World · permanent entity record · BX
Brunei
Thirty-second orientation
Brunei at a glance
- Capital
- Bandar Seri Begawan
- CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
- Nationality / demonym
- noun: Bruneian(s); adjective: Bruneian
- CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
- Government
- absolute monarchy or sultanate
- CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
- Languages
- Malay (Bahasa Melayu) (official), English, Chinese dialects
- CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
Independently structured milestones · not a complete national history
Brunei through time
Admitted to the United Nations
Brunei became a member of the United Nations.
United Nations, Member States · source checked 2026-09-04
Source history · changed fields only
Changes since the final CIA profile
| Field | Maintained Almanac value | Final CIA profile |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 466,330World Bank, World Development Indicators · observation year 2025 | total: 491,900 (2024 est.) male: 239,140 female: 252,760CIA World Factbook · as of 2026-01-08 |
A difference may reflect a newer observation, a revised estimate, or a different source definition. This table reports the values and dates; it does not manufacture a trend.
World Development Indicators · latest available observation
People, economy, and access
Observation years vary by measure. Each row identifies the series and year instead of presenting unlike dates as one current snapshot.
- Gross domestic product
- $15.0 billion
- World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator NY.GDP.MKTP.CD · observation year 2025 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator NY.GDP.MKTP.CD. Underlying providers: National statistical authorities, central banks, OECD national accounts, and World Bank staff estimates. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
- Gross domestic product per person
- $32,235
- World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator NY.GDP.PCAP.CD · observation year 2025 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator NY.GDP.PCAP.CD. Underlying providers: National statistical authorities, central banks, OECD national accounts, and World Bank staff estimates. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
- Life expectancy at birth
- 75.5 years
- World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator SP.DYN.LE00.IN · observation year 2024 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2024; indicator SP.DYN.LE00.IN. Underlying providers: UN Population Division, national statistical offices, and Eurostat. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
- Urban population
- 75.0%
- World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator SP.URB.TOTL.IN.ZS · observation year 2025 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator SP.URB.TOTL.IN.ZS. Underlying providers: UN Population Division, World Urbanization Prospects. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
- Access to electricity
- 100.0%
- World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator EG.ELC.ACCS.ZS · observation year 2024 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2024; indicator EG.ELC.ACCS.ZS. Underlying providers: World Bank ESMAP, Tracking SDG 7. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
- People using the internet
- 96.3%
- World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator IT.NET.USER.ZS · observation year 2024 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2024; indicator IT.NET.USER.ZS. Underlying providers: International Telecommunication Union. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
World Development Indicators data are provided under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0). The linked indicator metadata identifies the underlying statistical providers.
Maintained profile
- Capital
- Bandar Seri Begawan
- CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · The nation set and displayed federal short name follow the current State Department independent-states register, dated August 11, 2026.
- Area
- 5,765 sq km
- CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · Final CIA source data preserved by a community mirror after the Factbook was retired; the mirror is not the issuing authority.
- Population
- 466,330
- World Bank, World Development Indicators · World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator SP.POP.TOTL. Underlying providers: UN Population Division, national statistical offices, and Eurostat. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
- Currency
- Bruneian dollars (BND)
- CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · Currency label extracted from the Factbook exchange-rate field.
- Languages
- Malay (Bahasa Melayu) (official), English, Chinese dialects
- CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · Factbook language listing reproduced without inferring official status beyond the source wording.
- Nationality / demonym
- noun: Bruneian(s); adjective: Bruneian
- CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · The source’s noun and adjective forms are retained. These are language labels, not evidence of any individual person’s citizenship.
- Government
- absolute monarchy or sultanate
- CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json ·
- Continent
- Asia
- CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Continental label standardized from the archived profile region “East and Southeast Asia.”
- Coastline
- 161 km
- CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
- Climate
- tropical; hot, humid, rainy
- CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
- Religions
- Muslim (official) 82.1%, Christian 6.7%, Buddhist 6.3%, other 4.9% (2021 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
- Flag colors
- yellow, white, black, red
- CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Colors extracted from the flag description in the preserved final CIA profile.
- National symbol
- royal parasol
- CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
- Highest point
- Bukit Pagon · 6,070 ft (1,850 m)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
- Lowest point
- South China Sea · 0 ft (0 m)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
- NATO membership
- Not a member
- NATO, What is NATO? · Membership status is reported from the organization's current member list as of the stated date.
- BRICS membership
- Not a member
- BRICS Brazil, About the BRICS · Membership status is reported from the organization's current member list as of the stated date.
Preserved public-domain record · not maintained current data
Final CIA World Factbook profile
This is the preserved historical baseline from the Factbook’s final public snapshot. It is presented as the CIA stated it, not as a current Standard American Almanac finding. Current, independently maintained facts appear above when available.
CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · profile updated · pinned source record · commit d81154954b8b
Introduction1 fields
- 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. Internal strife over royal succession, colonial expansion of European powers, and piracy subsequently brought on a period of decline. In 1888, Brunei became a British protectorate; independence was achieved in 1984. The same family has ruled Brunei for over six centuries, and in 2017, the country celebrated the 50th anniversary of Sultan Hassanal BOLKIAH’s accession to the throne. Brunei has one of the highest per-capita GDPs in the world, thanks to extensive petroleum and natural gas fields.
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Geography17 fields
- Location
- Southeastern Asia, along the northern coast of the island of Borneo, bordering the South China Sea and Malaysia
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Area
- total : 5,765 sq km land: 5,265 sq km water: 500 sq km
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Area - comparative
- slightly smaller than Delaware
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Land boundaries
- total: 266 km border countries (1): Malaysia 266 km
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Maritime claims
- territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm or to median line
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Terrain
- flat coastal plain rises to mountains in east; hilly lowland in west
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Elevation
- highest point: Bukit Pagon 1,850 m lowest point: South China Sea 0 m mean elevation: 478 m
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Natural resources
- petroleum, natural gas, timber
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Land use
- agricultural land: 2.5% (2023 est.) arable land: 0.8% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 1.1% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 0.6% (2023 est.) forest: 72.1% (2023 est.) other: 25.4% (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Population distribution
- the vast majority of the population is found along the coast in the western part of Brunei, which is separated from the eastern portion by Malaysia; the largest population concentration is in the far north on the western side of the Brunei Bay, in and around the capital of Bandar Seri Begawan
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Natural hazards
- typhoons, earthquakes, and severe flooding are rare
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- 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 an enclave within Malaysia
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
People and Society31 fields
- Population
- total: 491,900 (2024 est.) male: 239,140 female: 252,760
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Nationality
- noun: Bruneian(s) adjective: Bruneian
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Ethnic groups
- Malay 67.4%, Chinese 9.6%, other 23% (2021 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Languages
- Malay (Bahasa Melayu) (official), English, 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.
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Religions
- Muslim (official) 82.1%, Christian 6.7%, Buddhist 6.3%, other 4.9% (2021 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- 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)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Dependency ratios
- total dependency ratio: 41.2 (2024 est.) youth dependency ratio: 30.6 (2024 est.) elderly dependency ratio: 10.6 (2024 est.) potential support ratio: 9.4 (2024 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Median age
- total: 32.6 years (2025 est.) male: 31.4 years female: 33.1 years
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Birth rate
- 15.58 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Death rate
- 3.96 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Net migration rate
- 2.09 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Population distribution
- the vast majority of the population is found along the coast in the western part of Brunei, which is separated from the eastern portion by Malaysia; the largest population concentration is in the far north on the western side of the Brunei Bay, in and around the capital of Bandar Seri Begawan
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Urbanization
- urban population: 79.1% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 1.44% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Major urban areas - population
- 266,682 BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN (capital) (2021) note: the boundaries of the capital city were expanded in 2007, greatly increasing the city area; the population of the capital increased tenfold
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- 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 65 years and over: 0.94 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Maternal mortality ratio
- 36 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Infant mortality rate
- total: 9.8 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.) male: 12.2 deaths/1,000 live births female: 7.7 deaths/1,000 live births
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Life expectancy at birth
- total population: 78.9 years (2024 est.) male: 76.5 years female: 81.3 years
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Total fertility rate
- 1.73 children born/woman (2025 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Drinking water source
- total: 99.9% of population (2022 est.) urban: 0.4% of population rural: 0% of population total: 0.1% of population (2022 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Health expenditure
- 2.2% of GDP (2021) 6.4% of national budget (2022 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Physician density
- 1.89 physicians/1,000 population (2021)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Hospital bed density
- 3.9 beds/1,000 population (2021 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Sanitation facility access
- total: 99.5% of population (2022 est.) total: 0.5% of population (2022 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Alcohol consumption per capita
- total: 0.69 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) beer: 0.66 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) wine: 0.04 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) spirits: 0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) other alcohols: 0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Tobacco use
- total: 17% (2025 est.) male: 31.2% (2025 est.) female: 1.9% (2025 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Education expenditure
- 4.4% of GDP (2016 est.) 11.4% national budget (2016 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)
- total: 14 years (2023 est.) male: 13 years (2023 est.) female: 14 years (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Environment11 fields
- Environmental issues
- air pollution, including seasonal haze from forest fires in Indonesia
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- 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
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Land use
- agricultural land: 2.5% (2023 est.) arable land: 0.8% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 1.1% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 0.6% (2023 est.) forest: 72.1% (2023 est.) other: 25.4% (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Urbanization
- urban population: 79.1% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 1.44% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Carbon dioxide emissions
- 10.823 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.) from consumed natural gas: 7.65 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Particulate matter emissions
- 7.4 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Methane emissions
- energy: 50.5 kt (2022-2024 est.) agriculture: 0.9 kt (2019-2021 est.) waste: 9.2 kt (2019-2021 est.) other: 0.3 kt (2019-2021 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Waste and recycling
- municipal solid waste generated annually: 216,300 tons (2024 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 20% (2022 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Total water withdrawal
- municipal: 151.5 million cubic meters (2022 est.) agricultural: 5.3 million cubic meters (2022 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Total renewable water resources
- 8.5 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Government22 fields
- Country name
- conventional long form: Brunei Darussalam conventional short form: Brunei local long form: Negara Brunei Darussalam local short form: Brunei etymology: derivation of the name is unclear; the name may come from the Sanskrit word bhumi, meaning "land" or "region"
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- 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) etymology: named in 1970 after Sultan Omar Ali SAIFUDDIEN III (1914-1986), who adopted the title of "Seri Begawan" (approximately meaning "honored lord") when he abdicated in 1967; "bandar" means "city" or "port" in Malay; the capital had previously been called Bandar Brunei (Brunei City)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Administrative divisions
- 4 districts (daerah-daerah, singular - daerah); Belait, Brunei dan Muara, Temburong, Tutong
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Legal system
- mixed legal system based on English common law and Islamic law note: in 2019, sharia penal codes came into force and apply to Muslims and partly to non-Muslims in parallel with common law codes
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Constitution
- history: drafted 1954 to 1959, signed 29 September 1959 amendment process: proposed by the monarch; passage requires submission to the Privy Council for Legislative Council review and finalization takes place by proclamation; the monarch can accept or reject changes to the original proposal provided by the Legislative Council note: some constitutional provisions suspended since 1962 under a state of emergency, others suspended since independence in 1984
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- International law organization participation
- has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICC
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- 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
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Suffrage
- 18 years of age for village elections; universal
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Executive branch
- 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) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed and presided over by the monarch election/appointment process: none; the monarchy is hereditary note 1: the monarch is both chief of state and head of government, as well as Minister of Finance, Defense, and Foreign Affairs and Trade note 2: 4 additional advisory councils appointed by the monarch are the Religious Council, Privy Council for Constitutional Issues, Council of Succession, and Legislative Council
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Legislative branch
- legislature name: Legislative Council (Majlis Mesyuarat Negara) legislative structure: unicameral number of seats: 45 (all appointed) electoral system: plurality/majority scope of elections: full renewal term in office: 5 years most recent election date: 1/20/2023 percentage of women in chamber: 11.4% expected date of next election: January 2028
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Judicial branch
- highest court(s): 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) 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 judges appointed by the monarch for life subordinate courts: Intermediate Court; Magistrates' Courts; Juvenile Court; small claims courts; lower sharia courts 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
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Political parties
- National Development Party or NDP note: the NDP is Brunei’s only registered party, but does not have representation in the Legislative Council, which is appointed
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Diplomatic representation in the US
- chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d'Affaires IZZATI Baharuddin (since 6 May 2025) chancery: 3520 International Court NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 237-1838 FAX: [1] (202) 885-0560 email address and website: info@bruneiembassy.org http://www.bruneiembassy.org/index.html consulate(s): New York
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Diplomatic representation from the US
- chief of mission: Ambassador Caryn R. McCLELLAND (since December 2021) embassy: Simpang 336-52-16-9, Jalan Duta, Bandar Seri Begawan, BC4115 mailing address: 4020 Bandar Seri Begawan Place, Washington DC 20521-4020 telephone: (673) 238-7400 FAX: (673) 238-7533 email address and website: ConsularBrunei@state.gov https://bn.usembassy.gov/
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- 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
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- 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; the Sultan's birthday, 15 June
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Flag
- description: yellow with a diagonal white band and second below it in black, both starting from the upper left; the national emblem in red is at the center; the state motto, "Always render service with God's guidance," appears in yellow Arabic script on the emblem's crescent; a ribbon below the crescent reads "Brunei, the Abode of Peace" meaning: yellow symbolizes the sultanate, and the white and black bands stand for the chief ministers; the emblem includes a royal umbrella (the monarchy), two wings with four feathers (justice, tranquility, prosperity, and peace), two upraised hands (the government's pledge to preserve and promote the people's welfare), and the crescent moon of Islam (the state religion)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- National anthem(s)
- title: "Allah Peliharakan Sultan" (God Bless His Majesty) lyrics/music: Pengiran Haji Mohamed YUSUF bin Pengiran Abdul Rahim/Awang Haji BESAR bin Sagap history: adopted 1951
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Economy26 fields
- Economic overview
- almost exclusively an oil and gas economy; high income country; expansive and robust welfare system; the majority of the population works for the government; promulgating a nationalized halal brand; considering establishment of a bond market and stock exchange
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
- $36.64 billion (2024 est.) $35.163 billion (2023 est.) $34.771 billion (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Real GDP growth rate
- 4.2% (2024 est.) 1.1% (2023 est.) -1.6% (2022 est.) note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Real GDP per capita
- $79,200 (2024 est.) $76,600 (2023 est.) $76,400 (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- GDP (official exchange rate)
- $15.463 billion (2024 est.) note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Inflation rate (consumer prices)
- -0.4% (2024 est.) 0.4% (2023 est.) 3.7% (2022 est.) note: annual % change based on consumer prices
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- GDP - composition, by sector of origin
- agriculture: 1.2% (2024 est.) industry: 61.7% (2024 est.) services: 38.7% (2024 est.) note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- GDP - composition, by end use
- household consumption: 28.5% (2024 est.) government consumption: 23% (2024 est.) investment in fixed capital: 28.2% (2024 est.) investment in inventories: 0.2% (2024 est.) exports of goods and services: 74.3% (2024 est.) imports of goods and services: -58.9% (2024 est.) note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Agricultural products
- chicken, eggs, fruits, vegetables, rice, bananas, beans, cucumbers/gherkins, pineapples, beef (2023) note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Industries
- petroleum, petroleum refining, liquefied natural gas, construction, agriculture, aquaculture, transportation
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Industrial production growth rate
- 5.7% (2024 est.) note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Labor force
- 233,500 (2024 est.) note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Unemployment rate
- 5.2% (2024 est.) 5.2% (2023 est.) 5.2% (2022 est.) note: % of labor force seeking employment
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)
- total: 18.5% (2024 est.) male: 16.5% (2024 est.) female: 21.6% (2024 est.) note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Remittances
- 0% of GDP (2023 est.) 0% of GDP (2022 est.) 0% of GDP (2021 est.) note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Budget
- revenues: $1.058 billion (2020 est.) expenditures: $3.189 billion (2020 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Public debt
- 2.8% of GDP (2017 est.) note: central government debt as a % of GDP
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Current account balance
- $2.23 billion (2024 est.) $1.944 billion (2023 est.) $3.256 billion (2022 est.) note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Exports
- $11.483 billion (2024 est.) $11.573 billion (2023 est.) $14.405 billion (2022 est.) note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Exports - partners
- Australia 21%, Japan 17%, China 17%, Singapore 16%, Malaysia 6% (2023) note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Exports - commodities
- refined petroleum, natural gas, crude petroleum, hydrocarbons, fertilizers (2023) note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Imports
- $9.11 billion (2024 est.) $9.077 billion (2023 est.) $10.099 billion (2022 est.) note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Imports - partners
- Malaysia 23%, UAE 10%, China 10%, UK 10%, Australia 6% (2023) note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Imports - commodities
- crude petroleum, gold, refined petroleum, coal, cars (2023) note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Reserves of foreign exchange and gold
- $4.414 billion (2024 est.) $4.483 billion (2023 est.) $5.035 billion (2022 est.) note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Exchange rates
- Bruneian dollars (BND) per US dollar - 1.336 (2024 est.) 1.343 (2023 est.) 1.379 (2022 est.) 1.344 (2021 est.) 1.38 (2020 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Energy7 fields
- Electricity access
- electrification - total population: 100% (2022 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Electricity
- installed generating capacity: 904,000 kW (2023 est.) consumption: 5.081 billion kWh (2023 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 502.188 million kWh (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Electricity generation sources
- fossil fuels: 99.9% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) solar: 0.1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Coal
- consumption: 841,000 metric tons (2023 est.) imports: 841,000 metric tons (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Petroleum
- total petroleum production: 95,000 bbl/day (2023 est.) refined petroleum consumption: 15,000 bbl/day (2023 est.) crude oil estimated reserves: 1.1 billion barrels (2021 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Natural gas
- production: 10.093 billion cubic meters (2023 est.) consumption: 3.911 billion cubic meters (2023 est.) exports: 5.733 billion cubic meters (2023 est.) proven reserves: 260.515 billion cubic meters (2021 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Energy consumption per capita
- 403.365 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Communications6 fields
- Telephones - fixed lines
- total subscriptions: 122,000 (2023 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 26 (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Telephones - mobile cellular
- total subscriptions: 582,919 (2023 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 118 (2024 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Broadcast media
- state-controlled Radio Television Brunei (RTB) operates 5 channels; 3 Malaysian TV stations are available; foreign TV broadcasts are available via satellite 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
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Internet users
- percent of population: 99% (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Broadband - fixed subscriptions
- total: 93,000 (2023 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 20 (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Transportation5 fields
- Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
- V8
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Merchant marine
- total: 97 (2023) by type: general cargo 18, oil tanker 2, other 77
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Ports
- total ports: 5 (2024) large: 0 medium: 0 small: 2 very small: 3 ports with oil terminals: 5 key ports: Bandar Seri Begawan, Kuala Belait, Lumut, Muara Harbor, Seria Oil Loading Terminal
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Military and Security6 fields
- 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) note 1: the Gurkha Security Unit under the Ministry of Defense is a special guard force for the Sultan, the royal family, and the country’s oil installations note 2: the Royal Brunei Police Force (RBPF) is under the Prime Minister's Office
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Military expenditures
- 3% of GDP (2023 est.) 2.6% of GDP (2022 est.) 3.1% of GDP (2021 est.) 3.7% of GDP (2020 est.) 3.1% of GDP (2019 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Military and security service personnel strengths
- approximately 7,000 active Armed Forces (2025)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Military equipment inventories and acquisitions
- the military's s inventory includes equipment and weapons systems from a variety of suppliers from Asia, Europe, and the US (2025)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Military service age and obligation
- 18-25 years of age for voluntary military service (2025) note: the Gurkha Reserve Unit (GRU) employs hundreds of Gurkhas from Nepal, the majority of whom are veterans of the British Army and the Singapore Police Force who have joined the GRU as a second career
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Military - note
- the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF) are responsible for ensuring the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as countering outside aggression, terrorism, and insurgency Brunei has a long-standing defense relationship with the UK and hosts a British Army garrison, which includes a Gurkha battalion and a jungle warfare school; Brunei also has close security ties with Singapore and hosts a Singaporean military training detachment the RBAF was formed in 1961 with British support as the Brunei Malay Regiment; "Royal" was added as an honorary title in 1965 and its current name was given in 1984 (2025)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Transnational Issues2 fields
- Refugees and internally displaced persons
- stateless persons: 20,863 (2024 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Trafficking in persons
- tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List — Brunei does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking but is making significant efforts to do so, therefore Brunei was upgraded to Tier 2 Watch List; for more details, go to: https://www.state.gov/reports/2025-trafficking-in-persons-report/brunei/
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
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