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Communications

Broadcast media [time series]

state-controlled Radio Television Brunei (RTB) operates 4 channels; 3 Malaysian TV stations are available; foreign TV broadcasts are available via satellite and cable systems; RTB operates 5 radio networks broadcasting 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 (2009)

Internet country code [time series]

.bn

Internet users (Internet hosts) [time series]

50,997 (2010) country comparison to the world: 88

Internet users [time series]

314,900 (2009) country comparison to the world: 128

Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]

general assessment: service throughout the country is good; 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) (2009)

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

80,500 (2009) country comparison to the world: 149

Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]

425,000 (2009) country comparison to the world: 163

Economy

Agricultural products (Agriculture - products) [time series]

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

Commercial bank prime lending rate [time series]

5.5% (31 December 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 144 5.5% (31 December 2008 est.)

Current account balance [time series]

$7.024 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 27 $7.101 billion (2007 est.)

Debt - external [time series]

$0 (2005) country comparison to the world: 195

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. A new monetary authority was established in January 2011 with responsibilities that include monetary policy, monitoring of financial institutions, and currency trading activities. Other 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]

2.98 billion kWh (2008) country comparison to the world: 127

Electricity - exports [time series]

0 kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - imports [time series]

0 kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - production [time series]

3.069 billion kWh (2008) country comparison to the world: 123

Exchange rates [time series]

Bruneian dollars (BND) per US dollar - 1.45 (2009), 1.45 (2009), 2 (2006), 2 (2005), 2 (2004)

Exports [time series]

$10.67 billion (2008) country comparison to the world: 83 $8.25 billion (2007)

Exports - commodities [time series]

crude oil, natural gas, garments

Exports - partners [time series]

Japan 38.04%, Indonesia 25.95%, South Korea 14.17%, Australia 7.24% (2009)

GDP (official exchange rate) [time series]

$11.96 billion (2010 est.)

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

$19.88 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 126 $19.68 billion (2009 est.) $20.04 billion (2008 est.) note: data are in 2010 US dollars

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

agriculture: 0.7% industry: 74.1% services: 25.3% (2008 est.)

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

$50,300 (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 9 $50,700 (2009 est.) $52,500 (2008 est.) note: data are in 2010 US dollars

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

1% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 179 -1.8% (2009 est.) -1.9% (2008 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

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

Imports [time series]

$2.61 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 144 $2.055 billion (2007 est.)

Imports - commodities [time series]

machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods, food, chemicals

Imports - partners [time series]

Singapore 38.4%, Malaysia 18.7%, Japan 7.2%, China 5.42%, Thailand 5.19%, US 4.45%, UK 4.25% (2009)

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

-5.4% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 164

Industries [time series]

petroleum, petroleum refining, liquefied natural gas, construction

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

2.7% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 84 0.3% (2007 est.)

Labor force [time series]

188,800 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 171

Labor force - by occupation [time series]

agriculture: 4.2% industry: 62.8% services: 33% (2008 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 est.) country comparison to the world: 21

Natural gas - imports [time series]

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 76

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 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 35

Oil - consumption [time series]

16,000 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 132

Oil - exports [time series]

152,900 bbl/day (2007) country comparison to the world: 58

Oil - imports [time series]

238 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 200

Oil - production [time series]

146,000 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 48

Oil - proved reserves [time series]

1.1 billion bbl (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 39

Population below poverty line [time series]

NA%

Stock of broad money [time series]

$8.569 billion (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 106 $7.597 billion (31 December 2008)

Stock of domestic credit [time series]

$1.274 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 142 $2.38 billion (31 December 2007 est.)

Stock of narrow money [time series]

$3.374 billion (30 March 2009) country comparison to the world: 108 $3.046 billion (31 December 2008)

Unemployment rate [time series]

3.7% (2008) country comparison to the world: 31 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 (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Alexander L. BARRASSO embassy: Simpang 336-52-16-9, Jalan Kebangsaan, 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] 238-4616 FAX: [673] 238-4606

Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Yusoff Abd HAMID 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 (For more information visit theWorld Leaders website) elections: none; the monarchy 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; yellow is the color of royalty and symbolizes the sultanate; the white and black bands denote Brunei's chief ministers; the emblem includes five main components: a swallow-tailed flag, the royal umbrella representing the monarchy, the wings of four feathers symbolizing justice, tranquility, prosperity, and peace, the two upraised hands signifying the government's pledge to preserve and promote the welfare of the people, and the crescent moon denoting Islam, the state religion; the state motto "Always render service with God's guidance" appears in yellow Arabic script on the crescent; a ribbon below the crescent reads "Brunei, the Abode of Peace"

Government type [time series]

constitutional sultanate (locally known as Malay Islamic Monarchy)

Independence [time series]

1 January 1984 (from the UK)

International organization participation [time series]

ADB, APEC, ARF, ASEAN, C, CP, EAS, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDB, 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

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 concerning Muslim marriages and inheritance; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Legislative branch [time series]

The Sultan appointed a Legislative 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; no timeframe for an election has been announced

National anthem(s) (National anthem) [time series]

name: "Allah Peliharakan Sultan" (God Bless His Majesty) lyrics/music: Pengiran Haji Mohamed YUSUF bin Abdul Rahim/Awang Haji BESAR bin Sagap note: adopted 1951

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 in 2007; 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: 111,166 females age 16-49: 115,071 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service [time series]

males age 16-49: 93,809 females age 16-49: 97,345 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually [time series]

male: 3,509 female: 3,427 (2010 est.)

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

Royal Brunei Armed Forces: Royal Brunei Land Forces, Royal Brunei Navy, Royal Brunei Air Force (Tentera Udara Diraja Brunei) (2010)

Military expenditures [time series]

4.5% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 21

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) (2010 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

18 births/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 110

Death rate [time series]

3.32 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 219

Education expenditure (Education expenditures) [time series]

3.7% of GDP (2000) country comparison to the world: 121

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: 140

HIV/AIDS - deaths [time series]

fewer than 200 (2003 est.) country comparison to the world: 124

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: 11.87 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 141 male: 14.19 deaths/1,000 live births female: 9.44 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)

Languages [time series]

Malay (official), English, Chinese

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 75.96 years country comparison to the world: 74 male: 73.72 years female: 78.31 years (2010 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: 28.1 years male: 28 years female: 28.2 years (2010 est.)

Nationality [time series]

noun: Bruneian(s) adjective: Bruneian

Net migration rate [time series]

2.64 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 31

Population [time series]

395,027 (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 175

Population growth rate [time series]

1.733% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 70

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 (2008)

Sex ratio [time series]

at birth: 1.047 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.94 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2010 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

1.88 children born/woman (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 148

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 along their land boundary; despite no public territorial claim to Louisa Reef, Brunei implicitly lays claim by including it within the natural prolongation of its continental shelf and basis for a seabed median with Vietnam; 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 (2010) country comparison to the world: 207

Airports - with paved runways [time series]

total: 2 over 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2010)

Heliports [time series]

3 (2010)

Merchant marine [time series]

total: 9 country comparison to the world: 117 by type: chemical tanker 1, liquefied gas 8 (2010)

Pipelines [time series]

gas 37 km; oil 18 km (2009)

Ports (Ports and terminals) [time series]

Lumut, Muara, Seria

Roadways [time series]

total: 2,971 km country comparison to the world: 166 paved: 2,411 km unpaved: 560 km (2008)

Waterways [time series]

209 km (navigable by craft drawing less than 1.2 m; the Belait, Brunei, and Tutong rivers are major transport links) (2011) country comparison to the world: 97