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 users

total: 277,200 | percent of population: 65.6% (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 146

Radio broadcast stations

AM 1, FM 2 (transmitting on 18 different frequencies), shortwave 0 (British Forces Broadcasting Service (BFBS) station transmits two FM signals with English and Nepali service) (2006)

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 - fixed lines

total subscriptions: 48,200 | subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 11 (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 164

Telephones - mobile cellular

total: 465,800 | subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 110 (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 171

Television broadcast stations

4 (includes 2 UHF stations broadcasting a subscription service) (2006)

Agriculture - products

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

Budget

revenues: $6.368 billion | expenditures: $5.743 billion (2014 est.)

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

3.7% of GDP (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 13

Commercial bank prime lending rate

5.5% (31 December 2014 est.) | 5.5% (31 December 2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 141

Current account balance

$4.849 billion (2014 est.) | $5.323 billion (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 33

Debt - external

$0 (2005) | $3.576 billion (31 December 2013 est.) | note: public external debt only; private external debt unavailable | country comparison to the world: 204

Economy - overview

Brunei has a small well-to-do economy that depends on revenue from natural resource extraction but is also characterized by a mixture of foreign and domestic entrepreneurship, government regulation, welfare measures, and village tradition. Crude oil and natural gas production account for 70% of GDP and more than 90% of exports, with Japan and Korea as the primary export markets. Per capita GDP is among the highest in the world, and substantial income from overseas investment supplements income from domestic hydrocarbon production. For Bruneian citizens, who pay no taxes, 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 its strong desire to diversify its economy both within the oil and gas sector and to new sectors. Brunei is a founding member of the 12-nation Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) free trade agreement negotiations as well as the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and, with the nine other ASEAN members, will form the ASEAN Economic Community in 2015.

Exchange rates

Bruneian dollars (BND) per US dollar - | 1.267 (2014 est.) | 1.267 (2013 est.) | 1.25 (2012 est.) | 1.2579 (2011 est.) | 1.3635 (2010 est.)

Exports

$10.65 billion (2014 est.) | $11.36 billion (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 94

Exports - commodities

crude oil, natural gas, garments

Exports - partners

Japan 39%, South Korea 12.5%, Australia 9.7%, India 9.2%, Thailand 6.4%, Indonesia 5.8% (2014)

Fiscal year

1 April - 31 March

GDP (official exchange rate)

$17.1 billion (2014 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$32.96 billion (2014 est.) | $33.75 billion (2013 est.) | $34.48 billion (2012 est.) | note: data are in 2014 US dollars | country comparison to the world: 122

GDP - composition, by end use

household consumption: 15.6% | government consumption: 21.6% | investment in fixed capital: 27.3% | investment in inventories: 0.2% | exports of goods and services: 71% | imports of goods and services: -35.7% | (2014 est.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

agriculture: 0.8% | industry: 66.8% | services: 32.4% (2014 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$79,900 (2014 est.) | $81,800 (2013 est.) | $83,600 (2012 est.) | note: data are in 2014 US dollars | country comparison to the world: 8

GDP - real growth rate

-2.3% (2014 est.) | -2.1% (2013 est.) | 0.9% (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 215

Gross national saving

49.4% of GDP (2014 est.) | 63.6% of GDP (2013 est.) | 65.1% of GDP (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 2

Household income or consumption by percentage share

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

Imports

$4.231 billion (2014 est.) | $4.175 billion (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 140

Imports - commodities

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

Imports - partners

Singapore 29.2%, China 26.9%, Malaysia 13.2%, US 8.5%, South Korea 4.5%, UK 4.1% (2014)

Industrial production growth rate

-4.4% (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 190

Industries

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

-0.2% (2014 est.) | 0.4% (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 19

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

$11.92 billion (31 December 2013 est.) | $11.41 billion (31 December 2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 102

Stock of domestic credit

$4.477 billion (31 December 2014 est.) | $3.452 billion (31 December 2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 125

Stock of narrow money

$3.327 billion (31 December 2014 est.) | $3.517 billion (31 December 2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 115

Taxes and other revenues

37.2% of GDP (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 54

Unemployment rate

2.7% (2014 est.) | 2.7% (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 19

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

8.678 million Mt (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 107

Crude oil - exports

131,200 bbl/day (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 35

Crude oil - imports

0 bbl/day (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 167

Crude oil - production

111,800 bbl/day (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 42

Crude oil - proved reserves

1.1 billion bbl (1 January 2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 42

Electricity - consumption

3.451 billion kWh (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 130

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 113

Electricity - from fossil fuels

100% of total installed capacity (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 7

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

0% of total installed capacity (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 164

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 60

Electricity - from other renewable sources

0% of total installed capacity (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 163

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 126

Electricity - installed generating capacity

759,000 kW (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 132

Electricity - production

3.694 billion kWh (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 128

Natural gas - consumption

2.97 billion cu m (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 74

Natural gas - exports

9.5 billion cu m (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 22

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 170

Natural gas - production

12.47 billion cu m (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 38

Natural gas - proved reserves

390.8 billion cu m (1 January 2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 34

Refined petroleum products - consumption

18,000 bbl/day (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 133

Refined petroleum products - exports

253.6 bbl/day (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 118

Refined petroleum products - imports

7,666 bbl/day (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 144

Refined petroleum products - production

9,402 bbl/day (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 105

Area

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

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: 266 km | border countries (1): Malaysia 266 km

Land use

agricultural land: 2.5% | arable land 0.8%; permanent crops 1.1%; permanent pasture 0.6% | forest: 71.8% | other: 25.7% (2011 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

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)

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

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 suspended since independence in 1984 (2015)

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 Craig B. ALLEN (since 9 March 2015) | 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 (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Dk Norhashimah Pg Mohd HASSAN | chancery: 3520 International Court NW, Washington, DC 20008 | telephone: [1] (202) 237-1838 | FAX: [1] (202) 885-0560 | consulate(s): New York

Executive branch

chief of state: Sultan and Prime Minister Sir HASSANAL Bolkiah (since 5 October 1967); note - the monarch is both chief of state and head of government | 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; note - 4 additional advisory councils appointed by the monarch are the Religious Council, Privy Council for constitutional issues, Council of Succession, and Legislative Council | elections/appointments: 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 or MIB)

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, 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 resident 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

Legal system

mixed legal system based on English common law and Islamic law; note - in May 2014, the first phase of a sharia-based penal codes was instituted, which applies to Muslims and non-Muslims and exists in parallel to the existing common law-based code

Legislative branch

description: Legislative Council or Majlis Mesyuarat Negara Brunei (36 seats; members appointed by the sultan including 3 ex-officio members - the speaker and first and second secretaries; meets annually for approximately two weeks) | elections: last held in March 1962 (date of next election NA)

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

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

National symbol(s)

royal parasol; national colors: yellow, white, black

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 the world.

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

2.43% of GDP (2012) | 2.54% of GDP (2011) | 2.43% of GDP (2010) | country comparison to the world: 30

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: 23.82% (male 52,750/female 49,579) | 15-24 years: 17.13% (male 36,485/female 37,127) | 25-54 years: 46.9% (male 97,228/female 104,286) | 55-64 years: 7.88% (male 17,366/female 16,470) | 65 years and over: 4.27% (male 8,925/female 9,430) (2015 est.)

Birth rate

17.32 births/1,000 population (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 107

Death rate

3.52 deaths/1,000 population (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 215

Dependency ratios

total dependency ratio: 38% | youth dependency ratio: 31.9% | elderly dependency ratio: 6.1% | potential support ratio: 16.4% (2015 est.)

Education expenditures

3.8% of GDP (2014) | country comparison to the world: 126

Ethnic groups

Malay 65.7%, Chinese 10.3%, other indigenous 3.4%, other 20.6% (2011 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

NA

Health expenditures

2.5% of GDP (2013) | country comparison to the world: 188

Hospital bed density

2.8 beds/1,000 population (2012)

Infant mortality rate

total: 10.16 deaths/1,000 live births | male: 12.09 deaths/1,000 live births | female: 8.14 deaths/1,000 live births (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 137

Languages

Malay (official), English, Chinese dialects

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 76.97 years | male: 74.64 years | female: 79.41 years (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 76

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write | total population: 96% | male: 97.5% | female: 94.5% (2015 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

23 deaths/100,000 live births (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 132

Median age

total: 29.6 years | male: 29.2 years | female: 29.9 years (2015 est.)

Nationality

noun: Bruneian(s) | adjective: Bruneian

Net migration rate

2.43 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 41

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

18.6% (2014) | country comparison to the world: 141

Physicians density

1.44 physicians/1,000 population (2012)

Population

429,646 (July 2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 175

Population growth rate

1.62% (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 72

Religions

Muslim (official) 78.8%, Christian 8.7%, Buddhist 7.8%, other (includes indigenous beliefs) 4.7% (2011 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

total: 15 years | male: 14 years | female: 15 years (2012)

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female | 0-14 years: 1.06 male(s)/female | 15-24 years: 0.98 male(s)/female | 25-54 years: 0.93 male(s)/female | 55-64 years: 1.05 male(s)/female | 65 years and over: 0.95 male(s)/female | total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2015 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.8 children born/woman (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 152

Urbanization

urban population: 77.2% of total population (2015) | rate of urbanization: -1.79% 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: 20,524 (2014); 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: 214

Airports - with paved runways

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

Heliports

3 (2013)

Merchant marine

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

Pipelines

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

Ports and terminals

major seaport(s): Muara | oil terminal(s): Lumut, Seria | LNG terminal (export): Lumut

Roadways

total: 3,029 km | paved: 2,425 km | unpaved: 604 km (2010) | country comparison to the world: 167

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: 96