2021 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. In 2017, Brunei celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Sultan Hassanal BOLKIAH’s accession to the throne.

Area

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

highest point

Bukit Pagon 1,850 m

lowest point

South China Sea 0 m

mean elevation

478 m

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; the eastern part, the Temburong district, is an exclave and is almost an enclave within Malaysia

Irrigated land

10 sq km (2012)

Land boundaries

border countries

Malaysia 266 km

total

266 km

Land use

agricultural land

2.5% (2018 est.)

agricultural land: arable land

arable land: 0.8% (2018 est.)

agricultural land: permanent crops

permanent crops: 1.1% (2018 est.)

agricultural land: permanent pasture

permanent pasture: 0.6% (2018 est.)

forest

71.8% (2018 est.)

other

25.7% (2018 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

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

0-14 years

22.41% (male 53,653/female 50,446)

15-24 years

16.14% (male 37,394/female 37,559)

25-54 years

47.21% (male 103,991/female 115,291)

55-64 years

8.34% (male 19,159/female 19,585)

65 years and over

5.9% (male 13,333/female 14,067) (2020 est.)

Birth rate

16.3 births/1,000 population (2021 est.)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

NA

Contraceptive prevalence rate

NA

Current Health Expenditure

2.4% (2018)

Death rate

3.75 deaths/1,000 population (2021 est.)

Demographic profile

Brunei is a small, oil-rich sultanate of less than half a million people, making it the smallest country in Southeast Asia by population.  Its total fertility rate – the average number of births per woman – has been steadily declining over the last few decades, from over 3.5 in the 1980s to below replacement level today at nearly 1.8.  The trend is due to women’s increased years of education and participation in the workforce, which have resulted in later marriages and fewer children.  Yet, the population continues to grow because of the large number of women of reproductive age and a reliance on foreign labor – mainly from Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines, Indonesia, and South Asian countries – to fill low-skilled jobs. Brunei is officially Muslim, and Malay is the official language.  The country follows an official Malay national ideology, Malay Islamic Monarchy, which promotes Malay language and culture, Islamic values, and the monarchy.  Only seven of Brunei’s native groups are recognized in the constitution and are defined as “Malay” – Brunei Malays, Belait, Kedayan, Dusun, Bisayak, Lun Bawang, and Sama-Baiau.  Together they make up about 66% percent of the population and are referred to as the Bumiputera.  The Bumiputera are entitled to official privileges, including land ownership, access to certain types of employment (Royal Brunei Armed Forces and Brunei Shell Petroleum), easier access to higher education, and better job opportunities in the civil service.  Brunei’s Chinese population descends from migrants who arrived when Brunei was a British protectorate (1888 and 1984).  They are prominent in the non-state commercial sector and account for approximately 10% of the population.  Most Bruneian Chinese are permanent residents rather than citizens despite roots going back several generations.  Many are stateless and are denied rights granted to citizens, such as land ownership, subsidized health care, and free secondary and university education.  Because of the discriminatory policies, the number of Chinese in Brunei has shrunk considerably in the last 50 years.  Native ethnic groups that are not included in the Bumiputera are not recognized in the constitution and are not officially identified as “Malay” or automatically granted citizenship.  Foreign workers constitute some quarter of the labor force.

Dependency ratios

elderly dependency ratio

7.7

potential support ratio

12.9 (2020 est.)

total dependency ratio

38.7

youth dependency ratio

31

Drinking water source

improved: total

total: 100% of population

unimproved: total

total: 0% of population (2017 est.)

Education expenditures

4.4% of GDP (2016)

Ethnic groups

Malay 65.8%, Chinese 10.2%, other 24% (2020 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

NA

Hospital bed density

2.9 beds/1,000 population (2017)

Infant mortality rate

female

8.25 deaths/1,000 live births (2021 est.)

male

13.21 deaths/1,000 live births

total

10.79 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

Languages

Malay (Bahasa Melayu) (official), English, Chinese dialects

major-language sample(s)

Buku Fakta Dunia, sumber yang diperlukan untuk maklumat asas. (Malay)The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.

Life expectancy at birth

female

80.63 years (2021 est.)

male

75.75 years

total population

78.14 years

Literacy

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

93.4% (2018)

male

98.1%

total population

97.2%

Major urban areas - population

241,000 BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN (capital) (2011)

note

note: the boundaries of the capital city were expanded in 2007, greatly increasing the city area; the population of the capital increased tenfold

Maternal mortality ratio

31 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.)

Median age

female

31.8 years (2020 est.)

male

30.5 years

total

31.1 years

Nationality

adjective

Bruneian

noun

Bruneian(s)

Net migration rate

2.22 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2021 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

14.1% (2016)

Physicians density

1.61 physicians/1,000 population (2017)

Population

471,103 (July 2021 est.)

note

note: immigrants make up approximately 26% of the total population, according to UN data (2019)

Population growth rate

1.48% (2021 est.)

Religions

Muslim (official) 80.9%, Christian 7.1%, Buddhist 7.1%, other (includes indigenous beliefs) 5% (2016 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

female

14 years (2020)

male

14 years

total

14 years

Sex ratio

0-14 years

1.06 male(s)/female

15-24 years

1 male(s)/female

25-54 years

0.9 male(s)/female

55-64 years

0.98 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.95 male(s)/female

at birth

1.05 male(s)/female

total population

0.96 male(s)/female (2020 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.75 children born/woman (2021 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

female

25.8% (2019 est.)

male

19%

total

21.4%

Urbanization

rate of urbanization

1.44% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

urban population

78.6% of total population (2021)

Administrative divisions

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

Capital

etymology

named in 1970 after Sultan Omar Ali SAIFUDDIEN III (1914-1986; "The Father of Independence") who adopted the title of "Seri Begawan" (approximate meaning "honored lord") upon his abdication in 1967; "bandar" in Malay means "town" or "city"; the capital had previously been called Bandar Brunei (Brunei Town)

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

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

amendments

proposed by the monarch; passage requires submission to the Privy Council for Legislative Council review and finalization takes place by proclamation; the monarch can accept or reject changes to the original proposal provided by the Legislative Council; amended several times, last in 2010

history

drafted 1954 to 1959, signed 29 September 1959; note - some constitutional provisions suspended since 1962 under a State of Emergency, others suspended since independence in 1984

Country name

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

chief of mission

Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Emily M. FLECKNER (since 20 August 2020)

email address and website

ConsularBrunei@state.govhttps://bn.usembassy.gov/

embassy

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

FAX

(673) 238-7533

mailing address

4020 Bandar Seri Begawan Place, Washington DC  20521-4020

telephone

(673) 238-7400

Diplomatic representation in the US

chancery

3520 International Court NW, Washington, DC 20008

chief of mission

Ambassador Dato Paduka Haji Serbini bin Haji ALI (since 28 January 2016)

consulate(s)

New York

email address and website

info@bruneiembassy.orghttp://www.bruneiembassy.org/index.html

FAX

[1] (202) 885-0560

telephone

[1] (202) 237-1838

Executive branch

cabinet

Council of Ministers appointed and presided over by the monarch; note(s)- 4 additional advisory councils appointed by the monarch are the Religious Council, Privy Council for constitutional issues, Council of Succession, and Legislative Council; Sultan and Prime Minister Sir HASSANAL Bolkiah is also Minister of Finance, Defense, and Foreign Affairs and Trade

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"

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 ICC

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

highest courts

Supreme Court (consists of the Court of Appeal and the High Court, each with a chief justice and 2 judges); Sharia Court (consists the Court of Appeals and the High Court); 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 judges appointed by the monarch for life

subordinate courts

Intermediate Court; Magistrates' Courts; Juvenile Court; small claims courts; lower sharia courts

Legal system

mixed legal system based on English common law and Islamic law; note - in April 2019, the full sharia penal codes came into force and apply to Muslims and non-Muslims in parallel with present common law codes

Legislative branch

description

unicameral Legislative Council or Majlis Mesyuarat Negara Brunei (33 seats; 20 members appointed by the sultan from ex-officio cabinet ministers, titled people, and prominent citizens in public service and various professional fields and 13 members from 4 multi-seat constituencies, and 3 ex-officio members - the speaker and first and second secretaries

election results

NA; composition (as of July 2021) - men 30, women 3, percent of women 9.1%

elections

appointed by the sultan

National anthem

lyrics/music

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

name

"Allah Peliharakan Sultan" (God Bless His Majesty)

note

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; the Sultan's birthday, 15 June

National symbol(s)

royal parasol; national colors: yellow, white, black

Political parties and leaders

National Development Party or NDP [YASSIN Affendi]

note

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

Suffrage

18 years of age for village elections; universal

Agricultural products

poultry, eggs, fruit, cassava, bananas, legumes, cucumbers, rice, pineapples, beef

Budget

expenditures

4.345 billion (2017 est.)

revenues

2.245 billion (2017 est.)

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-17.3% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Current account balance

Current account balance 2016

$1.47 billion (2016 est.)

Current account balance 2017

$2.021 billion (2017 est.)

Debt - external

Debt - external 2013

$0 (2013)

Debt - external 2014

$0 (2014)

note

note: public external debt only; private external debt unavailable

Economic 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 increased in 2016 and 2017, following its regional economic integration in the ASEAN Economic Community, and the expected ratification of the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement.

Exchange rates

currency

Bruneian dollars (BND) per US dollar -

Exchange rates 2013

1.267 (2013 est.)

Exchange rates 2014

1.3749 (2014 est.)

Exchange rates 2018

1.3699 (2018 est.)

Exchange rates 2019

1.35945 (2019 est.)

Exchange rates 2020

1.33685 (2020 est.)

Exports

Exports 2018

$7.04 billion note: data are in current year dollars (2018 est.)

Exports 2019

$7.83 billion note: data are in current year dollars (2019 est.)

Exports - commodities

natural gas, crude petroleum, refined petroleum, industrial alcohols, industrial hydrocarbons (2019)

Exports - partners

Japan 34%, Australia 12%, Singapore 10%, India 8%, Malaysia 8%, Thailand 7%, China 6%, South Korea 5% (2019)

Fiscal year

1 April - 31 March

GDP - composition, by end use

exports of goods and services

45.9% (2017 est.)

government consumption

24.8% (2017 est.)

household consumption

25% (2017 est.)

imports of goods and services

-36.8% (2017 est.)

investment in fixed capital

32.6% (2017 est.)

investment in inventories

8.5% (2017 est.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

agriculture

1.2% (2017 est.)

industry

56.6% (2017 est.)

services

42.3% (2017 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$12.13 billion (2017 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

highest 10%

NA

lowest 10%

NA

Imports

Imports 2018

$5.68 billion note: data are in current year dollars (2018 est.)

Imports 2019

$6.81 billion note: data are in current year dollars (2019 est.)

Imports - commodities

crude petroleum, refined petroleum, cars, tug boats, valves (2019)

Imports - partners

Singapore 18%, China 14%, Malaysia 12%, Nigeria 5%, United Arab Emirates 5%, United States 5% (2019)

Industrial production growth rate

1.5% (2017 est.)

Industries

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2016

-0.7% (2016 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2017

-0.2% (2017 est.)

Labor force

203,600 (2014 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture

4.2%

industry

62.8%

services

33% (2008 est.)

Population below poverty line

NA

Public debt

Public debt 2016

3% of GDP (2016 est.)

Public debt 2017

2.8% of GDP (2017 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)

note

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2018

$25.9 billion note: data are in 2017 dollars (2018 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2019

$26.91 billion note: data are in 2017 dollars (2019 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2020

$27.23 billion note: data are in 2017 dollars (2020 est.)

Real GDP growth rate

Real GDP growth rate 2015

-0.4% (2015 est.)

Real GDP growth rate 2016

-2.5% (2016 est.)

Real GDP growth rate 2017

1.3% (2017 est.)

Real GDP per capita

note

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Real GDP per capita 2018

$60,400 note: data are in 2017 dollars (2018 est.)

Real GDP per capita 2019

$62,100 note: data are in 2017 dollars (2019 est.)

Real GDP per capita 2020

$62,200 note: data are in 2017 dollars (2020 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 31 December 2015

$3.366 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 31 December 2017

$3.488 billion (31 December 2017 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

18.5% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Unemployment rate

Unemployment rate 2016

6.9% (2016 est.)

Unemployment rate 2017

6.9% (2017 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

female

25.8% (2019 est.)

male

19%

total

21.4%

Crude oil - exports

127,400 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Crude oil - imports

160 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Crude oil - production

100,000 bbl/day (2018 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

1.1 billion bbl (1 January 2018 est.)

Electricity - consumption

3.771 billion kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

100% of total installed capacity (2016 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

821,000 kW (2016 est.)

Electricity - production

4.014 billion kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity access

electrification - total population

100% (2020)

Natural gas - consumption

3.936 billion cu m (2017 est.)

Natural gas - exports

8.268 billion cu m (2017 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2017 est.)

Natural gas - production

12.74 billion cu m (2017 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

260.5 billion cu m (1 January 2018 est.)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

18,000 bbl/day (2016 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

0 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

6,948 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

10,310 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Broadband - fixed subscriptions

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

16.25 (2020 est.)

total

71,078 (2020)

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

Internet country code

.bn

Internet users

percent of population

95% (2019 est.)

total

417,500 (2021 est.)

Telecommunication systems

domestic

every service available; 20 per 100 fixed-line, 129 per 100 mobile-cellular (2019)

general assessment

Brunei is improving its national telecom network; telecommunications infrastructure and services are of high standard, due to healthy investment in networks and services; relatively mature telecom system compared to other Asian countries; mobile subscription increasing steadily to high penetration; launch of 5G pilot services in April 2021 aimed to increase awareness of the benefits of 5G and boost the mobile broadband sector; access to telecom services via the Kacific-1 satellite (2021)

international

country code - 673; landing points for the SEA-ME-WE-3, SJC, AAG, Lubuan-Brunei Submarine Cable via optical telecommunications submarine cables that provides links to Asia, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, Africa, Australia, and the US; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 1 Pacific Ocean) (2019)

note

note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced downturn, particularly in mobile device production; many network operators delayed upgrades to infrastructure; progress towards 5G implementation was postponed or slowed in some countries; consumer spending on telecom services and devices was affected by large-scale job losses and the consequent restriction on disposable incomes; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home became evident, and received some support from governments

Telephones - fixed lines

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

23.75 (2020 est.)

total subscriptions

103,885 (2020)

Telephones - mobile cellular

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

120.4 (2020 est.)

total subscriptions

526,732 (2020)

Airports

total

1 (2020)

Airports - with paved runways

over 3,047 m

1 (2019)

total

1

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

V8

Heliports

3 (2013)

Merchant marine

by type

general cargo 18, oil tanker 3, other 75 (2021)

total

96

National air transport system

annual freight traffic on registered air carriers

129.35 million mt-km (2018)

annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers

1,234,455 (2018)

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers

10

number of registered air carriers

1 (2020)

Pipelines

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

Ports and terminals

LNG terminal(s) (export)

Lumut

major seaport(s)

Muara

oil terminal(s)

Lumut, Seria

Roadways

paved

2,559 km (2014)

total

2,976 km (2014)

unpaved

417 km (2014)

Waterways

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

Military - note

Brunei has a long-standing defense relationship with the United Kingdom and hosts a British Army garrison, which includes the Gurkha Battalion and a jungle warfare school; Brunei also hosts a Singaporean military training base (2021)

Military and security forces

Royal Brunei Armed Forces: Royal Brunei Land Force, Royal Brunei Navy, Royal Brunei Air Force (2021)

Military and security service personnel strengths

the Royal Brunei Armed Forces is comprised of approximately 6,500 total active troops (4,500 Army; 1,000 Navy; 1,000 Air Force) (2021)

Military equipment inventories and acquisitions

the Royal Brunei Armed Forces imports nearly all of its military equipment and weapons systems; suppliers since 2010 include France, Germany, Singapore, Sweden, and the US (2021)

Military expenditures

Military Expenditures 2016

3.5% of GDP (2016)

Military Expenditures 2017

2.9% of GDP (2017)

Military Expenditures 2018

2.6% of GDP (2018)

Military Expenditures 2019

3.3% of GDP (2019)

Military Expenditures 2020

3.7% of GDP (2020 est.)

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 (2021)

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

stateless persons

20,863 (2020); 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

Trafficking in persons

current situation

human traffickers exploit foreign victims in Brunei; some men and women who migrate to Brunei to work as domestics or in retail or construction are subject to involuntary servitude, debt-based coercion, contract switching, non-payment of wages, passport confiscation, physical abuse, or confinement; some female migrants entering Brunei on tourist visas are forced into prostitution; some traffickers use Brunei as a transit point for victims used for sex and labor trafficking in Malaysia and Indonesia

tier rating

Tier 2 Watch List — Brunei does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking but is making significant efforts to do so; the government enacted the 2019 Trafficking in Persons Order, which criminalized sex and labor trafficking and separated trafficking crimes from migrant smuggling crimes; the government formalized its interagency anti-trafficking in persons committee; instituted a committee to review foreign worker recruitment practices, ratified the ASEAN Convention against Trafficking in Persons, and acceded to the UN TIP Protocol; however, authorities did not formally identify any trafficking cases, did not initiate any new trafficking prosecutions, and did not convict any traffickers; trafficking victims continued to be detained, deported, and charged with crimes without law enforcement determining if they were forced to commit the illegal acts by traffickers; the government again did not allocate money to a fund established in 2004 for victim compensation and repatriation; a draft national action plan to combat trafficking was not completed for the sixth consecutive year (2020)

Air pollutants

carbon dioxide emissions

7.66 megatons (2016 est.)

methane emissions

8.4 megatons (2020 est.)

particulate matter emissions

5.78 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.)

Climate

tropical; hot, humid, rainy

Environment - current issues

no major environmental problems, but air pollution control is becoming a concern; seasonal trans-boundary haze from forest fires in Indonesia

Environment - international agreements

party to

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution

signed, but not ratified

none of the selected agreements

Land use

agricultural land

2.5% (2018 est.)

agricultural land: arable land

arable land: 0.8% (2018 est.)

agricultural land: permanent crops

permanent crops: 1.1% (2018 est.)

agricultural land: permanent pasture

permanent pasture: 0.6% (2018 est.)

forest

71.8% (2018 est.)

other

25.7% (2018 est.)

Revenue from coal

coal revenues

0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Revenue from forest resources

forest revenues

0.05% of GDP (2018 est.)

Total renewable water resources

8.5 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)

Total water withdrawal

agricultural

5.3 million cubic meters (2017 est.)

municipal

151.5 million cubic meters (2017 est.)

Urbanization

rate of urbanization

1.44% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

urban population

78.6% of total population (2021)

Waste and recycling

municipal solid waste generated annually

216,253 tons (2016 est.)