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Communications

Internet country code [time series]

.bn

Internet users (Internet hosts) [time series]

15,347 (2007)

Internet users [time series]

165,600 (2006)

Broadcast media (Radio broadcast stations) [time series]

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)

Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]

general assessment: service throughout the country is excellent; 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, scheduled for completion by late 2008, will provide new links to Asia and the US; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 1 Pacific Ocean) (2007)

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

80,200 (2006)

Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]

254,000 (2006)

Broadcast media (Television broadcast stations) [time series]

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

Economy

Agricultural products (Agriculture - products) [time series]

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

Budget [time series]

revenues: $3.765 billion expenditures: $4.815 billion (2004 est.)

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

Bruneian dollar (BND)

Debt - external [time series]

$0 (2005)

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

$NA (2004)

Economic overview (Economy - overview) [time series]

Brunei has a small well-to-do economy that encompasses a mixture of foreign and domestic entrepreneurship, government regulation, welfare measures, and village tradition. Crude oil and natural gas production account for just over half 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. 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. 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]

2.625 billion kWh (2005 est.)

Electricity - exports [time series]

0 kWh (2005)

Electricity - imports [time series]

0 kWh (2005)

Electricity - production [time series]

2.735 billion kWh (2005)

Exchange rates [time series]

Bruneian dollars per US dollar - 1.5886 (2006), 1.6644 (2005), 1.6902 (2004), 1.7422 (2003), 1.7906 (2002)

Exports [time series]

$6.247 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)

Exports - commodities [time series]

crude oil, natural gas, refined products, clothing

Exports - partners [time series]

Japan 30.5%, Indonesia 19.9%, South Korea 14.9%, Australia 11.5%, US 7.7% (2006)

Fiscal year [time series]

1 April - 31 March

GDP (official exchange rate) [time series]

$9.531 billion (2005 est.)

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

$9.557 billion (2006 est.)

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

agriculture: 0.9% industry: 71.6% services: 27.5% (2005 est.)

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

$25,600 (2005 est.)

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

0.4% (2005 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

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

Imports [time series]

$1.481 billion c.i.f. (2005 est.)

Imports - commodities [time series]

machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods, food, chemicals

Imports - partners [time series]

Singapore 31.6%, Malaysia 19%, UK 8.1%, Japan 5.6%, China 5.5%, Thailand 4.6% (2006)

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

1.8% (2005 est.)

Industries [time series]

petroleum, petroleum refining, liquefied natural gas, construction

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

1.1% (2005)

Labor force [time series]

180,400 (2006 est.)

Labor force - by occupation [time series]

agriculture: 2.9% industry: 61.1% services: 36% (2003 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares [time series]

$NA

Natural gas - consumption [time series]

2.254 billion cu m (2005 est.)

Natural gas - exports [time series]

8.776 billion cu m (2005 est.)

Natural gas - imports [time series]

0 cu m (2005)

Natural gas - production [time series]

11.03 billion cu m (2005 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves [time series]

374.8 billion cu m (1 January 2006 est.)

Oil - consumption [time series]

14,900 bbl/day (2006 est.)

Oil - exports [time series]

205,600 bbl/day (2006)

Oil - imports [time series]

660.1 bbl/day (2004)

Oil - production [time series]

219,300 bbl/day (2006)

Oil - proved reserves [time series]

1.35 billion bbl (1 January 2006)

Population below poverty line [time series]

NA%

Unemployment rate [time series]

4% (2006)

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: Biodiversity, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, 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 within Malaysia

Irrigated land [time series]

10 sq km (2003)

Land boundaries [time series]

total: 381 km border countries: Malaysia 381 km

Land use [time series]

arable land: 2.08% permanent crops: 0.87% other: 97.05% (2005)

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]

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 [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: Brunei Darussalam conventional short form: Brunei local long form: Negara Brunei Darussalam local 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, BS8811 mailing address: PSC 470 (BSB), FPO AP 96507; P.O. Box 2991, Bandar Seri Begawan BS8675, Negara Brunei Darussalam telephone: [673] 222-0384 FAX: [673] 222-5293

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) 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, AsDB, ASEAN, C, EAS, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDB, IFRCS, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, NAM, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Judicial branch [time series]

Supreme Court - chief justice and judges are sworn in by monarch for three-year terms; Judicial Committee of Privy Council in London is final court of appeal for civil cases; Shariah courts deal with Islamic laws (2006)

Legal system [time series]

based on English common law; for Muslims, Islamic Shari'a law supersedes civil law in a number of areas; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

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]

Brunei National Solidarity Party or PPKB [Abdul LATIF bin Chuchu]; National Development Party or NDP [YASSIN Affendi] note: People's Awareness Party or PAKAR [Awang Haji MAIDIN bin Haji Ahmad] was deregistered in 2007; parties are small and have limited activity

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 Asia.

Military

Manpower available for military service [time series]

males age 18-49: 103,885 females age 18-49: 93,024 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service [time series]

males age 18-49: 85,045 females age 18-49: 77,436 (2005 est.)

Manpower reaching military service age annually [time series]

males age 18-49: 3,478 females age 18-49: 3,342 (2005 est.)

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

Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF): Royal Brunei Land Forces, Royal Brunei Navy, Royal Brunei Air Force (Tentera Udara Diraja Brunei) (2005)

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

4.5% (2006)

Military service age and obligation [time series]

18 years of age (est.) for voluntary military service; non-Malays are ineligible to serve (2007)

People

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 27.8% (male 53,512/female 50,529) 15-64 years: 69% (male 130,134/female 128,488) 65 years and over: 3.2% (male 5,688/female 6,226) (2007 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

18.56 births/1,000 population (2007 est.)

Death rate [time series]

3.26 deaths/1,000 population (2007 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: 13.12 deaths/1,000 live births male: 15.72 deaths/1,000 live births female: 10.4 deaths/1,000 live births (2007 est.)

Languages [time series]

Malay (official), English, Chinese

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 75.3 years male: 73.12 years female: 77.59 years (2007 est.)

Literacy [time series]

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 92.7% male: 95.2% female: 90.2% (2001 census)

Median age [time series]

total: 27.2 years male: 27.3 years female: 27.1 years (2007 est.)

Nationality [time series]

noun: Bruneian(s) adjective: Bruneian

Net migration rate [time series]

2.79 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2007 est.)

Population [time series]

374,577 (July 2007 est.)

Population growth rate [time series]

1.81% (2007 est.)

Religions [time series]

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

Sex ratio [time series]

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.059 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.013 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.914 male(s)/female total population: 1.022 male(s)/female (2007 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

1.97 children born/woman (2007 est.)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international [time series]

Brunei and Malaysia are still considering international adjudication over their disputed offshore and deepwater seabeds, where hydrocarbon exploration was terminated in 2003 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 the 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 (2007)

Airports - with paved runways [time series]

total: 1 over 3,047 m: 1 (2007)

Airports - with unpaved runways [time series]

total: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2007)

Heliports [time series]

3 (2007)

Merchant marine [time series]

total: 8 ships (1000 GRT or over) 465,937 GRT/413,393 DWT by type: liquefied gas 8 foreign-owned: 8 (UK 8) (2007)

Pipelines [time series]

gas 672 km; oil 463 km (2006)

Ports (Ports and terminals) [time series]

Lumut, Muara, Seria

Roadways [time series]

total: 3,650 km paved: 2,819 km unpaved: 831 km (2005)

Waterways [time series]

209 km (navigable by craft drawing less than 1.2 m) (2007)