Brunei: Population, Economy & Travel Facts

Essential data for planning your trip to Brunei — from population and demographics to economic indicators, healthcare infrastructure, tourism trends, and digital connectivity.

Population & Geography

Population
428,962
#170 of 197 countries
Area
5,765 km²
#176 of 248 countries
Density
74.4 / km²
#135 of 245 countries

Brunei has a population of 428,962 spread across 5,765 km², giving it an average density of 74.4 people per km².

Demographics

Median Age
32.6
Life Expectancy
78.9 yrs
Government
absolute monarchy or sultanate
Ethnic Groups
Religions
GDP by Sector

Population Trends

How a country's age structure is shifting tells you a lot about what to expect on the ground. A growing elderly population often means better healthcare and higher costs, while a young population signals energy and growth but potentially less developed infrastructure.

Age Structure Over Time
Population Growth Rate (%)
Urban vs Rural (%)
Birth & Death Rates (per 1,000)

Economy & Cost of Living

Understanding the local economy helps travellers budget effectively and set expectations. Brunei is classified as a high income country by the World Bank. Prices are roughly 39% of US levels, meaning your money goes significantly further here — accommodation, food, and transport are very affordable by Western standards.

Income Level
High income
GDP per Capita
$32,891
Cost of Living
39% of US
Inflation
0.4%
GDP per Capita (USD)
GDP Growth (%)
Inflation Rate (%)
Employment
GDP/Capita (PPP)
$79,200
Unemployment
5.2%

Tourism

Tourism data reveals how popular a destination is and how much infrastructure exists to support visitors. Tourism accounts for 2.7% of Brunei's total exports, making it a smaller part of the economy, meaning you may find fewer purpose-built tourist facilities but more authentic experiences.

Tourism % of Exports
2.7%
Air Passengers
820,886
International Tourist Arrivals
Tourism Receipts (USD)
Air Passengers Carried
Tourism as % of Exports

Health & Safety Infrastructure

Healthcare quality matters when you're far from home. These indicators help gauge what level of medical care is available — Brunei has 1.89 physicians per 1,000 people, near the global average. Standard travel insurance should suffice.

Physicians
1.89/1k
Hospital Beds
3.58/1k
Health Spend
$733/person
Infant Mortality
8.2/1k
Immunization
99%
Safe Drinking Water
100.0%
Basic Sanitation
100.0%
Health Expenditure per Capita (USD)
Hospital Beds per 1,000

Connectivity & Digital Infrastructure

Staying connected while travelling is essential for navigation, communication, and remote work. In Brunei, 99% of the population uses the internet — expect widely available WiFi in hotels, cafes, and public spaces. There are 127 mobile subscriptions per 100 people, and local SIM cards are easy to find.

Internet Users
99.0%
Mobile Subs
127/100
Broadband
20.2/100
Internet Users (%)
Urbanization (%)

Source: World Bank Open Data