Brunei: official statistics and sources
13 official bodies for Brunei, from Department of Economic Planning and Statistics to Brunei Darussalam Open Data portal, with key figures from the World Bank and IMF. Official language: Malay. Capital: Bandar Seri Begawan.
Who holds power in Brunei
- Head of state: Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah (Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Negara Brunei Darussalam)
- Head of government: Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah (Prime Minister, Minister for Defence, and Minister for Finance of Brunei Darussalam)
- Foreign minister: Prince 'Abdul Mateen Bolkiah (Minister for Foreign Affairs of Brunei Darussalam)
Source: UN Protocol and Liaison Service list, dated 15 October 2026. All world leaders.
Unitary absolute monarchy (sultanate). How local power works in Brunei: 4 tiers of government below the nation, who is elected and who they answer to.
Part of level 6 of the 10 levels of power.
Government, regions and cities
- Government and power in Brunei: leaders, governance scores, women in parliament, spending and the bodies that hold power to account
- Bandar Seri Begawan (capital)
Key figures
What the figures show
The World Bank puts Brunei's population at 466,330 in 2025, up from 422,212 in 2015. Of the 30 UN members in the World Bank's East Asia and Pacific region, 20 have more people; worldwide it comes 168th.
GDP for 2025 was $15.0 billion at current dollar prices, according to the World Bank. That works out at $32,235 a head; the regional median is $6,547.
Real GDP grew by 0.7% in 2025, World Bank figures show. For 2026 the IMF expects 1.9%.
Across 2025 the annual rate was -0.3%. The IMF forecasts 0.8% for 2026.
The ILO's modelled unemployment rate for 2025 is 5.3%; the national statistics office may publish a different figure from its own survey.
The IMF records general government gross debt of 1.6% of GDP for 2025, compared with a median of 45.0% across the World Bank's East Asia and Pacific region; its 2026 projection is 1.3%.
Life expectancy at birth: 75.5 years (2024).
- Annual inflation since 2015: highest 3.7% (2022), lowest -0.7% (2016).
- Debt ratio 2015: 3.0%; 2025: 1.6%.
- GDP per person in dollars, 2015 to 2025: +5%.
Figures checked 2026-10-13; how they are compiled.
Official sources in Brunei
Statistics office prices, jobs, people, output
- Department of Economic Planning and Statistics (Jabatan Perancangan Ekonomi dan Statistik)
Brunei's official statistics, including GDP, the consumer price index, external trade, the population census and labour force surveys.
Central bank interest rates and money
- Brunei Darussalam Central Bank (Bank Pusat Brunei Darussalam)
Monetary and financial statistics, financial stability reports, annual reports and regulations for banks, insurers and capital markets.
Parliament debates, votes, bills
- Legislative Council (Majlis Mesyuarat Negara)
Sitting records, members, and bills and motions debated by the Legislative Council.
Government
- Government of Brunei Darussalam portal
Government news, ministry directories, public announcements and links to official services.
- Prime Minister's Office (Jabatan Perdana Menteri)
Statements, titahs and news from the Prime Minister's Office and its departments.
Laws and the official gazette the text of laws
- Attorney General's Chambers (Jabatan Peguam Negara)
The Laws of Brunei, including revised editions of acts and orders and subsidiary legislation.
Courts judgments
- Judiciary of Brunei Darussalam (Jabatan Kehakiman Negara)
Information on the Supreme Court and subordinate courts, practice directions and selected judgments.
Public audit how public money was spent
- Audit Department (Jabatan Audit)
Auditor General's reports on government accounts and statutory bodies.
Regulators
- Competition Commission Brunei Darussalam
Guidelines, decisions and notices under the Competition Order.
- Authority for Info-communications Technology Industry (AITI)
Telecommunications and broadcasting licensing rules, spectrum information and industry statistics.
- Anti-Corruption Bureau (Biro Mencegah Rasuah)
Information on corruption cases, prosecutions and prevention guidance.
Public registers companies, land, charities
- Registry of Companies and Business Names (One Common Portal)
Online registration, search and filings for companies and business names registered in Brunei, run by the Ministry of Finance and Economy.
Open data
- Brunei Darussalam Open Data portal
Government datasets released by ministries and departments.
Notes
Brunei has no national election management body; the Legislative Council is appointed and no national legislative elections have been held since 1962.
Brunei has no national ombudsman.
Freedom of information in Brunei
No general access-to-information law for Brunei was found in the official sources checked on 2026-10-13. No national access-to-information law could be found in the official legislation sources checked on 2026-10-13 (Attorney General's Chambers laws database, agc.gov.bn); Brunei has no freedom of information act.
What Brunei does not have
- No online land register could be confirmed; the Land Department site (tanah.gov.bn) did not complete a connection on 2026-10-13.
- No public register of charities or societies could be found online.
- No national public procurement portal could be confirmed; tenders are handled through the Ministry of Finance and Economy and individual ministries.
- No freedom of information law and no information commissioner.
- No public register of lobbyists or of officials' asset declarations.
- No official state database of court judgments beyond the Judiciary's own site, already listed.
Also: World Bank country data · IMF country page · UN Sustainable Development Goals country profile · IPU Parline parliament profile.
Brunei by subject
- Economy GDP, growth, trade and investment
- Jobs and pay unemployment, jobs and work
- Cost of living inflation, poverty and inequality
- Public finances debt, deficit, tax and spending
- Health and care life expectancy, doctors and spending
- Housing homes, cities, water and power
- Crime and justice murder rate, courts and crime
- Immigration migrants, refugees and remittances
- Education schools, universities and literacy
- Environment emissions, air, forests and water
Power in Brunei, from local government up to the G20
The global bodies above national governments, and the levels of power inside Brunei. How the ten levels work.
Level 3: Local councils
- Local government in Brunei how councils, regions and municipalities work
Level 6: National government
- Brunei: national government this page
- Government and power in Brunei who leads, the parliament and the courts
- World leaders every country's head of state and government
Level 10: G7, G20, Davos and global forums
Common questions
What is the population of Brunei?
466,330 (2025, World Bank). National figures: Department of Economic Planning and Statistics.
What is the inflation rate in Brunei?
minus 0.3% (2025, World Bank). Official index: Department of Economic Planning and Statistics.
What is Brunei's GDP?
$15.0 billion (2025, World Bank).
How much government debt does Brunei have?
1.6% of GDP (2025, International Monetary Fund).
Who publishes official statistics in Brunei?
Department of Economic Planning and Statistics (Jabatan Perancangan Ekonomi dan Statistik): https://www.deps.gov.bn/
What is the central bank of Brunei?
Brunei Darussalam Central Bank (Bank Pusat Brunei Darussalam): https://www.bdcb.gov.bn/
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