46 Facts About Brunei

Brunei has one of the highest living standards in the world and is the second wealthiest country in Southeast Asia, after Singapore.

Brunei has breathtaking wildlife, abundant oil reserves, and one of the world's last absolute monarchies.

The Sultan of Brunei, Hassanal Bolkiah, is the world's longest-reigning male monarch, having reigned for 54 years as of 2022.

Brunei and Bhutan are Asia's only remaining absolute monarchies.

According to the Guinness Book of World Records, Brunei's Istana Nurul Iman Palace is the world's largest residential palace; it serves as the Sultan of Brunei's official residence. It has 1,788 rooms, covers 50 acres of land, and cost $1.4 billion to build.

According to the Insider, the Sultan of Brunei owns 500 Rolls-Royce cars, has a 1,788-room palace, and gets $20,000 haircuts on a regular basis.

The Sultan's birthday, July 15th, is celebrated with national festivities and activities. The day begins with a nationwide call to prayer. Later in the day, the Sultan addresses the public.

Brunei was a British protectorate from 1888 until 1963, when it gained full independence from the British.

Brunei has chosen to remain a British protectorate rather than join the Malaysian Federation.

During World War II, the Japanese occupied Brunei from 1941 to 1945.

The king appoints all members of the legislative council. Despite the lack of elections, there is only one legal party: the National Development Party (NDP).

Brunei was the first East Asian country to implement Sharia law in 2014. This punishes theft, gay-sex, and adultery with maiming, stoning, and caning, among other things.

Brunei is Southeast Asia's most Islamically observant country. Beautiful mosques can be found throughout the country, and the majority of Bruneians consider themselves devout Muslims.

Brunei adheres to a less-orthodox branch of Sunni Islam. In Brunei, the bride and groom are permitted to wear gold jewellery, which is considered un-Islamic by many Islamic scholars.

The mosques in Brunei are known for their elegance and beauty. These mosques' architecture perfectly blends futuristic and traditional elements.

Approximately 7% of the population is Christian.

Brunei has banned Christmas Day by decree. It is against the law to celebrate Christmas in public. However, many Christians and even Muslims observe it privately in their homes.

Marriages between Muslims and Christians are strictly forbidden. Marriage between a Muslim and a Christian is a capital offence punishable by death. The law forbids Muslims from studying other religions.

State television and radio dominate broadcasting. The royal family controls or owns the private press. When covering religion or politics, journalists must exercise self-censorship.

Approximately 99% of Bruneians are active social media users. According to Statista.Com, 99% of Bruneians are social media users.

After Singapore, Brunei has the second highest Human Development Index (HDI) in Southeast Asia. Brunei is considered a developed country. Brunei is ranked fifth in the world by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in terms of GDP per capita at purchasing power parity.

Brunei is the region's second least corrupt country, trailing only Singapore.

Brunei has one of the world's highest vehicle ownership rates. There is roughly one car for every 1.5 people in Brunei.

Brunei's public debt was 2.4% of GDP in 2018.

Individuals in Brunei are not subject to income tax. Citizens must, however, contribute 5% of their income to a state-managed provident fund.

Brunei has the fewest taxes in the region. The corporate tax rate has gradually been reduced to the current rate of 22%. As a result, Brunei is one of the best places in Southeast Asia to do business.

Brunei does not have a statutory minimum wage.

Brunei's unemployment rate in 2021 is expected to be around 8.3%.

Brunei is Southeast Asia's third largest oil producer. They produce approximately 180,000 barrels of oil per day. They are also the world's ninth largest producer of LNG gas.

According to BP World, Brunei's hydrocarbon resources may be depleted within the next two decades.

The Bruneian Dollar is pegged to the Singapore dollar.

Australia supplies the majority of the country's beef. Brunei owns a cattle farm in Australia that supplies beef to the country. The branch is larger than Brunei.

Brunei has one of the world's largest LNG plants. According to Wikipedia, the Brunei Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) plant is one of the world's largest. It is located on a 130-acre complex and annually pumps over 6.8 tonnes of liquefied gas.

In Brunei, 97.2% of the population is literate.

Bruneians are entitled to free healthcare. Brunei has an immunisation coverage of approximately 97.8%, which exceeds the WHO target of 95%. There are 22 maternal facilities, 10 clinics, and 15 health centres in the healthcare system. Brunei was one of the first nations to get ahead of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Brunei ranks highly in terms of gender equality in health and education.

Women make up 49% of Brunei's civil service. The participation rate of women in the Bruneian economy has increased dramatically since 1971.

Brunei's average life expectancy is 75 years. The availability of free healthcare contributes to the high life expectancy. Brunei also has a low crime rate.

Brunei's leading causes of death are diabetes, stroke, and heart disease. This is due to the sedentary lifestyle brought about by modernization.

Malay culture has had a significant influence on Brunei's culture.

Bruneians are primarily Malay. Brunei's cultural makeup, however, includes significant populations of Indian, Chinese, and indigenous peoples. Brunei's cultural mix is similar to Malaysia's.

Brunei's Constitution recognises seven indigenous tribes.

Bruneian cuisine is a distinct blend of Malay, Chinese, Indian, Arab, and European influences.

The rainforests cover 78% of Brunei. These rainforests are home to a wide variety of flora and fauna. These forests are home to some of the most endangered animal and plant species. Saltwater crocodiles, flying lizards, proboscis monkeys, and the Sunda clouded leopard are among the notable wildlife species.

Brunei was the first Asian country to prohibit shark fining. Brunei banned shark finning in June 2013.

Brunei's Ulu Temburong National Park is one of the world's most diverse ecosystems. This Ulu Temburong national park encompasses roughly half of Brunei's southern district and features enthralling green landscapes. It is known as Brunei's "Green Jewel" because of its pristine jungle.