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

Health

live 5.3 years longer

In Turkmenistan, the average life expectancy is 70 years (67 years for men, 73 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 50.0% more spent on your healthcare

Turkmenistan spends $1,264 per person on healthcare as of 2023 (international dollars, adjusted for prices). Brunei spends $1,896 as of 2023.

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be 55.3% less likely to die by suicide

Turkmenistan has a suicide rate of 6.8 per 100,000 people as of 2021. In Brunei, it is 3.0 per 100,000 as of 2021.

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be 66.7% more likely to be obese

In Turkmenistan, 22.2% of adults are obese as of 2024. In Brunei, that number is 37.0% of people as of 2024.

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Economy

make 4.9 times more money

Turkmenistan has a GDP per capita of $6,540 as of 2025, while in Brunei, the GDP per capita is $32,235 as of 2025.

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be 23.7% more likely to be unemployed

In Turkmenistan, 4.3% of the labor force is unemployed as of 2025. In Brunei, that number is 5.3% as of 2025.

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Life

be 71.7% less likely to die during infancy

In Turkmenistan, approximately 30.4 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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be 7.2 times more likely to die during childbirth

In Turkmenistan, approximately 5.0 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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have 36.3% fewer children

In Turkmenistan, there are approximately 20.9 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 3.8 times more likely to have internet access

In Turkmenistan, approximately 25.3% of the population has internet access as of 2022. In Brunei, about 96.3% do as of 2024.

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Expenditures

spend 59.5% less on healthcare

Turkmenistan spends 5.5% 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 50.5% less likely to be murdered

Turkmenistan has a homicide rate of 1.0 per 100,000 people as of 2015. In Brunei, that number is 0.5 per 100,000 as of 2013.

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be 55.0% less likely to die in a road accident

In Turkmenistan, road accidents kill 8.0 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 4.1 times more home broadband

Turkmenistan has 5.2 fixed broadband subscriptions per 100 people as of 2022. Brunei has 21.2 as of 2024.

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live with 97.4% less strain on fresh water

Turkmenistan withdraws 135% of its available fresh water each year as of 2022. Brunei withdraws 3% as of 2022.

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use 3.8 times more electricity

Turkmenistan uses 2,778 kWh of electricity per person each year as of 2023. Brunei uses 10,674 kWh as of 2023.

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Environment

be 77.0% less likely to die from air pollution

In Turkmenistan, air pollution causes 87.0 deaths per 100,000 people as of 2019. In Brunei, it causes 20.0 as of 2019.

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emit 86.4% more CO2

Turkmenistan emits 10.9 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 (2015–2025), United Nations SDG Indicators (2013–2021), World Health Organization (2024), The World Factbook (2022). 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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How big is Brunei compared to Turkmenistan? See an in-depth size comparison.

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