Country Name: Brunei

Capital: Bandar Seri Begawan

Official Visa & Travel Information: Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Brunei Darussalam (Visa Information)

Government Type: absolute monarchy or sultanate

Background: 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 world. In 2017, Brunei celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Sultan Hassanal BOLKIAH’s accession to the throne.

Region: Asia 

Population: 484,991 (2023 est.)

Ethnic Groups: Malay 67.4%, Chinese 9.6%, other 23% (2021 est.)

Languages: Malay (Bahasa Melayu) (official), English, Chinese dialects

Religions: Muslim (official) 82.1%, Christian 6.7%, Buddhist 6.3%, other 4.9% (2021 est.)

Economic Overview: almost exclusively an oil and gas economy; high income country; expansive and robust welfare system; the majority of the population works for the government; promulgating a nationalized halal brand; considering establishment of a bond market and stock exchange

Currency: Brunei Dollar (BND)

Reserves of Foreign Exchange & Gold: $5.035 billion (2022 est.) note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars

Real GDP (Purchasing Power Parity): $26.343 billion (2022 est.) note: data in 2017 dollars

Real GDP Growth Rate: -1.63% (2022 est.) note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency

Real GDP per Capita: $58,700 (2022 est.) note: data in 2017 dollars

Exports: 

• $14.411 billion (2022 est.) note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars

• Comparison Ranking: 99

Export Commodities: refined petroleum, natural gas, crude petroleum, industrial hydrocarbons, industrial alcohols  (2021)

Export Partners: Singapore 21%, China 20%, Japan 19%, Australia 14%, Malaysia 5% (2021)

Imports: 

• $10.106 billion (2022 est.) note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars

• Comparison Ranking: 122

Import Commodities: crude petroleum, refined petroleum, cars, tug boats, valves (2019)

Import Partners: Singapore 18%, China 14%, Malaysia 12%, Nigeria 5%, United Arab Emirates 5%, United States 5% (2019)

Natural Resources: petroleum, natural gas, timber

Agricultural Products: poultry, eggs, fruit, cassava, bananas, legumes, cucumbers, rice, pineapples, beef

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

Industrial Production Growth Rate: 

• -4.91% (2022 est.) note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency

• Comparison Ranking: 202

Labor Force: 225,000 (2022 est.)

Unemployment Rate: 4.45% (2022 est.) note: % of labor force seeking employment

Natural Hazards: typhoons, earthquakes, and severe flooding are rare

Geography:

• Total: 5,765 sq km

• Land: 5,265 sq km

• Water: 500 sq km

(Country Summary, The World Factbook, CIA.gov)

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