Brunei
Nation of Brunei, Abode of Peace
Current Population (Live)
Annual Growth Rate: +0.88%
Situated in South-Eastern Asia, Brunei has a population of approximately 455.5k—a modestly sized nation in population terms. The country extends across 5,765 km², translating to a density of 79 people per km². Its capital is Bandar Seri Begawan, and Malay is the official language, while the Brunei dollar serves as the national currency.
Population
455,500
Area
5,765 km²
Density
79/km²
World Rank
#176
Population Trend (1960-2050)
Historical data from 1960 to present with projections to 2050.
Annual Growth Rate by Period
Population growth has effectively stalled at 0% annually, suggesting the country is approaching or has reached a demographic plateau. Births occur at 13.6 per thousand against deaths at 5.2 per thousand, yielding a moderate natural surplus. The age distribution is relatively balanced, with 20.8% of residents under 15 and 6.9% over 65.
General Information
- Capital
- Bandar Seri Begawan
- Region
- Asia
- Subregion
- South-Eastern Asia
- Continent
- Asia
- Languages
- Malay
- Currencies
- Brunei dollar ($), Singapore dollar ($)
- Calling Code
- +673
- Top-Level Domain
- .bn
- Landlocked
- No
- UN Member
- Yes
- Timezones
- UTC+08:00
Population Details
- Total Population
- 455,500
- Land Area
- 5,765 km²
- Population Density
- 79 per km²
- Annual Growth Rate
- +0.88%
- Annual Growth
- +4,008 people
- Daily Growth
- +11 people
- World Population Share
- 0.01%
- Coordinates
- 4.50°, 114.67°
Global Population Share
Demographics & Economy
With a GDP per capita of roughly $33.2k, Brunei sits comfortably in the high-income bracket by World Bank standards. Unemployment sits at 5.3%, roughly in line with the global average of 5.8%.
Life Expectancy
75.3 years
GDP per Capita
$33,153
Birth Rate
13.6 per 1,000
Death Rate
5.2 per 1,000
Urban Population
74.9%
Fertility Rate
1.75 births/woman
Infant Mortality
8.2 per 1,000
Unemployment
5.3%
Literacy Rate
96.1%
Internet Users
99.0%
Under 15
20.8%
Over 65
6.9%
Health Spending
2.2% GDP
Age Distribution
0-14 years
95K
15-64 years
329K
65+ years
31K
Urbanization
Urbanization is well advanced, with roughly 74.9% of the population residing in towns and cities, above the global mean of 56%. Bandar Seri Begawan serves as the administrative heart of the country and concentrates much of its commercial and civic life.
341,170
74.9%
114,330
25.1%
Health & Education Indicators
Average life expectancy of 75.3 years is roughly in line with the global benchmark of 72.8. Infant mortality stands at 8.2 per thousand live births, significantly higher than the global average. The literacy rate of 96.1% is roughly in line with the world average, reflecting the current state of educational investment.
Life Expectancy
World avg: 72.8
Fertility Rate
World avg: 2.3
Infant Mortality
World avg: 27.5
Literacy Rate
World avg: 86.7
Internet Users
World avg: 63
Population Projections (2026-2050)
Near-zero growth suggests that Brunei is entering a period of demographic stability—or, depending on policy responses, the early stages of decline. Below-replacement fertility of 1.8 births per woman means natural growth alone cannot sustain the current population level indefinitely. As a United Nations member state, Brunei participates in global discussions on sustainable development that will shape its demographic future.
| Year | Projected Population |
|---|---|
| 2026 | 455,500 |
| 2030 | 471,638 |
| 2035 | 492,385 |
| 2040 | 513,811 |
| 2045 | 535,962 |
| 2050 | 558,880 |
Neighboring Countries
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Brunei?
The population of Brunei is approximately 455,500 as of 2026, making it #176 in the world by population.
What is the capital of Brunei?
The capital of Brunei is Bandar Seri Begawan.
What languages are spoken in Brunei?
The main languages spoken in Brunei are Malay.
How big is Brunei?
Brunei covers an area of 5,765 km² with a population density of 79 people per km².
Is Brunei growing or shrinking?
Brunei is growing at a rate of 0.88% per year, adding approximately 4,008 people annually.
What is the life expectancy in Brunei?
The average life expectancy in Brunei is 75.3 years.
What is the GDP per capita of Brunei?
The GDP per capita of Brunei is $33,153.