Brunei

Broadcast media

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

Internet country code

.bn

Internet hosts

49,457 (2012) country comparison to the world: 96

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 provides new links to Asia and the US; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 1 Pacific Ocean) (2011)

Telephones - main lines in use

70,933 (2012) country comparison to the world: 154

Telephones - mobile cellular

469,700 (2012) country comparison to the world: 170

Agriculture - products

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

Budget

revenues: $7.363 billion expenditures: $5.122 billion (2012 est.)

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

13.4% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 6

Commercial bank prime lending rate

5.5% (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 150 5.5% (31 December 2011 est.)

Current account balance

$3.977 billion (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 32

Debt - external

$0 (2005) country comparison to the world: 203

Economy - overview

Brunei has a small well-to-do economy that depends on revenue from natural resource extraction but encompasses a mixture of foreign and domestic entrepreneurship, government regulation, welfare measures, and village tradition. Crude oil and natural gas production account for 60% 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. For Bruneian citizens the government provides for all medical services and free education through the university level. The government of Brunei has been emphasizing through policy and resource investments it strong desire to diversity its economy both within the oil and gas sector and to new sectors.

Exchange rates

Bruneian dollars (BND) per US dollar - 1.25 (2012 est.) 1.26 (2011 est.) 1.36 (2010 est.) 1.45 (2009)

Exports

$12.75 billion (2011) country comparison to the world: 84 $9.88 billion (2010)

Exports - commodities

crude oil, natural gas, garments

Exports - partners

Japan 45.7%, South Korea 15.1%, Australia 9.1%, NZ 6.6%, India 5.8%, Vietnam 4.7% (2012)

Fiscal year

1 April - 31 March

GDP (official exchange rate)

$16.72 billion (2012 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$21.64 billion (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 128 $21.43 billion (2011 est.) $20.72 billion (2010 est.) note: data are in 2012 US dollars

GDP - composition, by end use

household consumption: 20.5% government consumption: 17.3% investment in fixed capital: 13.6% investment in inventories: -1.5% exports of goods and services: 81.4% imports of goods and services: -31.2% (2012 est.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

agriculture: 0.7% industry: 71.1% services: 28.2% (2012 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$54,100 (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 11 $54,500 (2011 est.) $53,600 (2010 est.) note: data are in 2012 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

0.9% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 162 3.4% (2011 est.) 2.6% (2010 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

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

Imports

$3.02 billion (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 145 $2.73 billion (2010 est.)

Imports - commodities

iron and steel, motor vehicles, machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods, food, chemicals

Imports - partners

Singapore 26.3%, China 21.3%, UK 21.3%, Malaysia 11.8% (2012)

Industrial production growth rate

-1.9% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 156

Industries

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

0.5% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 7 2.1% (2011 est.)

Labor force

205,800 (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 169

Labor force - by occupation

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

Market value of publicly traded shares

$NA

Population below poverty line

NA%

Stock of broad money

$11.62 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 101 $10.64 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$2.351 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 129 $1.33 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$3.509 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 113 $3.255 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

44% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 27

Unemployment rate

2.6% (2011) country comparison to the world: 20 2.7% (2010)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

8.656 million Mt (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 105

Crude oil - exports

147,900 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 35

Crude oil - imports

0 bbl/day (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 166

Crude oil - production

141,000 bbl/day (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 45

Crude oil - proved reserves

1.1 billion bbl (1 January 2013 es) country comparison to the world: 41

Electricity - consumption

3.391 billion kWh (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 127

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 171

Electricity - from fossil fuels

100% of total installed capacity (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 9

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 160

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 56

Electricity - from other renewable sources

0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 162

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 166

Electricity - installed generating capacity

759,000 kW (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 128

Electricity - production

3.723 billion kWh (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 126

Natural gas - consumption

2.97 billion cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 72

Natural gas - exports

9.42 billion cu m (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 27

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 167

Natural gas - production

12.44 billion cu m (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 38

Natural gas - proved reserves

390.8 billion cu m (1 January 2013 es) country comparison to the world: 35

Refined petroleum products - consumption

14,640 bbl/day (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 144

Refined petroleum products - exports

0 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 157

Refined petroleum products - imports

3,198 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 169

Refined petroleum products - production

13,500 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 102

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 cu km/yr (97%/0%/3%) per capita: 301.6 cu m/yr (2009)

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 (2003)

Land boundaries

total: 381 km border countries: Malaysia 381 km

Land use

arable land: 0.52% permanent crops: 0.87% other: 98.61% (2011)

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 (2011)

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

drafted 1954 to 1959, signed 29 September 1959; amended 1984, 2004, 2011; note - some constitutional provisions suspended since 1962 under a State of Emergency, others since independence in 1984 (2011)

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 (since 28 March 2011) embassy: Simpang 336-52-16-9, Jalan Datu, 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 Dato Yusoff Abd HAMID (since 2 October 2009) 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 (Yang Di-Pertuan Agong) 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, ICC (NGOs), ICRM, IDA, 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

highest court(s): Supreme Court (consists of Court of Appeal and High Court, each with a chief justice and 2 judges); Sharia Court of Appeal (consists of judges appointed by the monarch) 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 of Appeal judges appointed by the monarch; judge tenure NA subordinate courts: Intermediate Court; Magistrate's Courts; Juvenile Court; small claims courts; lower sharia courts (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)

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) (2013)

Military expenditures

2.4% of GDP (2011) country comparison to the world: 58

Military service age and obligation

17 years of age for voluntary military service; non-Malays are ineligible to serve; recruits from the army, navy, and air force all undergo 43-week initial training (2013)

Age structure

0-14 years: 24.6% (male 52,761/female 49,538) 15-24 years: 17.5% (male 35,879/female 36,767) 25-54 years: 46.8% (male 94,827/female 99,779) 55-64 years: 7.3% (male 15,594/female 14,642) 65 years and over: 3.8% (male 7,767/female 8,163) (2013 est.)

Birth rate

17.63 births/1,000 population (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 107

Death rate

3.43 deaths/1,000 population (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 216

Dependency ratios

total dependency ratio: 42 % youth dependency ratio: 36 % elderly dependency ratio: 6.1 % potential support ratio: 16.4 (2013)

Education expenditures

3.3% of GDP (2012) country comparison to the world: 133

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: 114

HIV/AIDS - deaths

fewer than 200 (2003 est.) country comparison to the world: 114

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

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

Health expenditures

2.5% of GDP (2011) country comparison to the world: 187

Hospital bed density

2.8 beds/1,000 population (2011)

Infant mortality rate

total: 10.81 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 140 male: 12.89 deaths/1,000 live births female: 8.64 deaths/1,000 live births (2013 est.)

Languages

Malay (official), English, Chinese

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 76.57 years country comparison to the world: 76 male: 74.28 years female: 78.97 years (2013 est.)

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 95.4% male: 97% female: 93.9% (2011 est.)

Major urban areas - population

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN (capital) 241,000 note: the boundaries of the capital city were expanded in 2007, greatly increasing the city area; the population of the capital increased tenfold (2011)

Maternal mortality rate

24 deaths/100,000 live births (2010) country comparison to the world: 133

Median age

total: 29 years male: 28.7 years female: 29.2 years (2013 est.)

Nationality

noun: Bruneian(s) adjective: Bruneian

Net migration rate

2.51 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 34

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

7.5% (2008) country comparison to the world: 141

Physicians density

1.36 physicians/1,000 population (2010)

Population

415,717 (July 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 175

Population growth rate

1.67% (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 71

Religions

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

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

total: 15 years male: 15 years female: 16 years (2011)

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.07 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 0.97 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 0.96 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 1.07 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.95 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2013 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.83 children born/woman (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 151

Urbanization

urban population: 76% of total population (2011) rate of urbanization: 2.13% 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 Louisa Reef

Illicit drugs

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

Refugees and internally displaced persons

stateless persons: 21,009 (2012); 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

Airports

1 (2013) country comparison to the world: 213

Airports - with paved runways

total: 1 over 3,047 m: 1 (2013)

Heliports

3 (2013)

Merchant marine

total: 9 country comparison to the world: 115 by type: chemical tanker 1, liquefied gas 8 foreign-owned: 2 (UK 2) (2010)

Pipelines

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

Ports and terminals

major seaport(s): Muara oil/gas terminal(s): Lumut, Seria

Roadways

total: 3,029 km country comparison to the world: 166 paved: 2,425 km unpaved: 604 km (2010)

Waterways

209 km (navigable by craft drawing less than 1.2 m; the Belait, Brunei, and Tutong rivers are major transport links) (2012) country comparison to the world: 97