Brunei

Broadcast media

state-controlled Radio Television Brunei (RTB) operates 4 channels; 3 Malaysian TV stations are available; foreign TV broadcasts are available via satellite and cable systems; RTB operates 5 radio networks broadcasting 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 (2009)

Internet country code

.bn

Internet hosts

50,997 (2010) country comparison to the world: 88

Internet users

314,900 (2009) country comparison to the world: 128

Telephone system

general assessment: service throughout the country is good; international service is good to Southeast Asia, Middle East, Western Europe, and the US domestic: every service available international: country code - 673; landing point for the SEA-ME-WE-3 optical telecommunications submarine cable that provides links to Asia, the Middle East, and Europe; the Asia-America Gateway submarine cable network, scheduled for completion by late 2008, will provide new links to Asia and the US; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 1 Pacific Ocean) (2009)

Telephones - main lines in use

79,900 (2010) country comparison to the world: 152

Telephones - mobile cellular

435,100 (2010) country comparison to the world: 166

Agriculture - products

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

Budget

revenues: $4.689 billion expenditures: $4.869 billion (2010 est.)

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-1.4% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 64

Commercial bank prime lending rate

5.5% (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 157 5.5% (31 December 2009 est.)

Current account balance

$3.977 billion (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 37 $3.977 billion (2008 est.)

Debt - external

$0 (2005) country comparison to the world: 199

Economy - overview

Brunei has a small well-to-do economy that encompasses a mixture of foreign and domestic entrepreneurship, government regulation, welfare measures, and village tradition. Crude oil and natural gas production account for just over half of GDP and more than 90% of exports. Per capita GDP is among the highest in Asia, and substantial income from overseas investment supplements income from domestic production. The government provides for all medical services and free education through the university level and subsidizes rice and housing. A new monetary authority was established in January 2011 with responsibilities that include monetary policy, monitoring of financial institutions, and currency trading activities.

Electricity - consumption

3.054 billion kWh (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 127

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity - production

3.218 billion kWh (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 125

Exchange rates

Bruneian dollars (BND) per US dollar - 1.36 (2010) 1.45 (2009) 2 (2006) 2 (2005) 2 (2004)

Exports

$10.67 billion (2008) country comparison to the world: 84 $8.25 billion (2007)

Exports - commodities

crude oil, natural gas, garments

Exports - partners

Japan 45.6%, South Korea 12%, Australia 11.9%, Indonesia 7.4%, China 7.1%, India 5.8%, NZ 5.1% (2010)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$13.02 billion (2010 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$20.38 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 123 $19.58 billion (2009 est.) $19.93 billion (2008 est.) note: data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP - composition by sector

agriculture: 0.9% industry: 72.1% services: 27% (2010 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$51,600 (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 8 $50,400 (2009 est.) $52,300 (2008 est.) note: data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

4.1% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 94 -1.8% (2009 est.) -1.9% (2008 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%

Imports

$2.61 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 145 $2.055 billion (2007 est.)

Imports - commodities

machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods, food, chemicals

Imports - partners

Singapore 33.5%, Malaysia 19.9%, China 13%, UK 6.9%, Japan 5.3%, Thailand 4.6%, US 4.4% (2010)

Industrial production growth rate

-5.4% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 164

Industries

petroleum, petroleum refining, liquefied natural gas, construction

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

0.4% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 12 1.1% (2009 est.)

Investment (gross fixed)

16.1% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 158

Labor force

188,800 (2008) country comparison to the world: 172

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture: 4.2% industry: 62.8% services: 33% (2008 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$NA

Natural gas - consumption

2.69 billion cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 77

Natural gas - exports

8.81 billion cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 22

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 94

Natural gas - production

11.5 billion cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 39

Natural gas - proved reserves

390.8 billion cu m (1 January 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 33

Oil - consumption

17,000 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 137

Oil - exports

153,000 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 59

Oil - imports

138 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 205

Oil - production

159,400 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 43

Oil - proved reserves

1.1 billion bbl (1 January 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 38

Population below poverty line

NA%

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$1.563 billion (2010) country comparison to the world: 126 $1.357 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of broad money

$9.731 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 103 $8.548 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$3.019 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 121 $2.209 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$2.954 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 111 $3.841 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

36% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 61

Unemployment rate

3.7% (2008) country comparison to the world: 30 3.4% (2007)

Area

total: 5,765 sq km country comparison to the world: 173 land: 5,265 sq km water: 500 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly smaller than Delaware

Climate

tropical; hot, humid, rainy

Coastline

161 km

Elevation extremes

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

Environment - current issues

seasonal smoke/haze resulting from forest fires in Indonesia

Environment - international agreements

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

total: 0.09 per capita: 243 cu m/yr (1994)

Geographic coordinates

4 30 N, 114 40 E

Geography - note

close to vital sea lanes through South China Sea linking Indian and Pacific Oceans; two parts physically separated by Malaysia; almost an enclave within Malaysia

Irrigated land

10 sq km (2008)

Land boundaries

total: 381 km border countries: Malaysia 381 km

Land use

arable land: 2.08% permanent crops: 0.87% other: 97.05% (2005)

Location

Southeastern Asia, bordering the South China Sea and Malaysia

Map references

Southeast Asia

Maritime claims

territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm or to median line

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

Total renewable water resources

8.5 cu km (1999)

Administrative divisions

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

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)

Constitution

29 September 1959 (some provisions suspended under a State of Emergency since December 1962, others since independence on 1 January 1984)

Country name

conventional long form: Brunei Darussalam conventional short form: Brunei local long form: Negara Brunei Darussalam local short form: Brunei

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Daniel L. SHIELDS III embassy: Simpang 336-52-16-9, Jalan Kebangsaan, Bandar Seri Begawan, BC4115 mailing address: Unit 4280, Box 40, FPO AP 96507; P.O. Box 2991, Bandar Seri Begawan BS8675, Negara Brunei Darussalam telephone: [673] 238-4616 FAX: [673] 238-4604

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Yusoff Abd HAMID chancery: 3520 International Court NW #300, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 237-1838 FAX: [1] (202) 885-0560

Executive branch

chief of state: Sultan and Prime Minister Sir HASSANAL Bolkiah (since 5 October 1967); note - the monarch is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: Sultan and Prime Minister Sir HASSANAL Bolkiah (since 5 October 1967) cabinet: Council of Cabinet Ministers appointed and presided over by the monarch; deals with executive matters; note - there is also a Religious Council (members appointed by the monarch) that advises on religious matters, a Privy Council (members appointed by the monarch) that deals with constitutional matters, and the Council of Succession (members appointed by the monarch) that determines the succession to the throne if the need arises (For more information visit theWorld Leaders website) elections: none; the monarchy is hereditary

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

constitutional sultanate (locally known as Malay Islamic Monarchy)

Independence

1 January 1984 (from the UK)

International law organization participation

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

International organization participation

ADB, APEC, ARF, ASEAN, C, CP, EAS, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDB, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, NAM, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIFIL, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Judicial branch

Supreme Court - chief justice and judges are sworn in by monarch for three-year terms; Judicial Committee of Privy Council in London is final court of appeal for civil cases; Sharia courts deal with Islamic laws (2006)

Legal system

mixed legal system based on English common law and Islamic law

Legislative branch

the Sultan appointed a Legislative Council with 29 members in September 2005; he increased the size of the council to 33 members in June 2011; the council meets annually in March elections: last held in March 1962 (date of next election NA) note: the Legislative Council met on 25 September 2004 for first time in 20 years with 21 members appointed by the Sultan; it passed constitutional amendments calling for a 45-seat council with 15 elected members; no timeframe for an election was announced

National anthem

name: "Allah Peliharakan Sultan" (God Bless His Majesty) lyrics/music: Pengiran Haji Mohamed YUSUF bin Abdul Rahim/Awang Haji BESAR bin Sagap 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

Political parties and leaders

National Development Party or NDP [YASSIN Affendi] note: Brunei National Solidarity Party or PPKB [Abdul LATIF bin Chuchu] and People's Awareness Party or PAKAR [Awang Haji MAIDIN bin Haji Ahmad] were deregistered in 2007; parties are small and have limited activity

Political pressure groups and leaders

NA

Suffrage

18 years of age for village elections; universal

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 Asia.

Manpower available for military service

males age 16-49: 112,688 females age 16-49: 117,536 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service

males age 16-49: 95,141 females age 16-49: 99,386 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

male: 3,572 female: 3,465 (2010 est.)

Military branches

Royal Brunei Armed Forces: Royal Brunei Land Forces, Royal Brunei Navy, Royal Brunei Air Force (Tentera Udara Diraja Brunei) (2011)

Military expenditures

4.5% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 21

Military service age and obligation

18 years of age (est.) for voluntary military service; non-Malays are ineligible to serve (2007)

Age structure

0-14 years: 25.5% (male 52,944/female 49,729) 15-64 years: 70.9% (male 141,121/female 143,977) 65 years and over: 3.5% (male 6,881/female 7,238) (2011 est.)

Birth rate

17.87 births/1,000 population (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 106

Death rate

3.35 deaths/1,000 population (July 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 213

Education expenditures

NA

Ethnic groups

Malay 66.3%, Chinese 11.2%, indigenous 3.4%, other 19.1% (2004 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

less than 0.1% (2003 est.) country comparison to the world: 115

HIV/AIDS - deaths

fewer than 200 (2003 est.) country comparison to the world: 112

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

fewer than 200 (2003 est.) country comparison to the world: 159

Health expenditures

3% of GDP (2009) country comparison to the world: 177

Hospital bed density

2.71 beds/1,000 population (2008) country comparison to the world: 82

Infant mortality rate

total: 11.51 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 140 male: 13.74 deaths/1,000 live births female: 9.17 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)

Languages

Malay (official), English, Chinese

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 76.17 years country comparison to the world: 75 male: 73.91 years female: 78.53 years (2011 est.)

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 92.7% male: 95.2% female: 90.2% (2001 census)

Major cities - population

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN (capital) 22,000 (2009)

Maternal mortality rate

21 deaths/100,000 live births (2008) country comparison to the world: 124

Median age

total: 28.4 years male: 28.3 years female: 28.6 years (2011 est.)

Nationality

noun: Bruneian(s) adjective: Bruneian

Net migration rate

2.6 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 33

Physicians density

1.417 physicians/1,000 population (2008) country comparison to the world: 85

Population

401,890 (July 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 175

Population growth rate

1.712% (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 65

Religions

Muslim (official) 67%, Buddhist 13%, Christian 10%, other (includes indigenous beliefs) 10%

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

total: 14 years male: 14 years female: 14 years (2009)

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.047 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.94 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.86 children born/woman (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 148

Urbanization

urban population: 76% of total population (2010) rate of urbanization: 2.2% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

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 Lousia Reef

Illicit drugs

drug trafficking and illegally importing controlled substances are serious offenses in Brunei and carry a mandatory death penalty

Trafficking in persons

current situation: Brunei is a destination, and to a lesser extent, a source and transit country for men and women who are subjected to forced labor and forced prostitution; men and women from Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, China, and Thailand migrate to Brunei for domestic work or other low-skilled employment, but sometimes face conditions of involuntary servitude after arrival tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - the government has yet to prosecute a human-trafficking case using its 2004 anti-trafficking law, has not shown evidence of increased efforts to address human trafficking over the previous year, and has not identified or assisted any trafficking victims (2011)

Airports

2 (2010) country comparison to the world: 198

Airports - with paved runways

total: 2 over 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2010)

Heliports

3 (2010)

Merchant marine

total: 9 country comparison to the world: 117 by type: chemical tanker 1, liquefied gas 8 (2010)

Pipelines

condensate 33 km; gas 37 km; oil 18 km (2010)

Ports and terminals

Lumut, Muara, Seria

Roadways

total: 2,971 km country comparison to the world: 167 paved: 2,411 km unpaved: 560 km (2008)

Waterways

209 km (navigable by craft drawing less than 1.2 m; the Belait, Brunei, and Tutong rivers are major transport links) (2011) country comparison to the world: 97