Brunei Darussalam Reserves in Months of Imports
Total reserves in months of imports FI.RES.TOTL.MO
Brunei Darussalam's reserves in months of imports was 4.9 in 2025, ranked 56th globally. This represents a 11.4% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 2001–2025.
Overview
Brunei Darussalam's reserves in months of imports stood at 4.9 in 2025, a decline of +0.6 from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 4.9 by 2025. Brunei Darussalam ranked 56th globally.
Brunei Darussalam’s external‑sector buffer, measured as months of imports covered by reserves, has risen markedly since the early 2000s, expanding from an all‑time trough of 1.97 in 2001 to a peak of 9.21 in 2016, before easing to 4.88 in 2025, placing the nation at 56th position globally. The sharp increase through the mid‑2010s reflected robust fiscal surpluses generated by high oil and gas revenues, which allowed the government to accumulate foreign exchange while maintaining a prudent monetary stance. After 2016, a combination of lower commodity prices and modest fiscal consolidation reduced the buffer, yet the 2025 level still exceeds the early‑2000s baseline and is comparable to peer economies such as Bosnia and Herzegovina (4.96) and Azerbaijan (4.84). The current trajectory suggests that any sustained recovery in hydrocarbon markets or diversification of export earnings could lift reserves again, while prolonged price depressions or heightened import demand would likely keep the coverage near its present level.
Data & projection
| Year | Reserves in Months of Imports | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027* trend | 4.2 | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 4.6 | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 4.9 | - | - |
| 2025 | 4.9 | −0.6 | #56 |
| 2024 | 5.5 | +0.0 | #43 |
| 2023 | 5.5 | −0.0 | #51 |
| 2022 | 5.5 | −0.4 | #47 |
| 2021 | 5.9 | −1.0 | #61 |
| 2020 | 6.9 | +0.0 | #62 |
| 2019 | 6.9 | +0.7 | #38 |
| 2018 | 6.2 | −2.8 | #44 |
| 2017 | 9.0 | −0.2 | #23 |
| 2016 | 9.2 | +1.6 | #23 |
| 2015 | 7.6 | +1.2 | #28 |
| 2014 | 6.4 | +1.6 | #34 |
| 2013 | 4.8 | −0.3 | #59 |
| 2012 | 5.1 | +0.7 | #55 |
| 2011 | 4.4 | +0.6 | #59 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Brunei Darussalam matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2019. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw reserves in months of imports improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Brunei Darussalam's reserves in months of imports was 4.9 in 2025. Ranked 56th globally. This represents a 11.4% decrease from the previous year.
Brunei Darussalam's reserves in months of imports peaked at 9.2 in 2016.
The lowest reserves in months of imports in Brunei Darussalam was 2.0 in 2001.
Brunei Darussalam ranks 56th globally in reserves in months of imports as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is FI.RES.TOTL.MO. Data sourced from World Bank.
Brunei Darussalam's reserves in months of imports is projected to reach 4.9 by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The reserves in months of imports of Brunei Darussalam in 2025 was 4.9. This ranks 56th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_brunei-darussalam_reserves-months-imports,
title = {Brunei Darussalam Reserves in Months of Imports},
url = {https://historysaid.com/brunei-darussalam/reserves-months-imports/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}