Quality of life comparison

compared to

If you lived in Brunei instead of Afghanistan, you would:

Health

live 24.7 years longer

In Afghanistan, the average life expectancy is 54 years (52 years for men, 55 years for women) as of 2022. In Brunei, that number is 78 years (76 years for men, 81 years for women) as of 2022.

be 2.6 times more likely to be obese

In Afghanistan, 5.5% of adults are obese as of 2016. In Brunei, that number is 14.1% of people as of 2016.

Economy

make 39.0 times more money

Afghanistan has a GDP per capita of $2,000 as of 2022, while in Brunei, the GDP per capita is $77,900 as of 2023.

be 63.4% less likely to be unemployed

In Afghanistan, 14.4% of adults are unemployed as of 2023. In Brunei, that number is 5.3% as of 2023.

Life

be 92.9% less likely to die during childbirth

In Afghanistan, approximately 620.0 women per 100,000 births die during labor as of 2020. In Brunei, 44.0 women do as of 2020.

be 2.6 times more likely to be literate

In Afghanistan, the literacy rate is 37.3% as of 2021. In Brunei, it is 97.6% as of 2021.

be 90.0% less likely to die during infancy

In Afghanistan, approximately 104.9 children (per 1,000 live births) die before they reach the age of one as of 2022. In Brunei, on the other hand, 10.5 children do as of 2022.

have 53.8% fewer children

In Afghanistan, there are approximately 34.2 babies per 1,000 people as of 2024. In Brunei, there are 15.8 babies per 1,000 people as of 2024.

Basic Needs

be 17.2% more likely to have access to electricity

In Afghanistan, approximately 85% of the population has electricity access as of 2022. In Brunei, 100% of the population do as of 2022.

be 5.4 times more likely to have internet access

In Afghanistan, approximately 18.0% of the population has internet access as of 2020. In Brunei, about 98.0% do as of 2021.

be 30.6% more likely to have access to improved drinking water

In Afghanistan, approximately 76% of people have improved drinking water access as of 2020. In Brunei, 100% of people do as of 2020.

Expenditures

spend 84.5% less on healthcare

Afghanistan spends 15.5% of its total GDP on healthcare as of 2020. In Brunei, that number is 2.4% of GDP as of 2020.

spend 51.7% more on education

Afghanistan spends 2.9% of its total GDP on education as of 2020. Brunei spends 4.4% of total GDP on education as of 2016.

The statistics above were calculated using the following data sources: The World Factbook.

Brunei: At a glance

Brunei is a sovereign country in East/Southeast Asia, with a total land area of approximately 5,265 sq km. The Sultanate of Brunei's influence peaked between the 15th and 17th centuries when its control extended over coastal areas of northwest Borneo and the southern Philippines. Brunei subsequently entered a period of decline brought on by internal strife over royal succession, colonial expansion of European powers, and piracy. In 1888, Brunei became a British protectorate; independence was achieved in 1984. The same family has ruled Brunei for over six centuries. Brunei benefits from extensive petroleum and natural gas fields, the source of one of the highest per capita GDPs in Asia.
Read more

How big is Brunei compared to Afghanistan? See an in-depth size comparison.

Share this

ASK THE ELSEWHERE COMMUNITY

Join the Elsewhere community and ask a question about Brunei.or Afghanistan It's a free, question-and-answer based forum to discuss what life is like in countries and cities around the world.