Brunei: public finances

Does Brunei have a budget deficit?

Brunei's fiscal balance was a deficit of BND3,711.1 million in 2025/26 (April 2025 to March 2026), according to provisional Treasury figures in the Brunei Darussalam Statistical Yearbook 2025. Government revenue was BND2,659.9 million and spending BND6,371.0 million.

The figures leave out income from foreign investments and transfers from the Brunei Investment Agency, which manages the country's savings, so the deficit shown is larger than the government's full financing need. Revenue fell as oil and gas revenue dropped from BND2,497.7 million in 2024/25 to BND1,823.3 million.

Official sources: DEPS: Brunei Darussalam Statistical Yearbook 2025 (PDF)

How much of Brunei's revenue comes from oil and gas?

Oil and gas brought in BND1,823.3 million in 2025/26, 68.5% of government revenue of BND2,659.9 million, according to provisional Treasury figures in the Brunei Darussalam Statistical Yearbook 2025. In 2022/23, when energy prices were high, oil and gas revenue was BND5,462.6 million.

Revenue from government operations, including taxes, fees and rents, was BND764.7 million, and returns from investments and savings BND65.4 million. The year runs from April to March. Oil and gas also made up 54.1% of GDP at current prices in the second quarter of 2026, according to DEPS.

Official sources: DEPS: Brunei Darussalam Statistical Yearbook 2025 (PDF)

What is Brunei's government debt?

1.6% of GDP: that is general government gross debt in Brunei for 2025, according to the IMF. Since 2005 it has ranged from 0.0% of GDP (2005) to 3.2% of GDP (2014). It is 29th highest of 29 in East Asia & Pacific, where the median is 45.0% of GDP. World rank, highest first: 184th of 185.

What is Brunei's fiscal deficit?

The latest figure from the IMF, for 2025, is -17.7% of GDP (a deficit). It is the bottom of the series, which starts in 2005. It is 28th highest of 29 in East Asia & Pacific, where the median is -1.7% of GDP. World rank, highest first: 186th of 188.

What is Brunei's government revenue?

According to the IMF, general government revenue in Brunei was 15.2% of GDP in 2025. That is the lowest since at least 2005. East Asia & Pacific median: 33.6% of GDP; Brunei is 27th highest of 29. World rank, highest first: 162nd of 187.

What is Brunei's government spending?

The IMF puts general government spending in Brunei at 32.9% of GDP in 2025. Its high point since 2005 was 2016, at 39.8% of GDP; its low point was 2010, at 25.5% of GDP. It is 17th highest of 29 in East Asia & Pacific, where the median is 32.9% of GDP. World rank, highest first: 79th of 186.

How much does Brunei spend on its military?

According to SIPRI, military spending in Brunei was 3.7% of GDP in 2024. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. It is 2nd highest of 18 in East Asia & Pacific, where the median is 1.4% of GDP. World rank, highest first: 16th of 151.