Brunei

Wealth and National Well-Being

Country Comparisons:
2010: see chart

World Factbook: "Brunei has a small well-to-do economy that encompasses a mixture of foreign and domestic entrepreneurship, government regulation, welfare measures, and village tradition. Crude oil and natural gas production account for just over half of GDP and more than 90% of exports."

U.S. State Department: "The government owns a cattle farm in Australia through which the country's beef supplies are processed. At 2,262 square miles, this ranch is larger than Brunei itself. Eggs and chickens are largely produced locally, but most of Brunei's other food needs must be imported."

Unemployment rate
2008: 3.7%

Oil production
2009: 146,000 barrels per day (ranks 46th)

People

Living in an urban area
2010: 76%

Density in 2005: 70 persons per square kilometer.

Migration
2011: More arriving than leaving, for a net gain of 2.6 per 1,000 population.

Ethnicities
2004: Malay 66.3 %, Chinese 11,2%, indigenous 3.4%, other 19.1%

Religions
2004: Muslim officially 67%, Buddhist 13%, Christian 10%, other including indigenous 10%

Geography

Southeast Asia, bordering the South China Sea and Malaysia. Equivalent to 76 by 76 kilometers or 47.5 by 47.5 miles.

Government

A constitutional sultanate. Rule by the same family for more than six centuries. The Sultan is both chief of state and head of government. A 21-seat legislature, members appointed by his majesty. The country has a legal system based on English common law, although Islamic shariah law supersedes this in some cases. The separate system of Islamic courts apply Sharia law in family and other matters involving Muslims.

Capital: Bandar Seri Begawan

Recent History

Became a British protectorate in 1888.

Independence from Britain: 1 January 1984.

SOURCES:
http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/