2017 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 the world.

Area

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

land

5,265 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

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

elevation extremes

lowest point: South China Sea 0 m

highest point

Bukit Pagon 1,850 m

mean elevation

478 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

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 (2012)

Land boundaries

266 km Malaysia 266 km

border countries (1)

Malaysia 266 km

total

266 km

Land use

2.5% arable land 0.8%; permanent crops 1.1%; permanent pasture 0.6% 71.8% 25.7% (2011 est.)

agricultural land

2.5%

forest

71.8%

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

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

Age structure

23.12% (male 52,862/female 49,717) 17.05% (male 37,637/female 38,005) 46.75% (male 99,203/female 108,198) 8.23% (male 18,537/female 17,974) 4.84% (male 10,440/female 11,020) (2017 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.)

Birth rate

17 births/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

9.6% (2009)

Death rate

3.6 deaths/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Dependency ratios

38.4 32.8 5.7 17.6 (2015 est.)

elderly dependency ratio

5.7

potential support ratio

17.6 (2015 est.)

total dependency ratio

38.4

youth dependency ratio

32.8

Education expenditures

3.7% of GDP (2016)

Ethnic groups

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

Health expenditures

2.6% of GDP (2014)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

NA

Hospital bed density

2.8 beds/1,000 population (2012)

Infant mortality rate

9.6 deaths/1,000 live births 11.4 deaths/1,000 live births 7.7 deaths/1,000 live births (2017 est.)

female

7.7 deaths/1,000 live births (2017 est.)

male

11.4 deaths/1,000 live births

total

9.6 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

Malay (official), English, Chinese dialects

Life expectancy at birth

77.3 years 75 years 79.8 years (2017 est.)

female

79.8 years (2017 est.)

male

75 years

total population

77.3 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 96% 97.5% 94.5% (2015 est.)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

94.5% (2015 est.)

male

97.5%

total population

96%

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)

note

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

23 deaths/100,000 live births (2015 est.)

Median age

30.2 years 29.7 years 30.7 years (2017 est.)

female

30.7 years (2017 est.)

male

29.7 years

total

30.2 years

Nationality

Bruneian(s) Bruneian

adjective

Bruneian

noun

Bruneian(s)

Net migration rate

2.4 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

14.1% (2016)

Physicians density

1.47 physicians/1,000 population (2012)

Population

443,593 (July 2017 est.)

Population growth rate

1.57% (2017 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 (2015)

female

15 years (2015)

male

14 years

total

15 years

Sex ratio

1.05 male(s)/female 1.06 male(s)/female 0.99 male(s)/female 0.92 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female 0.95 male(s)/female 0.98 male(s)/female (2016 est.)

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

at birth

1.05 male(s)/female

total population

0.98 male(s)/female (2016 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.78 children born/woman (2017 est.)

Urbanization

77.8% of total population (2017) 1.52% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

rate of urbanization

1.52% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

urban population

77.8% of total population (2017)

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)

Citizenship

no the father must be a citizen of Brunei no 12 years

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

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)

Country name

Brunei Darussalam Brunei Negara Brunei Darussalam Brunei 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"

conventional long form

Brunei Darussalam

conventional 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"

local long form

Negara Brunei Darussalam

local short form

Brunei

Diplomatic representation from the US

Ambassador Craig B. ALLEN (since 9 March 2015) 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 Craig B. ALLEN (since 9 March 2015)

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 Serbini ALI (since 28 January 2016) 3520 International Court NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 237-1838 [1] (202) 885-0560 New York

chancery

3520 International Court NW, Washington, DC 20008

chief of mission

Ambassador Serbini ALI (since 28 January 2016)

consulate(s)

New York

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 and head of government Sultan and Prime Minister Sir HASSANAL Bolkiah (since 5 October 1967) 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 none; the monarchy is hereditary

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

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

elections/appointments

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

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 ICCt

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

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 for life Intermediate Court; Magistrate's Courts; Juvenile Court; small claims courts; lower sharia courts

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

Legal system

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

Legislative branch

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) appointed by the sultan

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; members appointed for 5-year terms)

elections/appointments

appointed by the sultan

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)

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

National symbol(s)

royal parasol; national colors: yellow, white, black

royal parasol; national colors

yellow, white, black

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

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

Suffrage

18 years of age for village elections; universal

Agriculture - products

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

Budget

$2.679 billion $4.561 billion (2016 est.)

expenditures

$4.561 billion (2016 est.)

revenues

$2.679 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-16.8% of GDP (2016 est.)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

5.5% (31 December 2016 est.) 5.5% (31 December 2015 est.)

Current account balance

$1.091 billion (2016 est.) $2.071 billion (2015 est.)

Debt - external

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

note

public external debt only; private external debt unavailable

Economy - 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 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.

Exchange rates

Bruneian dollars (BND) per US dollar - 1.3814 (2016 est.) 1.3814 (2015 est.) 1.3749 (2014 est.) 1.267 (2013 est.) 1.25 (2012 est.)

Exports

$5.023 billion (2016 est.) $6.126 billion (2015 est.)

Exports - commodities

mineral fuels, organic chemicals

Exports - partners

Japan 36.5%, South Korea 16.8%, Thailand 10.6%, India 9.8%, Malaysia 6.6%, China 4.6% (2016)

Fiscal year

1 April - 31 March

GDP - composition, by end use

22.5% 26.6% 35.3% 0% 52.1% -36.5% (2016 est.)

exports of goods and services

52.1%

government consumption

26.6%

household consumption

22.5%

imports of goods and services

-36.5% (2016 est.)

investment in fixed capital

35.3%

investment in inventories

0%

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

1.2% 56.5% 42.4% (2016 est.)

agriculture

1.2%

industry

56.5%

services

42.4% (2016 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$77,500 (2016 est.) $80,600 (2015 est.) $81,900 (2014 est.) data are in 2016 dollars

note

data are in 2016 dollars

GDP - real growth rate

-2.5% (2016 est.) -0.4% (2015 est.) -2.5% (2014 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$11.4 billion (2016 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$32.76 billion (2016 est.) $33.17 billion (2015 est.) $32.95 billion (2014 est.) data are in 2016 dollars

note

data are in 2016 dollars

Gross national saving

43.5% of GDP (2016 est.) 51.3% of GDP (2015 est.) 58.1% of GDP (2014 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

NA% NA%

highest 10%

NA%

lowest 10%

NA%

Imports

$3.119 billion (2016 est.) $3.216 billion (2015 est.)

Imports - commodities

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

Imports - partners

US 28.4%, Malaysia 24%, Singapore 7.1%, Indonesia 5.7%, Japan 5.3%, China 4.9%, Australia 4.3% (2016)

Industrial production growth rate

-2.9% (2016 est.)

Industries

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

-0.7% (2016 est.) -0.4% (2015 est.)

Labor force

203,600 (2014 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%

Public debt

3.1% of GDP (2016 est.) 3% of GDP (2015 est.)

Stock of broad money

$10.08 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $10.16 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$4.066 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $5.323 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$3.232 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $3.31 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

24% of GDP (2016 est.)

Unemployment rate

6.9% (2016 est.) 9.3% (2011 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

8.4 million Mt (2013 est.)

Crude oil - exports

119,500 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Crude oil - imports

160 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Crude oil - production

109,100 bbl/day (2016 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

1.1 billion bbl (1 January 2017 es)

Electricity - consumption

3.679 billion kWh (2015 est.)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

99.9% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

0% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

0.1% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

841,000 kW (2015 est.)

Electricity - production

3.948 billion kWh (2015 est.)

Electricity access

104,788 76% 79% 67% (2012)

electrification - rural areas

67% (2012)

electrification - total population

76%

electrification - urban areas

79%

population without electricity

104,788

Natural gas - consumption

4.545 billion cu m (2015 est.)

Natural gas - exports

8.52 billion cu m (2015 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2014 est.)

Natural gas - production

12 billion cu m (2015 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

311.5 billion cu m (1 January 2017 es)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

18,000 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

314.3 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

8,313 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

8,345 bbl/day (2014 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 (2017)

Internet country code

.bn

Internet users

306,000 71.2% (July 2016 est.)

percent of population

71.2% (July 2016 est.)

total

306,000

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) (2015)

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) (2015)

Telephones - fixed lines

74,213 17 (July 2016 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

17 (July 2016 est.)

total subscriptions

74,213

Telephones - mobile cellular

463,000 108 (July 2016 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

108 (July 2016 est.)

total

463,000

Airports

1 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways

1 (2017)

over 3,047 m

1 (2017)

total

1

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

V8 (2016)

Heliports

3 (2013)

Merchant marine

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

by type

chemical tanker 1, liquefied gas 8

foreign-owned

2 (UK 2) (2010)

total

9

National air transport system

1,150,003 115.147 million mt-km (2015)

annual freight traffic on registered air carriers

115.147 million mt-km (2015)

annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers

1,150,003

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers

10

number of registered air carriers

1

Pipelines

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

Ports and terminals

Muara Lumut, Seria Lumut

LNG terminal(s) (export)

Lumut

major seaport(s)

Muara

oil terminal(s)

Lumut, Seria

Roadways

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

paved

2,425 km

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)

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

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)

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

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

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