Quality of life comparison

compared to

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

Health

live 0.8 years longer

In Virginia, the average life expectancy is 78 years (77 years for men, 81 years for women) as of 2020. In Brunei, that number is 78 years (76 years for men, 81 years for women) as of 2022.

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Economy

make 12.7% more money

Virginia has a GDP per capita of $69,111 as of 2024, while in Brunei, the GDP per capita is $77,900 as of 2023.

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be 55.0% more likely to be unemployed

In Virginia, 3.4% of adults are unemployed as of 2025. In Brunei, that number is 5.3% as of 2023.

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The statistics above were calculated using the following data sources: OECD Regional Demography, Bureau of Economic Analysis, Bureau of Labor Statistics, The World Factbook.

Compare further: Virginia vs. Brunei

Cost of Living Comparison · 7 categories - 2026 data
Brunei is 26.1% cheaper than Virginia
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Size Comparison · See true size
Virginia is about 18 times bigger than Brunei.
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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 Virginia? See an in-depth size comparison.

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