Brunei is a Southeast Asian nation situated on the island of Borneo. It is bordered by the South China Sea and surrounded by Malaysia. Its coastal location places Brunei near key sea routes connecting the Indian and Pacific Oceans. The country's terrain is mostly flat, with mountainous regions in the east.
79.3%
Urban population (2023)
20.7%
Rural population (2023)
51.7%
Male (2023)
48.3%
Female (2023)
10%
Baby boomer (2023)
21%
Gen X (2023)
29%
Gen Y (2023)
24%
Gen Z (2023)
67.16%
Participation rate (2023)
94.8%
Employment rate (2023P)
52.3%
Labour force at SMEs (2022)
42.3%
High-skilled labour ratio (2019)
US$ 1342.9
Average monthly wages (2022)
64.5%
Formal employment ratio (2022)
1.4%
Employment in Agriculture (2022)
24.2%
Employment in Industry (2022)
74.4%
Employment in Services (2022)
US$ 15.13B
GDP (2023)
US$ 34,250
GDP per capita (2023)
US$ 0.53B
Digital Commerce transaction value (2024P)
US$ 6M
ICT exports (2023)
93.4%
Percentage of SMEs (2022)
US$ 21.2M
Total capital raised in the VC market (2024P)
One of the wealthiest economies in Southeast Asia
FDI, net inflows
By 2023, Brunei recorded a net inflow of nearly -US$ 52 million in foreign direct investment.
Export turnovers
Brunei's export turnovers reached US$ 11.2 billion by 2023
Number of active enterprises
In 2022, Brunei had 6,570 active enterprises
GDP, by industry
Oil and gas mining contributed the most to Brunei's GDP in 2023
-US$ 52M
FDI, net inflow (2023)
Leading FDI sectors
Mining and quarrying
US$ 121M
Financial and insurance activities
US$ 42M
Wholesale and retail trade
US$ 16M
US$ 11.2B
Export turnovers (2023)
Top comodity sections
Mineral fuels
76.9%
Chemicals
20.5%
Machinery and transport equipment
1.0%
Manufactured goods
0.7%
6570
Number of active enterprises (2022)
Top economic activities
Wholesale and retail trade
35.9%
Acommodation and food service activities
11.9%
Manufacturing
10%
Professional, technical, administrative and support services
9.2%
Construction
9.1%
US$ 15.13B
GDP, by industry (2023)
Top industries
Oil and gas mining
39.2%
Natural gas and other petroleum and chemical products
16.9%
Government services/Public administration
10.9%
Finance
6.2%
Wholesale and retail trade
5.6%
Doing business in Brunei
Opportunities & challenges
Opportunities
• Economic stability and political stability
• Favourable tax regime, no personal income tax, low corporate income tax
• BND pegged to SGD
• Skilled oil & gas labour force
• Natural resources and strong oil & gas industry
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