Overview
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. Internal strife over royal succession, colonial expansion of European powers, and piracy subsequently brought on a period of decline. In 1888, Brunei became a British protectorate; independence was achieved in 1984. The same family has ruled Brunei for over six centuries, and in 2017, the country celebrated the 50th anniversary of Sultan Hassanal BOLKIAH s accession to the throne. Brunei has one of the highest per-capita GDPs in the world, thanks to extensive petroleum and natural gas fields.
Geography
- Location
- Southeastern Asia, along the northern coast of the island of Borneo, bordering the South China Sea and Malaysia
- Total Area
- 5,765 sq km
- Climate
- tropical; hot, humid, rainy
- Terrain
- flat coastal plain rises to mountains in east; hilly lowland in west
- Natural Resources
- petroleum, natural gas, timber
- Coastline
- 161 km
- Land Borders
- 266 km
People & Society
- Population
- 491,900 (2024 est.)
- Religions
- Muslim (official) 82.1%, Christian 6.7%, Buddhist 6.3%, other 4.9% (2021 est.)
- Ethnic Groups
- Malay 67.4%, Chinese 9.6%, other 23% (2021 est.)
- Life Expectancy
- 78.9 years (2024 est.)
- Urbanization
- 79.1% of total population (2023)
Government
- Government Type
- absolute monarchy or sultanate
- Capital
- Bandar Seri Begawan
- Independence
- 1 January 1984 (from the UK)
- Constitution
- drafted 1954 to 1959, signed 29 September 1959
- Legal System
- mixed legal system based on English common law and Islamic law
- Executive Branch
- Sultan and Prime Minister Sir HASSANAL Bolkiah (since 5 October 1967)
Economy
- 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
- GDP (Official Rate)
- $15.463 billion (2024 est.)
- Major Industries
- petroleum, petroleum refining, liquefied natural gas, construction, agriculture, aquaculture, transportation