Countries | Home / countries / Brunei

Last update: January, 19 2021

Brunei

flag of Brunei
Government
NameBrunei Darussalam
RumiNegara Brunei Darussalam
Jawiنڬارا بروني دارالسلام‎
Government typeAbsolute monarchy or sultanate
CapitalBandar Seri Begawan (100,700 (2007))
CurrencyBrunei dollar (BND)
Organization
Member StateCommonwealth of Nations
People
Population (2020)437,483 (175th)
Density of population72.11 P/km2 (134th)
NationalityBruneian
Official languages
Malay (Bahasa Melayu)
Ethnic groups (2016)
Malay65.7%
Chinese10.3%
Other24%
Religions (2011)
Muslim (official)78.8%
Christian8.7%
Buddhist7.8%
Other4.7%
Life expectancy (2020)
Male75.5 years
Female80.4 years
Total population77.9 years (70th)
Homicides
Total (2013)0.5 per 100,000 people (162nd)
Geography
Land area5,265 km2
water area500 km2
total area5,765 km2 (141st)
Mean elevation478 m
Lowest point
South China Sea0 m
Highest point
Bukit Pagon1,850 m
Land use (2011)
Agricultural land2.5%
Arable land0.8%
Permanent crops1.1%
Permanent pasture0.6%
Forest71.8%
Other25.7%
Urbanization
Urban population (2020)78.3%
Rate of urbanization1.66% annual rate of change (2015 – 2020)
Economy
Labor force (2014)203,600 (170th)
Labor force by occupation (2008)
Agriculture4.2%
Industry62.8%
Services 33%
Unemployment rate (2017)6.9% (102nd)
GDP (PPP) (estimate 2019)
Total$36.854 billion (125th)
Per capita$85,011(5th)
GDP (nominal) (estimate 2019)
Total$13.325 billion (124th)
Per capita$30,290 (29th)
GDP by sector (estimate 2017)
Agriculture1.2%
Industry56.6%
Services42.3%
Exports (2017)$5.885 billion (103rd)
Exports partners (2017)
Japan27.8%
South Korea12.4%
Thailand11.5%
Malaysia11.3%
India9.3%
Singapore7.7%
Switzerland5%
China4.7%
Imports (2017)$2.998 billion (147th)
Imports partners (2017)
China19.6%
Singapore19%
Malaysia18.8%
US9.2%
Germany5.9%
Japan4.1%
UK4%

Brunei on the world map

Brunei on the world map

Demography

Population pyramid

Population pyramid of Brunei (2020)

Age structure data

Estimate for 2020:

  • 0-14 years: 22.41% (male 53,653/female 50,446)
  • 15-24 years: 16.14% (male 37,394/female 37,559)
  • 25-54 years: 47.21% (male 103,991/female 115,291)
  • 55-64 years: 8.34% (male 19,159/female 19,585)
  • 65 years and over: 5.9% (male 13,333/female 14,067)

Remark: the age structure of a population affects a nation’s key socioeconomic issues. Countries with young populations (high percentage under age 15) need to invest more in schools, while countries with older populations (high percentage ages 65 and over) need to invest more in the health sector. The age structure can also be used to help predict potential political issues. For example, the rapid growth of a young adult population unable to find employment can lead to unrest.

Population from 1950 to 2020

CC BY

Source: United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division (2019). World Population Prospects 2019, Online Edition. Rev. 1.


Evolution of the life expectancy from 1960 to 2018

CC BY

Source: World Development Indicators, The World Bank

Economy

Agriculture:

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

Industries:

petroleum, petroleum refining, liquefied natural gas, construction, agriculture, aquaculture, transportation

Exports – commodities:

mineral fuels, organic chemicals

Imports – commodities:

machinery and mechanical appliance parts, mineral fuels, motor vehicles, electric machinery

Time zone and current time in Brunei

Go to our interactive map to get the current time in Brunei

Source: