Introduction :: BRUNEI
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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.
Geography :: BRUNEI
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Southeastern Asia, along the northern coast of the island of Borneo, bordering the South China Sea and Malaysia
4 30 N, 114 40 E
Southeast Asia
total: 5,765 sq km
land: 5,265 sq km
water: 500 sq km
country comparison to the world: 173
slightly smaller than Delaware
total: 266 km
border countries (1): Malaysia 266 km
161 km
territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm or to median line
tropical; hot, humid, rainy
flat coastal plain rises to mountains in east; hilly lowland in west
mean elevation: 478 m
elevation extremes: lowest point: South China Sea 0 m
highest point: Bukit Pagon 1,850 m
petroleum, natural gas, timber
agricultural land: 2.5%
arable land 0.8%; permanent crops 1.1%; permanent pasture 0.6%
forest: 71.8%
other: 25.7% (2011 est.)
10 sq km (2012)
typhoons, earthquakes, and severe flooding are rare
seasonal smoke/haze resulting from forest fires in Indonesia
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
close to vital sea lanes through South China Sea linking Indian and Pacific Oceans; two parts physically separated by Malaysia; almost an enclave within Malaysia
People and Society :: BRUNEI
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443,593 (July 2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 174
noun: Bruneian(s)
adjective: Bruneian
Malay 65.7%, Chinese 10.3%, other indigenous 3.4%, other 20.6% (2011 est.)
Malay (official), English, Chinese dialects
Muslim (official) 78.8%, Christian 8.7%, Buddhist 7.8%, other (includes indigenous beliefs) 4.7% (2011 est.)
0-14 years: 23.12% (male 52,862/female 49,717)
15-24 years: 17.05% (male 37,637/female 38,005)
25-54 years: 46.75% (male 99,203/female 108,198)
55-64 years: 8.23% (male 18,537/female 17,974)
65 years and over: 4.84% (male 10,440/female 11,020) (2017 est.)
population pyramid:
East & Southeast Asia
::BRUNEI
Population Pyramid
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.
total dependency ratio: 38.4
youth dependency ratio: 32.8
elderly dependency ratio: 5.7
potential support ratio: 17.6 (2015 est.)
total: 29.9 years
male: 29.5 years
female: 30.3 years (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 116
1.6% (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 68
17 births/1,000 population (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 108
3.6 deaths/1,000 population (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 214
2.4 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 40
urban population: 77.8% of total population (2017)
rate of urbanization: 1.52% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN (capital) 241,000
note: the boundaries of the capital city were expanded in 2007, greatly increasing the city area; the population of the capital increased tenfold (2011)
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
15-24 years: 0.99 male(s)/female
25-54 years: 0.92 male(s)/female
55-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.95 male(s)/female
total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2016 est.)
23 deaths/100,000 live births (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 132
total: 9.9 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 11.7 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 7.9 deaths/1,000 live births (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 138
total population: 77.2 years
male: 74.8 years
female: 79.6 years (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 75
1.78 children born/woman (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 152
2.6% of GDP (2014)
country comparison to the world: 186
1.47 physicians/1,000 population (2012)
2.8 beds/1,000 population (2012)
NA
NA
NA
18.6% (2014)
country comparison to the world: 141
9.6% (2009)
3.7% of GDP (2016)
country comparison to the world: 126
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 96%
male: 97.5%
female: 94.5% (2015 est.)
total: 15 years
male: 14 years
female: 15 years (2015)
Government :: BRUNEI
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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"
absolute monarchy or sultanate
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)
4 districts (daerah-daerah, singular - daerah); Belait, Brunei-Muara, Temburong, Tutong
1 January 1984 (from the UK)
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
drafted 1954 to 1959, signed 29 September 1959; amended 1984, 2004, 2011; note - some constitutional provisions suspended since 1962 under a state of emergency, others suspended since independence in 1984 (2016)
mixed legal system based on English common law and Islamic law; note - in May 2014, the first of three phases of sharia-based penal codes was instituted, which applies to Muslims and non-Muslims and exists in parallel to the existing common law-based code
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt
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
18 years of age for village elections; universal
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
description: 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; meets annually for approximately two weeks)
elections: last held in March 1962 (date of next election NA)
highest resident court(s): Supreme Court (consists of Court of Appeal and High Court, each with a chief justice and 2 judges); Sharia Court of Appeal (consists of judges appointed by the monarch); 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 of Appeal judges appointed by the monarch for life
subordinate courts: Intermediate Court; Magistrate's Courts; Juvenile Court; small claims courts; lower sharia courts
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
NA
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
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
chief of mission: Ambassador Craig B. ALLEN (since 9 March 2015)
embassy: Simpang 336-52-16-9, Jalan Datu, Bandar Seri Begawan, BC4115
mailing address: Unit 4280, Box 40, FPO AP 96507; P.O. Box 2991, Bandar Seri Begawan BS8675, Negara Brunei Darussalam
telephone: [673] 238-4616
FAX: [673] 238-4604
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"
royal parasol; national colors: yellow, white, black
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
Economy :: BRUNEI
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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 in 2016 was set to increase following its regional economic integration in the ASEAN Economic Community, and the expected ratification of the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement.
$32.54 billion (2016 est.)
$33.6 billion (2015 est.)
$33.74 billion (2014 est.)
note: data are in 2016 dollars
country comparison to the world: 125
$11.18 billion (2016 est.)
-3.2% (2016 est.)
-0.4% (2015 est.)
-2.5% (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world: 189
$76,900 (2016 est.)
$80,600 (2015 est.)
$81,900 (2014 est.)
note: data are in 2016 dollars
country comparison to the world: 10
44.2% of GDP (2015 est.)
55.1% of GDP (2014 est.)
60.5% of GDP (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 4
household consumption: 21.7%
government consumption: 23.6%
investment in fixed capital: 37.6%
investment in inventories: 0%
exports of goods and services: 50.8%
imports of goods and services: -33.7% (2016 est.)
agriculture: 1.1%
industry: 60.4%
services: 38.5% (2016 est.)
rice, vegetables, fruits; chickens, water buffalo, cattle, goats, eggs
petroleum, petroleum refining, liquefied natural gas, construction, agriculture, transportation
1% (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 148
203,600 (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world: 168
agriculture: 4.2%
industry: 62.8%
services: 33% (2008 est.)
6.9% (2014 est.)
9.3% (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 84
NA%
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
revenues: $2.958 billion
expenditures: $4.618 billion (2016 est.)
28.3% of GDP (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 85
-15.9% of GDP (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 213
1 April - 31 March
-0.7% (2016 est.)
-0.4% (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 31
5.5% (31 December 2016 est.)
5.5% (31 December 2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 132
$3.467 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
$3.31 billion (31 December 2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 111
$10.29 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
$10.16 billion (31 December 2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 106
$6.909 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
$5.323 billion (31 December 2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 115
$NA
$1.061 billion (2016 est.)
$2.072 billion (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 43
$5.315 billion (2016 est.)
$7.235 billion (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 105
mineral fuels, organic chemicals
Japan 36.1%, South Korea 14.9%, Thailand 10.9%, India 9.3%, NZ 5.6%, Australia 5% (2015)
$3.648 billion (2016 est.)
$3.359 billion (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 132
machinery and mechanical appliance parts, mineral fuels, motor vehicles, electric machinery
Singapore 27.9%, China 25.3%, Malaysia 12.3%, UK 10.6%, South Korea 4.9% (2015)
$0 (2014)
$0 (2013)
note: public external debt only; private external debt unavailable
country comparison to the world: 204
Bruneian dollars (BND) per US dollar -
1.39 (2016 est.)
1.37 (2015 est.)
1.37 (2014 est.)
1.27 (2013 est.)
1.25 (2012 est.)
Energy :: BRUNEI
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population without electricity: 104,788
electrification - total population: 76%
electrification - urban areas: 79%
electrification - rural areas: 67% (2012)
4.2 billion kWh (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world: 121
3.766 billion kWh (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world: 126
0 kWh (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world: 117
0 kWh (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world: 130
777,000 kW (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world: 134
100% of total installed capacity (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world: 7
0% of total installed capacity (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world: 60
0% of total installed capacity (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world: 164
0% of total installed capacity (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world: 163
115,300 bbl/day (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 42
117,600 bbl/day (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world: 33
0 bbl/day (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world: 170
1.1 billion bbl (1 January 2016 es)
country comparison to the world: 43
10,910 bbl/day (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 102
18,000 bbl/day (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world: 139
189 bbl/day (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 120
6,099 bbl/day (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 157
10.7 billion cu m (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world: 42
2.4 billion cu m (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world: 77
8.3 billion cu m (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world: 24
0 cu m (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world: 169
390.8 billion cu m (1 January 2016 es)
country comparison to the world: 35
8.4 million Mt (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 109
Communications :: BRUNEI
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total subscriptions: 74,213
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 17 (July 2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 164
total: 463,000
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 108 (July 2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 171
general assessment: service throughout the country is good; international service is good to Southeast Asia, Middle East, Western Europe, and the US
domestic: every service available
international: country code - 673; landing point for the SEA-ME-WE-3 optical telecommunications submarine cable that provides links to Asia, the Middle East, and Europe; the Asia-America Gateway submarine cable network provides new links to Asia and the US; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 1 Pacific Ocean) (2015)
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 (2017)
.bn
total: 306,000
percent of population: 71.2% (July 2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 146
Transportation :: BRUNEI
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number of registered air carriers: 1
inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 10
annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 1,150,003
annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 115.147 million mt-km (2015)
V8 (2016)
1 (2013)
country comparison to the world: 214
total: 1
over 3,047 m: 1 (2013)
3 (2013)
condensate 33 km; condensate/gas 86 km; gas 628 km; oil 492 km (2013)
total: 3,029 km
paved: 2,425 km
unpaved: 604 km (2010)
country comparison to the world: 166
209 km (navigable by craft drawing less than 1.2 m; the Belait, Brunei, and Tutong Rivers are major transport links) (2012)
country comparison to the world: 96
total: 9
by type: chemical tanker 1, liquefied gas 8
foreign-owned: 2 (UK 2) (2010)
country comparison to the world: 115
major seaport(s): Muara
oil terminal(s): Lumut, Seria
LNG terminal(s) (export): Lumut
Military and Security :: BRUNEI
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3.54% of GDP (2016)
3.28% of GDP (2015)
3.08% of GDP (2014)
2.28% of GDP (2013)
2.16% of GDP (2012)
country comparison to the world: 30
Royal Brunei Armed Forces: Royal Brunei Land Forces, Royal Brunei Navy, Royal Brunei Air Force (Tentera Udara Diraja Brunei) (2013)
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 (2013)
Transnational Issues :: BRUNEI
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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
stateless persons: 20,524 (2016); 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
drug trafficking and illegally importing controlled substances are serious offenses in Brunei and carry a mandatory death penalty
