Society of Brunei Darussalam

society2

KEY FACTS 2015

Population per sq km:  80

Life expectancy: 79 years

Net primary enrolment: 92%


Population: 423,000 (2015); 77 per cent of people live in urban areas, concentrated along the coast; growth 1.4 per cent p.a. 1990–2015; birth rate 16 per 1,000 people (36 in 1970); life expectancy 79 years (67 in 1970).

Malays comprise some two-thirds of the population and Chinese (about 11 per cent), Europeans, Indians and other races make up the balance.

Language: Official language is Malay; English is widely spoken. Other languages include Chinese (various dialects), Tamil, Iban and Dusun.

Religion: Official religion is Islam; minorities of Buddhists, Christians, Confucians and Taoists. The national ideology, Melayu Islam Beraja (MIB, Malay Muslim monarchy) fuses Islamic values and Brunei Malay culture.

Media: Borneo Bulletin is an English-language daily newspaper. Media Fermata is published daily in Malay, and BruDirect is an online news service.

Radio Television Brunei provides radio and television services, broadcasting in Malay, English, Mandarin Chinese and Gurkhali. Foreign TV stations are available via a cable network.

There are 89 personal computers per 1,000 people (2005).

Public holidays: New Year’s Day, Chinese New Year, National Day (23 February), Royal Brunei Armed Forces Day (31 May), Sultan’s Birthday (15 July) and Christmas Day.

Religious festivals whose dates vary from year to year include Prophet’s Birthday, Isra Mikraj (Ascension of the Prophet), First Day of Ramadan, Nuzul al-Quraan (Anniversary of the Revelation of the Quran), Hari Raya Aidil Fitri (Eid al-Fitr/end of Ramadan), Hari Raya Aidil Adha (Eid al-Adha/Feast of the Sacrifice) and Hijriah (Islamic New Year).