom 13% of 173 countries measured · 173 share 171 positions
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) · Freshwater withdrawn for agriculture (% of total)
Brunei 5.761 · world median 62.14
Highest 99.48 (Somalia)
No real change since 2012
Environment & Sustainability6
Agricultural Emissions161st of 193position · derived367.71Farm-gate emissions (kt CO₂eq)2023
Bottom fifth · bottom 19% of 198 countries measured · 198 share 193 positions
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) · Farm-gate emissions (kt CO₂eq)
Brunei 367.71 · world median 8,635
Highest 1,044,508 (India)
No real change since 2013
Forest Area14th of 210position · derived72.11Forest area (% of land area)2023
Top fifth · top 6% of 213 countries measured · 213 share 210 positions
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) · Forest area (% of land area)
Brunei 72.11 · world median 31.08
Highest 94.45 (Suriname)
No real change since 2013
Renewable Internal Freshwater Resources per Capita33rd of 181position · derived18,666Renewable internal freshwater (cubic metres per person)2022
Top fifth · top 18% of 181 countries measured
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) · Renewable internal freshwater (cubic metres per person)
Brunei 18,666 · world median 2,528 (better)
Best in the world 445,023 (Iceland)
No real change since 2012
Renewable Share of Electricity Generation186th of 190position · derived0.18Renewables (% of electricity generated)2024
Bottom fifth · bottom 4% of 193 countries measured · 193 share 190 positions
Ember · Renewables (% of electricity generated)
Brunei 0.18 · world median 31.14 (worse)
Best in the world 100 (7 countries tied)
▼ -4 percentile points since 2014
Water Stress134th of 177position · derived · 1 = worst3.47Freshwater withdrawal as a share of available resources (%)2023
Upper middle · top 24% of 177 countries measured
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) · Freshwater withdrawal as a share of available resources (%)
Brunei 3.47 · world median 10 (better)
Best in the world 0.03 (Republic of the Congo)
No real change since 2013
World Risk Index168th of 193position · derived · 1 = worst1.31WorldRiskIndex score (0–100, where 100 is the most at risk)2025
Top fifth · top 13% of 193 countries measured
Institute for International Law of Peace and Armed Conflict (IFHV), Ruhr University Bochum · WorldRiskIndex score (0–100, where 100 is the most at risk)
Brunei 1.31 · world median 4.17 (better)
Best in the world 0.18 (Monaco)
No real change since 2015
Peace & Security4
Deaths in Organized Violence59th of 59position · derived · 1 = worst0Deaths in organized violence (people)2025
Upper middle · top 35% of 196 countries measured · 196 share 59 positions
Uppsala Conflict Data Program (UCDP) · Deaths in organized violence (people)
Brunei 0 · world median 0
Best in the world 0 (138 countries tied)
No real change since 2015
Global Militarisation Index16th of 149rank · 1 = worst201.15GMI score (higher means a heavier military weight)2023
Bottom fifth · bottom 10% of 149 countries measured
Bonn International Centre for Conflict Studies (BICC) · GMI score (higher means a heavier military weight)
Brunei 201.15 · world median 100.66 (worse)
Best in the world 3.512 (Haiti)
▲ +3 percentile points since 2013
INFORM Risk Index159th of 191position · derived · 1 = worst2.3INFORM Risk score (0–10, where 10 is the highest risk)2025
Top fifth · top 16% of 191 countries measured
European Commission Joint Research Centre, with the Inter-Agency Standing Committee · INFORM Risk score (0–10, where 10 is the highest risk)
Brunei 2.3 · world median 3.7 (better)
Best in the world 0.7 (Singapore)
▲ +9 percentile points since 2016
Political Stability and Absence of Violence24th of 211position · derived1.203Political Stability estimate (−2.5 to 2.5)2024
Top fifth · top 11% of 211 countries measured
World Bank Group · Political Stability estimate (−2.5 to 2.5)
Brunei 1.203 · world median 0.04 (better)
Best in the world 1.582 (Liechtenstein)
No real change since 2014
Not currently covered
The newest edition of these reports does not include Brunei. Usually the publisher does not cover it; sometimes it has dropped out of a ranking it used to appear in.
- Account Ownership at a Financial Institution
- Business Ready: Operational Efficiency
- Business Ready: Public Services
- Business Ready: Regulatory Framework
- Cereal Import Dependency Ratio · last seen 2008
- Child Marriage
- Children with Functional Difficulties
- Container Port Traffic · last seen 2023
- Cost of Sending Remittances
- Country Policy and Institutional Assessment
- Debt Service on External Debt
- Dietary Energy Supply
- Ecological Footprint
- Economic Complexity Index
- Exclusive Breastfeeding Under Six Months
- External Debt Stocks (% of GNI)
- Fatal Occupational Injuries
- Female Genital Mutilation Prevalence
- Gender Social Norms Index
- Gini Index
- Global Multidimensional Poverty Index
- Global Report on Food Crises
- Government Funding per Primary Student · last seen 2016
- Government Spending on Education · last seen 2016
- Inbound Mobility Rate, Tertiary · last seen 2023
- Income Share Held by Lowest 20%
- INFORM Severity Index
- Internal Displacements by Disaster · last seen 2017
- Logistics Performance Index · last seen 2018
- Net Official Development Assistance Received · last seen 1995
- Organic Agricultural Area
- Physical Violence Index
- Poverty Gap at $3.00 a Day
- Poverty Headcount Ratio at $3.00 a Day
- Poverty Headcount Ratio at $8.30 a Day
- Prevalence of Severe Food Insecurity
- Prevalence of Undernourishment
- Primary Completion Rate
- Prosperity Gap
- Public Sector Employment
- Research and Development Spending · last seen 2018
- School Life Expectancy · last seen 2023
- Secondary School Enrolment · last seen 2023
- Social Institutions and Gender Index
- Tertiary Enrolment Ratio · last seen 2023
- Trade Union Density
- Upper Secondary Completion Rate
- V-Dem Electoral Democracy Index
- Violent Discipline of Children
- Working Poverty Rate
07Keep reading
Explore further
08Method
Sources and how to read them
How to read this page
- The scores and ranks belong to their publishers. Nothing is adjusted, rescaled or re-ranked; each is reproduced from the edition named beside it. Where a row says position · derived, the publisher ranks nobody on that measure and the position is ours, made by ordering the published score.
- Each statistic shows its newest edition, which is not always the edition the Country Index uses: the index pins every source to one data year so its average compares like with like.
How a standing is built from percentiles, why Brunei can move because other countries moved, and why publishers measure between 120 and 215 countries each are set out in full in how a standing is made and what a standing cannot tell you.
Sources
- Statistics: 24 publishers, each named beside its numbers, with every edition and licence on the datasets pages.
- Capital, languages, currency, codes: Wikidata, public domain (CC0).
- Map and land borders: Natural Earth, public domain. Borders are de facto — where administration actually changes — not claimed.
Photographs
The photograph of Brunei on this page comes from Wikimedia Commons and is shown in greyscale. The photographer and the licence are named beside each one.
Cite this page
Nations Inquiry (2026). Brunei: country statistics, rankings and trends. https://nationsinquiry.com/countries/brunei