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Communications

Internet country code [time series]

.bn

Internet users (Internet hosts) [time series]

14,978 (2009) country comparison to the world: 108

Internet users [time series]

217,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 133

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]

76,600 (2008) country comparison to the world: 151

Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]

376,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 162

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: $6.889 billion expenditures: $4 billion (2008 est.)

Commercial bank prime lending rate [time series]

5.5% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 139 5.5% (February 2009)

Current account balance [time series]

$7.101 billion (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 27

Debt - external [time series]

$0 (2005) country comparison to the world: 202

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 into 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, increasing agricultural production, and, in general, further widening the economic base beyond oil and gas.

Electricity - consumption [time series]

2.926 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 128

Electricity - exports [time series]

0 kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - imports [time series]

0 kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - production [time series]

3.091 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 124

Exchange rates [time series]

Bruneian dollars (BND) per US dollar - NA (2007), 1.5886 (2006), 1.6644 (2005), 1.6902 (2004), 1.7422 (2003)

Exports [time series]

$8.25 billion (2007) country comparison to the world: 93 $6.767 billion (2006)

Exports - commodities [time series]

crude oil, natural gas, garments

Exports - partners [time series]

Japan 40.8%, Indonesia 21.6%, South Korea 15.4%, Australia 10% (2008)

GDP (official exchange rate) [time series]

$14.55 billion (2008 est.)

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

$19.58 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 123 $19.96 billion (2007 est.) $19.92 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars

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

agriculture: 0.7% industry: 75% services: 25% (2005 est.)

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

$51,300 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 9 $53,300 (2007 est.) $54,200 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars

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

-1.9% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 211 0.2% (2007 est.) 4.4% (2006 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

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

Imports [time series]

$2.055 billion (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 148 $2 billion (2006 est.)

Imports - commodities [time series]

machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods, food, chemicals

Imports - partners [time series]

Singapore 36.5%, Malaysia 19%, Japan 7.7%, China 5.5%, Thailand 5%, US 4.7%, UK 4.7% (2008)

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

1.8% (2006 est.) country comparison to the world: 109

Industries [time series]

petroleum, petroleum refining, liquefied natural gas, construction

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

0.3% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 5

Labor force [time series]

188,800 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 166

Labor force - by occupation [time series]

agriculture: 4.5% industry: 63.1% services: 32.4% (2003 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares [time series]

$NA

Natural gas - consumption [time series]

4.2 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 65

Natural gas - exports [time series]

9.2 billion cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 22

Natural gas - imports [time series]

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 199

Natural gas - production [time series]

13.4 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 36

Natural gas - proved reserves [time series]

390.8 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 34

Oil - consumption [time series]

15,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 137

Oil - exports [time series]

207,500 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 55

Oil - imports [time series]

237.6 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 202

Oil - production [time series]

157,400 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 45

Oil - proved reserves [time series]

1.1 billion bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 38

Population below poverty line [time series]

NA%

Stock of domestic credit [time series]

$1.274 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 104 $2.38 billion (31 December 2007)

Stock of narrow money (Stock of money) [time series]

$3.046 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 63 $2.674 billion (31 December 2007)

Stock of narrow money (Stock of quasi money) [time series]

$4.551 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 72 $4.258 billion (31 December 2007)

Unemployment rate [time series]

3.7% (2008) country comparison to the world: 44 4% (2006)

Geography

Area [time series]

total: 5,765 sq km country comparison to the world: 172 land: 5,265 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, 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

Total water withdrawal (Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)) [time series]

total: 0.09 per capita: 243 cu m/yr (1994)

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

Total renewable water resources [time series]

8.5 cu km (1999)

Government

Administrative divisions [time series]

4 districts (daerah-daerah, singular - daerah); Belait, Brunei-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 William E. TODD 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 (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Angela SHIM 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 the UK)

International organization participation [time series]

ADB, APEC, APT, ARF, ASEAN, C, EAS, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDB, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, NAM, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, 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; Sharia courts deal with Islamic laws (2006)

Legal system [time series]

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

Legislative branch [time series]

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

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 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; parties are small and have limited activity

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

Suffrage [time series]

18 years of age for village elections; universal

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 16-49: 108,356 females age 16-49: 110,153 (2008 est.)

Manpower fit for military service [time series]

males age 16-49: 92,543 females age 16-49: 95,301 (2009 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually [time series]

male: 3,460 female: 3,399 (2009 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) (2009)

Military expenditures [time series]

4.5% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 24

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: 26.6% (male 53,282/female 50,141) 15-64 years: 70.1% (male 135,640/female 136,292) 65 years and over: 3.3% (male 6,199/female 6,636) (2009 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

18.2 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 112

Death rate [time series]

3.29 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 216

Education expenditure (Education expenditures) [time series]

5.2% of GDP (2000) country comparison to the world: 59

Ethnic groups [time series]

Malay 66.3%, Chinese 11.2%, indigenous 3.4%, other 19.1% (2004 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate [time series]

less than 0.1% (2003 est.) country comparison to the world: 142

HIV/AIDS - deaths [time series]

fewer than 200 (2003 est.) country comparison to the world: 125

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

fewer than 200 (2003 est.) country comparison to the world: 156

Infant mortality rate [time series]

total: 12.27 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 144 male: 14.68 deaths/1,000 live births female: 9.75 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)

Languages [time series]

Malay (official), English, Chinese

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 75.74 years country comparison to the world: 74 male: 73.52 years female: 78.07 years (2009 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: 27.8 years male: 27.7 years female: 27.8 years (2009 est.)

Nationality [time series]

noun: Bruneian(s) adjective: Bruneian

Net migration rate [time series]

2.69 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 32

Population [time series]

388,190 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 175

Population growth rate [time series]

1.759% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 76

Religions [time series]

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

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education) [time series]

total: 14 years male: 14 years female: 14 years (2006)

Sex ratio [time series]

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.93 male(s)/female total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2009 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

1.91 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 142

Urbanization [time series]

urban population: 75% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 2.6% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international [time series]

Brunei and Malaysia agreed in September 2008 to resolve their offshore and deepwater seabed dispute, resume hydrocarbon exploration, and renounce any territorial claims on land; 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 (2009) country comparison to the world: 210

Airports - with paved runways [time series]

total: 2 over 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2009)

Heliports [time series]

3 (2009)

Merchant marine [time series]

total: 8 country comparison to the world: 119 by type: liquefied gas 8 foreign-owned: 1 (UK 1) (2008)

Pipelines [time series]

gas 37 km; oil 18 km (2008)

Ports (Ports and terminals) [time series]

Lumut, Muara, Seria

Roadways [time series]

total: 3,650 km country comparison to the world: 159 paved: 2,819 km unpaved: 831 km (2005)

Waterways [time series]

209 km (navigable by craft drawing less than 1.2 m) (2008) country comparison to the world: 97