Brunei

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.

Table of Contents

Geography

Location

Southeastern Asia, along the northern coast of the island of Borneo, bordering the South China Sea and Malaysia

Brunei map showing major cities and towns as well as neighboring Malaysia and the North China Sea.

Geographic coordinates

4 30 N, 114 40 E

Map references

Southeast Asia

Area

total : 5,765 sq km

land: 5,265 sq km

water: 500 sq km

comparison ranking: total 172

Area – comparative

slightly smaller than Delaware

Area comparison map:

Land boundaries

total: 266 km

border countries (1): Malaysia 266 km

Coastline

161 km

Maritime claims

territorial sea: 12 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm or to median line

Climate

tropical; hot, humid, rainy

Terrain

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

Elevation

highest point: Bukit Pagon 1,850 m

lowest point: South China Sea 0 m

mean elevation: 478 m

Natural resources

petroleum, natural gas, timber

Land use

agricultural land: 2.5% (2022 est.)

arable land: 0.8% (2022 est.)

permanent crops: 1.1% (2022 est.)

permanent pasture: 0.6% (2022 est.)

forest: 72.1% (2022 est.)

other: 25.4% (2022 est.)

Irrigated land

10 sq km (2012)

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

Natural hazards

typhoons, earthquakes, and severe flooding are rare

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

People and Society

Population

total: 491,900 (2024 est.)

male: 239,140

female: 252,760

comparison rankings: total 173; female 173; male 173

Nationality

noun: Bruneian(s)

adjective: Bruneian

Ethnic groups

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

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.

Malay audio sample:

Religions

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

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)

2024 population pyramid:

Dependency ratios

total dependency ratio: 41.2 (2024 est.)

youth dependency ratio: 30.6 (2024 est.)

elderly dependency ratio: 10.6 (2024 est.)

potential support ratio: 9.4 (2024 est.)

Median age

total: 32.3 years (2024 est.)

male: 31.4 years

female: 33.1 years

comparison ranking: total 117

Population growth rate

1.4% (2024 est.)

comparison ranking: 71

Birth rate

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

comparison ranking: 101

Death rate

3.9 deaths/1,000 population (2024 est.)

comparison ranking: 218

Net migration rate

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

comparison ranking: 48

Population distribution

Urbanization

urban population: 79.1% of total population (2023)

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

Major urban areas – population

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

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

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

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

total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2024 est.)

Maternal mortality ratio

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

comparison ranking: 99

Infant mortality rate

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

male: 12.2 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 7.7 deaths/1,000 live births

comparison ranking: total 132

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 78.9 years (2024 est.)

male: 76.5 years

female: 81.3 years

comparison ranking: total population 71

Total fertility rate

1.73 children born/woman (2024 est.)

comparison ranking: 153

Gross reproduction rate

0.85 (2024 est.)

Contraceptive prevalence rate

Drinking water source

improved:

urban: 99.7% of population

rural: NA

total: 99.9% of population

unimproved:

urban: 0.4% of population

rural: 0% of population

total: 0.1% of population (2020)

Health expenditure

2.2% of GDP (2021)

6.4% of national budget (2022 est.)

Physician density

1.89 physicians/1,000 population (2021)

Hospital bed density

3.9 beds/1,000 population (2021 est.)

Sanitation facility access

improved:

urban: NA

rural: NA

total: NA

unimproved:

urban: NA

rural: NA

total: NA

Obesity – adult prevalence rate

14.1% (2016)

comparison ranking: 129

Alcohol consumption per capita

total: 0.69 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

beer: 0.66 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

wine: 0.04 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

spirits: 0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

other alcohols: 0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

comparison ranking: total 157

Tobacco use

total: 17% (2025 est.)

male: 31.2% (2025 est.)

female: 1.9% (2025 est.)

comparison ranking: total 93

Currently married women (ages 15-49)

54.3% (2023 est.)

Education expenditure

4.4% of GDP (2016 est.)

11.4% national budget (2016 est.)

comparison ranking: Education expenditure (% GDP) 87

Literacy

total population: 97.6%

male: 98.3%

female: 96.9% (2021)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

total: 14 years

male: 14 years

female: 14 years (2020)

Environment

Environment – current issues

air pollution, including seasonal 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

Climate

tropical; hot, humid, rainy

Land use

Urbanization

urban population: 79.1% of total population (2023)

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

Air pollutants

particulate matter emissions: 6.86 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)

carbon dioxide emissions: 7.66 megatons (2016 est.)

methane emissions: 8.4 megatons (2020 est.)

Waste and recycling

municipal solid waste generated annually: 216,253 tons (2016 est.)

Total water withdrawal

municipal: 150 million cubic meters (2020 est.)

agricultural: 10 million cubic meters (2020 est.)

Total renewable water resources

8.5 billion cubic meters (2020 est.)

Government

Country name

conventional long form: Brunei Darussalam

conventional short form: Brunei

local long form: Negara Brunei Darussalam

local short form: Brunei

etymology: derivation of the name is unclear; the name may come from the Sanskrit word bhumi, meaning “land” or “region”

Government type

absolute monarchy or sultanate

Capital

name: Bandar Seri Begawan

geographic coordinates: 4 53 N, 114 56 E

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

etymology: named in 1970 after Sultan Omar Ali SAIFUDDIEN III (1914-1986), who adopted the title of “Seri Begawan” (approximately meaning “honored lord”) when he abdicated in 1967; “bandar” means “city” or “port” in Malay; the capital had previously been called Bandar Brunei (Brunei City)

Administrative divisions

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

Legal system

mixed legal system based on English common law and Islamic law

note: in 2019, sharia penal codes came into force and apply to Muslims and partly to non-Muslims in parallel with common law codes

Constitution

history: drafted 1954 to 1959, signed 29 September 1959

amendment process: 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

note: some constitutional provisions suspended since 1962 under a state of emergency, others suspended since independence in 1984

International law organization participation

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

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

Suffrage

18 years of age for village elections; universal

Executive branch

chief of state: Sultan and Prime Minister Sir HASSANAL Bolkiah (since 5 October 1967)

head of government: Sultan and Prime Minister Sir HASSANAL Bolkiah (since 5 October 1967)

cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed and presided over by the monarch

elections/appointments: none; the monarchy is hereditary

note 1: the monarch is both chief of state and head of government, as well as Minister of Finance, Defense, and Foreign Affairs and Trade

note 2: 4 additional advisory councils appointed by the monarch are the Religious Council, Privy Council for Constitutional Issues, Council of Succession, and Legislative Council

Legislative branch

legislature name: Legislative Council (Majlis Mesyuarat Negara)

legislative structure: unicameral

number of seats: 45 (all appointed)

electoral system: plurality/majority

scope of elections: full renewal

term in office: 5 years

most recent election date: 1/20/2023

percentage of women in chamber: 11.8%

expected date of next election: January 2028

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)

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

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

Political parties

National Development Party or NDP

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

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Dato Paduka Haji SERBINI bin Haji Ali (since 28 January 2016)

chancery: 3520 International Court NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 237-1838

FAX: [1] (202) 885-0560

email address and website:
[email protected]

http://www.bruneiembassy.org/index.html

consulate(s): New York

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Caryn R. McCLELLAND (since December 2021)

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

mailing address: 4020 Bandar Seri Begawan Place, Washington DC 20521-4020

telephone: (673) 238-7400

FAX: (673) 238-7533

email address and website:
[email protected]

https://bn.usembassy.gov/

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

Independence

1 January 1984 (from the UK)

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

Flag description

yellow with two diagonal bands of white and black starting from the upper hoist side; the national emblem in red is at the center; yellow symbolizes the sultanate, and the white and black bands stand for the chief ministers; the emblem includes a swallow-tailed flag, a royal umbrella representing the monarchy, two wings with four feathers (justice, tranquility, prosperity, and peace), two upraised hands signifying the government’s pledge to preserve and promote the welfare of the people, and the crescent moon of 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”

National symbol(s)

royal parasol

National colors

yellow, white, black

National anthem

name: “Allah Peliharakan Sultan” (God Bless His Majesty)

lyrics/music: Pengiran Haji Mohamed YUSUF bin Pengiran Abdul Rahim/Awang Haji BESAR bin Sagap

note: adopted 1951

Economy

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

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)

$35.26 billion (2023 est.)
$34.771 billion (2022 est.)
$35.347 billion (2021 est.)

note: data in 2021 dollars

comparison ranking: 141

Real GDP growth rate

1.41% (2023 est.)
-1.63% (2022 est.)
-1.59% (2021 est.)

note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency

comparison ranking: 152

Real GDP per capita

$76,800 (2023 est.)
$76,400 (2022 est.)
$78,200 (2021 est.)

note: data in 2021 dollars

comparison ranking: 12

GDP (official exchange rate)

$15.128 billion (2023 est.)

note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

-0.4% (2024 est.)
0.4% (2023 est.)
3.7% (2022 est.)

note: annual % change based on consumer prices

comparison ranking: 4

GDP – composition, by sector of origin

agriculture: 1.2% (2023 est.)

industry: 61.8% (2023 est.)

services: 38.8% (2023 est.)

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

comparison rankings: services 200; industry 3; agriculture 179

GDP – composition, by end use

household consumption: 27.6% (2023 est.)

government consumption: 22.8% (2023 est.)

investment in fixed capital: 29.4% (2023 est.)

investment in inventories: 0.2% (2023 est.)

exports of goods and services: 76.5% (2023 est.)

imports of goods and services: -60% (2023 est.)

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

Agricultural products

chicken, eggs, fruits, vegetables, rice, bananas, beans, cucumbers/gherkins, pineapples, beef (2023)

note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage

Industries

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

Industrial production growth rate

-1.43% (2023 est.)

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

comparison ranking: 172

Labor force

233,500 (2024 est.)

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

comparison ranking: 176

Unemployment rate

5.1% (2024 est.)
5.2% (2023 est.)
5.2% (2022 est.)

note: % of labor force seeking employment

comparison ranking: 96

Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)

total: 18.5% (2024 est.)

male: 16.5% (2024 est.)

female: 21.6% (2024 est.)

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

comparison ranking: total 68

Remittances

0.01% of GDP (2023 est.)
0.01% of GDP (2022 est.)
0.01% of GDP (2021 est.)

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

Budget

revenues: $1.058 billion (2020 est.)

expenditures: $3.189 billion (2020 est.)

Public debt

2.8% of GDP (2017 est.)

comparison ranking: 204

Taxes and other revenues

18.5% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

comparison ranking: 95

Current account balance

$1.944 billion (2023 est.)
$3.264 billion (2022 est.)
$1.57 billion (2021 est.)

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

comparison ranking: 47

Exports

$11.578 billion (2023 est.)
$14.411 billion (2022 est.)
$11.202 billion (2021 est.)

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

comparison ranking: 111

Exports – partners

Australia 21%, Japan 17%, China 17%, Singapore 16%, Malaysia 6% (2023)

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

Exports – commodities

refined petroleum, natural gas, crude petroleum, hydrocarbons, fertilizers (2023)

note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars

Imports

$9.081 billion (2023 est.)
$10.106 billion (2022 est.)
$9.219 billion (2021 est.)

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

comparison ranking: 126

Imports – partners

Malaysia 23%, UAE 10%, China 10%, UK 10%, Australia 6% (2023)

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

Imports – commodities

crude petroleum, gold, refined petroleum, coal, cars (2023)

note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$4.032 billion (2024 est.)
$4.483 billion (2023 est.)
$5.035 billion (2022 est.)

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

comparison ranking: 109

Exchange rates

Bruneian dollars (BND) per US dollar –

Exchange rates:
1.336 (2024 est.)
1.343 (2023 est.)
1.379 (2022 est.)
1.344 (2021 est.)
1.38 (2020 est.)

Energy

Electricity access

electrification – total population: 100% (2022 est.)

Electricity

installed generating capacity: 904,000 kW (2023 est.)

consumption: 5.081 billion kWh (2023 est.)

transmission/distribution losses: 502.188 million kWh (2023 est.)

comparison rankings: transmission/distribution losses 81; consumption 130; installed generating capacity 136

Electricity generation sources

fossil fuels: 99.9% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

solar: 0.1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

Coal

consumption: 841,000 metric tons (2023 est.)

imports: 841,000 metric tons (2023 est.)

Petroleum

total petroleum production: 95,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)

refined petroleum consumption: 15,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)

crude oil estimated reserves: 1.1 billion barrels (2021 est.)

Natural gas

production: 10.093 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)

consumption: 3.911 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)

exports: 5.733 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)

proven reserves: 260.515 billion cubic meters (2021 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions

10.823 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

from coal and metallurgical coke: 998,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

from petroleum and other liquids: 2.175 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

from consumed natural gas: 7.65 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

comparison ranking: total emissions 104

Energy consumption per capita

403.365 million Btu/person (2023 est.)

comparison ranking: 5

Communications

Telephones – fixed lines

total subscriptions: 122,000 (2023 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 26 (2023 est.)

comparison ranking: total subscriptions 131

Telephones – mobile cellular

total subscriptions: 541,000 (2023 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 118 (2022 est.)

comparison ranking: total subscriptions 174

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: 99% (2023 est.)

Broadband – fixed subscriptions

total: 93,000 (2023 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 20 (2023 est.)

comparison ranking: total 137

Transportation

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

Airports

2 (2025)

comparison ranking: 198

Heliports

14 (2025)

comparison ranking: 62

Merchant marine

total: 97 (2023)

by type: general cargo 18, oil tanker 2, other 77

comparison ranking: total 90

Ports

total ports: 5 (2024)

large: 0

medium: 0

small: 2

very small: 3

ports with oil terminals: 5

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

Military and Security

Military and security forces

Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF) or Angkatan Bersenjata Diraja Brunei (ABDB): Royal Brunei Land Force (RBLF), Royal Brunei Navy (RBN), Royal Brunei Air Force (RBAirF) (2025)

note 1: the Gurkha Security Unit under the Ministry of Defense is a special guard force for the Sultan, the royal family, and the country’s oil installations

note 2: the Royal Brunei Police Force (RBPF) is under the Prime Minister’s Office

Military expenditures

3% of GDP (2023 est.)
2.6% of GDP (2022 est.)
3.1% of GDP (2021 est.)
3.7% of GDP (2020 est.)
3.1% of GDP (2019 est.)

Military and security service personnel strengths

approximately 7,000 active Armed Forces (2025)

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 service age and obligation

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

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

Military – note

the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF) are 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 has close security ties with Singapore and hosts a Singaporean military training detachment

the RBAF was 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 (2025)

Transnational Issues

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/