CapitalBandar Seri Begawan
Population491,900
Area5,765 km²
GDP per capita$79,200
LanguagesMalay , English, various Chinese dialects
CurrencyBruneian dollars
Life Expectancy78.9 yr
Governmentan absolute monarchy or sultanate
Introduction
Background
The influence of the Sultanate of Brunei reached its zenith during the 15th to 17th centuries, when it governed coastal regions of northwest Borneo and the southern Philippines. Following this period, internal conflicts regarding royal succession, the colonial ambitions of European nations, and piracy contributed to a decline. In 1888, Brunei entered into a British protectorate arrangement, regaining its independence in 1984. For over six centuries, the same royal family has maintained rule over Brunei, and in 2017, the nation commemorated the 50th year since Sultan Hassanal BOLKIAH’s ascension to the throne. Due to substantial reserves of petroleum and natural gas, Brunei boasts one of the highest per-capita GDPs globally.
Geography
Area
land
5,265 sq km
water
500 sq km
total
5,765 sq km
Climate
tropical; warm, damp, and rainy
Terrain
a level coastal plain ascends to mountains in the east; hilly lowlands are present in the west
Land use
other
25.4% (2023 est.)
forest
72.1% (2023 est.)
agricultural land
2.5% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: arable land
arable land: 0.8% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent crops
permanent crops: 1.1% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent pasture
permanent pasture: 0.6% (2023 est.)
Location
Southeast Asia, situated along the northern shore of Borneo, adjacent to the South China Sea and Malaysia
Coastline
161 km
Elevation
lowest point
South China Sea 0 m
highest point
Bukit Pagon 1,850 m
mean elevation
478 m
Irrigated land
10 sq km (2012)
Map references
Southeast Asia
Land boundaries
total
266 km
border countries
Malaysia 266 km
Maritime claims
territorial sea
12 nm
exclusive economic zone
200 nm or to median line
Natural hazards
typhoons, earthquakes, and severe flooding are infrequent
Geography - note
proximity to crucial maritime routes through the South China Sea connecting the Indian and Pacific Oceans; two regions are physically divided by Malaysia; the eastern region, known as Temburong district, serves as an exclave and is nearly an enclave within Malaysia
Natural resources
oil, natural gas, timber
Area - comparative
slightly less extensive than Delaware
Geographic coordinates
4 30 N, 114 40 E
Population distribution
the overwhelming majority of the populace resides along the coast in the western section of Brunei, which is partitioned from the eastern area by Malaysia; the highest population density is located in the extreme north on the western side of Brunei Bay, specifically in and around the capital, Bandar Seri Begawan
People & Society
Languages
Languages
Malay (Bahasa Melayu) (official), English, various 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.
Religions
Muslim (official) 82.1%, Christian 6.7%, Buddhist 6.3%, other 4.9% (2021 estimate)
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
total population
0.95 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
65 years and over
0.94 male(s)/female
Birth rate
15.58 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Death rate
3.96 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Median age
male
31.4 years
total
32.6 years (2025 est.)
female
33.1 years
Population
male
239,140
total
491,900 (2024 est.)
female
252,760
Nationality
noun
Bruneian(s)
adjective
Bruneian
Tobacco use
male
31.2% (2025 est.)
total
17% (2025 est.)
female
1.9% (2025 est.)
Urbanization
urban population
79.1% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization
1.44% annual rate of change (2020-25 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)
Ethnic groups
Malay 67.4%, Chinese 9.6%, other 23% (2021 est.)
Dependency ratios
total dependency ratio
41.2 (2024 est.)
youth dependency ratio
30.6 (2024 est.)
potential support ratio
9.4 (2024 est.)
elderly dependency ratio
10.6 (2024 est.)
Physician density
1.89 physicians/1,000 population (2021)
Health expenditure
Health expenditure (as % of GDP)
2.2% of GDP (2021)
Health expenditure (as % of national budget)
6.4% of national budget (2022 est.)
Net migration rate
2.09 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Hospital bed density
3.9 beds/1,000 population (2021 est.)
Total fertility rate
1.73 children born/woman (2025 est.)
Drinking water source
improved: total
total: 99.9% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: rural
rural: 0% of population
unimproved: total
total: 0.1% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: urban
urban: 0.4% of population
Education expenditure
Education expenditure (% GDP)
4.4% of GDP (2016 est.)
Education expenditure (% national budget)
11.4% national budget (2016 est.)
Infant mortality rate
male
12.2 deaths/1,000 live births
total
9.8 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.)
female
7.7 deaths/1,000 live births
Population growth rate
1.37% (2025 est.)
Gross reproduction rate
0.85 (2025 est.)
Population distribution
A significant portion of the population resides along the coastline in the western region of Brunei, which is divided from the eastern section by Malaysia; the highest population density is situated in the extreme northern area on the western shore of Brunei Bay, particularly in and around the capital, Bandar Seri Begawan
Life expectancy at birth
male
76.5 years
female
81.3 years
total population
78.9 years (2024 est.)
Maternal mortality ratio
36 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)
Sanitation facility access
improved: total
total: 99.5% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: total
total: 0.5% of population (2022 est.)
Alcohol consumption per capita
beer
0.66 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
wine
0.04 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
total
0.69 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
spirits
0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
other alcohols
0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Major urban areas - population
266,682 BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN (capital) (2021)
Obesity - adult prevalence rate
14.1% (2016)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)
male
13 years (2023 est.)
total
14 years (2023 est.)
female
14 years (2023 est.)
Environment
Climate
tropical; characterized by high temperatures, humidity, and rainfall
Land use
other
25.4% (2023 est.)
forest
72.1% (2023 est.)
agricultural land
2.5% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: arable land
arable land: 0.8% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent crops
permanent crops: 1.1% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent pasture
permanent pasture: 0.6% (2023 est.)
Urbanization
urban population
79.1% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization
1.44% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Methane emissions
other
0.3 kt (2019-2021 est.)
waste
9.2 kt (2019-2021 est.)
energy
50.5 kt (2022-2024 est.)
agriculture
0.9 kt (2019-2021 est.)
Waste and recycling
municipal solid waste generated annually
216,300 tons (2024 est.)
percent of municipal solid waste recycled
20% (2022 est.)
Environmental issues
air contamination, which encompasses seasonal smog resulting from forest fires in Indonesia
Total water withdrawal
municipal
151.5 million cubic meters (2022 est.)
agricultural
5.3 million cubic meters (2022 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions
total emissions
10.823 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
from consumed natural gas
7.65 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.)
Particulate matter emissions
7.4 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)
Total renewable water resources
8.5 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)
International environmental 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
Government
Flag
description: the flag is yellow featuring a diagonal white band and another black band beneath it, both originating from the upper left corner; at its center lies the national emblem in red; inscribed in yellow Arabic script on the emblem's crescent is the state motto, "Always render service with God's guidance"; a ribbon beneath the crescent proclaims "Brunei, the Abode of Peace"
meaning: yellow represents the sultanate, while the white and black bands symbolize the chief ministers; the emblem comprises a royal umbrella (signifying the monarchy), two wings with four feathers (representing justice, tranquility, prosperity, and peace), two raised hands (demonstrating the government's commitment to safeguarding and enhancing the populace's welfare), and the crescent moon of Islam (the state religion)
Capital
name
Bandar Seri Begawan
etymology
established in 1970 in honor of Sultan Omar Ali SAIFUDDIEN III (1914-1986), who adopted the title "Seri Begawan" (which can be interpreted as "honored lord") upon his abdication in 1967; in Malay, "bandar" translates to "city" or "port"; the capital was formerly known as Bandar Brunei (Brunei City)
time difference
UTC+8 (13 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
geographic coordinates
4 53 N, 114 56 E
Suffrage
18 years of age for village elections; universal
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
history
drafted 1954 to 1959, signed 29 September 1959
amendment process
initiated by the monarch; for a proposal to pass, it must be submitted to the Privy Council for review by the Legislative Council, with finalization occurring through proclamation; the monarch retains the authority to accept or reject amendments to the initial proposal provided by the Legislative Council
Country name
etymology
the origin of the name is uncertain; it may derive from the Sanskrit term bhumi, which means "land" or "region"
local long form
Negara Brunei Darussalam
local short form
Brunei
conventional long form
Brunei Darussalam
conventional short form
Brunei
Independence
1 January 1984 (from the UK)
Legal system
a mixed legal system that incorporates English common law and Islamic law
Government type
an absolute monarchy or sultanate
Judicial branch
highest court(s)
the Supreme Court (composed of the Court of Appeal and the High Court, each led by a chief justice and two judges); Sharia Court (which includes the Court of Appeals and the High Court)
subordinate courts
Intermediate Court; Magistrates' Courts; Juvenile Court; small claims courts; lower sharia courts
judge selection and term of office
Supreme Court judges are appointed by the monarch to serve until the age of 65, with the possibility of extension subject to the monarch's approval; Sharia Court judges are appointed for life by the monarch
Executive branch
cabinet
Council of Ministers appointed and presided over by the monarch
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)
election/appointment process
none; the monarchy is hereditary
National holiday
National Day, 23 February (1984)
National color(s)
yellow, white, black
Political parties
National Development Party or NDP
Legislative branch
term in office
5 years
number of seats
45 (all appointed)
electoral system
plurality/majority
legislature name
Legislative Council (Majlis Mesyuarat Negara)
scope of elections
full renewal
legislative structure
unicameral
most recent election date
1/20/2023
expected date of next election
January 2028
percentage of women in chamber
11.4%
National anthem(s)
title
"Allah Peliharakan Sultan" (God Bless His Majesty)
history
adopted 1951
lyrics/music
Pengiran Haji Mohamed YUSUF bin Pengiran Abdul Rahim/Awang Haji BESAR bin Sagap
National symbol(s)
royal parasol
Administrative divisions
comprises 4 districts (daerah-daerah, singular - daerah): Belait, Brunei dan Muara, Temburong, Tutong
Diplomatic representation in the US
FAX
[1] (202) 885-0560
chancery
3520 International Court NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone
[1] (202) 237-1838
consulate(s)
New York
chief of mission
Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d'Affaires IZZATI Baharuddin (since 6 May 2025)
email address and website
[email protected]
http://www.bruneiembassy.org/index.html
Diplomatic representation from the US
FAX
(673) 238-7533
embassy
Simpang 336-52-16-9, Jalan Duta, Bandar Seri Begawan, BC4115
telephone
(673) 238-7400
mailing address
4020 Bandar Seri Begawan Place, Washington DC 20521-4020
chief of mission
Ambassador Caryn R. McCLELLAND (since December 2021)
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
International law organization participation
has not submitted a declaration of ICJ jurisdiction; remains a non-party state to the ICC
Economy
Budget
revenues
$1.058 billion (2020 est.)
expenditures
$3.189 billion (2020 est.)
Exports
Exports 2022
$14.405 billion (2022 est.)
Exports 2023
$11.573 billion (2023 est.)
Exports 2024
$11.483 billion (2024 est.)
Imports
Imports 2022
$10.099 billion (2022 est.)
Imports 2023
$9.077 billion (2023 est.)
Imports 2024
$9.11 billion (2024 est.)
Industries
oil, oil refining, liquefied natural gas, construction, agriculture, aquaculture, transportation
Labor force
233,500 (2024 est.)
Public debt
Public debt 2017
2.8% of GDP (2017 est.)
Remittances
Remittances 2021
0% of GDP (2021 est.)
Remittances 2022
0% of GDP (2022 est.)
Remittances 2023
0% of GDP (2023 est.)
Exchange rates
Currency
Bruneian dollars (BND) per US dollar -
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.)
Exchange rates 2024
1.336 (2024 est.)
Economic overview
primarily an oil and gas-driven economy; high-income nation; extensive and effective welfare system; a significant portion of the workforce is employed by the government; promoting a government-owned halal brand; contemplating the creation of a bond market and stock exchange
Unemployment rate
Unemployment rate 2022
5.2% (2022 est.)
Unemployment rate 2023
5.2% (2023 est.)
Unemployment rate 2024
5.2% (2024 est.)
Exports - partners
Australia 21%, Japan 17%, China 17%, Singapore 16%, Malaysia 6% (2023)
Imports - partners
Malaysia 23%, UAE 10%, China 10%, UK 10%, Australia 6% (2023)
Real GDP per capita
Real GDP per capita 2022
$76,400 (2022 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2023
$76,600 (2023 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2024
$79,200 (2024 est.)
Real GDP growth rate
Real GDP growth rate 2022
-1.6% (2022 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2023
1.1% (2023 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2024
4.2% (2024 est.)
Agricultural products
chicken, eggs, fruits, vegetables, rice, bananas, beans, cucumbers/gherkins, pineapples, beef (2023)
Exports - commodities
refined petroleum, natural gas, crude petroleum, hydrocarbons, fertilizers (2023)
Imports - commodities
crude petroleum, gold, refined petroleum, coal, cars (2023)
Current account balance
Current account balance 2022
$3.256 billion (2022 est.)
Current account balance 2023
$1.944 billion (2023 est.)
Current account balance 2024
$2.23 billion (2024 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate)
$15.463 billion (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use
household consumption
28.5% (2024 est.)
government consumption
23% (2024 est.)
investment in inventories
0.2% (2024 est.)
investment in fixed capital
28.2% (2024 est.)
exports of goods and services
74.3% (2024 est.)
imports of goods and services
-58.9% (2024 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2022
3.7% (2022 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2023
0.4% (2023 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2024
-0.4% (2024 est.)
Industrial production growth rate
5.7% (2024 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022
$34.771 billion (2022 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2023
$35.163 billion (2023 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2024
$36.64 billion (2024 est.)
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)
male
16.5% (2024 est.)
total
18.5% (2024 est.)
female
21.6% (2024 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2022
$5.035 billion (2022 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2023
$4.483 billion (2023 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2024
$4.414 billion (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin
industry
61.7% (2024 est.)
services
38.7% (2024 est.)
agriculture
1.2% (2024 est.)
Energy
Coal
imports
841,000 metric tons (2023 est.)
consumption
841,000 metric tons (2023 est.)
Petroleum
total petroleum production
95,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves
1.1 billion barrels (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption
15,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
Electricity
consumption
5.081 billion kWh (2023 est.)
installed generating capacity
904,000 kW (2023 est.)
transmission/distribution losses
502.188 million kWh (2023 est.)
Natural gas
exports
5.733 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
production
10.093 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
consumption
3.911 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
proven reserves
260.515 billion cubic meters (2021 est.)
Electricity access
electrification - total population
100% (2022 est.)
Energy consumption per capita
Total energy consumption per capita 2023
403.365 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
Electricity generation sources
solar
0.1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
fossil fuels
99.9% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Communications
Internet users
percent of population
99% (2023 est.)
Broadcast media
The state-operated Radio Television Brunei (RTB) manages 5 television channels; viewers can access 3 Malaysian television stations; satellite systems enable the reception of foreign television broadcasts; RTB also runs 5 radio networks, transmitting across various frequencies; the British Forces Broadcast Service (BFBS) offers radio programming on 2 FM stations; additional radio stations from Malaysia can be received through repeaters.
Internet country code
.bn
Telephones - fixed lines
total subscriptions
122,000 (2023 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
26 (2023 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular
total subscriptions
582,919 (2023 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
118 (2024 est.)
Broadband - fixed subscriptions
total
93,000 (2023 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
20 (2023 est.)
Transportation
Ports
large
0
small
2
medium
0
key ports
Kuala Belait, Bandar Seri Begawan, Seria Oil Loading Terminal, Muara Harbor, Lumut
very small
3
total ports
5 (2024)
ports with oil terminals
5
Airports
2 (2025)
Heliports
14 (2025)
Merchant marine
total
97 (2023)
by type
general cargo 18, oil tanker 2, other 77
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
V8
Military & Security
Military - note
The Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF) are tasked with maintaining the nation's sovereignty and territorial integrity, alongside addressing external aggression, terrorism, and insurgency.
Brunei has maintained a longstanding defense partnership with the United Kingdom, which includes the presence of a British Army garrison featuring a Gurkha battalion and a jungle warfare training facility. Additionally, Brunei shares close security cooperation with Singapore and accommodates a military training unit from Singapore.
The RBAF was established in 1961 with assistance from Britain as the Brunei Malay Regiment; the honorary title "Royal" was conferred in 1965, and the current designation was adopted in 1984 (2025).
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 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).
Military service age and obligation
Individuals aged 18-25 are eligible for voluntary military service (2025).
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions
The military's inventory comprises equipment and weapon systems sourced from a diverse range of suppliers across Asia, Europe, and the United States (2025).
Military and security service personnel strengths
approximately 7,000 active Armed Forces (2025)
Transnational Issues
Trafficking in persons
tier rating
Tier 2 Watch List — Brunei has not completely fulfilled the basic criteria for the eradication of trafficking, yet it is making notable strides toward this goal; consequently, Brunei has been elevated to the Tier 2 Watch List. For further information, visit: https://www.state.gov/reports/2025-trafficking-in-persons-report/brunei/
Refugees and internally displaced persons
stateless persons
20,863 (2024 est.)
