2014 Edition

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 Asia.

Area

5,765 sq km 5,265 sq km 500 sq km

total

5,765 sq km

water

500 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly smaller than Delaware

Climate

tropical; hot, humid, rainy

Coastline

161 km

Elevation extremes

South China Sea 0 m Bukit Pagon 1,850 m

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

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution none of the selected 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

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

0.09 cu km/yr (97%/0%/3%) 301.6 cu m/yr (2009)

per capita

301.6 cu m/yr (2009)

total

0.09 cu km/yr (97%/0%/3%)

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 within Malaysia

Irrigated land

10 sq km (2003)

Land boundaries

266 km Malaysia 266 km

border countries

Malaysia 266 km

total

266 km

Land use

0.52% 0.87% 98.61% (2011)

arable land

0.52%

other

98.61% (2011)

permanent crops

0.87%

Location

Southeastern Asia, bordering the South China Sea and Malaysia

Map references

Southeast Asia

Maritime claims

12 nm 200 nm or to median line

exclusive economic zone

200 nm or to median line

territorial sea

12 nm

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

Total renewable water resources

8.5 cu km (2011)

Age structure

24.2% (male 52,753/female 49,548) 17.3% (male 36,187/female 36,965) 46.9% (male 96,006/female 102,028) 7.6% (male 16,542/female 15,589) 4% (male 8,301/female 8,756) (2014 est.)

0-14 years

24.2% (male 52,753/female 49,548)

15-24 years

17.3% (male 36,187/female 36,965)

25-54 years

46.9% (male 96,006/female 102,028)

55-64 years

7.6% (male 16,542/female 15,589)

65 years and over

4% (male 8,301/female 8,756) (2014 est.)

Birth rate

17.49 births/1,000 population (2014 est.)

Death rate

3.47 deaths/1,000 population (2014 est.)

Dependency ratios

41.8 % 35.3 % 6.5 % 15.5 (2014 est.)

elderly dependency ratio

6.5 %

potential support ratio

15.5 (2014 est.)

total dependency ratio

41.8 %

youth dependency ratio

35.3 %

Education expenditures

3.5% of GDP (2013)

Ethnic groups

Malay 65.7%, Chinese 10.3%, other indigenous 3.4%, other 20.6% (2011 est.)

Health expenditures

2.5% of GDP (2011)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

less than 0.1% (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

fewer than 200 (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

fewer than 200 (2003 est.)

Hospital bed density

2.8 beds/1,000 population (2011)

Infant mortality rate

10.48 deaths/1,000 live births 12.48 deaths/1,000 live births 8.39 deaths/1,000 live births (2014 est.)

female

8.39 deaths/1,000 live births (2014 est.)

total

10.48 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

Malay (official), English, Chinese

Life expectancy at birth

76.77 years 74.46 years 79.19 years (2014 est.)

female

79.19 years (2014 est.)

total population

76.77 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 95.4% 97% 93.9% (2011 est.)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

93.9% (2011 est.)

male

97%

total population

95.4%

Major urban areas - population

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

Maternal mortality rate

24 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)

Median age

29.3 years 28.9 years 29.6 years (2014 est.)

female

29.6 years (2014 est.)

male

28.9 years

total

29.3 years

Nationality

Bruneian(s) Bruneian

adjective

Bruneian

noun

Bruneian(s)

Net migration rate

2.47 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2014 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

7.5% (2008)

Physicians density

1.36 physicians/1,000 population (2010)

Population

422,675 (July 2014 est.)

Population growth rate

1.65% (2014 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)

15 years 14 years 15 years (2012)

female

15 years (2012)

male

14 years

total

15 years

Sex ratio

1.05 male(s)/female 1.07 male(s)/female 0.98 male(s)/female 0.94 male(s)/female 0.99 male(s)/female 0.95 male(s)/female 1 male(s)/female (2014 est.)

0-14 years

1.07 male(s)/female

15-24 years

0.98 male(s)/female

25-54 years

0.94 male(s)/female

55-64 years

0.99 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.95 male(s)/female

at birth

1.05 male(s)/female

total population

1 male(s)/female (2014 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.82 children born/woman (2014 est.)

Urbanization

76% of total population (2011) 2.13% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

rate of urbanization

2.13% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

76% of total population (2011)

Administrative divisions

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

Capital

Bandar Seri Begawan 4 53 N, 114 56 E UTC+8 (13 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

geographic coordinates

4 53 N, 114 56 E

name

Bandar Seri Begawan

time difference

UTC+8 (13 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

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 since independence in 1984 (2011)

Country name

Brunei Darussalam Brunei Negara Brunei Darussalam Brunei

conventional long form

Brunei Darussalam

conventional short form

Brunei

local long form

Negara Brunei Darussalam

local short form

Brunei

Diplomatic representation from the US

Ambassador Daniel L. SHIELDS III (since 28 March 2011) Simpang 336-52-16-9, Jalan Datu, Bandar Seri Begawan, BC4115 Unit 4280, Box 40, FPO AP 96507; P.O. Box 2991, Bandar Seri Begawan BS8675, Negara Brunei Darussalam [673] 238-4616 [673] 238-4604

chief of mission

Ambassador Daniel L. SHIELDS III (since 28 March 2011)

embassy

Simpang 336-52-16-9, Jalan Datu, Bandar Seri Begawan, BC4115

FAX

[673] 238-4604

mailing address

Unit 4280, Box 40, FPO AP 96507; P.O. Box 2991, Bandar Seri Begawan BS8675, Negara Brunei Darussalam

telephone

[673] 238-4616

Diplomatic representation in the US

Ambassador Dato Yusoff Abd HAMID (since 2 October 2009) 3520 International Court NW #300, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 237-1838 [1] (202) 885-0560

chancery

3520 International Court NW #300, Washington, DC 20008

chief of mission

Ambassador Dato Yusoff Abd HAMID (since 2 October 2009)

FAX

[1] (202) 885-0560

telephone

[1] (202) 237-1838

Executive branch

Sultan and Prime Minister Sir HASSANAL Bolkiah (since 5 October 1967); note - the monarch is both chief of state (Yang Di-Pertuan Agong) and head of government Sultan and Prime Minister Sir HASSANAL Bolkiah (since 5 October 1967) 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 none; the monarchy is hereditary

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 chief of state (Yang Di-Pertuan Agong) and head of government

elections

none; the monarchy is hereditary

head of government

Sultan and Prime Minister Sir HASSANAL Bolkiah (since 5 October 1967)

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"

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 ban

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

constitutional sultanate (locally known as Malay Islamic Monarchy)

Independence

1 January 1984 (from the UK)

International law organization participation

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

International organization participation

ADB, APEC, ARF, ASEAN, C, CP, EAS, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), ICRM, IDA, IDB, 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

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 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 Intermediate Court; Magistrate's Courts; Juvenile Court; small claims courts; lower sharia courts (2006)

highest 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)

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 (2006)

Legal system

mixed legal system based on English common law and Islamic law; note - in May 2014, the first sharia-based penal codes were instituted and apply to Muslims and non-Muslims

Legislative branch

the Sultan appointed a Legislative Council with 29 members in September 2005; he increased the size of the council to 33 members in June 2011; the council meets annually in March last held in March 1962 (date of next election NA) the Legislative Council met on 25 September 2004 for first time in 20 years with 21 members appointed by the Sultan; it passed constitutional amendments calling for a 45-seat council with 15 elected members; no timeframe for an election was announced

elections

last held in March 1962 (date of next election NA)

National anthem

"Allah Peliharakan Sultan" (God Bless His Majesty) Pengiran Haji Mohamed YUSUF bin Pengiran Abdul Rahim/Awang Haji BESAR bin Sagap adopted 1951

lyrics/music

Pengiran Haji Mohamed YUSUF bin Pengiran Abdul Rahim/Awang Haji BESAR bin Sagap

name

"Allah Peliharakan Sultan" (God Bless His Majesty)

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

Political parties and leaders

National Development Party or NDP [YASSIN Affendi] 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

Suffrage

18 years of age for village elections; universal

Agriculture - products

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

Budget

$6.992 billion $5.366 billion (2013 est.)

expenditures

$5.366 billion (2013 est.)

revenues

$6.992 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

9.8% of GDP (2013 est.)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

5.5% (31 December 2013 est.) 5.5% (31 December 2012 est.)

Current account balance

$3.977 billion (2009 est.)

Debt - external

$0 (2005)

Economy - overview

Brunei has a small well-to-do economy that depends on revenue from natural resource extraction but encompasses a mixture of foreign and domestic entrepreneurship, government regulation, welfare measures, and village tradition. Crude oil and natural gas production account for 60% of GDP and more than 90% of exports. Per capita GDP is among the highest in Asia, and substantial income from overseas investment supplements income from domestic production. For Bruneian citizens 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 it strong desire to diversity its economy both within the oil and gas sector and to new sectors.

Exchange rates

Bruneian dollars (BND) per US dollar - 1.23 (2013 est.) 1.2496 (2012 est.) 1.3635 (2010 est.) 1.45 (2009)

Exports

$12.75 billion (2011) $9.88 billion (2010)

Exports - commodities

crude oil, natural gas, garments

Exports - partners

Japan 45.7%, South Korea 15.1%, Australia 9.1%, NZ 6.6%, India 5.8%, Vietnam 4.7% (2012)

Fiscal year

1 April - 31 March

GDP - composition, by end use

22.1% 18.2% 14.6% 0% 78.4% -33.3% (2013 est.)

exports of goods and services

78.4%

government consumption

18.2%

household consumption

22.1%

imports of goods and services

-33.3%

investment in fixed capital

14.6%

investment in inventories

0%

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

0.7% 70.9% 28.4% (2013 est.)

agriculture

0.7%

industry

70.9%

services

28.4% (2013 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$54,800 (2013 est.) $54,900 (2012 est.) $55,200 (2011 est.) data are in 2013 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

1.4% (2013 est.) 0.9% (2012 est.) 3.4% (2011 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$16.56 billion (2013 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$22.25 billion (2013 est.) $21.93 billion (2012 est.) $21.73 billion (2011 est.) data are in 2013 US dollars

Household income or consumption by percentage share

NA% NA%

highest 10%

NA%

lowest 10%

NA%

Imports

$3.02 billion (2011 est.) $2.73 billion (2010 est.)

Imports - commodities

iron and steel, motor vehicles, machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods, food, chemicals

Imports - partners

Singapore 26.3%, China 21.3%, UK 21.3%, Malaysia 11.8% (2012)

Industrial production growth rate

1.5% (2013 est.)

Industries

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

1% (2013 est.) 0.5% (2012 est.)

Labor force

205,800 (2011 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

4.2% 62.8% 33% (2008 est.)

agriculture

4.2%

industry

62.8%

services

33% (2008 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$NA

Population below poverty line

NA%

Stock of broad money

$11.92 billion (31 December 2013 est.) $11.41 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$2.846 billion (31 December 2013 est.) $2.351 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$3.472 billion (31 December 2013 est.) $3.509 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

42.2% of GDP (2013 est.)

Unemployment rate

2.6% (2011) 2.7% (2010)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

8.656 million Mt (2011 est.)

Crude oil - exports

147,900 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Crude oil - imports

0 bbl/day (2011 est.)

Crude oil - production

141,000 bbl/day (2012 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

1.1 billion bbl (1 January 2013 est.)

Electricity - consumption

3.391 billion kWh (2011 est.)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2012 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

100% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2012 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

759,000 kW (2010 est.)

Electricity - production

3.723 billion kWh (2011 est.)

Natural gas - consumption

2.97 billion cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - exports

9.42 billion cu m (2011 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2011 est.)

Natural gas - production

12.44 billion cu m (2011 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

390.8 billion cu m (1 January 2013 est.)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

14,640 bbl/day (2011 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

3,198 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

13,500 bbl/day (2010 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 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)

Internet country code

.bn

Internet hosts

49,457 (2012)

Internet users

314,900 (2009)

Telephone system

service throughout the country is good; international service is good to Southeast Asia, Middle East, Western Europe, and the US every service available 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)

domestic

every service available

general assessment

service throughout the country is good; international service is good to Southeast Asia, Middle East, Western Europe, and the US

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)

Telephones - main lines in use

70,933 (2012)

Telephones - mobile cellular

469,700 (2012)

Airports

1 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways

1 (2013)

over 3,047 m

1 (2013)

total

1

Heliports

3 (2013)

Merchant marine

chemical tanker 1, liquefied gas 8 2 (UK 2) (2010)

foreign-owned

2 (UK 2) (2010)

total

9

Pipelines

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

Ports and terminals

Muara Lumut, Seria Lumut

LNG terminal (export)

Lumut

major seaport(s)

Muara

oil/gas terminal(s)

Lumut, Seria

Roadways

3,029 km 2,425 km 604 km (2010)

total

3,029 km

unpaved

604 km (2010)

Waterways

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

Manpower available for military service

112,688 117,536 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

117,536 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

112,688

Manpower fit for military service

95,141 99,386 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

99,386 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

95,141

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

3,572 3,465 (2010 est.)

female

3,465 (2010 est.)

male

3,572

Military branches

Royal Brunei Armed Forces: Royal Brunei Land Forces, Royal Brunei Navy, Royal Brunei Air Force (Tentera Udara Diraja Brunei) (2013)

Royal Brunei Armed Forces

Royal Brunei Land Forces, Royal Brunei Navy, Royal Brunei Air Force (Tentera Udara Diraja Brunei) (2013)

Military expenditures

2.43% of GDP (2012) 2.54% of GDP (2011) 2.43% of GDP (2010)

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)

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

21,009 (2012); 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

stateless persons

21,009 (2012); 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