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Brunei Darussalam
Brunei Darussalam
Population
462.7K
Rank #173Source: World Bank
Capital
Bandar Seri Begawan
Source: REST Countries
Region
Asia
East Asia & Pacific
Source: REST Countries
GDP (Nominal)
$15.34B
Rank #138Source: World Bank
Land Area
5.8K km²
Rank #168Source: REST Countries
Life Expectancy
75.327 yrs
Source: World Bank
Historical Trends
Population Trend (5-Year)
Source: World Bank
GDP Trend (5-Year, Nominal USD)
Source: World Bank
Geography
Area: 5,765 km²
Landlocked: No
Independent: Yes
Climate: tropical; hot, humid, rainy
Terrain: flat coastal plain rises to mountains in east; hilly lowland in west
Elevation: mean elevation: 478 m lowest point: South China Sea 0 m highest point: Bukit Pagon 1,850 m
Natural Hazards: typhoons, earthquakes, and severe flooding are rare
Environmental Issues: no major environmental problems, but air pollution control is becoming a concern; seasonal trans-boundary haze from forest fires in Indonesia
Land Use: agricultural land: 2.5% (2011 est.) forest: 71.8% (2011 est.) other: 25.7% (2011 est.)
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...
Natural Resources
petroleumnatural gastimber
People & Society
Fertility Rate
1.75
Population
462.7K
Ethnic Groups
Malay (65.7%)Chinese (10.3%)other (24%)
Religions
Muslim (official) (78.8%)Christian (8.7%)Buddhist (7.8%)other (includes indigenous beliefs) (4.7%)
Economy
GDP per Capita
$33,153.474
GDP per Capita PPP
89,879.361
(2024)
(2024)
GNI per Capita
36,020
(2024)
(2024)
Gini Index
Not Available
Unemployment
5.18%
(2024)
(2024)
Inflation
0.357%
(2023)
(2023)
Public Debt
Not Available
Energy
Electricity Access
100%
(2023)
(2023)
Renewable Energy
Not Available
CO₂ Emissions
9.367 Mt
(2024)
(2024)
Energy Intensity
6.33 MJ/$
(2021)
(2021)
Renewable Electricity
0.02%
(2021)
(2021)
Environment
Forest Coverage
72.106% of land
(2023)
(2023)
Communications
Internet Users
99.034%
(2023)
(2023)
Mobile Penetration
127.012%
(2023)
(2023)
Broadband Subscribers
20.212%
(2023)
(2023)
Transportation
Air Transport Freight
45.91 M ton-km
(2023)
(2023)
Container Port Traffic
106,174 TEU
(2020)
(2020)
Airports
7,522
Rail Lines
N/A
Roads Total
3,705.01 km(©IRF)
Military
Military Forces
Royal Brunei Armed Forces: Royal Brunei Land Force, Royal Brunei Navy, Royal Brunei Air Force
Personnel Strength
the Royal Brunei Armed Forces is comprised of approximately 6,800 total active troops (4,500 Army; 1,200 Navy; 1,100 Air Force)
Military Expenditure (USD)
$0.56B
Military Expenditure (% of GDP)
3.58%
Military Expenditure History
3.3% of GDP (2019) 2.6% of GDP (2018) 2.9% of GDP (2017) 3.5% of GDP (2016) 3.3% of GDP (2015)
Equipment & Inventories
the Royal Brunei Armed Forces imports nearly all of its military equipment and weapons systems; the top suppliers since 2010 are France, Germany, and the US (2019 est.)
Service Age & 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
Education
Pre-Primary Enrollment
63.478%
(2020)
(2020)
Primary Enrollment
96.929%
(2023)
(2023)
Secondary Enrollment
91.838%
(2023)
(2023)
Tertiary Enrollment
36.418%
(2023)
(2023)
Education Spending
4.425% of GDP
(2016)
(2016)
Adult Literacy Rate
96.09%
(2011)
(2011)
Pupil-Teacher Ratio
9.895:1
(2018)
(2018)
Health
Physicians per 1,000
1.886
(2021)
(2021)
Safe Water Access
100%
(2024)
(2024)
Safe Drinking Water
Not Available
Under-5 Mortality
9.4 per 1,000
(2023)
(2023)
Maternal Mortality (World Bank)
21.345 per 100,000
(2021)
(2021)
Hospital Beds per 1,000
75.337
(2021)
(2021)
UHC Coverage Index
84
(2023)
(2023)
Measles Immunization
99%
(2024)
(2024)
Social Indicators
Extreme Poverty Rate
Not Available
Food Insecurity
Not Available
Youth NEET Rate
19.371%
(2024)
(2024)
Governance
Women in Government
11.765%
(2024)
(2024)
Voice & Accountability
-0.71
(Below Average)
(2023)
(Below Average)
(2023)
Political Stability
1.37
(Strong)
(2023)
(Strong)
(2023)
Government Effectiveness
1.40
(Strong)
(2023)
(Strong)
(2023)
Regulatory Quality
0.98
(Above Average)
(2023)
(Above Average)
(2023)
Rule of Law
0.89
(Above Average)
(2023)
(Above Average)
(2023)
Control of Corruption
1.28
(Strong)
(2023)
(Strong)
(2023)
Government
Government Type
absolute monarchy or sultanate
Legal System
mixed legal system based on English common law and Islamic law; note - in April 2019, the full sharia penal codes came into force and apply to Muslims and non-Muslims in parallel with present common...
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...
Legislative Branch
description: unicameral 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;...
Judicial Branch
highest courts: 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); note -...
National Symbols
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...
National Symbols
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
Safety
Homicide Rate
0.486 per 100,000
(2013)
(2013)
Travel Information
Language(s): Malay
Currency: BND ($), SGD ($)
Timezone(s): UTC+08:00
Landlocked: No
Independent: Yes
Driving Side: Left
Calling Code: +673
Car Sign: BRU
Week Starts: Monday
Photos
Another view of the water village of Kampong Ayer; the Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque looms in the background.
Another view of the water village of Kampong Ayer; the Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque looms in the background. • CIA World Factbook • 2020
The Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque in the water village of Kampong Ayer is a major landmark and tourist attraction in Brunei. The structure was completed in 1958 in a mixture of Mughal and Italian architectural styles. Built on an artificial lagoon, the mosque is surrounded by lush gardens, fountains, and trees. Its most recognizable feature is the main dome covered in pure gold. From its marble minaret one can enjoy a panoramic view of the capital city.
The Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque in the water village of Kampong Ayer is a major landmark and tourist attraction in Brunei. The structure was completed in 1958 in a mixture of Mughal and Italian architectural styles. Built on an artificial lagoon, the mosque is surrounded by lush gardens, fountains, and trees. Its most recognizable feature is the main dome covered in pure gold. From its marble minaret one can enjoy a panoramic view of the capital city. • CIA World Factbook • 2020
Bandar Seri Begawan is the capital and largest city of the Sultanate of Brunei. The water village of Kampong Ayer lies within its boundaries. The village, whose houses stand on stilts, stretches about 8 km (5 mi) along the Brunei River; it is a self-contained settlement equipped with schools, police stations, clinics, a waterborne fire brigade, and mosques - all connected by walkways and bridges.
Bandar Seri Begawan is the capital and largest city of the Sultanate of Brunei. The water village of Kampong Ayer lies within its boundaries. The village, whose houses stand on stilts, stretches about 8 km (5 mi) along the Brunei River; it is a self-contained settlement equipped with schools, police stations, clinics, a waterborne fire brigade, and mosques - all connected by walkways and bridges. • CIA World Factbook • 2020
The Jame Asr Hassanal Bolkiah Mosque in Bandar Seri Begawan.
The Jame Asr Hassanal Bolkiah Mosque in Bandar Seri Begawan. • CIA World Factbook • 2020
Area comparison map
Area comparison map • CIA World Factbook • 2020
The Jame Asr Hassanal Bolkiah Mosque in Bandar Seri Begawan - the largest mosque in Brunei - displays intricately ornamented minarets and golden domes.
The Jame Asr Hassanal Bolkiah Mosque in Bandar Seri Begawan - the largest mosque in Brunei - displays intricately ornamented minarets and golden domes. • CIA World Factbook • 2020
8 photos available
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