View Intelligence Dossier Back to 2005 CSV Excel Print All Years

Communications

Internet country code [time series]

.bn

Internet users (Internet hosts) [time series]

6,409 (2003)

Internet users [time series]

35,000 (2002)

Broadcast media (Radio broadcast stations) [time series]

AM 3, FM 10, shortwave 0 (1998)

Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]

general assessment: service throughout the country is excellent; international service is good to East Asia, Europe, and the US domestic: every service available international: country code - 673; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 1 Pacific Ocean); digital submarine cable links to Malaysia, the Philippines, and Singapore (2001)

Telephones - fixed lines (Telephones - main lines in use) [time series]

90,000 (2002)

Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]

137,000 (2002)

Broadcast media (Television broadcast stations) [time series]

2 (1997)

Economy

Agricultural products (Agriculture - products) [time series]

rice, vegetables, fruits, chickens, water buffalo

Budget [time series]

revenues: $4.9 billion expenditures: $4.2 billion, including capital expenditures of $1.35 billion (2003 est.)

Exchange rates (Currency (code)) [time series]

Bruneian dollar (BND)

Debt - external [time series]

Economic aid (Economic aid - recipient) [time series]

Economic overview (Economy - overview) [time series]

This small, well-to-do economy encompasses a mixture of foreign and domestic entrepreneurship, government regulation, welfare measures, and village tradition. Crude oil and natural gas production account for nearly half of GDP. Per capita GDP is far above most other Third World countries, 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. Brunei's leaders are concerned that steadily increased integration in the world economy will undermine internal social cohesion, although it became a more prominent player by serving as chairman for the 2000 APEC (Asian Pacific Economic Cooperation) forum. Plans for the future include upgrading the labor force, reducing unemployment, strengthening the banking and tourist sectors, and, in general, further widening the economic base beyond oil and gas.

Electricity - consumption [time series]

2.286 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports [time series]

0 kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports [time series]

0 kWh (2002)

Electricity - production [time series]

2.458 billion kWh (2002)

Exchange rates [time series]

Bruneian dollars per US dollar - 1.6902 (2004), 1.7422 (2003), 1.7906 (2002), 1.7917 (2001), 1.724 (2000)

Exports [time series]

$7.7 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Exports - commodities [time series]

crude oil, natural gas, refined products

Exports - partners [time series]

Japan 38.1%, South Korea 14%, Australia 11.2%, US 8.6%, Thailand 7.9%, Indonesia 5.9%, China 4.5% (2004)

Fiscal year [time series]

calendar year

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) (GDP (purchasing power parity)) [time series]

$6.842 billion (2003 est.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin (GDP - composition by sector) [time series]

agriculture: 5% industry: 45% services: 50% (2001 est.)

Real GDP per capita (GDP - per capita) [time series]

purchasing power parity - $23,600 (2003 est.)

Real GDP growth rate (GDP - real growth rate) [time series]

3.2% (2003 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

lowest 10%: NA highest 10%: NA

Imports [time series]

$5.2 billion c.i.f. (2003)

Imports - commodities [time series]

machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods, food, chemicals

Imports - partners [time series]

Singapore 32.7%, Malaysia 21.2%, UK 8.3%, Japan 7.2% (2004)

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

5% (2002 est.)

Industries [time series]

petroleum, petroleum refining, liquefied natural gas, construction

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

0.3% (2003 est.)

Labor force [time series]

158,000 note: includes foreign workers and military personnel; temporary residents make up about 40% of labor force (2002 est.)

Labor force - by occupation [time series]

agriculture, forestry, and fishing 10%, production of oil, natural gas, services, and construction 42%, government 48% (1999 est.)

Natural gas - consumption [time series]

1.35 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - exports [time series]

9 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - imports [time series]

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - production [time series]

10.35 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves [time series]

315 billion cu m (1 January 2002)

Oil - consumption [time series]

13,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports [time series]

199,000 bbl/day (2003)

Oil - imports [time series]

Oil - production [time series]

204,000 bbl/day (2003 est.)

Oil - proved reserves [time series]

1.255 billion bbl (1 January 2002)

Population below poverty line [time series]

Unemployment rate [time series]

3.2% (2002 est.)

Geography

Area [time series]

total: 5,770 sq km land: 5,270 sq km water: 500 sq km

Area - comparative [time series]

slightly smaller than Delaware

Climate [time series]

tropical; hot, humid, rainy

Coastline [time series]

161 km

Elevation (Elevation extremes) [time series]

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

Environment - current issues [time series]

seasonal smoke/haze resulting from forest fires in Indonesia

International environmental agreements (Environment - international agreements) [time series]

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

Geographic coordinates [time series]

4 30 N, 114 40 E

Geography - note [time series]

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

Irrigated land [time series]

10 sq km (1998 est.)

Land boundaries [time series]

total: 381 km border countries: Malaysia 381 km

Land use [time series]

arable land: 0.57% permanent crops: 0.76% other: 98.67% (2001)

Location [time series]

Southeastern Asia, bordering the South China Sea and Malaysia

Map references [time series]

Southeast Asia

Maritime claims [time series]

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

Natural hazards [time series]

typhoons, earthquakes, and severe flooding are rare

Natural resources [time series]

petroleum, natural gas, timber

Terrain [time series]

flat coastal plain rises to mountains in east; hilly lowland in west

Government

Administrative divisions [time series]

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

Capital [time series]

Bandar Seri Begawan

Constitution [time series]

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

Country name [time series]

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

Diplomatic representation from the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Emil SKODON embassy: Third Floor, Teck Guan Plaza, Jalan Sultan, Bandar Seri Begawan mailing address: PSC 470 (BSB), FPO AP 96507 telephone: [673] (2) 229670 FAX: [673] (2) 225293

Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Pengiran Anak Dato PUTEH chancery: 3520 International Court NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 237-1838 FAX: [1] (202) 885-0560

Executive branch [time series]

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); note - the monarch is both the chief of state and head of government 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 elections: none; the monarch is hereditary

Flag (Flag description) [time series]

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; the emblem includes a swallow-tailed flag on top of a winged column within an upturned crescent above a scroll and flanked by two upraised hands

Government type [time series]

constitutional sultanate

Independence [time series]

1 January 1984 (from UK)

International organization participation [time series]

APEC, APT, ARF, ASEAN, C, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDB, IFRCS, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU, NAM, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Judicial branch [time series]

Supreme Court (chief justice and judges are sworn in by the monarch for three-year terms)

Legal system [time series]

based on English common law; for Muslims, Islamic Shari'a law supersedes civil law in a number of areas

Legislative branch [time series]

Legislative Council met on 25 September 2004 for first time in 20 years with 21 members appointed by the Sultan; passed constitutional amendments calling for a 45-seat council with 15 elected members; Sultan dissolved council on 1 September 2005 and appointed a new council with 29 members as of 2 September 2005 elections: last held in March 1962 (date of next election NA)

National holiday [time series]

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 (Political parties and leaders) [time series]

National Development Party (NDP) [Yassin AFFENDI]; National Unity Party of Brunei (PPKB) [leader NA]; People's Awareness Party (PAKAR) [leader NA] note: parties are small and inactive (2005)

Political parties (Political pressure groups and leaders) [time series]

Suffrage [time series]

none

Introduction

Background [time series]

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 developing world.

Military

Manpower available for military service [time series]

males age 18-49: 103,885 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service [time series]

males age 18-49: approx. 85,045 (2005 est.)

Manpower reaching military service age annually [time series]

males: 3,478 (2005 est.)

Military and security forces (Military branches) [time series]

Royal Brunei Armed Forces: Royal Brunei Land Forces, Royal Brunei Navy, Royal Brunei Air Force

Military expenditures - dollar figure [time series]

$290.7 million (2004)

Military expenditures (Military expenditures - percent of GDP) [time series]

5.1% (2004)

Military service age and obligation [time series]

18 years of age (est.) (2004)

People

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 28.6% (male 54,342/female 52,084) 15-64 years: 68.4% (male 134,908/female 119,814) 65 years and over: 3% (male 5,301/female 5,912) (2005 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

19.01 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate [time series]

3.42 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Ethnic groups [time series]

Malay 67%, Chinese 15%, indigenous 6%, other 12%

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate [time series]

less than 0.1% (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths [time series]

less than 200 (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS [time series]

less than 200 (2003 est.)

Infant mortality rate [time series]

total: 12.61 deaths/1,000 live births male: 15.93 deaths/1,000 live births female: 9.1 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Languages [time series]

Malay (official), English, Chinese

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 74.8 years male: 72.36 years female: 77.36 years (2005 est.)

Literacy [time series]

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 93.9% male: 96.3% female: 91.4% (2002)

Median age [time series]

total: 27.04 years male: 27.63 years female: 26.4 years (2005 est.)

Nationality [time series]

noun: Bruneian(s) adjective: Bruneian

Net migration rate [time series]

3.45 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Population [time series]

372,361 (July 2005 est.)

Population growth rate [time series]

1.9% (2005 est.)

Religions [time series]

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

Sex ratio [time series]

at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.13 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.9 male(s)/female total population: 1.09 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

2.3 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international [time series]

in 2003 Brunei and Malaysia ceased gas and oil exploration in their disputed offshore and deepwater seabeds and negotiations have stalemated prompting consideration of international legal adjudication; Malaysia's land boundary with Brunei around Limbang is in dispute; Brunei established an exclusive economic fishing zone encompassing Louisa Reef in southern Spratly Islands in 1984 but makes no public territorial claim to the offshore reefs; the 2002 "Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea" has eased tensions in the Spratly Islands but falls short of a legally binding "code of conduct" desired by several of the disputants

Illicit drugs [time series]

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

Transportation

Airports [time series]

2 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways [time series]

total: 1 over 3,047 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways [time series]

total: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Heliports [time series]

3 (2004 est.)

Roadways (Highways) [time series]

total: 2,525 km paved: 2,525 km unpaved: 0 km (2000)

Merchant marine [time series]

total: 8 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 465,937 GRT/413,393 DWT by type: liquefied gas 8 foreign-owned: 8 (United Kingdom 8) (2005)

Pipelines [time series]

gas 665 km; oil 439 km (2004)

Ports (Ports and harbors) [time series]

Lumut, Muara, Seria

Waterways [time series]

209 km (navigable by craft drawing less than 1.2 m) (2004)