2024 Edition Primary

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. Internal strife over royal succession, colonial expansion of European powers, and piracy subsequently brought on a period of decline. In 1888, Brunei became a British protectorate; independence was achieved in 1984. The same family has ruled Brunei for over six centuries, and in 2017, the country celebrated the 50th anniversary of Sultan Hassanal BOLKIAH’s accession to the throne. Brunei has one of the highest per-capita GDPs in the world, thanks to extensive petroleum and natural gas fields.

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

Population distribution

the vast majority of the population is found along the coast in the western part of Brunei, which is separated from the eastern portion by Malaysia; the largest population concentration is in the far north on the western side of the Brunei Bay, in and around the capital of Bandar Seri Begawan

Terrain

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

Age structure

0-14 years

21.7% (male 54,924/female 51,710)

15-64 years

70.8% (male 166,289/female 182,011)

65 years and over

7.5% (2024 est.) (male 17,927/female 19,039)

Alcohol consumption per capita

beer

0.66 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

other alcohols

0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

spirits

0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

total

0.69 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

wine

0.04 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

Birth rate

15.8 births/1,000 population (2024 est.)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

NA

Contraceptive prevalence rate

NA

Current health expenditure

2.4% of GDP (2020)

Currently married women (ages 15-49)

54.3% (2023 est.)

Death rate

3.9 deaths/1,000 population (2024 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

8.1

potential support ratio

12.4 (2021 est.)

total dependency ratio

39.2

youth dependency ratio

31.1

Drinking water source

improved: rural

rural: NA

improved: total

total: 99.9% of population

improved: urban

urban: 99.7% of population

unimproved: rural

rural: 0% of population

unimproved: total

total: 0.1% of population (2020)

unimproved: urban

urban: 0.4% of population

Education expenditures

4.4% of GDP (2016 est.)

Ethnic groups

Malay 67.4%, Chinese 9.6%, other 23% (2021 est.)

Gross reproduction rate

0.85 (2024 est.)

Hospital bed density

2.9 beds/1,000 population (2017)

Infant mortality rate

female

7.7 deaths/1,000 live births

male

12.2 deaths/1,000 live births

total

10 deaths/1,000 live births (2024 est.)

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

81.3 years

male

76.5 years

total population

78.9 years (2024 est.)

Literacy

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

96.9% (2021)

male

98.3%

total population

97.6%

Major urban areas - population

266,682 BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN (capital) (2021)

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

44 deaths/100,000 live births (2020 est.)

Median age

female

33.1 years

male

31.4 years

total

32.3 years (2024 est.)

Nationality

adjective

Bruneian

noun

Bruneian(s)

Net migration rate

2.1 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2024 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

14.1% (2016)

Physician density

1.61 physicians/1,000 population (2017)

Population

female

252,760 (2024 est.)

male

239,140

total

491,900

Population distribution

the vast majority of the population is found along the coast in the western part of Brunei, which is separated from the eastern portion by Malaysia; the largest population concentration is in the far north on the western side of the Brunei Bay, in and around the capital of Bandar Seri Begawan

Population growth rate

1.4% (2024 est.)

Religions

Muslim (official) 82.1%, Christian 6.7%, Buddhist 6.3%, other 4.9% (2021 est.)

Sanitation facility access

improved: rural

rural: NA

improved: total

total: NA

improved: urban

urban: NA

unimproved: rural

rural: NA

unimproved: total

total: NA

unimproved: urban

urban: NA

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

15-64 years

0.91 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.94 male(s)/female

at birth

1.05 male(s)/female

total population

0.95 male(s)/female (2024 est.)

Tobacco use

female

2.3% (2020 est.)

male

30% (2020 est.)

total

16.2% (2020 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.73 children born/woman (2024 est.)

Urbanization

rate of urbanization

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

urban population

79.1% of total population (2023)

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 Caryn R. McCLELLAND (since December 2021)

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 - 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)

elections/appointments

none; the monarchy is hereditary

head of government

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

note

note - the monarch is both chief of state and head of government

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 court(s)

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 partly to non-Muslims in parallel with present common law codes

Legislative branch

description

unicameral Legislative Council or Majlis Mesyuarat Negara Brunei (up to 45 seats; up to 30 appointed; up to 15 representatives from the country's four districts: Brunei and Muara (up to seven members), Belait (up to three), Tutong (up to three), and Temburong (up to two)); members serve 5-year terms

election results

Legislative Council last appointed January 2023; composition - men 30, women 4, percentage women 11.8%

elections

January 2023 - 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

National Development Party or NDP

note

note: the NDP is Brunei’s only registered party, but does not have representation in the Legislative Council, which is appointed

Suffrage

18 years of age for village elections; universal

Agricultural products

chicken, eggs, fruits, rice, vegetables, beans, bananas, beef, pineapples, cucumbers/gherkins (2022)

note

note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage

Budget

expenditures

$3.189 billion (2020 est.)

revenues

$1.058 billion (2020 est.)

Current account balance

Current account balance 2020

$513.713 million (2020 est.)

Current account balance 2021

$1.57 billion (2021 est.)

Current account balance 2022

$3.264 billion (2022 est.)

note

note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars

Economic overview

almost exclusively an oil and gas economy; high income country; expansive and robust welfare system; the majority of the population works for the government; promulgating a nationalized halal brand; considering establishment of a bond market and stock exchange

Exchange rates

Currency

Bruneian dollars (BND) per US dollar -

Exchange rates 2019

1.364 (2019 est.)

Exchange rates 2020

1.38 (2020 est.)

Exchange rates 2021

1.344 (2021 est.)

Exchange rates 2022

1.379 (2022 est.)

Exchange rates 2023

1.343 (2023 est.)

Exports

Exports 2020

$6.886 billion (2020 est.)

Exports 2021

$11.202 billion (2021 est.)

Exports 2022

$14.411 billion (2022 est.)

note

note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars

Exports - commodities

refined petroleum, natural gas, crude petroleum, hydrocarbons, fertilizers (2022)

note

note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars

Exports - partners

Australia 19%, Japan 17%, China 16%, Singapore 14%, Malaysia 10% (2022)

note

note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports

GDP - composition, by end use

exports of goods and services

76.5% (2023 est.)

government consumption

22.8% (2023 est.)

household consumption

27.6% (2023 est.)

imports of goods and services

-60% (2023 est.)

investment in fixed capital

29.4% (2023 est.)

investment in inventories

0.2% (2023 est.)

note

note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

agriculture

1.2% (2023 est.)

industry

61.8% (2023 est.)

note

note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data

services

38.8% (2023 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$15.128 billion (2023 est.)

note

note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate

Imports

Imports 2020

$6.382 billion (2020 est.)

Imports 2021

$9.219 billion (2021 est.)

Imports 2022

$10.106 billion (2022 est.)

note

note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars

Imports - commodities

crude petroleum, refined petroleum, cars, coal, gas turbines (2022)

note

note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars

Imports - partners

Malaysia 22%, UAE 11%, China 10%, Singapore 7%, Qatar 6% (2022)

note

note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports

Industrial production growth rate

-1.43% (2023 est.)

note

note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency

Industries

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2021

1.73% (2021 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2022

3.68% (2022 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2023

0.36% (2023 est.)

note

note: annual % change based on consumer prices

Labor force

228,000 (2023 est.)

note

note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work

Public debt

Public debt 2017

2.8% of GDP (2017 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)

note

note: data in 2021 dollars

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2021

$35.347 billion (2021 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022

$34.771 billion (2022 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2023

$35.26 billion (2023 est.)

Real GDP growth rate

note

note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency

Real GDP growth rate 2021

-1.59% (2021 est.)

Real GDP growth rate 2022

-1.63% (2022 est.)

Real GDP growth rate 2023

1.41% (2023 est.)

Real GDP per capita

note

note: data in 2021 dollars

Real GDP per capita 2021

$79,400 (2021 est.)

Real GDP per capita 2022

$77,400 (2022 est.)

Real GDP per capita 2023

$77,900 (2023 est.)

Remittances

note

note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities

Remittances 2021

0.01% of GDP (2021 est.)

Remittances 2022

0.01% of GDP (2022 est.)

Remittances 2023

0.01% of GDP (2023 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

note

note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2021

$4.982 billion (2021 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2022

$5.035 billion (2022 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2023

$4.483 billion (2023 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

18.5% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Unemployment rate

note

note: % of labor force seeking employment

Unemployment rate 2021

4.91% (2021 est.)

Unemployment rate 2022

5.19% (2022 est.)

Unemployment rate 2023

5.27% (2023 est.)

Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)

female

22.3% (2023 est.)

male

16.2% (2023 est.)

note

note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment

total

18.6% (2023 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions

from coal and metallurgical coke

1.419 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2022 est.)

from consumed natural gas

8.557 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2022 est.)

from petroleum and other liquids

2.197 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2022 est.)

total emissions

12.172 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2022 est.)

Coal

consumption

1.203 million metric tons (2022 est.)

imports

1.203 million metric tons (2022 est.)

Electricity

consumption

5.24 billion kWh (2022 est.)

installed generating capacity

1.265 million kW (2022 est.)

transmission/distribution losses

513 million kWh (2022 est.)

Electricity access

electrification - total population

100% (2022 est.)

Electricity generation sources

fossil fuels

100% of total installed capacity (2022 est.)

Energy consumption per capita

Total energy consumption per capita 2022

466.111 million Btu/person (2022 est.)

Natural gas

consumption

4.374 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)

exports

6.12 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)

production

10.598 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)

proven reserves

260.515 billion cubic meters (2021 est.)

Petroleum

crude oil estimated reserves

1.1 billion barrels (2021 est.)

refined petroleum consumption

17,000 bbl/day (2022 est.)

total petroleum production

95,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)

Broadband - fixed subscriptions

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

16 (2020 est.)

total

71,078 (2020 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

Internet country code

.bn

Internet users

percent of population

98% (2021 est.)

total

441,000 (2021 est.)

Telecommunication systems

domestic

25 per 100 fixed-line, 136 per 100 mobile-cellular (2021)

general assessment

Brunei’s mobile market experienced drop-off in subscriber numbers in 2020; in 2022 there was a concerted effort to build out the fixed-line infrastructure while progressing towards introducing 5G mobile services, which was activated in June 2023; Brunei’s fixed-line market is one of the few countries in the world to have displayed significant growth rather than a decline in teledensity in the last few years; this upward trend is set to continue as the new Unified National Network (UNN) works diligently to expand and enhance the fixed-line infrastructure around the country; strong growth was also seen in the fixed broadband space, on the back of those same infrastructure developments that are part of the Brunei Vision 2035 initiative; fixed broadband is starting from a relatively low base by international standards and is still only at 18%, leaving lots of room for growth; mobile and mobile broadband, on the other hand, are still suffering from the market contractions first felt in 2020; Brunei’s 2G GSM network is shut down, with the spectrum to be reallocated to 3G, 4G, and potentially 5G use (2023)

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)

Telephones - fixed lines

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

27 (2022 est.)

total subscriptions

122,000 (2022 est.)

Telephones - mobile cellular

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

118 (2022 est.)

total subscriptions

529,000 (2022 est.)

Airports

2 (2024)

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

V8

Heliports

14 (2024)

Merchant marine

by type

general cargo 18, oil tanker 2, other 77

total

97 (2023)

National air transport system

annual freight traffic on registered air carriers

129.35 million (2018) mt-km

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

key ports

Bandar Seri Begawan, Kuala Belait, Lumut, Muara Harbor, Seria Oil Loading Terminal

ports with oil terminals

5

small

2

total ports

5 (2024)

very small

3

Roadways

paved

2,559 km

total

2,976 km

unpaved

417 km (2014)

Waterways

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

Military - note

the Royal Brunei Armed Forces were formed in 1961 with British support as the Brunei Malay Regiment; "Royal" was added as an honorary title in 1965 and its current name was given in 1984; the military is responsible for ensuring the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as countering outside aggression, terrorism, and insurgency Brunei has a long-standing defense relationship with the UK and hosts a British Army garrison, which includes a Gurkha battalion and a jungle warfare school; Brunei also hosts a Singaporean military training detachment (2024)

Military and security forces

Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF) or Angkatan Bersenjata Diraja Brunei (ABDB): Royal Brunei Land Force (RBLF) or Tentera Darat Diraja Brunei (TDDB), Royal Brunei Navy (RBN) or Tentera Laut Diraja Brunei (TLDB),Royal Brunei Air Force (RBAirF) or Tentera Udara Diraja Brunei (TUDB)Ministry of Home Affairs: Royal Brunei Police Force (RBPF) or Polis Diraja Brunei (PDB) (2024)

note

note: the Gurkha Reserve Unit (GRU) under the Ministry of Defense is a special guard force for the Sultan, the royal family, and the country’s oil installations; the RBAF has a Joint Force Headquarters (JFHQ) to oversee joint/combined operations of the service branches

Military and security service personnel strengths

approximately 8,000 total active-duty troops (2024)

Military equipment inventories and acquisitions

the military's s inventory includes equipment and weapons systems from a wide variety of suppliers from Asia, Europe, and the US (2024)

Military expenditures

Military Expenditures 2019

3.1% of GDP (2019 est.)

Military Expenditures 2020

3.7% of GDP (2020 est.)

Military Expenditures 2021

3.1% of GDP (2021 est.)

Military Expenditures 2022

2.6% of GDP (2022 est.)

Military Expenditures 2023

3% of GDP (2023 est.)

Military service age and obligation

17 years of age for voluntary military service; non-Malays are ineligible to serve (2024)

note

note: the Gurkha Reserve Unit (GRU) employs hundreds of Gurkhas from Nepal, the majority of whom are veterans of the British Army and the Singapore Police Force who have joined the GRU as a second career

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 (2022); 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

tier rating

Tier 3 — Brunei does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and is not making significant efforts to do so, therefore, Brunei was downgraded to Tier 3; for more details, go to:  https://www.state.gov/reports/2024-trafficking-in-persons-report/brunei/

Air pollutants

carbon dioxide emissions

7.66 megatons (2016 est.)

methane emissions

8.4 megatons (2020 est.)

particulate matter emissions

6.86 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 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

0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Revenue from forest resources

0.05% of GDP (2018 est.)

Total renewable water resources

8.5 billion cubic meters (2020 est.)

Total water withdrawal

agricultural

10 million cubic meters (2020 est.)

municipal

150 million cubic meters (2020 est.)

Urbanization

rate of urbanization

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

urban population

79.1% of total population (2023)

Waste and recycling

municipal solid waste generated annually

216,253 tons (2016 est.)