Photo: kulimpapat derivative work: Inkey · CC BY 2.0 · via Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale
Topic 06 of 18 · Country Index 2026
Brunei: Development & Human Capital
Is a country turning its resources into better lives?
Brunei is placed 88th of 196 countries on development & human capital in the Country Index 2026, from 3 of its 3 key statistics. Readings behind it: Social Protection Coverage 36 (2025); Maternal Mortality Ratio 36.35 (2023).
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Development & Human Capital
88th
of 196 countries placed
Placed from 3 of 3 key statistics
01The evidence
The 3 key statistics that decide it
Only these place Brunei on development & human capital — one vote each. Every value is the publisher’s own, read at the edition the Country Index 2026 used — or, for a survey-based key, each country’s latest reading; the grey ticks are every other country it was compared with, lowest on the left.
Key 2 of 3
Maternal Mortality Ratio
UN Maternal Mortality Estimation Inter-Agency Group (MMEIG)
2023 edition · data for 2023 · CC BY 3.0 IGO
36.35
Maternal deaths per 100,000 live births
Lower is better
Brunei: 36.35. Across the 195 countries in this edition, values run from 0.11 (Cook Islands) to 992.83 (Nigeria); the world median is 46.65.
- World median
- 46.65
- Best in South-eastern Asia
- 6.12 Singapore
- Land neighbours
- Malaysia 26.38
Key 3 of 3
Human Development Index
UNDP Human Development Report Office
2023 edition · data for 2023 · CC BY 3.0 IGO
0.837
HDI score (0–1)
Higher is better
Ranked 60th of 193 by UNDP Human Development Report Office
Brunei: 0.837. Across the 193 countries in this edition, values run from 0.388 (South Sudan) to 0.972 (Iceland); the world median is 0.762.
- World median
- 0.762
- Best in South-eastern Asia
- 0.946 Singapore
- Land neighbours
- Malaysia 0.819
02Over time
Which way Brunei is moving
Each key’s published value, edition by edition, beside the world median. The Country Index 2026 is the first edition of the standing, so the standing itself has no history to chart yet.
Maternal Mortality Ratio
Maternal deaths per 100,000 live births · lower is better
BruneiWorld median
Brunei fell from 47.97 in 2000 to 36.35 in 2023; the world median went from 70.99 to 46.65.
Every year’s figures
Year Brunei World median 2023 36.35 46.7 2022 88.15 53.0 2021 43.84 76.6 2020 38.51 56.0 2019 38.48 48.4 2018 39.22 49.3 2017 39.33 47.2 2016 39.38 50.6 2015 39.49 51.9 2014 39.62 52.8 2013 39.75 53.3 2012 40.04 54.6 2011 39.71 55.0 2010 39.51 56.1 2009 39.85 56.3 2008 40.42 55.8 2007 40.91 56.8 2006 41.87 58.1 2005 42.54 60.1 2004 43.53 63.0 2003 44.95 66.8 2002 45.96 66.0 2001 46.27 68.1 2000 47.97 71.0 Human Development Index
HDI score (0–1) · higher is better
BruneiWorld median
Brunei rose from 0.792 in 2000 to 0.837 in 2023; the world median went from 0.672 to 0.762.
Every year’s figures
Year Brunei World median 2023 0.837 0.7620 2022 0.825 0.7610 2021 0.835 0.7450 2020 0.836 0.7425 2019 0.835 0.7515 2018 0.837 0.7520 2017 0.837 0.7480 2016 0.838 0.7500 2015 0.839 0.7430 2014 0.841 0.7410 2013 0.842 0.7390 2012 0.841 0.7350 2011 0.834 0.7250 2010 0.830 0.7250 2009 0.828 0.7220 2008 0.824 0.7180 2007 0.822 0.7100 2006 0.819 0.7045 2005 0.814 0.6960 2004 0.810 0.6960 2003 0.804 0.6910 2002 0.798 0.6845 2001 0.794 0.6770 2000 0.792 0.6720
03In context
Brunei beside its neighbours
A position reads best beside the countries around it. Every position below is a place among all 196 countries on development & human capital, never a place within the region.
Brunei and the countries it borders
Standing among all 196; the key columns are the publishers’ own values.
| Country | Standing | Social Protection CoveragePopulation covered by at least one social protection benefit (%) | Maternal Mortality RatioMaternal deaths per 100,000 live births | Human Development IndexHDI score (0–1) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brunei | 88th | 36 | 36.35 | 0.837 |
 Malaysia | 91st | 29.2 | 26.38 | 0.819 |
“—”: no published reading in that edition. What a standing is
Across South-eastern Asia
Every country in the sub-region, by its place among all 196.
Placed either side on development & human capital
The countries immediately above and below Brunei in the topic’s list.
04Context, no vote
Where Brunei is ahead of the world, and behind
32 more statistics filed under development & human capital, published in full and deliberately given no vote in the standing. Select a row for the publisher, the rank and the links.
Ahead of the world median22
Statistics on which Brunei does better than the middle country measured.
GNI per Capita (PPP)World Bank Group · 2025 · world median 14,27378,95714,273▲ Improved since 2015
Brunei: 78,957 · world median 14,273 · GNI per capita (constant 2021 international $, PPP). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 1,181 to 116,633; higher is better.
Position 2nd of 102 · derived.
GDP per Capita (PPP)World Bank Group · 2025 · world median 17,26578,98517,265No real change since 2015
Brunei: 78,985 · world median 17,265 · GDP per capita (constant 2021 international $, PPP). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 1,067 to 139,593; higher is better.
Position 9th of 185 · derived.
Immunisation Coverage, Measles First Dose (MCV1)WUENIC · 2025 · world median 909990▲ Improved since 2015
Brunei: 99 · world median 90 · Infants given a first dose of measles vaccine (%). WHO and UNICEF (WUENIC), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 13 to 99; higher is better.
Immunisation Coverage, DTP3WUENIC · 2025 · world median 919991▲ Improved since 2015
Brunei: 99 · world median 91 · Infants given a third dose of DTP vaccine (%). WHO and UNICEF (WUENIC), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 39 to 99; higher is better.
Gender Development IndexUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 0.9710.9930.971▼ Worsened since 2013
Brunei: 0.993 · world median 0.971 · Gender Development Index (1.000 = parity). UNDP Human Development Report Office, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.407 to 1.038; higher is better.
Position 23rd of 184 · derived.
Disability Benefit CoverageILO · 2025 · world median 43.910043.9No earlier reading
Brunei: 100 · world median 43.9 · People with severe disabilities receiving disability benefits (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
Old-Age Pension CoverageILO · 2025 · world median 80.810080.8No earlier reading
Brunei: 100 · world median 80.8 · People above statutory pensionable age receiving an old-age pension (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
Employment Injury Protection CoverageILO · 2024 · world median 45.988.345.9No earlier reading
Brunei: 88.3 · world median 45.9 · Labour force covered in the event of a work injury (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
Productive Capacities IndexUNCTAD · 2022 · world median 46.6756.746.67No real change since 2012
Brunei: 56.7 · world median 46.67 · Productive Capacities Index (1–100). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 17.8 to 71.02; higher is better.
Position 44th of 195 · derived.
Coefficient of Human InequalityUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 17.059.71517.05▼ Worsened since 2013
Brunei: 9.715 · world median 17.05 · Coefficient of Human Inequality (%). UNDP Human Development Report Office, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 4.865 to 43.08; lower is better.
Position 127th of 169 · derived, 1st = worst.
Stillbirth RateUN IGME · 2023 · world median 8.1634.3068.163▼ Worsened since 2013
Brunei: 4.306 · world median 8.163 · Stillbirths (per 1,000 total births). UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 1.18 to 34.9; lower is better.
Position 146th of 200 · derived, 1st = worst.
Inequality-adjusted Human Development IndexUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 0.6090.7560.609▼ Worsened since 2013
Brunei: 0.756 · world median 0.609 · IHDI (0–1). UNDP Human Development Report Office, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.226 to 0.923; higher is better.
Position 48th of 169 · derived.
Completeness of Birth RegistrationUNICEF · 2025 · world median 98.499.998.4No earlier reading
Brunei: 99.9 · world median 98.4 · Children under 5 whose birth is registered (%). UNICEF, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 2.7 to 100; higher is better.
Human Capital IndexWorld Bank Group · 2020 · world median 0.5640.6260.564No earlier reading
Brunei: 0.626 · world median 0.564 · HCI score (0–1). World Bank Group, 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 0.292 to 0.879; higher is better.
Position 56th of 172 · derived.
Mortality Rate, Ages 5–14UN IGME · 2024 · world median 2.8581.8092.858No real change since 2014
Brunei: 1.809 · world median 2.858 · Deaths between ages 5 and 14 (per 1,000 children aged 5). UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.392 to 59.04; lower is better.
Position 135th of 200 · derived, 1st = worst.
Wasting Prevalence in Children Under FiveUNICEF, WHO and World Bank Group (Joint Malnutrition Estimates) · 2024 · world median 3.5462.8883.546No earlier reading
Brunei: 2.888 · world median 3.546 · Children under 5 who are wasted (%). UNICEF, WHO and World Bank Group (Joint Malnutrition Estimates), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.1 to 22.74; lower is better.
Position 103rd of 163 · derived, 1st = worst.
Gender Inequality IndexUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 0.3510.2570.351▲ Improved since 2016
Brunei: 0.257 · world median 0.351 · GII (0 = full equality, 1 = maximum inequality). UNDP Human Development Report Office, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.003 to 0.838; lower is better.
Ranked 66th of 172 by UNDP Human Development Report Office.
Infant Mortality RateUN IGME · 2024 · world median 12.268.59312.26▼ Worsened since 2014
Brunei: 8.593 · world median 12.26 · Deaths before age one (per 1,000 live births). UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 1.214 to 71.87; lower is better.
Position 123rd of 200 · derived, 1st = worst.
Neonatal Mortality RateUN IGME · 2024 · world median 8.1345.688.134▼ Worsened since 2014
Brunei: 5.68 · world median 8.134 · Deaths in the first 28 days (per 1,000 live births). UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.544 to 39.47; lower is better.
Position 123rd of 200 · derived, 1st = worst.
Under-Five Mortality RateUN IGME · 2024 · world median 14.549.94414.54▼ Worsened since 2014
Brunei: 9.944 · world median 14.54 · Deaths before age five (per 1,000 live births). UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 1.26 to 115.65; lower is better.
Position 123rd of 200 · derived, 1st = worst.
Life Expectancy at BirthUN DESA Population Division · 2023 · world median 74.6375.3374.63▼ Worsened since 2013
Brunei: 75.33 · world median 74.63 · Years a newborn would live at current death rates. UN DESA Population Division, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 54.46 to 86.37; higher is better.
Position 104th of 222 · derived.
Expected Years of SchoolingUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 13.3413.713.34▼ Worsened since 2013
Brunei: 13.7 · world median 13.34 · Expected years of schooling. UNDP Human Development Report Office, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 5.635 to 21.69; higher is better.
Position 94th of 195 · derived.
Behind the world median6
Statistics on which Brunei does worse than the middle country measured.
Mean Years of SchoolingUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 9.9339.2829.933▼ Worsened since 2013
Brunei: 9.282 · world median 9.933 · Mean years of schooling (adults 25+). UNDP Human Development Report Office, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 1.412 to 14.3; higher is better.
Position 107th of 193 · derived.
Cereal YieldFAO · 2023 · world median 3,0722,4673,072▲ Improved since 2013
Brunei: 2,467 · world median 3,072 · Cereal yield (kg per hectare). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 23 to 29,147; higher is better.
Position 102nd of 179 · derived.
Stunting Prevalence in Children Under FiveUNICEF, WHO and World Bank Group (Joint Malnutrition Estimates) · 2024 · world median 13.819.6213.8No earlier reading
Brunei: 19.62 · world median 13.8 · Children under 5 who are stunted (%). UNICEF, WHO and World Bank Group (Joint Malnutrition Estimates), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.518 to 52.8; lower is better.
Position 61st of 162 · derived, 1st = worst.
Statistical Performance IndicatorsWorld Bank Group · 2024 · world median 69.361.4469.3▼ Worsened since 2020
Brunei: 61.44 · world median 69.3 · SPI overall score (0–100). World Bank Group, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 27.12 to 94.14; higher is better.
Position 128th of 188 · derived.
Planetary pressures-adjusted HDIUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 0.6780.60.678▼ Worsened since 2013
Brunei: 0.6 · world median 0.678 · PHDI (0–1). UNDP Human Development Report Office, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.276 to 0.827; higher is better.
Position 107th of 156 · derived.
Low Birthweight PrevalenceUNICEF and WHO (Joint Low Birthweight Estimates) · 2020 · world median 10.2113.6410.21No real change since 2010
Brunei: 13.64 · world median 10.21 · Live births weighing under 2,500 g (%). UNICEF and WHO (Joint Low Birthweight Estimates), 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 3.993 to 27.44; lower is better.
Position 45th of 158 · derived, 1st = worst.
Level with the median, or no median to compare3
Access to ElectricityWorld Bank Group · 2024 · world median 100100100▼ Worsened since 2014
Brunei: 100 · world median 100 · Population with electricity access (%). World Bank Group, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 5.4 to 100; higher is better.
Access to Electricity, RuralWorld Bank Group · 2024 · world median 100100100▼ Worsened since 2014
Brunei: 100 · world median 100 · Rural population with electricity access (%). World Bank Group, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.7 to 100; higher is better.
Unemployment Benefit CoverageILO · 2024 · world median 000No earlier reading
Brunei: 0 · world median 0 · Unemployed people receiving unemployment benefits (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
No better end1
These describe the shape of a country — more is not better or worse, only different — so they are never ahead or behind.
Manufacturing Value Added (% of GDP)World Bank Group · 2025 · world median 11.269.93511.26Moved since 2015
Brunei: 9.935 · world median 11.26 · Manufacturing value added (% of GDP). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.481 to 43.97.
Position 79th of 132 · derived, counted from the highest value.
No current reading for Brunei
Account Ownership at a Financial Institution, Adequacy of Social Protection and Labour Benefits, Child and Family Benefit Coverage, Child Marriage, Children with Functional Difficulties, Comprehensive Wealth per Capita, Country Policy and Institutional Assessment, Exclusive Breastfeeding Under Six Months, Foundational ID Ownership, Global Multidimensional Poverty Index, Historical GDP per Capita (Maddison), Human Capital Wealth per Capita, Malaria Incidence (P. falciparum), Malaria Incidence (P. vivax), Malaria Mortality (P. falciparum), Multidimensional Poverty Measure, Net Official Development Assistance Received (last 1995), Official Development Assistance Given (% of GNI), Poverty Gap at $3.00 a Day, Poverty Headcount at $3.00 a Day, Line-up Estimates, Poverty Headcount Ratio at $3.00 a Day, Poverty Headcount Ratio at $4.20 a Day, Poverty Headcount Ratio at $8.30 a Day, Poverty Severity (Squared Poverty Gap) at $3.00 a Day, Prosperity Gap and Violent Discipline of Children. Listed rather than hidden, so the page can be checked against it.
“Position · derived” is this site’s ordering of the published values, 1st = best unless the row says otherwise; the publisher ranks no country on it. Rank, position and standing
05Country Index 2026
Development & Human Capital among Brunei’s 15 topics
Development & Human Capital is Brunei’s 8th best-placed topic of 15. Strongest first, each marker at its share of that topic’s field.
- Risk & Resilience24th of 1933/4 keys
- Economy & Innovation44th of 1762/4 keys
- Governance & Institutions49th of 1943/4 keys
- Work & Labourjoint 72nd of 1824/4 keys
- Food & Agriculturejoint 73rd of 1843/4 keys
- Health & Wellbeing82nd of 2002/4 keys
- Peace & Security76th of 1772/4 keys
- Development & Human Capital88th of 1963/3 keys
- Democracy & Civil Liberties100th of 1982/4 keys
- Gender & Equalityjoint 97th of 1832/4 keys
- Mobility & Trade96th of 1773/4 keys
- Education & Knowledge127th of 1982/4 keys
- Digital & Technologyjoint 133rd of 1983/4 keys
- Environment & Sustainability146th of 1862/4 keys
- Energy140th of 1653/3 keys
No standing on Poverty & Inequality: too few of those topics’ key statistics are published for this country.
06The top of the list
Who leads on development & human capital
The three countries placed highest of 196, and the leaders Brunei can most readily be measured against.
1
Cook IslandsPolynesia
1st of 196 · 2 of 3 keys
Photo: Benedict Adam · CC BY 2.0, greyscale
2
NorwayNorthern Europe
2nd of 196 · 3 of 3 keys
Photo: Ximonic , Simo Räsänen · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
3
DenmarkNorthern Europe
3rd of 196 · 3 of 3 keys
Photo: User:Aconcagua · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
Placed highest nearby
Highest in Asia
Israel10th3/3 keysHighest in South-eastern Asia
Singapore12th3/3 keysThis page
Brunei88th3/3 keys
Positions out of 196 placed on the topic. A country needs readings on enough keys to be placed, and the top of the list is often held on fewer of them.
07Analysis
Charts and analysis about Brunei and development & human capital
On development & human capital
Global Hunger Index 2025: Countries with the Most Alarming Hunger Crisis
Thirteen countries scored across four editions — 2000, 2008, 2016 and 2025 — and five the report could not score at all. DR Congo and South Sudan share 121st place on 37.5.
On development & human capital
India vs Pakistan 2025: Comparison of Hunger Index, Happiness, HDI, Rule of Law, Literacy & GDP
India and Pakistan on six published measures: hunger, happiness, human development, rule of law, literacy and GDP per capita, each from its own publisher and year.
08Questions
Brunei on development & human capital: questions answered
Every answer is built from the numbers on this page, so none can say something the page does not.
How does Brunei rank on development & human capital?
Brunei is placed 88th of 196 countries on Development & Human Capital in the Country Index 2026, from 3 of its 3 key statistics (Social Protection Coverage, Maternal Mortality Ratio and Human Development Index). The position is this site’s ordering of published statistics, not a rank any publisher printed.
What is the latest Social Protection Coverage figure for Brunei?
36 in 2025 (population covered by at least one social protection benefit (%)), according to International Labour Organization (ILO). The world median in the same edition was 52.1.
What is the latest Maternal Mortality Ratio figure for Brunei?
36.35 in 2023 (maternal deaths per 100,000 live births), according to UN Maternal Mortality Estimation Inter-Agency Group (MMEIG). The world median in the same edition was 46.65.
How does Brunei compare with Malaysia on development & human capital?
Malaysia is placed 91st of 196, and Brunei 88th. Social Protection Coverage: Malaysia 29.2, Brunei 36; Maternal Mortality Ratio: Malaysia 26.38, Brunei 36.35; Human Development Index: Malaysia 0.819, Brunei 0.837.
How have Brunei’s development & human capital figures changed?
Maternal Mortality Ratio fell from 47.97 in 2000 to 36.35 in 2023; Human Development Index rose from 0.792 in 2000 to 0.837 in 2023.
Which development & human capital statistics are missing for Brunei?
No current reading is published for Brunei on Account Ownership at a Financial Institution, Adequacy of Social Protection and Labour Benefits, Child and Family Benefit Coverage, Child Marriage, Children with Functional Difficulties, Comprehensive Wealth per Capita, Country Policy and Institutional Assessment, Exclusive Breastfeeding Under Six Months, Foundational ID Ownership, Global Multidimensional Poverty Index, Historical GDP per Capita (Maddison), Human Capital Wealth per Capita, Malaria Incidence (P. falciparum), Malaria Incidence (P. vivax), Malaria Mortality (P. falciparum), Multidimensional Poverty Measure, Net Official Development Assistance Received, Official Development Assistance Given (% of GNI), Poverty Gap at $3.00 a Day, Poverty Headcount at $3.00 a Day, Line-up Estimates, Poverty Headcount Ratio at $3.00 a Day, Poverty Headcount Ratio at $4.20 a Day, Poverty Headcount Ratio at $8.30 a Day, Poverty Severity (Squared Poverty Gap) at $3.00 a Day, Prosperity Gap and Violent Discipline of Children. They are listed rather than hidden, so the evidence on the page can be checked against it.
09Method
Method, sources and how to cite
What this topic does not measure
Poverty lines, inequality and aid received are published here as context rather than as keys, often because they cover fewer countries or are measured too rarely. Development is also not the same as economic size or growth, which belong to Economy & Innovation.
How the Development & Human Capital standing is decided
A standing is this site’s ordering, named with its edition — never a publisher’s rank. 3 key statistics vote, one vote each; every country’s published value becomes a place within that key’s own field, the places are averaged, and the average is never published. A country needs 2 of the 3 keys to be placed.
The development & human capital method, step by stepHow every standing on this site is built
The key statistics and their licences
- Social Protection Coverage — International Labour Organization (ILO), CC BY 4.0
- Maternal Mortality Ratio — UN Maternal Mortality Estimation Inter-Agency Group (MMEIG), CC BY 3.0 IGO
- Human Development Index — UNDP Human Development Report Office, CC BY 3.0 IGO
The other 32 statistics on this page come from 11 publishers, each named beside its numbers, with every edition and licence on the datasets pages.
The standing itself is part of the Country Index 2026, published under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Photographs
Brunei’s banner and the countries placed highest, from their profiles: Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale, each used under the licence named.
- Brunei (banner) — kulimpapat derivative work: Inkey, CC BY 2.0
- Cook Islands — Benedict Adam, CC BY 2.0
- Norway — Ximonic , Simo Räsänen, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Denmark — User:Aconcagua, CC BY-SA 3.0
Cite this page
Nations Inquiry (2026). Brunei: Development & Human Capital — standing and statistics, Country Index 2026. https://nationsinquiry.com/countries/brunei/development