Topic: Photos of San Marino

Topic: Introduction
Background: Geographically the third-smallest state in Europe (after the Holy See and Monaco), San Marino also claims to be the world's oldest republic. According to tradition, it was founded by a Christian stonemason named MARINUS in A.D. 301. San Marino's foreign policy is aligned with that of the EU, although it is not a member; social and political trends in the republic track closely with those of its larger neighbor, Italy.Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic.

Topic: Geography
Location: Southern Europe, an enclave in central Italy
Geographic coordinates: 43 46 N, 12 25 E
Map references: Europe
Area: total: 61 sq km

land: 61 sq km

water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative: about one-third the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: total: 37 km

border countries (1): Italy 37 km
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims: none (landlocked)
Climate: Mediterranean; mild to cool winters; warm, sunny summers
Terrain: rugged mountains
Elevation: highest point: Monte Titano 739 m

lowest point: Torrente Ausa 55 m
Natural resources: building stone
Land use: agricultural land: 16.7% (2018 est.)

arable land: 16.7% (2018 est.)

permanent crops: 0% (2018 est.)

permanent pasture: 0% (2018 est.)

forest: 0% (2018 est.)

other: 83.3% (2018 est.)
Irrigated land: 0 sq km (2012)
Natural hazards: occasional earthquakes
Geography - note: landlocked; an enclave of (completely surrounded by) Italy; smallest independent state in Europe after the Holy See and Monaco; dominated by the Apennine Mountains
Map description: San Marino map showing the major population centers in this microstate surrounded by Italy.San Marino map showing the major population centers in this microstate surrounded by Italy.

Topic: People and Society
Population: 34,682 (2022 est.)
Nationality: noun: Sammarinese (singular and plural)

adjective: Sammarinese
Ethnic groups: Sammarinese, Italian
Languages: Italian

major-language sample(s):
L'Almanacco dei fatti del mondo, l'indispensabile fonte per le informazioni di base. (Italian)

The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.
Religions: Roman Catholic
Age structure: 0-14 years: 14.73% (male 2,662/female 2,379)

15-24 years: 11.64% (male 2,091/female 1,894)

25-54 years: 39.12% (male 6,310/female 7,081)

55-64 years: 14.28% (male 2,367/female 2,520)

65 years and over: 20.24% (2020 est.) (male 3,123/female 3,805)
Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: NA

youth dependency ratio: NA

elderly dependency ratio: NA

potential support ratio: NA
Median age: total: 45.2 years

male: 43.9 years

female: 46.3 years (2020 est.)
Population growth rate: 0.61% (2022 est.)
Birth rate: 8.85 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Death rate: 8.82 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Net migration rate: 6.11 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Urbanization: urban population: 97.7% of total population (2022)

rate of urbanization: 0.41% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Major urban areas - population: 4,000 SAN MARINO (2018)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.09 male(s)/female

0-14 years: 1.1 male(s)/female

15-24 years: 1.13 male(s)/female

25-54 years: 0.9 male(s)/female

55-64 years: 0.92 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female

total population: 0.93 male(s)/female (2022 est.)
Mother's mean age at first birth: 31.9 years (2019)
Infant mortality rate: total: 6.51 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 7.72 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 5.19 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 83.86 years

male: 81.3 years

female: 86.65 years (2022 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.53 children born/woman (2022 est.)
Contraceptive prevalence rate: NA
Drinking water source: improved: urban: NA

rural: NA

total: 100% of population

unimproved: urban: NA

rural: NA

total: 0% of population (2020)
Current Health Expenditure: 6.4% (2019)
Physicians density: 6.11 physicians/1,000 population (2014)
Hospital bed density: 3.8 beds/1,000 population (2012)
Sanitation facility access: improved: urban: NA

rural: NA

total: 100% of population

unimproved: urban: NA

rural: NA

total: 0% of population (2020)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA
Children under the age of 5 years underweight: NA
Education expenditures: 3.4% of GDP (2019 est.)
Literacy: total population: 99.9%

male: 99.9%

female: 99.9% (2018)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 12 years

male: 13 years

female: 12 years (2020)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 27.4%

male: 21.4%

female: 36% (2016 est.)

Topic: Environment
Environment - current issues: air pollution; urbanization decreasing rural farmlands; water shortage
Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Whaling

signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution
Air pollutants: particulate matter emissions: 13.45 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.)

methane emissions: 0.02 megatons (2020 est.)
Climate: Mediterranean; mild to cool winters; warm, sunny summers
Land use: agricultural land: 16.7% (2018 est.)

arable land: 16.7% (2018 est.)

permanent crops: 0% (2018 est.)

permanent pasture: 0% (2018 est.)

forest: 0% (2018 est.)

other: 83.3% (2018 est.)
Urbanization: urban population: 97.7% of total population (2022)

rate of urbanization: 0.41% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Revenue from forest resources: forest revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)
Waste and recycling: municipal solid waste generated annually: 17,175 tons (2016 est.)

municipal solid waste recycled annually: 7,737 tons (2016 est.)

percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 45.1% (2016 est.)

Topic: Government
Country name: conventional long form: Republic of San Marino

conventional short form: San Marino

local long form: Repubblica di San Marino

local short form: San Marino

etymology: named after Saint MARINUS, who in A.D. 301 founded the monastic settlement around which the city and later the state of San Marino coalesced
Government type: parliamentary republic
Capital: name: San Marino (city)

geographic coordinates: 43 56 N, 12 25 E

time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October

etymology: named after Saint MARINUS, who in A.D. 301 founded a monastic settlement around which the city and later the state of San Marino coalesced
Administrative divisions: 9 municipalities (castelli, singular - castello); Acquaviva, Borgo Maggiore, Chiesanuova, Domagnano, Faetano, Fiorentino, Montegiardino, San Marino Citta, Serravalle
Independence: 3 September 301 (traditional founding date)
National holiday: Founding of the Republic (or Feast of Saint Marinus), 3 September (A.D. 301)
Constitution: history: San Marino’s principal legislative instruments consist of old customs (antiche consuetudini), the Statutory Laws of San Marino (Leges Statutae Sancti Marini), old statutes (antichi statute) from the1600s, Brief Notes on the Constitutional Order and Institutional Organs of the Republic of San Marino (Brevi Cenni sull’Ordinamento Costituzionale e gli Organi Istituzionali della Repubblica di San Marino) and successive legislation, chief among them is the Declaration of the Rights of Citizens and Fundamental Principles of the San Marino Legal Order (Dichiarazione dei Diritti dei Cittadini e dei Principi Fondamentali dell’Ordinamento Sammarinese), approved 8 July 1974

amendments: proposed by the Great and General Council; passage requires two-thirds majority Council vote; Council passage by absolute majority vote also requires passage in a referendum; Declaration of Civil Rights amended several times, last in 2019
Legal system: civil law system with Italian civil law influences
International law organization participation: has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
Citizenship: citizenship by birth: no

citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of San Marino

dual citizenship recognized: no

residency requirement for naturalization: 30 years
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: co-chiefs of state Captain Regent Oscar MONA and Captain Regent Paolo RONDELLI (for the period 1 April 2022 - 1 October 2022)

head of government: Secretary of State for Foreign and Political Affairs Luca BECCARI (since 8 January 2020)

cabinet: Congress of State elected by the Grand and General Council

elections/appointments: co-chiefs of state (captains regent) indirectly elected by the Grand and General Council for a single 6-month term; election last held in September 2021 (next to be held in March 2022); secretary of state for foreign and political affairs indirectly elected by the Grand and General Council for a single 5-year term; election last held on 28 December 2019 (next to be held by November 2024)

election results: Oscar MINA (PDCS) and Paolo RONDELLI (RETE) elected captains regent; percent of Grand and General Council vote - NA; Luca BECCARI (PDCS) elected secretary of state for foreign and political affairs; percent of Grand and General Council vote - NA

note: the captains regent preside over meetings of the Grand and General Council and its cabinet (Congress of State), which has 7 other members who are selected by the Grand and General Council; assisting the captains regent are 7 secretaries of state; the secretary of state for Foreign Affairs has some prime ministerial roles
Legislative branch: description: unicameral Grand and General Council or Consiglio Grande e Generale (60 seats; members directly elected in single- and multi-seat constituencies by list proportional representation vote in 2 rounds if needed; members serve 5-year terms)

elections: last held on 8 December 2019 (next to be held by 31 December 2024)

election results: percent of vote by coalition/party - PDCS 35%, Tomorrow in Movement coalition 25% (RETE Movement 18.3%, Domani - Motus Liberi 6.7%), Free San Marino 16.7%, We for the Republic 13.3%, Future Republic 10%; seats by coalition/party - PDCS 21, Tomorrow in Movement coalition 15 (RETE Movement 11, Domani - Motus Liberi 4), Free San Marino 10, We for the Republic 8, Future Republic 6; composition (as of October 2021) - men 40, women 20, percent of women 33.3%
Judicial branch: highest courts: Council of Twelve or Consiglio dei XII (consists of 12 members); note - the College of Guarantors for the Constitutionality and General Norms functions as San Marino's constitutional court

judge selection and term of office: judges elected by the Grand and General Council from among its own to serve 5-year terms

subordinate courts: first instance and first appeal criminal, administrative, and civil courts; Court for the Trust and Trustee Relations; justices of the peace or conciliatory judges
Political parties and leaders: Civic 10 [Franco SANTI]
Domani - Modus Liberi or DML [Lorenzo Forcellini REFFI]
Free San Marino or Libera [Matteo Ciacci]
Future Republic or RF [Mario VENTURINI]
I Elect for a New Republic
Party of Socialists and Democrats or PSD [Paride ANDREOLI]
RETE Movement [Gloria Arcangeloni]
Sammarinese Christian Democratic Party or PDCS [Marco GATTI]
Socialist Party or PS [Alessandro BEVITORI]
Tomorrow in Movement coalition (includes RETE Movement, DML)
We for the Republic [Denise Bronzetti]
International organization participation: CE, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), IPU, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAIA (observer), OPCW, OSCE, Schengen Convention (de facto member), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, Union Latina, UNWTO, UPU, WHO, WIPO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Damiano BELEFFI (since 21 July 2017)

chancery: 327 E 50th Street, New York, NY 10022; Embassy address: 1711 North Street NW (2nd Floor), Washington, DC 22036

telephone: [1] (212) 751-1234
[1] (202) 223-24l8
[1] (202) 751-1436

FAX: [1] (212) 751-1436

email address and website:
sanmarinoun@gmail.com
Diplomatic representation from the US: embassy: the United States does not have an Embassy in San Marino; the US Ambassador to Italy is accredited to San Marino, and the US Consulate General in Florence maintains day-to-day ties
Flag description: two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and light blue with the national coat of arms superimposed in the center; the main colors derive from the shield of the coat of arms, which features three white towers on three peaks on a blue field; the towers represent three castles built on San Marino's highest feature, Mount Titano: Guaita, Cesta, and Montale; the coat of arms is flanked by a wreath, below a crown and above a scroll bearing the word LIBERTAS (Liberty); the white and blue colors are also said to stand for peace and liberty respectively
National symbol(s): three peaks each displaying a tower; national colors: white, blue
National anthem: name: "Inno Nazionale della Repubblica" (National Anthem of the Republic)

lyrics/music: no lyrics/Federico CONSOLO

note: adopted 1894; the music for the lyric-less anthem is based on a 10th century chorale piece
National heritage: total World Heritage Sites: 1 (cultural)

selected World Heritage Site locales: San Marino Historic Center and Mount Titano

Topic: Economy
Economic overview: San Marino's economy relies heavily on tourism, banking, and the manufacture and export of ceramics, clothing, fabrics, furniture, paints, spirits, tiles, and wine. The manufacturing and financial sectors account for more than half of San Marino's GDP. The per capita level of output and standard of living are comparable to those of the most prosperous regions of Italy.   San Marino's economy contracted considerably in the years since 2008, largely due to weakened demand from Italy - which accounts for nearly 90% of its export market - and financial sector consolidation. Difficulties in the banking sector, the global economic downturn, and the sizable decline in tax revenues all contributed to negative real GDP growth. The government adopted measures to counter the downturn, including subsidized credit to businesses and is seeking to shift its growth model away from a reliance on bank and tax secrecy. San Marino does not issue public debt securities; when necessary, it finances deficits by drawing down central bank deposits.   The economy benefits from foreign investment due to its relatively low corporate taxes and low taxes on interest earnings. The income tax rate is also very low, about one-third the average EU level. San Marino continues to work towards harmonizing its fiscal laws with EU and international standards. In September 2009, the OECD removed San Marino from its list of tax havens that have yet to fully adopt global tax standards, and in 2010 San Marino signed Tax Information Exchange Agreements with most major countries. In 2013, the San Marino Government signed a Double Taxation Agreement with Italy, but a referendum on EU membership failed to reach the quorum needed to bring it to a vote.San Marino's economy relies heavily on tourism, banking, and the manufacture and export of ceramics, clothing, fabrics, furniture, paints, spirits, tiles, and wine. The manufacturing and financial sectors account for more than half of San Marino's GDP. The per capita level of output and standard of living are comparable to those of the most prosperous regions of Italy. San Marino's economy contracted considerably in the years since 2008, largely due to weakened demand from Italy - which accounts for nearly 90% of its export market - and financial sector consolidation. Difficulties in the banking sector, the global economic downturn, and the sizable decline in tax revenues all contributed to negative real GDP growth. The government adopted measures to counter the downturn, including subsidized credit to businesses and is seeking to shift its growth model away from a reliance on bank and tax secrecy. San Marino does not issue public debt securities; when necessary, it finances deficits by drawing down central bank deposits. The economy benefits from foreign investment due to its relatively low corporate taxes and low taxes on interest earnings. The income tax rate is also very low, about one-third the average EU level. San Marino continues to work towards harmonizing its fiscal laws with EU and international standards. In September 2009, the OECD removed San Marino from its list of tax havens that have yet to fully adopt global tax standards, and in 2010 San Marino signed Tax Information Exchange Agreements with most major countries. In 2013, the San Marino Government signed a Double Taxation Agreement with Italy, but a referendum on EU membership failed to reach the quorum needed to bring it to a vote.
Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $2.06 billion (2019 est.)

$2.01 billion (2018 est.)

$1.982 billion (2017 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars
Real GDP growth rate: 1.9% (2017 est.)

2.2% (2016 est.)

0.6% (2015 est.)
Real GDP per capita: $60,800 (2019 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars

$59,600 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars

$58,867 (2017 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate): $1.643 billion (2017 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1% (2017 est.)

0.6% (2016 est.)
Credit ratings: Fitch rating: BB+ (2020)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 0.1% (2009)

industry: 39.2% (2009)

services: 60.7% (2009)
GDP - composition, by end use: household consumption: (2011 est.) NA

government consumption: (2011 est.) NA

investment in fixed capital: (2011 est.) NA

investment in inventories: (2011 est.) NA

exports of goods and services: 176.6% (2011)

imports of goods and services: -153.3% (2011)
Agricultural products: wheat, grapes, corn, olives; cattle, pigs, horses, beef, cheese, hides
Industries: tourism, banking, textiles, electronics, ceramics, cement, wine
Industrial production growth rate: -1.1% (2012 est.)
Labor force: 21,960 (September 2013 est.)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 0.2%

industry: 33.5%

services: 66.3% (September 2013 est.)
Unemployment rate: 8.1% (2017 est.)

8.6% (2016 est.)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 27.4%

male: 21.4%

female: 36% (2016 est.)
Population below poverty line: NA
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA
Budget: revenues: 667.7 million (2011 est.)

expenditures: 715.3 million (2011 est.)
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): -2.9% (of GDP) (2011 est.)
Public debt: 24.1% of GDP (2017 est.)

22.5% of GDP (2016 est.)
Taxes and other revenues: 40.6% (of GDP) (2011 est.)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Current account balance: $0 (2017 est.)

$0 (2016 est.)
Exports: $3.827 billion (2011 est.)

$2.576 billion (2010 est.)
Exports - partners: Romania 10%, France 9%, United States 8%, Germany 8%, Poland 6%, Brazil 6%, Russia 6%, Austria 6% (2019)
Exports - commodities: industrial washing/bottling machinery, packaged medicines, woodworking machinery, foodstuffs, aircraft (2019)
Imports: $2.551 billion (2011 est.)

$2.132 billion (2010 est.)
Imports - partners: Germany 21%, Italy 13%, Poland 10%, France 7%, Spain 7%, Belgium 6%, Romania 6% (2019)
Imports - commodities: electricity, cars, aluminum, footwear, natural gas, iron piping (2019)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $392 million (2014 est.)

$539.3 million (2013 est.)
Debt - external: NANA
Exchange rates: euros (EUR) per US dollar -

0.885 (2017 est.)

0.903 (2016 est.)

0.9214 (2015 est.)

0.885 (2014 est.)

0.7634 (2013 est.)

Topic: Energy
Electricity access: electrification - total population: 100% (2020)

Topic: Communications
Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 16,000 (2020 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 47 (2020 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 39,000 (2020 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 115 (2020 est.)
Telecommunication systems: general assessment: automatic telephone system completely integrated into Italian system (2018)

domestic: fixed-line a little over 47 per 100 and mobile-cellular teledensity roughly 114 telephones per 100 persons (2019)

international: country code - 378; connected to Italian international network

note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced a downturn, particularly in mobile device production; progress towards 5G implementation has resumed, as well as upgrades to infrastructure; consumer spending on telecom services has increased due to the surge in demand for capacity and bandwidth; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home is still evident, and the spike in this area has seen growth opportunities for development of new tools and increased services
Broadcast media: state-owned public broadcaster operates 1 TV station and 3 radio stations; receives radio and TV broadcasts from Italy (2019)
Internet country code: .sm
Internet users: total: 20,318 (2019 est.)

percent of population: 60% (2019 est.)
Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 11,000 (2020 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 32 (2020 est.)

Topic: Transportation
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: T7
Roadways: total: 292 km (2006)

paved: 292 km (2006)

Topic: Military and Security
Military and security forces: no regular military forces; Voluntary Military Corps (Corpi Militari), which includes a Uniformed Militia (performs ceremonial duties and limited police support functions) and Guard of the Great and General Council (defends the Captains Regent and the Great and General Council, participates in official ceremonies, cooperates with the maintenance of public order on special occasions, and performs guard duties during parliamentary sittings); the Police Corps includes the Gendarmerie, which is responsible for maintaining public order, protecting citizens and their property, and providing assistance during disasters (2022)
Military service age and obligation: 18 is the legal minimum age for voluntary military service; no conscription; government has the authority to call up all San Marino citizens from 16-60 years of age to service in the military (2021)
Military - note: defense is the responsibility of Italy

Topic: Transnational Issues
Disputes - international: none identifiednone identified


Topic: Photos of Brunei

Topic: Introduction
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.Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic.

Topic: Geography
Location: Southeastern Asia, along the northern coast of the island of Borneo, bordering the South China Sea and Malaysia
Geographic coordinates: 4 30 N, 114 40 E
Map references: Southeast Asia
Area: total: 5,765 sq km

land: 5,265 sq km

water: 500 sq km
Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Delaware
Land boundaries: total: 266 km

border countries (1): Malaysia 266 km
Coastline: 161 km
Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm or to median line
Climate: tropical; hot, humid, rainy
Terrain: flat coastal plain rises to mountains in east; hilly lowland in west
Elevation: highest point: Bukit Pagon 1,850 m

lowest point: South China Sea 0 m

mean elevation: 478 m
Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, timber
Land use: agricultural land: 2.5% (2018 est.)

arable land: 0.8% (2018 est.)

permanent crops: 1.1% (2018 est.)

permanent pasture: 0.6% (2018 est.)

forest: 71.8% (2018 est.)

other: 25.7% (2018 est.)
Irrigated land: 10 sq km (2012)
Natural hazards: typhoons, earthquakes, and severe flooding are rare
Geography - note: close to vital sea lanes through South China Sea linking Indian and Pacific Oceans; two parts physically separated by Malaysia; the eastern part, the Temburong district, is an exclave and is almost an enclave within Malaysia
Map description: Brunei map showing major cities and towns as well as neighboring Malaysia and the North China Sea.Brunei map showing major cities and towns as well as neighboring Malaysia and the North China Sea.

Topic: People and Society
Population: 478,054 (2022 est.)

note: immigrants make up approximately 26% of the total population, according to UN data (2019)
Nationality: noun: Bruneian(s)

adjective: Bruneian
Ethnic groups: Malay 65.8%, Chinese 10.2%, other 24% (2020 est.)
Languages: Malay (Bahasa Melayu) (official), English, Chinese dialects

major-language sample(s):
Buku Fakta Dunia, sumber yang diperlukan untuk maklumat asas. (Malay)

The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.
Religions: Muslim (official) 80.9%, Christian 7.1%, Buddhist 7.1%, other (includes indigenous beliefs) 5% (2016 est.)
Demographic profile: Brunei is a small, oil-rich sultanate of less than half a million people, making it the smallest country in Southeast Asia by population.  Its total fertility rate – the average number of births per woman – has been steadily declining over the last few decades, from over 3.5 in the 1980s to below replacement level today at nearly 1.8.  The trend is due to women’s increased years of education and participation in the workforce, which have resulted in later marriages and fewer children.  Yet, the population continues to grow because of the large number of women of reproductive age and a reliance on foreign labor – mainly from Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines, Indonesia, and South Asian countries – to fill low-skilled jobs. Brunei is officially Muslim, and Malay is the official language.  The country follows an official Malay national ideology, Malay Islamic Monarchy, which promotes Malay language and culture, Islamic values, and the monarchy.  Only seven of Brunei’s native groups are recognized in the constitution and are defined as “Malay” – Brunei Malays, Belait, Kedayan, Dusun, Bisayak, Lun Bawang, and Sama-Baiau.  Together they make up about 66% percent of the population and are referred to as the Bumiputera.  The Bumiputera are entitled to official privileges, including land ownership, access to certain types of employment (Royal Brunei Armed Forces and Brunei Shell Petroleum), easier access to higher education, and better job opportunities in the civil service.  Brunei’s Chinese population descends from migrants who arrived when Brunei was a British protectorate (1888 and 1984).  They are prominent in the non-state commercial sector and account for approximately 10% of the population.  Most Bruneian Chinese are permanent residents rather than citizens despite roots going back several generations.  Many are stateless and are denied rights granted to citizens, such as land ownership, subsidized health care, and free secondary and university education.  Because of the discriminatory policies, the number of Chinese in Brunei has shrunk considerably in the last 50 years.  Native ethnic groups that are not included in the Bumiputera are not recognized in the constitution and are not officially identified as “Malay” or automatically granted citizenship.  Foreign workers constitute some quarter of the labor force.Brunei is a small, oil-rich sultanate of less than half a million people, making it the smallest country in Southeast Asia by population.  Its total fertility rate – the average number of births per woman – has been steadily declining over the last few decades, from over 3.5 in the 1980s to below replacement level today at nearly 1.8.  The trend is due to women’s increased years of education and participation in the workforce, which have resulted in later marriages and fewer children.  Yet, the population continues to grow because of the large number of women of reproductive age and a reliance on foreign labor – mainly from Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines, Indonesia, and South Asian countries – to fill low-skilled jobs.Brunei is officially Muslim, and Malay is the official language.  The country follows an official Malay national ideology, Malay Islamic Monarchy, which promotes Malay language and culture, Islamic values, and the monarchy.  Only seven of Brunei’s native groups are recognized in the constitution and are defined as “Malay” – Brunei Malays, Belait, Kedayan, Dusun, Bisayak, Lun Bawang, and Sama-Baiau.  Together they make up about 66% percent of the population and are referred to as the Bumiputera.  The Bumiputera are entitled to official privileges, including land ownership, access to certain types of employment (Royal Brunei Armed Forces and Brunei Shell Petroleum), easier access to higher education, and better job opportunities in the civil service. Brunei’s Chinese population descends from migrants who arrived when Brunei was a British protectorate (1888 and 1984).  They are prominent in the non-state commercial sector and account for approximately 10% of the population.  Most Bruneian Chinese are permanent residents rather than citizens despite roots going back several generations.  Many are stateless and are denied rights granted to citizens, such as land ownership, subsidized health care, and free secondary and university education.  Because of the discriminatory policies, the number of Chinese in Brunei has shrunk considerably in the last 50 years.  Native ethnic groups that are not included in the Bumiputera are not recognized in the constitution and are not officially identified as “Malay” or automatically granted citizenship.  Foreign workers constitute some quarter of the labor force.
Age structure: 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% (2020 est.) (male 13,333/female 14,067)
Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 38.7

youth dependency ratio: 31

elderly dependency ratio: 7.7

potential support ratio: 12.9 (2020 est.)
Median age: total: 31.1 years

male: 30.5 years

female: 31.8 years (2020 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.45% (2022 est.)
Birth rate: 16.14 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Death rate: 3.79 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Net migration rate: 2.18 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Urbanization: urban population: 78.9% of total population (2022)

rate of urbanization: 1.44% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Major urban areas - population: 241,000 BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN (capital) (2011)

note: the boundaries of the capital city were expanded in 2007, greatly increasing the city area; the population of the capital increased tenfold
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

0-14 years: 1.06 male(s)/female

15-24 years: 1 male(s)/female

25-54 years: 0.89 male(s)/female

55-64 years: 0.94 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.74 male(s)/female

total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2022 est.)
Maternal mortality ratio: 31 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.)
Infant mortality rate: total: 10.52 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 12.88 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 8.05 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 78.38 years

male: 76.01 years

female: 80.86 years (2022 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.74 children born/woman (2022 est.)
Contraceptive prevalence rate: NA
Drinking water source: improved: urban: 99.7% of population

rural: NA

total: 99.9% of population

unimproved: urban: 0.4% of population

rural: 0% of population

total: 0.1% of population (2020)
Current Health Expenditure: 2.2% (2019)
Physicians density: 1.61 physicians/1,000 population (2017)
Hospital bed density: 2.9 beds/1,000 population (2017)
Sanitation facility access: improved: urban: NA

rural: NA

total: NA

unimproved: urban: NA

rural: NA

total: NA
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA
Obesity - adult prevalence rate: 14.1% (2016)
Tobacco use: total: 16.2% (2020 est.)

male: 30% (2020 est.)

female: 2.3% (2020 est.)
Children under the age of 5 years underweight: NA
Education expenditures: 4.4% of GDP (2016 est.)
Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 97.2%

male: 98.1%

female: 93.4% (2018)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 14 years

male: 14 years

female: 14 years (2020)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 21.4%

male: 19%

female: 25.8% (2019 est.)

Topic: Environment
Environment - current issues: no major environmental problems, but air pollution control is becoming a concern; seasonal trans-boundary haze from forest fires in Indonesia
Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Air pollutants: particulate matter emissions: 5.78 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.)

carbon dioxide emissions: 7.66 megatons (2016 est.)

methane emissions: 8.4 megatons (2020 est.)
Climate: tropical; hot, humid, rainy
Land use: agricultural land: 2.5% (2018 est.)

arable land: 0.8% (2018 est.)

permanent crops: 1.1% (2018 est.)

permanent pasture: 0.6% (2018 est.)

forest: 71.8% (2018 est.)

other: 25.7% (2018 est.)
Urbanization: urban population: 78.9% of total population (2022)

rate of urbanization: 1.44% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Revenue from forest resources: forest revenues: 0.05% of GDP (2018 est.)
Revenue from coal: coal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)
Waste and recycling: municipal solid waste generated annually: 216,253 tons (2016 est.)
Total water withdrawal: municipal: 151.5 million cubic meters (2017 est.)

agricultural: 5.3 million cubic meters (2017 est.)
Total renewable water resources: 8.5 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)

Topic: Government
Country name: conventional long form: Brunei Darussalam

conventional short form: Brunei

local long form: Negara Brunei Darussalam

local short form: Brunei

etymology: derivation of the name is unclear; according to legend, MUHAMMAD SHAH, who would become the first sultan of Brunei, upon discovering what would become Brunei exclaimed "Baru nah," which roughly translates as "there" or "that's it"
Government type: absolute monarchy or sultanate
Capital: 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)

etymology: named in 1970 after Sultan Omar Ali SAIFUDDIEN III (1914-1986; "The Father of Independence") who adopted the title of "Seri Begawan" (approximate meaning "honored lord") upon his abdication in 1967; "bandar" in Malay means "town" or "city"; the capital had previously been called Bandar Brunei (Brunei Town)
Administrative divisions: 4 districts (daerah-daerah, singular - daerah); Belait, Brunei dan Muara, Temburong, Tutong
Independence: 1 January 1984 (from the UK)
National holiday: 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; the Sultan's birthday, 15 June
Constitution: history: drafted 1954 to 1959, signed 29 September 1959; note - some constitutional provisions suspended since 1962 under a State of Emergency, others suspended since independence in 1984

amendments: proposed by the monarch; passage requires submission to the Privy Council for Legislative Council review and finalization takes place by proclamation; the monarch can accept or reject changes to the original proposal provided by the Legislative Council; amended several times, last in 2010
Legal system: mixed legal system based on English common law and Islamic law; note - in April 2019, the full sharia penal codes came into force and apply to Muslims and partly to non-Muslims in parallel with present common law codes
International law organization participation: has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICC
Citizenship: citizenship by birth: no

citizenship by descent only: the father must be a citizen of Brunei

dual citizenship recognized: no

residency requirement for naturalization: 12 years
Suffrage: 18 years of age for village elections; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: Sultan and Prime Minister Sir HASSANAL Bolkiah (since 5 October 1967); note - the monarch is both chief of state and head of government

head of government: Sultan and Prime Minister Sir HASSANAL Bolkiah (since 5 October 1967)

cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed and presided over by the monarch; note - 4 additional advisory councils appointed by the monarch are the Religious Council, Privy Council for constitutional issues, Council of Succession, and Legislative Council; Sultan and Prime Minister Sir HASSANAL Bolkiah is also Minister of Finance, Defense, and Foreign Affairs and Trade

elections/appointments: none; the monarchy is hereditary
Legislative branch: description: unicameral Legislative Council or Majlis Mesyuarat Negara Brunei (33 seats; 20 members appointed by the sultan from ex-officio cabinet ministers, titled people, and prominent citizens in public service and various professional fields and 13 members from 4 multi-seat constituencies, and 3 ex-officio members - the speaker and first and second secretaries

elections: January 2017 - appointed by the sultan

election results: NA; composition (as of February 2022) - men 30, women 3, percent of women 9.1%
Judicial branch: highest courts: Supreme Court (consists of the Court of Appeal and the High Court, each with a chief justice and 2 judges); Sharia Court (consists the Court of Appeals and the High Court); note - Brunei has a dual judicial system of secular and sharia (religious) courts; the Judicial Committee of Privy Council (in London) serves as the final appellate court for civil cases only

judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court judges appointed by the monarch to serve until age 65, and older if approved by the monarch; Sharia Court judges appointed by the monarch for life

subordinate courts: Intermediate Court; Magistrates' Courts; Juvenile Court; small claims courts; lower sharia courts
Political parties and leaders: 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
International organization participation: ADB, APEC, ARF, ASEAN, C, CP, EAS, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), ICRM, IDA, 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
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Dato Paduka Haji Serbini bin Haji ALI (since 28 January 2016)

chancery: 3520 International Court NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 237-1838

FAX: [1] (202) 885-0560

email address and website:
info@bruneiembassy.org

http://www.bruneiembassy.org/index.html

consulate(s): New York
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Caryn R. McCLELLAND (since December 2021)

embassy: Simpang 336-52-16-9, Jalan Duta, Bandar Seri Begawan, BC4115

mailing address: 4020 Bandar Seri Begawan Place, Washington DC  20521-4020

telephone: (673) 238-7400

FAX: (673) 238-7533

email address and website:
ConsularBrunei@state.gov

https://bn.usembassy.gov/
Flag description: 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"
National symbol(s): royal parasol; national colors: yellow, white, black
National anthem: name: "Allah Peliharakan Sultan" (God Bless His Majesty)

lyrics/music: Pengiran Haji Mohamed YUSUF bin Pengiran Abdul Rahim/Awang Haji BESAR bin Sagap

note: adopted 1951

Topic: Economy
Economic overview: Brunei is an energy-rich sultanate on the northern coast of Borneo in Southeast Asia. Brunei boasts a well-educated, largely English-speaking population; excellent infrastructure; and a stable government intent on attracting foreign investment. Crude oil and natural gas production account for approximately 65% of GDP and 95% of exports, with Japan as the primary export market.   Per capita GDP is among the highest in the world, and substantial income from overseas investment supplements income from domestic hydrocarbon production. Bruneian citizens pay no personal income taxes, and the government provides free medical services and free education through the university level.   The Bruneian Government wants to diversify its economy away from hydrocarbon exports to other industries such as information and communications technology and halal manufacturing, permissible under Islamic law. Brunei’s trade increased in 2016 and 2017, following its regional economic integration in the ASEAN Economic Community, and the expected ratification of the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement.Brunei is an energy-rich sultanate on the northern coast of Borneo in Southeast Asia. Brunei boasts a well-educated, largely English-speaking population; excellent infrastructure; and a stable government intent on attracting foreign investment. Crude oil and natural gas production account for approximately 65% of GDP and 95% of exports, with Japan as the primary export market. Per capita GDP is among the highest in the world, and substantial income from overseas investment supplements income from domestic hydrocarbon production. Bruneian citizens pay no personal income taxes, and the government provides free medical services and free education through the university level. The Bruneian Government wants to diversify its economy away from hydrocarbon exports to other industries such as information and communications technology and halal manufacturing, permissible under Islamic law. Brunei’s trade increased in 2016 and 2017, following its regional economic integration in the ASEAN Economic Community, and the expected ratification of the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement.
Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $27.23 billion (2020 est.)

$26.91 billion (2019 est.)

$25.9 billion (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars
Real GDP growth rate: 1.3% (2017 est.)

-2.5% (2016 est.)

-0.4% (2015 est.)
Real GDP per capita: $62,200 (2020 est.)

$62,100 (2019 est.)

$60,400 (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars
GDP (official exchange rate): $12.13 billion (2017 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): -0.2% (2017 est.)

-0.7% (2016 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 1.2% (2017 est.)

industry: 56.6% (2017 est.)

services: 42.3% (2017 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use: household consumption: 25% (2017 est.)

government consumption: 24.8% (2017 est.)

investment in fixed capital: 32.6% (2017 est.)

investment in inventories: 8.5% (2017 est.)

exports of goods and services: 45.9% (2017 est.)

imports of goods and services: -36.8% (2017 est.)
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: 1.5% (2017 est.)
Labor force: 203,600 (2014 est.)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 4.2%

industry: 62.8%

services: 33% (2008 est.)
Unemployment rate: 6.9% (2017 est.)

6.9% (2016 est.)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 21.4%

male: 19%

female: 25.8% (2019 est.)
Population below poverty line: NA
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA
Budget: revenues: 2.245 billion (2017 est.)

expenditures: 4.345 billion (2017 est.)
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): -17.3% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Public debt: 2.8% of GDP (2017 est.)

3% of GDP (2016 est.)
Taxes and other revenues: 18.5% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March
Current account balance: $2.021 billion (2017 est.)

$1.47 billion (2016 est.)
Exports: $7.83 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars

$7.04 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
Exports - partners: Japan 34%, Australia 12%, Singapore 10%, India 8%, Malaysia 8%, Thailand 7%, China 6%, South Korea 5% (2019)
Exports - commodities: natural gas, crude petroleum, refined petroleum, industrial alcohols, industrial hydrocarbons (2019)
Imports: $6.81 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars

$5.68 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
Imports - partners: Singapore 18%, China 14%, Malaysia 12%, Nigeria 5%, United Arab Emirates 5%, United States 5% (2019)
Imports - commodities: crude petroleum, refined petroleum, cars, tug boats, valves (2019)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $3.488 billion (31 December 2017 est.)

$3.366 billion (31 December 2015 est.)
Debt - external: $0 (2014)

$0 (2013)

note: public external debt only; private external debt unavailable
Exchange rates: Bruneian dollars (BND) per US dollar -

1.33685 (2020 est.)

1.35945 (2019 est.)

1.3699 (2018 est.)

1.3749 (2014 est.)

1.267 (2013 est.)

Topic: Energy
Electricity access: electrification - total population: 100% (2020)
Electricity: installed generating capacity: 1.261 million kW (2020 est.)

consumption: 4,140,140,000 kWh (2019 est.)

exports: 0 kWh (2019 est.)

imports: 0 kWh (2019 est.)

transmission/distribution losses: 497 million kWh (2019 est.)
Electricity generation sources: fossil fuels: 100% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

solar: 0.1% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

wind: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

hydroelectricity: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

tide and wave: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

geothermal: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

biomass and waste: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
Coal: production: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)

consumption: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)

exports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)

imports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)

proven reserves: 0 metric tons (2019 est.)
Petroleum: total petroleum production: 107,300 bbl/day (2021 est.)

refined petroleum consumption: 18,800 bbl/day (2019 est.)

crude oil and lease condensate exports: 103,100 barrels/day (2018 est.)

crude oil and lease condensate imports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.)

crude oil estimated reserves: 1.1 billion barrels (2021 est.)
Refined petroleum products - production: 10,310 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Refined petroleum products - exports: 0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Refined petroleum products - imports: 6,948 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Natural gas: production: 12,498,299,000 cubic meters (2020 est.)

consumption: 4,166,987,000 cubic meters (2020 est.)

exports: 7,774,406,000 cubic meters (2020 est.)

imports: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.)

proven reserves: 260.515 billion cubic meters (2021 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions: 9.956 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)

from coal and metallurgical coke: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)

from petroleum and other liquids: 2.387 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)

from consumed natural gas: 7.569 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
Energy consumption per capita: 415.184 million Btu/person (2019 est.)

Topic: Communications
Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 103,885 (2020 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 24 (2020 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 526,589 (2020 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 123 (2020 est.)
Telecommunication systems: general assessment: Brunei Darussalam seemed poised to start its economic recovery from the double blow it received to its GDP in 2020 from the Covid-19 crisis and a global slump in oil prices; Brunei’s mobile market experienced a sharp a sharp drop-off in subscriber numbers in 2020; in 2022 there was a concerted effort to build out the fixed-line infrastructure while progressing towards introducing 5G mobile services; Brunei’s fixed-line market is one of the few countries in the world to have displayed significant growth rather than a decline in teledensity in the last few years; this upward trend is set to continue as the new Unified National Network (UNN) works diligently to expand and enhance the fixed-line infrastructure around the country; strong growth was also seen in the fixed broadband space, on the back of those same infrastructure developments that are part of the Brunei Vision 2035 initiative; fixed broadband is starting from a relatively low base by international standards and is still only at 18%, leaving lots of room for growth; mobile and mobile broadband, on the other hand, are still suffering from the market contractions first felt in 2020; rates for both segments were already extremely high so the decline may simply be a reflection of those users with services that were purely discretionary; Brunei’s 2G GSM network is shut down, with the spectrum to be reallocated to 3G, 4G, and potentially 5G use. (2021)

domestic: every service available; nearly 24 per 100 fixed-line, 120 per 100 mobile-cellular (2020)

international: country code - 673; landing points for the SEA-ME-WE-3, SJC, AAG, Lubuan-Brunei Submarine Cable via optical telecommunications submarine cables that provides links to Asia, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, Africa, Australia, and the US; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 1 Pacific Ocean) (2019)

note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced a downturn, particularly in mobile device production; progress towards 5G implementation has resumed, as well as upgrades to infrastructure; consumer spending on telecom services has increased due to the surge in demand for capacity and bandwidth; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home is still evident, and the spike in this area has seen growth opportunities for development of new tools and increased services
Broadcast media: state-controlled Radio Television Brunei (RTB) operates 5 channels; 3 Malaysian TV stations are available; foreign TV broadcasts are available via satellite systems; RTB operates 5 radio networks and broadcasts 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
Internet country code: .bn
Internet users: total: 415,609 (2020 est.)

percent of population: 95% (2020 est.)
Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 71,078 (2020 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 16 (2020 est.)

Topic: Transportation
National air transport system: number of registered air carriers: 1 (2020)

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 10

annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 1,234,455 (2018)

annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 129.35 million (2018) mt-km
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: V8
Airports: total: 1 (2021)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 1

over 3,047 m: 1 (2021)
Heliports: 3 (2021)
Pipelines: 33 km condensate, 86 km condensate/gas, 628 km gas, 492 km oil (2013)
Roadways: total: 2,976 km (2014)

paved: 2,559 km (2014)

unpaved: 417 km (2014)
Waterways: 209 km (2012) (navigable by craft drawing less than 1.2 m; the Belait, Brunei, and Tutong Rivers are major transport links)
Merchant marine: total: 96

by type: general cargo 18, oil tanker 3, other 75 (2021)
Ports and terminals: major seaport(s): Muara

oil terminal(s): Lumut, Seria

LNG terminal(s) (export): Lumut

Topic: Military and Security
Military and security forces: Royal Brunei Armed Forces: Royal Brunei Land Force, Royal Brunei Navy, Royal Brunei Air Force (2022)
Military expenditures: 3.1% of GDP (2021 est.)

3.7% of GDP (2020 est.)

3.1% of GDP (2019) (approximately $870 million)

2.7% of GDP (2018) (approximately $720 million)

2.8% of GDP (2017) (approximately $750 million)
Military and security service personnel strengths: approximately 6,000 total active troops (4,000 Army; 1,000 Navy; 1,000 Air Force) (2022)
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions: the Royal Brunei Armed Forces imports nearly all of its military equipment and weapons systems and has a variety of suppliers, including the US and several European countries (2021)
Military service age and obligation: 17 years of age for voluntary military service; non-Malays are ineligible to serve; recruits from the army, navy, and air force all undergo 43-week initial training (2021)
Military - note: Brunei has a long-standing defense relationship with the United Kingdom and hosts a British Army garrison, which includes a Gurkha battalion and a jungle warfare school; Brunei also hosts a Singaporean military training base (2022)

Topic: Transnational Issues
Disputes - international: per Letters of Exchange signed in 2009, Malaysia in 2010 ceded two hydrocarbon concession blocks to Brunei in exchange for Brunei's sultan dropping claims to the Limbang corridor, which divides Brunei; nonetheless, Brunei claims a maritime boundary extending as far as a median with Vietnam, thus asserting an implicit claim to Louisa Reefper Letters of Exchange signed in 2009, Malaysia in 2010 ceded two hydrocarbon concession blocks to Brunei in exchange for Brunei's sultan dropping claims to the Limbang corridor, which divides Brunei; nonetheless, Brunei claims a maritime boundary extending as far as a median with Vietnam, thus asserting an implicit claim to Louisa Reef
Refugees and internally displaced persons: stateless persons: 20,863 (mid-year 2021); note - thousands of stateless persons, often ethnic Chinese, are permanent residents and their families have lived in Brunei for generations; obtaining citizenship is difficult and requires individuals to pass rigorous tests on Malay culture, customs, and language; stateless residents receive an International Certificate of Identity, which enables them to travel overseas; the government is considering changing the law prohibiting non-Bruneians, including stateless permanent residents, from owning land
Trafficking in persons: current situation: human traffickers exploit foreign victims in Brunei; some men and women who migrate to Brunei to work as domestics or in retail or construction are subject to involuntary servitude, debt-based coercion, contract switching, non-payment of wages, passport confiscation, physical abuse, or confinement; some female migrants entering Brunei on tourist visas are forced into prostitution; some traffickers use Brunei as a transit point for victims used for sex and labor trafficking in Malaysia and Indonesia

tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List — Brunei does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking but is making significant efforts to do so; the government enacted the 2019 Trafficking in Persons Order, which criminalized sex and labor trafficking and separated trafficking crimes from migrant smuggling crimes; the government formalized its interagency anti-trafficking in persons committee; instituted a committee to review foreign worker recruitment practices, ratified the ASEAN Convention against Trafficking in Persons, and acceded to the UN TIP Protocol; however, authorities did not formally identify any trafficking cases, did not initiate any new trafficking prosecutions, and did not convict any traffickers; trafficking victims continued to be detained, deported, and charged with crimes without law enforcement determining if they were forced to commit the illegal acts by traffickers; the government again did not allocate money to a fund established in 2004 for victim compensation and repatriation; a draft national action plan to combat trafficking was not completed for the sixth consecutive year (2020)
Illicit drugs: drug trafficking and illegally importing controlled substances are serious offenses in Brunei and carry a mandatory death penalty


US State Dept Travel Advisory: The US Department of State currently recommends US citizens exercise exercise increased caution due to crime, terrorism, and kidnapping. Consult its website via the link below for updates to travel advisories and statements on safety, security, local laws, and special circumstances in this country.

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories.html
Passport/Visa Requirements: US citizens should make sure their passport will not expire for at least 6 months after they enter the country even if they do not intend to stay that long. They should also make sure they have at least 1 blank page in their passport for any entry stamp and or visa that will be required. A visa is required. US citizens will need to get in touch with the country’s embassy or nearest consulate to obtain a visa prior to visiting the country.
US Embassy/Consulate: [880] (2) 5566-2000; US Embassy in Dhaka, Madani Avenue, Baridhara, Dhaka -1212, Bangladesh; https://bd.usembassy.gov/; DhakaACS@state.gov
Telephone Code: 880
Local Emergency Phone: Police, Fire and Ambulance: 999; various government services: 333
Vaccinations: Hepatitis A and typhoid vaccinations are required; hepatitis B, Japanese encephalitis, and rabies vaccinations recommended. Proof of yellow fever vaccination is required if you are traveling from a country with a risk of yellow fever and are older than one year of age. See WHO recommendations.

http://www.who.int/
Climate: Tropical; mild winter (October to March); hot, humid summer (March to June); humid, warm rainy monsoon (June to October)
Currency (Code): Takas (BDT)
Electricity/Voltage/Plug Type(s): 220 V / 50 Hz / plug types(s): A, C, D, G, K

Major Languages: Bengali
Major Religions: Muslim 81.1%, Hindu 10%
Time Difference: UTC+6 (11 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
Potable Water: Opt for bottled water
International Driving Permit: Suggested
Road Driving Side: Left
Tourist Destinations: Cox's bazaar; Saint Martin’ Island; Teknaf Sea Beach; Nilachal Bandarban; Sundarbans; Somapura Mahavihara (ruins of the Buddhist Vihara at Paharpur)
Major Sports: Kabaddi (contact team sport played between two teams of seven players each), cricket
Cultural Practices: Many young Bangladeshis will touch the feet of an elder as a respectful greeting, but this is not necessarily expected of foreigners.
Tipping Guidelines: Tipping is very uncommon and may be seen as ostentatious. Taxi fares may be rounded up and left with the driver as a tip, and 20-30 takas a day is common for hotel staff.
Souvenirs: Pink pearls, mother-of-pearl jewelry, hand-loomed fabrics, silk, carved masks, leather goods, folk dolls
Traditional Cuisine: Ilish macher paturi — rice and Ilish fish marinated with ground spices and wrapped in banana leaves and steamed or roastedPlease visit the following links to find further information about your desired destination.

World Health Organization (WHO) - To learn what vaccines and health precautions to take while visiting your destination.

US State Dept Travel Information - Overall information about foreign travel for US citizens.

To obtain an international driving permit (IDP). Only two organizations in the US issue IDPs:
American Automobile Association (AAA) and American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA)

How to get help in an emergency?
Contact the nearest US embassy or consulate, or call one of these numbers:
from the US or Canada - 1-888-407-4747 or from Overseas - +1 202-501-4444

Page last updated: Monday, July 25, 2022


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