# Library

ABOUT REFERENCES APPENDICES FAQs CONTACT

East & Southeast Asia :: Brunei

- ## Introduction :: BRUNEI

- 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.

- ## Geography :: BRUNEI

- Location:
  Southeastern Asia, along the northern coast of the island of Borneo, bordering the South China Sea and Malaysia
  Geographic coordinates:
  4 30 N, 114 40 E
  Map references:
  Southeast Asia
  Area:
  total: 5,765 sq km
  land: 5,265 sq km
  water: 500 sq km
  country comparison to the world: 173
  Area - comparative:
  slightly smaller than Delaware
  Land boundaries:
  total: 266 km
  border countries (1): Malaysia 266 km
  Coastline:
  161 km
  Maritime claims:
  territorial sea: 12 nm
  exclusive economic zone: 200 nm or to median line
  Climate:
  tropical; hot, humid, rainy
  Terrain:
  flat coastal plain rises to mountains in east; hilly lowland in west
  Elevation extremes:
  lowest point: South China Sea 0 m
  highest point: Bukit Pagon 1,850 m
  Natural resources:
  petroleum, natural gas, timber
  Land use:
  agricultural land: 2.5%
  arable land 0.8%; permanent crops 1.1%; permanent pasture 0.6%
  forest: 71.8%
  other: 25.7% (2011 est.)
  Irrigated land:
  10 sq km (2003)
  Total renewable water resources:
  8.5 cu km (2011)
  Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
  total: 0.09 cu km/yr (97%/0%/3%)
  per capita: 301.6 cu m/yr (2009)
  Natural hazards:
  typhoons, earthquakes, and severe flooding are rare
  Environment - current issues:
  seasonal smoke/haze resulting 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
  Geography - note:
  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

- Nationality:
  noun: Bruneian(s)
  adjective: Bruneian
  Ethnic groups:
  Malay 65.7%, Chinese 10.3%, other indigenous 3.4%, other 20.6% (2011 est.)
  Languages:
  Malay (official), English, Chinese dialects
  Religions:
  Muslim (official) 78.8%, Christian 8.7%, Buddhist 7.8%, other (includes indigenous beliefs) 4.7% (2011 est.)
  Population:
  429,646 (July 2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 175
  Age structure:
  0-14 years: 23.82% (male 52,750/female 49,579)
  15-24 years: 17.13% (male 36,485/female 37,127)
  25-54 years: 46.9% (male 97,228/female 104,286)
  55-64 years: 7.88% (male 17,366/female 16,470)
  65 years and over: 4.27% (male 8,925/female 9,430) (2015 est.)
  population pyramid:
  Dependency ratios:
  total dependency ratio: 38%
  youth dependency ratio: 31.9%
  elderly dependency ratio: 6.1%
  potential support ratio: 16.4% (2015 est.)
  Median age:
  total: 29.6 years
  male: 29.2 years
  female: 29.9 years (2015 est.)
  Population growth rate:
  1.62% (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 72
  Birth rate:
  17.32 births/1,000 population (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 107
  Death rate:
  3.52 deaths/1,000 population (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 215
  Net migration rate:
  2.43 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 41
  Urbanization:
  urban population: 77.2% of total population (2015)
  rate of urbanization: -1.79% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
  Major urban areas - population:
  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)
  Sex ratio:
  at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
  0-14 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
  15-24 years: 0.98 male(s)/female
  25-54 years: 0.93 male(s)/female
  55-64 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
  65 years and over: 0.95 male(s)/female
  total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2015 est.)
  Maternal mortality rate:
  23 deaths/100,000 live births (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 132
  Infant mortality rate:
  total: 10.16 deaths/1,000 live births
  male: 12.09 deaths/1,000 live births
  female: 8.14 deaths/1,000 live births (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 137
  Life expectancy at birth:
  total population: 76.97 years
  male: 74.64 years
  female: 79.41 years (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 76
  Total fertility rate:
  1.8 children born/woman (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 152
  Health expenditures:
  2.5% of GDP (2013)
  country comparison to the world: 188
  Physicians density:
  1.44 physicians/1,000 population (2012)
  Hospital bed density:
  2.8 beds/1,000 population (2012)
  HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
  NA
  HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
  NA
  HIV/AIDS - deaths:
  NA
  Obesity - adult prevalence rate:
  18.6% (2014)
  country comparison to the world: 141
  Education expenditures:
  3.8% of GDP (2014)
  country comparison to the world: 126
  Literacy:
  definition: age 15 and over can read and write
  total population: 96%
  male: 97.5%
  female: 94.5% (2015 est.)
  School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
  total: 15 years
  male: 14 years
  female: 15 years (2012)

- ## Government :: BRUNEI

- Country name:
  conventional long form: Brunei Darussalam
  conventional short form: Brunei
  local long form: Negara Brunei Darussalam
  local short form: Brunei
  Government type:
  constitutional sultanate (locally known as Malay Islamic Monarchy or MIB)
  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)
  Administrative divisions:
  4 districts (daerah-daerah, singular - daerah); Belait, Brunei-Muara, Temburong, Tutong
  Independence:
  1 January 1984 (from the UK)
  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
  Constitution:
  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 (2015)
  Legal system:
  mixed legal system based on English common law and Islamic law; note - in May 2014, the first phase of a sharia-based penal codes was instituted, which applies to Muslims and non-Muslims and exists in parallel to the existing common law-based code
  International law organization participation:
  has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt
  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
  Suffrage:
  18 years of age for village elections; universal
  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
  Legislative branch:
  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)
  Judicial branch:
  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; judge tenure NA
  subordinate courts: Intermediate Court; Magistrate's Courts; Juvenile Court; small claims courts; lower sharia courts
  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
  Political pressure groups and leaders:
  NA
  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
  Diplomatic representation in the US:
  chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Dk Norhashimah Pg Mohd HASSAN
  chancery: 3520 International Court NW, Washington, DC 20008
  telephone: [1] (202) 237-1838
  FAX: [1] (202) 885-0560
  consulate(s): New York
  Diplomatic representation from the US:
  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
  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"
  National symbol(s):
  royal parasol; national colors: yellow, white, black
  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

- ## Economy :: BRUNEI

- Economy - overview:
  Brunei has a small well-to-do economy that depends on revenue from natural resource extraction but is also characterized by a mixture of foreign and domestic entrepreneurship, government regulation, welfare measures, and village tradition. Crude oil and natural gas production account for 70% of GDP and more than 90% of exports, with Japan and Korea as the primary export markets. Per capita GDP is among the highest in the world, and substantial income from overseas investment supplements income from domestic hydrocarbon production. For Bruneian citizens, who pay no taxes, the government provides for all medical services and free education through the university level. The government of Brunei has been emphasizing through policy and resource investments its strong desire to diversify its economy both within the oil and gas sector and to new sectors. Brunei is a founding member of the 12-nation Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) free trade agreement negotiations as well as the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and, with the nine other ASEAN members, will form the ASEAN Economic Community in 2015.
  GDP (purchasing power parity):
  $32.96 billion (2014 est.)
  $33.75 billion (2013 est.)
  $34.48 billion (2012 est.)
  note: data are in 2014 US dollars
  country comparison to the world: 122
  GDP (official exchange rate):
  $17.1 billion (2014 est.)
  GDP - real growth rate:
  -2.3% (2014 est.)
  -2.1% (2013 est.)
  0.9% (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 215
  GDP - per capita (PPP):
  $79,900 (2014 est.)
  $81,800 (2013 est.)
  $83,600 (2012 est.)
  note: data are in 2014 US dollars
  country comparison to the world: 8
  Gross national saving:
  49.4% of GDP (2014 est.)
  63.6% of GDP (2013 est.)
  65.1% of GDP (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 2
  GDP - composition, by end use:
  household consumption: 15.6%
  government consumption: 21.6%
  investment in fixed capital: 27.3%
  investment in inventories: 0.2%
  exports of goods and services: 71%
  imports of goods and services: -35.7%
  (2014 est.)
  GDP - composition, by sector of origin:
  agriculture: 0.8%
  industry: 66.8%
  services: 32.4% (2014 est.)
  Agriculture - products:
  rice, vegetables, fruits; chickens, water buffalo, cattle, goats, eggs
  Industries:
  petroleum, petroleum refining, liquefied natural gas, construction, agriculture, transportation
  Industrial production growth rate:
  -4.4% (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 190
  Labor force:
  205,800 (2011 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 169
  Labor force - by occupation:
  agriculture: 4.2%
  industry: 62.8%
  services: 33% (2008 est.)
  Unemployment rate:
  2.7% (2014 est.)
  2.7% (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 19
  Population below poverty line:
  NA%
  Household income or consumption by percentage share:
  lowest 10%: NA%
  highest 10%: NA%
  Budget:
  revenues: $6.368 billion
  expenditures: $5.743 billion (2014 est.)
  Taxes and other revenues:
  37.2% of GDP (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 54
  Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):
  3.7% of GDP (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 13
  Fiscal year:
  1 April - 31 March
  Inflation rate (consumer prices):
  -0.2% (2014 est.)
  0.4% (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 19
  Commercial bank prime lending rate:
  5.5% (31 December 2014 est.)
  5.5% (31 December 2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 141
  Stock of narrow money:
  $3.327 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
  $3.517 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 115
  Stock of broad money:
  $11.92 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
  $11.41 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 102
  Stock of domestic credit:
  $4.477 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
  $3.452 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 125
  Market value of publicly traded shares:
  $NA
  Current account balance:
  $4.849 billion (2014 est.)
  $5.323 billion (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 33
  Exports:
  $10.65 billion (2014 est.)
  $11.36 billion (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 94
  Exports - commodities:
  crude oil, natural gas, garments
  Exports - partners:
  Japan 39%, South Korea 12.5%, Australia 9.7%, India 9.2%, Thailand 6.4%, Indonesia 5.8% (2014)
  Imports:
  $4.231 billion (2014 est.)
  $4.175 billion (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 140
  Imports - commodities:
  iron and steel, motor vehicles, machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods, food, chemicals
  Imports - partners:
  Singapore 29.2%, China 26.9%, Malaysia 13.2%, US 8.5%, South Korea 4.5%, UK 4.1% (2014)
  Debt - external:
  $0 (2005)
  $3.576 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
  note: public external debt only; private external debt unavailable
  country comparison to the world: 204
  Exchange rates:
  Bruneian dollars (BND) per US dollar -
  1.267 (2014 est.)
  1.267 (2013 est.)
  1.25 (2012 est.)
  1.2579 (2011 est.)
  1.3635 (2010 est.)

- ## Energy :: BRUNEI

- Electricity - production:
  3.694 billion kWh (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 128
  Electricity - consumption:
  3.451 billion kWh (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 130
  Electricity - exports:
  0 kWh (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 113
  Electricity - imports:
  0 kWh (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 126
  Electricity - installed generating capacity:
  759,000 kW (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 132
  Electricity - from fossil fuels:
  100% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 7
  Electricity - from nuclear fuels:
  0% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 60
  Electricity - from hydroelectric plants:
  0% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 164
  Electricity - from other renewable sources:
  0% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 163
  Crude oil - production:
  111,800 bbl/day (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 42
  Crude oil - exports:
  131,200 bbl/day (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 35
  Crude oil - imports:
  0 bbl/day (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 167
  Crude oil - proved reserves:
  1.1 billion bbl (1 January 2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 42
  Refined petroleum products - production:
  9,402 bbl/day (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 105
  Refined petroleum products - consumption:
  18,000 bbl/day (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 133
  Refined petroleum products - exports:
  253.6 bbl/day (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 118
  Refined petroleum products - imports:
  7,666 bbl/day (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 144
  Natural gas - production:
  12.47 billion cu m (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 38
  Natural gas - consumption:
  2.97 billion cu m (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 74
  Natural gas - exports:
  9.5 billion cu m (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 22
  Natural gas - imports:
  0 cu m (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 170
  Natural gas - proved reserves:
  390.8 billion cu m (1 January 2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 34
  Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy:
  8.678 million Mt (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 107

- ## Communications :: BRUNEI

- Telephones - fixed lines:
  total subscriptions: 48,200
  subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 11 (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 164
  Telephones - mobile cellular:
  total: 465,800
  subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 110 (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 171
  Telephone system:
  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) (2011)
  Broadcast media:
  state-controlled Radio Television Brunei (RTB) operates 5 channels; 3 Malaysian TV stations are available; foreign TV broadcasts are available via satellite and cable 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 (2009)
  Radio broadcast stations:
  AM 1, FM 2 (transmitting on 18 different frequencies), shortwave 0 (British Forces Broadcasting Service (BFBS) station transmits two FM signals with English and Nepali service) (2006)
  Television broadcast stations:
  4 (includes 2 UHF stations broadcasting a subscription service) (2006)
  Internet country code:
  .bn
  Internet users:
  total: 277,200
  percent of population: 65.6% (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 146

- ## Transportation :: BRUNEI

- Airports:
  1 (2013)
  country comparison to the world: 214
  Airports - with paved runways:
  total: 1
  over 3,047 m: 1 (2013)
  Heliports:
  3 (2013)
  Pipelines:
  condensate 33 km; condensate/gas 86 km; gas 628 km; oil 492 km (2013)
  Roadways:
  total: 3,029 km
  paved: 2,425 km
  unpaved: 604 km (2010)
  country comparison to the world: 167
  Waterways:
  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
  Merchant marine:
  total: 9
  by type: chemical tanker 1, liquefied gas 8
  foreign-owned: 2 (UK 2) (2010)
  country comparison to the world: 115
  Ports and terminals:
  major seaport(s): Muara
  oil terminal(s): Lumut, Seria
  LNG terminal (export): Lumut

- ## Military :: BRUNEI

- Military branches:
  Royal Brunei Armed Forces: Royal Brunei Land Forces, Royal Brunei Navy, Royal Brunei Air Force (Tentera Udara Diraja Brunei) (2013)
  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 (2013)
  Manpower available for military service:
  males age 16-49: 112,688
  females age 16-49: 117,536 (2010 est.)
  Manpower fit for military service:
  males age 16-49: 95,141
  females age 16-49: 99,386 (2010 est.)
  Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
  male: 3,572
  female: 3,465 (2010 est.)
  Military expenditures:
  2.43% of GDP (2012)
  2.54% of GDP (2011)
  2.43% of GDP (2010)
  country comparison to the world: 30

- ## Transnational Issues :: BRUNEI

- 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
  Refugees and internally displaced persons:
  stateless persons: 20,524 (2014); 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
  Illicit drugs:
  drug trafficking and illegally importing controlled substances are serious offenses in Brunei and carry a mandatory death penalty

GO TOP