Brunei

Broadband - fixed subscriptions

total: 49,452 | subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 11 (2018 est.)

Broadcast media

state-controlled Radio Television Brunei (RTB) operates 5 channels; 3 Malaysian TV stations are available; foreign TV broadcasts are available via satellite systems; RTB operates 5 radio networks and broadcasts on multiple frequencies; British Forces Broadcast Service (BFBS) provides radio broadcasts on 2 FM stations; some radio broadcast stations from Malaysia are available via repeaters

Internet country code

.bn

Internet users

total: 426,234 | percent of population: 94.6% (July 2018 est.)

Telecommunication systems

general assessment: service throughout the country is excellent; international service is good to Southeast Asia, Middle East, Western Europe, and the US; lots of investment given the high GDP per capita; launch of 5G in 2021 anticipated; while fixed-line is slowing down, mobile broadband has taken over in the advancement in the telecoms access market; broadband penetration slow to moderate growth predicted over the next five years to 2023 (2020) | domestic: every service available; 20 per 100 fixed-line, 129 per 100 mobile-cellular (2019) | international: country code - 673; landing points for the SEA-ME-WE-3, SJC, AAG, Lubuan-Brunei Submarine Cable via optical telecommunications submarine cables that provides links to Asia, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, Africa, Australia, and the US; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 1 Pacific Ocean) (2019) | note: the COVID-19 outbreak is negatively impacting telecommunications production and supply chains globally; consumer spending on telecom devices and services has also slowed due to the pandemic's effect on economies worldwide; overall progress towards improvements in all facets of the telecom industry - mobile, fixed-line, broadband, submarine cable and satellite - has moderated

Telephones - fixed lines

total subscriptions: 91,415 | subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 19.98 (2019 est.)

Telephones - mobile cellular

total subscriptions: 588,616 | subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 128.65 (2019 est.)

Agriculture - products

rice, vegetables, fruits; chickens, water buffalo, cattle, goats, eggs

Budget

revenues: 2.245 billion (2017 est.) | expenditures: 4.345 billion (2017 est.)

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-17.3% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Current account balance

$2.021 billion (2017 est.) | $1.47 billion (2016 est.)

Debt - external

$0 (2014) | $0 (2013) | note: public external debt only; private external debt unavailable

Ease of Doing Business Index scores

70.1 (2020)

Economic overview

Brunei is an energy-rich sultanate on the northern coast of Borneo in Southeast Asia. Brunei boasts a well-educated, largely English-speaking population; excellent infrastructure; and a stable government intent on attracting foreign investment. Crude oil and natural gas production account for approximately 65% of GDP and 95% of exports, with Japan as the primary export market. Per capita GDP is among the highest in the world, and substantial income from overseas investment supplements income from domestic hydrocarbon production. Bruneian citizens pay no personal income taxes, and the government provides free medical services and free education through the university level. The Bruneian Government wants to diversify its economy away from hydrocarbon exports to other industries such as information and communications technology and halal manufacturing, permissible under Islamic law. Brunei’s trade increased in 2016 and 2017, following its regional economic integration in the ASEAN Economic Community, and the expected ratification of the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement.

Exchange rates

Bruneian dollars (BND) per US dollar - | 1.33685 (2020 est.) | 1.35945 (2019 est.) | 1.3699 (2018 est.) | 1.3749 (2014 est.) | 1.267 (2013 est.)

Exports

$5.885 billion (2017 est.) | $5.023 billion (2016 est.)

Exports - commodities

mineral fuels, organic chemicals

Exports - partners

Japan 27.8%, South Korea 12.4%, Thailand 11.5%, Malaysia 11.3%, India 9.3%, Singapore 7.7%, Switzerland 5%, China 4.7% (2017)

Fiscal year

1 April - 31 March

GDP (official exchange rate)

$12.13 billion (2017 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity) - real

$33.87 billion (2017 est.) | $33.42 billion (2016 est.) | $34.27 billion (2015 est.) | note: data are in 2017 dollars

GDP - composition, by end use

household consumption: 25% (2017 est.) | government consumption: 24.8% (2017 est.) | investment in fixed capital: 32.6% (2017 est.) | investment in inventories: 8.5% (2017 est.) | exports of goods and services: 45.9% (2017 est.) | imports of goods and services: -36.8% (2017 est.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

agriculture: 1.2% (2017 est.) | industry: 56.6% (2017 est.) | services: 42.3% (2017 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$78,900 (2017 est.) | $79,000 (2016 est.) | $82,200 (2015 est.) | note: data are in 2017 dollars

GDP real growth rate

1.3% (2017 est.) | -2.5% (2016 est.) | -0.4% (2015 est.)

Gross national saving

47.5% of GDP (2017 est.) | 50.1% of GDP (2016 est.) | 51.9% of GDP (2015 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: NA | highest 10%: NA

Imports

$2.998 billion (2017 est.) | $2.658 billion (2016 est.)

Imports - commodities

machinery and mechanical appliance parts, mineral fuels, motor vehicles, electric machinery

Imports - partners

China 19.6%, Singapore 19%, Malaysia 18.8%, US 9.2%, Germany 5.9%, Japan 4.1%, UK 4% (2017)

Industrial production growth rate

1.5% (2017 est.)

Industries

petroleum, petroleum refining, liquefied natural gas, construction, agriculture, aquaculture, transportation

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

-0.2% (2017 est.) | -0.7% (2016 est.)

Labor force

203,600 (2014 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture: 4.2% | industry: 62.8% | services: 33% (2008 est.)

Population below poverty line

NA

Public debt

2.8% of GDP (2017 est.) | 3% of GDP (2016 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$3.488 billion (31 December 2017 est.) | $3.366 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

18.5% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Unemployment rate

6.9% (2017 est.) | 6.9% (2016 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

10.04 million Mt (2017 est.)

Crude oil - exports

127,400 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Crude oil - imports

160 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Crude oil - production

100,000 bbl/day (2018 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

1.1 billion bbl (1 January 2018 est.)

Electricity - consumption

3.771 billion kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

100% of total installed capacity (2016 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

821,000 kW (2016 est.)

Electricity - production

4.014 billion kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity access

electrification - total population: 100% (2020)

Natural gas - consumption

3.936 billion cu m (2017 est.)

Natural gas - exports

8.268 billion cu m (2017 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2017 est.)

Natural gas - production

12.74 billion cu m (2017 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

260.5 billion cu m (1 January 2018 est.)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

18,000 bbl/day (2016 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

0 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

6,948 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

10,310 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Area

total: 5,765 sq km | land: 5,265 sq km | water: 500 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly smaller than Delaware | Area comparison map: The World Factbook Field Image Modal × East Asia/Southeast Asia :: Brunei Print Image Description slightly smaller than Delaware

Climate

tropical; hot, humid, rainy

Coastline

161 km

Elevation

mean elevation: 478 m | lowest point: South China Sea 0 m | highest point: Bukit Pagon 1,850 m

Environment - current issues

no major environmental problems, but air pollution control is becoming a concern; seasonal trans-boundary haze from forest fires in Indonesia

Environment - international agreements

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution | signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geographic coordinates

4 30 N, 114 40 E

Geography - note

close to vital sea lanes through South China Sea linking Indian and Pacific Oceans; two parts physically separated by Malaysia; the eastern part, the Temburong district, is an exclave and is almost an enclave within Malaysia

Irrigated land

10 sq km (2012)

Land boundaries

total: 266 km | border countries (1): Malaysia 266 km

Land use

agricultural land: 2.5% (2011 est.) | arable land: 0.8% (2011 est.) / permanent crops: 1.1% (2011 est.) / permanent pasture: 0.6% (2011 est.) | forest: 71.8% (2011 est.) | other: 25.7% (2011 est.)

Location

Southeastern Asia, along the northern coast of the island of Borneo, bordering the South China Sea and Malaysia

Map references

Southeast Asia

Maritime claims

territorial sea: 12 nm | exclusive economic zone: 200 nm or to median line

Natural hazards

typhoons, earthquakes, and severe flooding are rare

Natural resources

petroleum, natural gas, timber

Terrain

flat coastal plain rises to mountains in east; hilly lowland in west

Administrative divisions

4 districts (daerah-daerah, singular - daerah); Belait, Brunei dan Muara, Temburong, Tutong

Capital

name: Bandar Seri Begawan | geographic coordinates: 4 53 N, 114 56 E | time difference: UTC+8 (13 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) | etymology: named in 1970 after Sultan Omar Ali SAIFUDDIEN III (1914-1986; "The Father of Independence") who adopted the title of "Seri Begawan" (approximate meaning "honored lord") upon his abdication in 1967; "bandar" in Malay means "town" or "city"; the capital had previously been called Bandar Brunei (Brunei Town)

Citizenship

citizenship by birth: no | citizenship by descent only: the father must be a citizen of Brunei | dual citizenship recognized: no | residency requirement for naturalization: 12 years

Constitution

history: drafted 1954 to 1959, signed 29 September 1959; note - some constitutional provisions suspended since 1962 under a State of Emergency, others suspended since independence in 1984 | amendments: proposed by the monarch; passage requires submission to the Privy Council for Legislative Council review and finalization takes place by proclamation; the monarch can accept or reject changes to the original proposal provided by the Legislative Council; amended several times

Country name

conventional long form: Brunei Darussalam | conventional short form: Brunei | local long form: Negara Brunei Darussalam | local short form: Brunei | etymology: derivation of the name is unclear; according to legend, MUHAMMAD SHAH, who would become the first sultan of Brunei, upon discovering what would become Brunei exclaimed "Baru nah," which roughly translates as "there" or "that's it"

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Emily M. FLECKNER (since 20 August 2020) | telephone: [673] 238-4616 | embassy: Simpang 336-52-16-9, Jalan Duta, Bandar Seri Begawan, BC4115 | mailing address: Unit 4280, Box 40, FPO AP 96507; P.O. Box 2991, Bandar Seri Begawan BS8675, Negara Brunei Darussalam | FAX: [673] 238-4604

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Serbini ALI (since 28 January 2016) | chancery: 3520 International Court NW, Washington, DC 20008 | telephone: [1] (202) 237-1838 | FAX: [1] (202) 885-0560 | consulate(s): New York

Executive branch

chief of state: Sultan and Prime Minister Sir HASSANAL Bolkiah (since 5 October 1967); note - the monarch is both chief of state and head of government | head of government: Sultan and Prime Minister Sir HASSANAL Bolkiah (since 5 October 1967) | cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed and presided over by the monarch; note - 4 additional advisory councils appointed by the monarch are the Religious Council, Privy Council for constitutional issues, Council of Succession, and Legislative Council | elections/appointments: none; the monarchy is hereditary

Flag description

yellow with two diagonal bands of white (top, almost double width) and black starting from the upper hoist side; the national emblem in red is superimposed at the center; yellow is the color of royalty and symbolizes the sultanate; the white and black bands denote Brunei's chief ministers; the emblem includes five main components: a swallow-tailed flag, the royal umbrella representing the monarchy, the wings of four feathers symbolizing justice, tranquility, prosperity, and peace, the two upraised hands signifying the government's pledge to preserve and promote the welfare of the people, and the crescent moon denoting Islam, the state religion; the state motto "Always render service with God's guidance" appears in yellow Arabic script on the crescent; a ribbon below the crescent reads "Brunei, the Abode of Peace"

Government type

absolute monarchy or sultanate

Independence

1 January 1984 (from the UK)

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICC

International organization participation

ADB, APEC, ARF, ASEAN, C, CP, EAS, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), ICRM, IDA, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, NAM, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIFIL, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Judicial branch

highest courts: Supreme Court (consists of the Court of Appeal and the High Court, each with a chief justice and 2 judges); Sharia Court (consists the Court of Appeals and the High Court); note - Brunei has a dual judicial system of secular and sharia (religious) courts; the Judicial Committee of Privy Council (in London) serves as the final appellate court for civil cases only | judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court judges appointed by the monarch to serve until age 65, and older if approved by the monarch; Sharia Court judges appointed by the monarch for life | subordinate courts: Intermediate Court; Magistrates' Courts; Juvenile Court; small claims courts; lower sharia courts

Legal system

mixed legal system based on English common law and Islamic law; note - in April 2019, the full sharia penal codes came into force and apply to Muslims and non-Muslims in parallel with present common law codes

Legislative branch

description: unicameral Legislative Council or Majlis Mesyuarat Negara Brunei (36 seats; members appointed by the sultan including 3 ex-officio members - the speaker and first and second secretaries; members appointed for 5-year terms) | elections: appointed by the sultan | election results: NA; composition - men 33, women 3, percent of women 8.3%

National anthem

name: "Allah Peliharakan Sultan" (God Bless His Majesty) | lyrics/music: Pengiran Haji Mohamed YUSUF bin Pengiran Abdul Rahim/Awang Haji BESAR bin Sagap | note: adopted 1951

National holiday

National Day, 23 February (1984); note - 1 January 1984 was the date of independence from the UK, 23 February 1984 was the date of independence from British protection; the Sultan's birthday, 15 June

National symbol(s)

royal parasol; national colors: yellow, white, black

Political parties and leaders

National Development Party or NDP [YASSIN Affendi] | note: Brunei National Solidarity Party or PPKB [Abdul LATIF bin Chuchu] and People's Awareness Party or PAKAR [Awang Haji MAIDIN bin Haji Ahmad] were deregistered in 2007; parties are small and have limited activity

Suffrage

18 years of age for village elections; universal

Background

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 the world. In 2017, Brunei celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Sultan Hassanal BOLKIAH’s accession to the throne.

Military - note

Brunei has a long-standing defense relationship with the United Kingdom and hosts a British Army garrison, which includes a Gurkha battalion and a jungle warfare school; there is also a long-term Singaporean military presence (2019)

Military and security forces

Royal Brunei Armed Forces: Royal Brunei Land Force, Royal Brunei Navy, Royal Brunei Air Force (2019)

Military and security service personnel strengths

the Royal Brunei Armed Forces is comprised of approximately 6,800 total active troops (4,500 Army; 1,200 Navy; 1,100 Air Force) (2019)

Military equipment inventories and acquisitions

the Royal Brunei Armed Forces imports nearly all of its military equipment and weapons systems; the top suppliers since 2010 are France, Germany, and the US (2019 est.)

Military expenditures

3.3% of GDP (2019) | 2.6% of GDP (2018) | 2.9% of GDP (2017) | 3.5% of GDP (2016) | 3.3% of GDP (2015)

Military service age and obligation

17 years of age for voluntary military service; non-Malays are ineligible to serve; recruits from the army, navy, and air force all undergo 43-week initial training (2019)

Age structure

0-14 years: 22.41% (male 53,653/female 50,446) | 15-24 years: 16.14% (male 37,394/female 37,559) | 25-54 years: 47.21% (male 103,991/female 115,291) | 55-64 years: 8.34% (male 19,159/female 19,585) | 65 years and over: 5.9% (male 13,333/female 14,067) (2020 est.) | population pyramid: The World Factbook Field Image Modal × East Asia/Southeast Asia :: Brunei Print Image Description This is the population pyramid for Brunei. A population pyramid illustrates the age and sex structure of a country's population and may provide insights about political and social stability, as well as economic development. The population is distributed along the horizontal axis, with males shown on the left and females on the right. The male and female populations are broken down into 5-year age groups represented as horizontal bars along the vertical axis, with the youngest age groups at the bottom and the oldest at the top. The shape of the population pyramid gradually evolves over time based on fertility, mortality, and international migration trends. For additional information, please see the entry for Population pyramid on the Definitions and Notes page under the References tab.

Birth rate

16.5 births/1,000 population (2020 est.)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

9.6% (2009)

Current Health Expenditure

2.4% (2017)

Death rate

3.8 deaths/1,000 population (2020 est.)

Dependency ratios

total dependency ratio: 38.7 | youth dependency ratio: 31 | elderly dependency ratio: 7.7 | potential support ratio: 12.9 (2020 est.)

Drinking water source

improved: total: 100% of population | unimproved: total: 0% of population (2017 est.)

Education expenditures

4.4% of GDP (2016)

Ethnic groups

Malay 65.7%, Chinese 10.3%, other 24% (2016 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

NA

Hospital bed density

2.9 beds/1,000 population (2017)

Infant mortality rate

total: 8.8 deaths/1,000 live births | male: 10.4 deaths/1,000 live births | female: 7.1 deaths/1,000 live births (2020 est.)

Languages

Malay (Bahasa Melayu) (official), English, Chinese dialects

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 77.9 years | male: 75.5 years | female: 80.4 years (2020 est.)

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write | total population: 97.2% | male: 98.1% | female: 93.4% (2018)

Major urban areas - population

241,000 BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN (capital) (2011) | note: the boundaries of the capital city were expanded in 2007, greatly increasing the city area; the population of the capital increased tenfold

Maternal mortality rate

31 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.)

Median age

total: 31.1 years | male: 30.5 years | female: 31.8 years (2020 est.)

Nationality

noun: Bruneian(s) | adjective: Bruneian

Net migration rate

2.3 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2020 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

14.1% (2016)

Physicians density

1.61 physicians/1,000 population (2017)

Population

464,478 (July 2020 est.)

Population growth rate

1.51% (2020 est.)

Religions

Muslim (official) 78.8%, Christian 8.7%, Buddhist 7.8%, other (includes indigenous beliefs) 4.7% (2011 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

total: 14 years | male: 14 years | female: 15 years (2019)

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female | 0-14 years: 1.06 male(s)/female | 15-24 years: 1 male(s)/female | 25-54 years: 0.9 male(s)/female | 55-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female | 65 years and over: 0.95 male(s)/female | total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2020 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.75 children born/woman (2020 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

total: 28.9% | male: 28.4% | female: 29.5% (2017 est.)

Urbanization

urban population: 78.3% of total population (2020) | rate of urbanization: 1.66% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.) | total population growth rate v. urban population growth rate, 2000-2030: PDF

Disputes - international

per Letters of Exchange signed in 2009, Malaysia in 2010 ceded two hydrocarbon concession blocks to Brunei in exchange for Brunei's sultan dropping claims to the Limbang corridor, which divides Brunei; nonetheless, Brunei claims a maritime boundary extending as far as a median with Vietnam, thus asserting an implicit claim to Louisa Reef

Illicit drugs

drug trafficking and illegally importing controlled substances are serious offenses in Brunei and carry a mandatory death penalty

Refugees and internally displaced persons

stateless persons: 20,863 (2019); note - thousands of stateless persons, often ethnic Chinese, are permanent residents and their families have lived in Brunei for generations; obtaining citizenship is difficult and requires individuals to pass rigorous tests on Malay culture, customs, and language; stateless residents receive an International Certificate of Identity, which enables them to travel overseas; the government is considering changing the law prohibiting non-Bruneians, including stateless permanent residents, from owning land

Airports

1 (2020)

Airports - with paved runways

total: 1 (2019) | over 3,047 m: 1

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

V8 (2016)

Heliports

3 (2013)

Merchant marine

total: 104 | by type: general cargo 18, oil tanker 2, other 84 (2019)

National air transport system

number of registered air carriers: 1 (2020) | inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 10 | annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 1,234,455 (2018) | annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 129.35 million mt-km (2018)

Pipelines

33 km condensate, 86 km condensate/gas, 628 km gas, 492 km oil (2013)

Ports and terminals

major seaport(s): Muara | oil terminal(s): Lumut, Seria | LNG terminal(s) (export): Lumut

Roadways

total: 2,976 km (2014) | paved: 2,559 km (2014) | unpaved: 417 km (2014)

Waterways

209 km (navigable by craft drawing less than 1.2 m; the Belait, Brunei, and Tutong Rivers are major transport links) (2012)