2003 Edition

Administrative divisions

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

Age structure

0-14 years: 29.6% (male 54,118; female 51,902) 15-64 years: 67.6% (male 128,421; female 113,480) 65 years and over: 2.8% (male 4,804; female 5,373) (2003 est.)

Agriculture - products

rice, vegetables, fruits, chickens, water buffalo

Airports

2 (2002)

Airports - with paved runways

over 3,047 m

1 (2002)

total

1

Airports - with unpaved runways

total

1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2002)

Area

land

5,270 sq km

total

5,770 sq km

water

500 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly smaller than Delaware

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 developing world. Geography Brunei

Birth rate

19.68 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)

Budget

expenditures

$2.6 billion, including capital expenditures of $1.35 billion (1997 est.)

revenues

$2.5 billion

Capital

Bandar Seri Begawan

Climate

tropical; hot, humid, rainy

Coastline

161 km

Constitution

29 September 1959 (some provisions suspended under a State of Emergency since December 1962, others since independence on 1 January 1984)

Country name

conventional long form

Negara Brunei Darussalam

conventional short form

Brunei

Currency

Bruneian dollar (BND)

Currency code

BND

Death rate

3.39 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)

Debt - external

$0

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission

Ambassador Gene B. CHRISTY

embassy

Third Floor, Teck Guan Plaza, Jalan Sultan, Bandar Seri Begawan

mailing address

PSC 470 (BSB), FPO AP 96507

telephone

[673] (2) 229670

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission

Ambassador Anak Dato Haji PUTEH

Disputes - international

Involved in dispute over the Spratly Islands with China, Malaysia, Philippines, Taiwan, and Vietnam; Brunei established an exclusive economic fishing zone encompassing Louisa Reef in southern Spratly Islands in 1984 but makes no public territorial claim to the offshore reefs; claimants in November 2002 signed the "Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea", a mechanism to ease tension but which fell short of a legally binding "code of conduct"

Economic aid - recipient

$4.3 million (1995)

Economy - overview

This small, wealthy economy encompasses a mixture of foreign and domestic entrepreneurship, government regulation, welfare measures, and village tradition. Crude oil and natural gas production account for nearly half of GDP. Per capita GDP is far above most other Third World countries, and substantial income from overseas investment supplements income from domestic production. The government provides for all medical services and subsidizes rice and housing. Brunei's leaders are concerned that steadily increased integration in the world economy will undermine internal social cohesion, although it became a more prominent player by serving as chairman for the 2000 APEC (Asian Pacific Economic Cooperation) forum. Plans for the future include upgrading the labor force, reducing unemployment, strengthening the banking and tourist sectors, and, in general, further widening the economic base beyond oil and gas.

Electricity - consumption

2.322 billion kWh (2001)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2001)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2001)

Electricity - production

2.497 billion kWh (2001)

Electricity - production by source

fossil fuel

100%

hydro

0%

nuclear

0%

other

0% (2001)

Elevation extremes

highest point

Bukit Pagon 1,850 m

lowest point

South China Sea 0 m

Environment - current issues

seasonal smoke/haze resulting from forest fires in Indonesia

Environment - international agreements

party to

Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution

signed, but not ratified

none of the selected agreements

Ethnic groups

Malay 67%, Chinese 15%, indigenous 6%, other 12%

Exchange rates

Bruneian dollars per US dollar - 1.79 (2002), 1.79 (2001), 1.72 (2000), 1.69 (1999), 1.67 (1998)

Executive branch

cabinet

Council of Cabinet Ministers appointed and presided over by the monarch; deals with executive matters; note - there is also a Religious Council (members appointed by the monarch) that advises on religious matters, a Privy Council (members appointed by the monarch) that deals with constitutional matters, and the Council of Succession (members appointed by the monarch) that determines the succession to the throne if the need arises

chief of state

Sultan and Prime Minister Sir HASSANAL Bolkiah (since 5 October 1967); note - the monarch is both the chief of state and head of government

elections

none; the monarch is hereditary

head of government

Sultan and Prime Minister Sir HASSANAL Bolkiah (since 5 October 1967); note - the monarch is both the chief of state and head of government

Exports

$3 billion f.o.b. (2000 est.)

Exports - commodities

crude oil, natural gas, refined products

Exports - partners

Japan 40.3%, South Korea 12.3%, Thailand 12.1%, Australia 9.2%, US 8.1%, China 6.4%, Singapore 5.7% (2002)

FAX

[1] (202) 885-0560

[673] (2) 225293

chancery

3520 International Court NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone

[1] (202) 237-1838

Fiscal year

calendar year Communications Brunei

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; the emblem includes a swallow-tailed flag on top of a winged column within an upturned crescent above a scroll and flanked by two upraised hands Economy Brunei

GDP

purchasing power parity - $6.5 billion (2002 est.)

GDP - composition by sector

agriculture

5%

industry

45%

services

50% (2001 est.)

GDP - per capita

purchasing power parity - $18,600 (2002 est.)

GDP - real growth rate

3% (2002 est.)

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; almost an enclave of Malaysia People Brunei

Government type

constitutional sultanate

Heliports

3 (2002) Military Brunei

Highways

paved

2,525 km

total

2,525 km

unpaved

0 km (2000)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.2% (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

less than 100 (2001 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

highest 10%

NA%

lowest 10%

NA%

Illicit drugs

drug trafficking and illegally importing controlled substances are serious offenses in Brunei and carry a mandatory death penalty This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003

Imports

$1.4 billion c.i.f. (2000 est.)

Imports - commodities

machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods, food, chemicals

Imports - partners

Singapore 30.6%, Japan 21.5%, Malaysia 17.4%, UK 6.1%, Hong Kong 4% (2002)

Independence

1 January 1984 (from UK)

Industrial production growth rate

5% (2002 est.)

Industries

petroleum, petroleum refining, liquefied natural gas, construction

Infant mortality rate

female

9.71 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.)

male

17.09 deaths/1,000 live births

total

13.5 deaths/1,000 live births

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

-2% (2002 est.)

International organization participation

APEC, ARF, ASEAN, C, ESCAP, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDB, IFRCS, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU, NAM, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO

Internet country code

.bn

Internet Service Providers (ISPs)

2 (2000)

Internet users

35,000 (2002) Transportation Brunei

Irrigated land

10 sq km (1998 est.)

Judicial branch

Supreme Court (chief justice and judges are sworn in by the monarch for three-year terms)

Labor force

143,400

note

includes foreign workers and military personnel; temporary residents make up about 40% of labor force (1999 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

government 48%, production of oil, natural gas, services, and construction 42%, agriculture, forestry, and fishing 10% (1999 est.)

Land boundaries

border countries

Malaysia 381 km

total

381 km

Land use

arable land

0.57%

other

98.67% (1998 est.)

permanent crops

0.76%

Languages

Malay (official), English, Chinese

Legal system

based on English common law; for Muslims, Islamic Shari'a law supersedes civil law in a number of areas

Legislative branch

unicameral Legislative Council or Majlis Masyuarat Megeri (a privy council that serves only in a consultative capacity; NA seats; members appointed by the monarch)

elections

last held in March 1962

note

in 1970 the Council was changed to an appointive body by decree of the monarch; an elected Legislative Council is being considered as part of constitutional reform, but elections are unlikely for several years

Life expectancy at birth

female

76.82 years (2003 est.)

male

71.9 years

total population

74.3 years

Literacy

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

88.5% (2003 est.) Government Brunei

male

94.8%

total population

91.8%

Location

Southeastern Asia, bordering the South China Sea and Malaysia

Map references

Southeast Asia

Maritime claims

exclusive economic zone

200 NM or to median line

territorial sea

12 NM

Median age

female

25.7 years (2002)

male

27 years

total

26.4 years

Merchant marine

convenience

UK 7 (2002 est.)

note

includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of

ships by type

liquefied gas 8

total

8 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 465,937 GRT/413,393 DWT

Military branches

Land Forces, Navy, Air Force, Royal Brunei Police

Military expenditures - dollar figure

$329.7 million (FY02)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP

5% (FY02) Transnational Issues Brunei

Military manpower - availability

males age 15-49

110,888 (2003 est.)

Military manpower - fit for military service

males age 15-49

63,966 (2003 est.)

Military manpower - military age

18 years of age (2003 est.)

Military manpower - reaching military age annually

males

3,277 (2003 est.)

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

Nationality

adjective

Bruneian

noun

Bruneian(s)

Natural gas - consumption

1.35 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - exports

9 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - production

10.35 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

315 billion cu m (37257)

Natural hazards

typhoons, earthquakes, and severe flooding are rare

Natural resources

petroleum, natural gas, timber

Net migration rate

3.75 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.)

Oil - consumption

13,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports

NA (2001)

Oil - imports

NA (2001)

Oil - production

217,200 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - proved reserves

1.255 billion bbl (37257)

Pipelines

gas 665 km; oil 439 km (2003)

Political parties and leaders

Brunei Solidarity National Party or PPKB in Malay [Haji Mohd HATTA bin Haji Zainal Abidin, president]; note - the PPKB is the only legal political party in Brunei; it was registered in 1985 but became largely inactive after 1988; it was revived in 1995 and again in 1998; it has less than 200 registered party members; other parties include Brunei People's Party or PRB (banned in 1962) and Brunei National Democratic Party (registered in May 1965, deregistered by the Brunei Government in 1988)

Political pressure groups and leaders

NA

Population

358,098 (July 2003 est.)

Population below poverty line

NA%

Population growth rate

2% (2003 est.)

Ports and harbors

Bandar Seri Begawan, Kuala Belait, Muara, Seria, Tutong

Radio broadcast stations

AM 3, FM 10, shortwave 0 (1998)

Radios

329,000 (1998)

Railways

narrow gauge

13 km 0.610-m gauge (2001 est.)

total

13 km (private line)

Religions

Muslim (official) 67%, Buddhist 13%, Christian 10%, indigenous beliefs and other 10%

Sex ratio

at birth

1.06 male(s)/female

total population

1.1 male(s)/female (2003 est.)

under 15 years

1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.13 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.89 male(s)/female

Suffrage

none

Telephone system

domestic

every service available

general assessment

service throughout the country is excellent; international service is good to East Asia, Europe, and the US

international

satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 1 Pacific Ocean); digital submarine cable links to Malaysia, the Philippines, and Singapore (2001)

Telephones - main lines in use

79,000 (1996)

Telephones - mobile cellular

43,524 (1996)

Television broadcast stations

2 (1997)

Televisions

201,900 (1998)

Terrain

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

Total fertility rate

2.37 children born/woman (2003 est.)

Unemployment rate

10% (2001 est.)

Waterways

209 km; navigable by craft drawing less than 1.2 m