If you lived in Brunei instead of Republic of the Congo, you would:

Health

live 9.5 years longer

In Republic of the Congo, the average life expectancy is 66 years (64 years for men, 68 years for women) as of 2024. In Brunei, that number is 76 years (73 years for men, 78 years for women) as of 2024.

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see 9.1 times more spent on your healthcare

Republic of the Congo spends $209 per person on healthcare as of 2023 (international dollars, adjusted for prices). Brunei spends $1,896 as of 2023.

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have 10.9 times more doctors per person

Republic of the Congo has 1.7 doctors per 10,000 people as of 2022. Brunei has 18.9 as of 2021.

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have 90.2% more access to essential health services

Republic of the Congo scores 41 out of 100 on the universal health coverage index as of 2021. Brunei scores 78 as of 2021.

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be 54.5% less likely to die by suicide

Republic of the Congo has a suicide rate of 6.7 per 100,000 people as of 2021. In Brunei, it is 3.0 per 100,000 as of 2021.

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be 3.0 times more likely to be obese

In Republic of the Congo, 12.2% of adults are obese as of 2024. In Brunei, that number is 37.0% of people as of 2024.

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Economy

be 73.4% less likely to be unemployed

In Republic of the Congo, 19.9% of the labor force is unemployed as of 2025. In Brunei, that number is 5.3% as of 2025.

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make 12.8 times more money

Republic of the Congo has a GDP per capita of $2,515 as of 2025, while in Brunei, the GDP per capita is $32,235 as of 2025.

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Life

be 85.1% less likely to die during childbirth

In Republic of the Congo, approximately 241.0 women die from pregnancy or childbirth per 100,000 live births as of 2023. In Brunei, 36.0 women do as of 2023.

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be 21.1% more likely to be literate

In Republic of the Congo, the literacy rate is 80.6% as of 2021. In Brunei, it is 97.6% as of 2021.

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be 68.1% less likely to die during infancy

In Republic of the Congo, approximately 27.0 children (per 1,000 live births) die before they reach the age of one as of 2024. In Brunei, on the other hand, 8.6 children do as of 2024.

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have 56.2% fewer children

In Republic of the Congo, there are approximately 30.4 babies per 1,000 people as of 2024. In Brunei, there are 13.3 babies per 1,000 people as of 2024.

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Basic Needs

be 94.9% more likely to have access to electricity

In Republic of the Congo, approximately 51% of people have electricity access (69% in urban areas, and 11% in rural areas) as of 2023. In Brunei, that number is 100% of people on average (100% in urban areas, and 100% in rural areas) as of 2023.

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be 2.0 times more likely to have internet access

In Republic of the Congo, approximately 47.2% of the population has internet access as of 2024. In Brunei, about 96.3% do as of 2024.

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be 36.1% more likely to have access to drinking water

In Republic of the Congo, approximately 73% of people have access to drinking water as of 2021. In Brunei, 100% of people do as of 2024.

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Expenditures

spend 32.4% less on healthcare

Republic of the Congo spends 3.3% of its total GDP on healthcare as of 2023. In Brunei, that number is 2.2% of GDP as of 2023.

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Safety

be 57.1% less likely to die in a road accident

In Republic of the Congo, road accidents kill 8.4 people per 100,000 as of 2021. In Brunei, they kill 3.6 per 100,000 as of 2021.

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Infrastructure

find 16.7 times more home broadband

Republic of the Congo has 1.3 fixed broadband subscriptions per 100 people as of 2023. Brunei has 21.2 as of 2024.

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use 31.5 times more electricity

Republic of the Congo uses 338 kWh of electricity per person each year as of 2023. Brunei uses 10,674 kWh as of 2023.

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live with 115.7 times more strain on fresh water

Republic of the Congo withdraws 0% of its available fresh water each year as of 2022. Brunei withdraws 3% as of 2022.

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Environment

be 69.7% less likely to die from air pollution

In Republic of the Congo, air pollution causes 66.0 deaths per 100,000 people as of 2019. In Brunei, it causes 20.0 as of 2019.

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emit 15.1 times more CO2

Republic of the Congo emits 1.3 tonnes of CO2 per person each year as of 2024. Brunei emits 20.2 tonnes as of 2024.

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Sources: World Bank (2021–2025), United Nations SDG Indicators (2019–2021), World Health Organization (2024), The World Factbook (2021). How we calculate this

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.
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