Brunei: health and care

What is life expectancy in Brunei?

Life expectancy at birth in Brunei was 80.4 years in 2025, up from 79.1 in 2024, according to the Brunei Darussalam Statistical Yearbook 2025 of the Department of Economic Planning and Statistics. It was 75.4 years in 2022. 2,001 deaths were registered in 2025, a crude death rate of 4.4 per 1,000 people.

Life expectancy is calculated from registered deaths and population estimates for the year, so it can move sharply between years in a small population. The yearbook also gives an abridged life table by sex. The fertility rate was 1.5 children per woman, with 5,391 registered births.

Official sources: DEPS: Brunei Darussalam Statistical Yearbook 2025 (PDF)

What are the leading causes of death in Brunei?

Cancer was the leading cause of death in Brunei in 2025, with 399 deaths (19.9% of the total), followed by heart diseases (312, 15.6%), cerebrovascular diseases (172) and diabetes (141), according to the Brunei Darussalam Statistical Yearbook 2025, using Ministry of Health data.

The death rate from cancer was 87.0 per 100,000 people. Transport accidents caused 29 deaths. About a third of deaths (34.6%) fall outside the top ten causes. Causes are coded to the international ICD-10 classification.

Official sources: DEPS: Brunei Darussalam Statistical Yearbook 2025 (PDF)

How many doctors are there in Brunei?

Brunei had 1,064 medical doctors in 2025, 778 in government service and 286 in the private sector, according to the Brunei Darussalam Statistical Yearbook 2025, using Ministry of Health data. There were also 3,101 nurses, 516 midwives and 148 dentists.

Government staff include those of the Ministry of Defence. The country had six hospitals in 2025, four government and two private, with 1,618 hospital beds, plus 15 health centres and 17 health clinics. The yearbook also counts patients sent abroad for treatment.

Official sources: DEPS: Brunei Darussalam Statistical Yearbook 2025 (PDF)

What is life expectancy in Brunei?

In 2024, life expectancy at birth in Brunei was 75.5 years, according to the UN Population Division. That is the highest since at least 2005. East Asia & Pacific median: 71.5 years; Brunei is 9th highest of 30. Of 193 countries with 2024 data, 81st highest.

What is the infant mortality rate in Brunei?

The UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation puts the infant mortality rate in Brunei at 8.6 per 1,000 in 2024. Its high point since 2005 was 2016, at 9.1 per 1,000; its low point was 2005, at 7.8 per 1,000. Across East Asia & Pacific the middle value was 13.9 per 1,000, and Brunei placed 20th highest of 30. Worldwide: 119th of 192.

What is the maternal mortality rate in Brunei?

The WHO puts the maternal mortality ratio in Brunei at 36.0 per 100,000 in 2023. That is the lowest since at least 2005. It is 21st highest of 30 in East Asia & Pacific, where the median is 82.0 per 100,000. Of 192 countries with 2023 data, 107th highest.

What share of GDP does Brunei spend on health care?

In 2023, current health spending in Brunei was 2.2% of GDP, according to the WHO. Since 2005 it has ranged from 1.8% of GDP (2022) to 2.5% of GDP (2016). East Asia & Pacific median: 5.9% of GDP; Brunei is 28th highest of 29. World rank, highest first: 189th of 191.

How much do people in Brunei pay for health care themselves?

The latest figure from the WHO, for 2023, is 7.4%. Since 2005 it has ranged from 4.9% (2018) to 16.3% (2005). East Asia & Pacific median: 12.2%; Brunei is 21st highest of 29. Of 191 countries with 2023 data, 179th highest.

What is the doctor to patient ratio in Brunei?

In 2021, the number of doctors per 1,000 people in Brunei was 1.9 per 1,000, according to the WHO. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. It is 9th highest of 17 in East Asia & Pacific, where the median is 1.9 per 1,000. Of 123 countries with 2021 data, 73rd highest.

How many hospital beds does Brunei have?

According to the WHO, hospital beds per 1,000 people in Brunei was 3.6 per 1,000 in 2023. The peak was 4.2 per 1,000 in 2022 and the low 2.7 per 1,000 in 2014. It is 3rd highest of 11 in East Asia & Pacific, where the median is 2.4 per 1,000. Of 73 countries with 2023 data, 28th highest.

What is measles vaccine coverage in Brunei?

According to WHO and UNICEF, measles vaccination among children aged 12 to 23 months in Brunei was 99.0% in 2024. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. Across East Asia & Pacific the middle value was 91.0%, and Brunei placed 1st highest of 30. Worldwide: 1st of 191.