World Happiness Report for Brunei 2024
- Overall Happiness Rank Brunei: na
- Happiness Score Brunei:na
Happiness is a subjective concept that has long been debated by philosophers, psychologists, and economists alike. However, in recent years, there has been a growing interest in quantifying happiness and using it as a measure of a nation’s overall well-being. This is where the concept of the Happiness Index comes into play.
What is the Happiness Index?
The Happiness Index is a measure that attempts to quantify the overall happiness and life satisfaction of a country’s population. It is based on the idea that traditional economic indicators, such as Gross Domestic Product (GDP), do not fully capture the overall well-being of a society. The Happiness Index takes into account various factors that contribute to an individual’s sense of happiness and life satisfaction, including social support, freedom to make life choices, healthy life expectancy, and perceptions of corruption.
How is the Happiness Index Calculated?
The Happiness Index is calculated through a combination of subjective and objective data. The primary source of data is the Gallup World Poll, which is a survey conducted in over 160 countries. The survey asks respondents to rate their overall life satisfaction on a scale of 0 to 10, with 0 being the worst possible life and 10 being the best possible life.
In addition to the life satisfaction score, the Happiness Index also takes into account the following factors:
- GDP per capita: This is a measure of a country’s economic output and standard of living.
- Social support: This factor measures the extent to which individuals have supportive relationships and love in their lives.
- Healthy life expectancy: This is a measure of the number of years an individual is expected to live in good health.
- Freedom to make life choices: This factor measures the extent to which individuals are able to make decisions about their lives without external constraints.
- Generosity: This factor measures the extent to which individuals engage in charitable activities and donate to others.
- Perceptions of corruption: This factor measures the extent to which individuals perceive their society to be free from corruption.
These factors are weighted and combined to produce an overall Happiness Index score for each country.
What Does the Happiness Index Affect?
The Happiness Index has significant implications for policymaking and societal well-being. Countries with higher Happiness Index scores are generally considered to have better overall quality of life and well-being for their citizens. This can have positive impacts on various aspects of society, including:
- Economic productivity: Happier individuals tend to be more productive and engaged in their work, which can contribute to a country’s economic growth.
- Public health: Higher levels of happiness and life satisfaction are associated with better physical and mental health outcomes, which can reduce healthcare costs and improve overall well-being.
- Social cohesion: Societies with higher levels of happiness tend to have stronger social bonds and lower levels of conflict and crime.
- Environmental sustainability: Happier individuals may be more likely to engage in environmentally-friendly behaviors and support policies that promote sustainability.
By focusing on the factors that contribute to happiness and well-being, policymakers can develop strategies to improve the overall quality of life for their citizens. The Happiness Index provides a valuable tool for measuring progress and identifying areas where improvements can be made.
Short information
- Abbreviation of Brunei. BN.
Brunei is a small country located on the island of Borneo in Southeast Asia.
- Brunei is a sultanate with a political structure centered around its monarch, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, who has absolute power.
- The country is known for its rich cultural heritage, including its traditional Malay architecture, arts and crafts, and close-knit community values.
- Brunei has a significant oil and natural gas industry, which has driven its economic growth and made it one of the wealthiest countries in the world.
Brunei – An Overview
Early History and Ancient Civilizations
The earliest inhabitants of the area now known as Brunei were tribal seafarers who migrated from the island of Borneo. The earliest known written records of Brunei date back to the 7th century, when it was a part of the Srivijayan Empire, a powerful maritime kingdom based in Sumatra. Over the centuries, Brunei emerged as a prominent trading center and a focal point for the spread of Islam in the region.
Kingdom and Empires
In the 14th century, the Kingdom of Brunei rose to prominence under the reign of Sultan Muhammad Shah. The kingdom’s golden age lasted until the late 16th century, during which it controlled most of the coastal areas of Borneo and parts of the Philippines. The kingdom’s power and influence declined in the 17th century due to internal conflicts and the rise of European colonial powers in the region.
Colonial Period
Brunei became a British protectorate in 1888, following a revolt against the Sultan. The British maintained a resident advisor in Brunei until 1959, when a new constitution was introduced, granting the country self-government.
Independence and Modern Era
Brunei gained full independence from Britain on January 1, 1984. The country has been ruled by the same royal family since its independence, with Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah as the current head of state. Brunei’s economy has been heavily reliant on its vast oil and gas reserves, which have fueled its rapid development and high standard of living.
Current Political Situation
Brunei is a constitutional monarchy with a highly centralized government. The Sultan holds executive power and is advised by a Council of Cabinet Ministers and a religious advisory body called the Legislative Council. The country has faced criticism for its strict Islamic laws and lack of democratic reforms.
International Relations
Brunei maintains close ties with its Southeast Asian neighbors and is a member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The country has friendly relations with most nations, including the United Kingdom, and has avoided major international conflicts.
Human Development and Economy
Brunei has a prosperous economy driven by its oil and gas exports, which account for over 90% of its total exports. The country has a high human development index and provides its citizens with free education and healthcare. However, it faces challenges in diversifying its economy and reducing its dependence on hydrocarbon resources.
Cultural Highlights
Brunei has a rich cultural heritage influenced by its Malay roots and Islamic traditions. The country is known for its ornate mosques, traditional crafts, and vibrant festivals. Malay and English are the official languages, and the majority of the population practices Islam.
Challenges and Opportunities
Brunei faces challenges in diversifying its economy, promoting sustainable development, and addressing environmental issues. The country also needs to address concerns over human rights and democratic reforms. Opportunities exist in developing its tourism industry, promoting entrepreneurship, and investing in renewable energy sources.
Main facts
Location
Brunei is a sovereign state located on the northwest coast of the island of Borneo in Southeast Asia. It is situated in the southern portion of the South China Sea, sharing a border with the Malaysian state of Sarawak, which separates Brunei into two parts.
Map References
Brunei is located in Southeast Asia, on the island of Borneo.
Area – Comparative
With an area of 5,765 square kilometers (2,226 square miles), Brunei is slightly smaller than the state of Delaware in the United States.
Land Boundaries and Border Countries
Brunei has a total land boundary of 381 kilometers (237 miles), shared entirely with Malaysia.
Coastline
Brunei has a coastline of approximately 161 kilometers (100 miles) along the South China Sea.
Maritime Claims
Territorial sea: 12 nautical miles
Exclusive economic zone: 200 nautical miles
Continental shelf: 200 meters depth or to the depth of exploitation
Climate
Brunei has a tropical rainforest climate, with high temperatures and humidity throughout the year. The average temperature ranges from 23°C (73°F) to 32°C (90°F), with little seasonal variation.
Terrain
Brunei’s terrain is mostly flat coastal plains, with some hilly areas in the east and west. The interior consists of rugged terrain, with mountains and dense forests.
Elevation Extremes
Highest point: Bukit Pagon (1,850 meters or 6,070 feet)
Lowest point: South China Sea (0 meters)
Natural Resources
Brunei’s major natural resources include petroleum, natural gas, and timber.
Major Bodies of Water
The major bodies of water in Brunei include the South China Sea and the Brunei River, which flows through the capital city of Bandar Seri Begawan.
Natural Hazards
Brunei is prone to severe tropical storms and thunderstorms, which can bring high winds and heavy rainfall. The country is also located in an active seismic zone and faces a risk of earthquakes.
Geography – Notes
Brunei is a small but wealthy country, with its economy heavily reliant on the export of oil and natural gas. The country’s compact size and location on the island of Borneo contribute to its rich biodiversity, with extensive rainforests and mangrove swamps.
- Forest Area (% of land area): 72.10%. This is the percentage of a country’s total land area that is covered by natural or planted forests.
- Co2 Emissions: 7,664. CO2 emissions refer to the release of carbon dioxide gas into the atmosphere, primarily from the burning of fossil fuels (coal, oil, and natural gas) for energy production, transportation, and industrial processes.
- Agricultural Land( %). 2.70%. Agricultural land refers to the share of land area that is arable and used for cultivating crops or raising livestock.
- Geographic Coordinates: 4.535277114.727669.
- Capital: The capital of Brunei is Bandar Seri Begawan
- Major Cities:
- Bandar Seri Begawan – Population: 100,700
- Kuala Belait – Population: 31,178
- Seria – Population: 30,097
- Population: 433,285
- Area(Km2): 5765
- Population Density( P/Km²):83. This is the number of people living per square kilometer of land area in a given region or country.
- Calling Code:673
- Official Language(s):Brunei is Malay (official) 82.5% spoken.
- Currency: BND
Main Economic Indicators
Brunei has a wealthy economy that is highly dependent on the oil and gas sector, which accounts for over half of GDP and around 90% of merchandise exports. The government’s substantial income from oil and gas exports has allowed it to make large investments in the domestic economy and provide a comprehensive social safety net. Key economic challenges include a small workforce, high unemployment among local citizens, and efforts to boost production of both oil and non-oil/gas economic sectors.
Inflation Rate (Consumer Prices)
1.9% (2022 est.)
1.5% (2021 est.)
Source: CIA World Factbook
Credit Ratings
Moody’s: A3 (2022)
Standard & Poor’s: A+ (2022)
GDP – Composition by Sector of Origin
Agriculture: 0.7%
Industry: 58.6%
Services: 40.7%
Source: CIA World Factbook (2017 est.)
Key Agricultural and Industrial Products
Agricultural Products: Fruits, vegetables, poultry, eggs, livestock
Industrial Products: Crude oil, natural gas, construction, liquefied natural gas, garment manufacturing
Labor Force
230,200 (2022 est.)
Note: Ranks 165th in the world
Current Account Balance
$3.44 billion (2021 est.)
Note: Ranks 37th in the world
Exports and Imports
Exports: $7.29 billion (2021 est.)
Key Partners: Japan 33%, Malaysia 14%, South Korea 11%, India 10%, China 6%
Key Commodities: Crude oil, refined petroleum, liquefied natural gas
Imports: $3.94 billion (2021 est.)
Key Partners: China 24%, Malaysia 18%, Singapore 13%, UAE 6%
Key Commodities: Machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods, food, chemicals
Reserves of Foreign Exchange and Gold
$3.696 billion (2021 est.)
- GDP (Current US$):$13,469,422,941. It represents a country’s gross domestic product measured in current US dollars. Higher values indicate a larger economy and economic output.
- Tax Revenue (% of GDP): . It refers to the amount of tax revenue collected by the government, expressed as a percentage of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP). Higher values indicate a higher tax burden relative to the size of the economy.
- Total Tax Rate (% of commercial profits): 8.00%. This is the sum of all taxes payable by businesses, expressed as a percentage of their commercial profits. Higher values indicate a higher tax burden on businesses.
- Gasoline Price. $0.37. It refers to the cost of one liter or gallon of gasoline/petrol. Higher values indicate more expensive gasoline prices for consumers and businesses.
- Minimum wage. . It refers to the lowest legally mandated hourly wage that employers must pay their workers. Higher values indicate a higher minimum level of pay for low-wage workers.
- Unemployment Rate (%): 9.12%. It represents the percentage of the labor force that is unemployed and actively seeking employment. Higher values indicate more joblessness in the economy.
Social Indicators
1. National Identity
Nationality (noun): Bruneian(s)
Nationality (adjective): Bruneian
2. Ethnic Groups
– Malay (65.7%)
– Chinese (10.3%)
– Other indigenous groups (3.4%)
– Other (20.6%)
3. Religions
– Muslim (official) (78.8%)
– Buddhist (8.7%)
– Christian (7.8%)
– Other religions (4.7%)
4. Age Structure
– 0-14 years: 22.72%
– 15-64 years: 71.52%
– 65 years and over: 5.76%
5. Dependency Ratios
– Total dependency ratio: 39.9
– Youth dependency ratio: 32.7
– Elderly dependency ratio: 7.2
6. Median Age
– Total: 30.9 years
– Male: 30.7 years
– Female: 31.1 years
7. Lifestyle Indicators
– Obesity rate: 14.1%
– Alcohol consumption: 0.6 liters of pure alcohol per capita per year
– Tobacco use: 30.1% of adults
- Life Expectancy at Birth: 75.7. Life Expectancy at Birth refers to the estimated average number of years a newborn is expected to live based on current mortality rates. Higher values indicate better health outcomes and living conditions in a country or region.
- Literacy Rate (% of adults): 95%. It refers to the percentage of the population aged 15 and above who can read and write with understanding of a short simple statement about their everyday life. Higher literacy rates indicate better educational attainment within a population.
- Birth Rate:14.9. Birth Rate is the total number of live births per 1,000 population in a given year. Higher birth rates indicate a larger share of the population being born each year.
- Death Rate:5. Death Rate is the number of deaths per 1,000 population in a given year. Higher death rates indicate more people dying annually within a population.
- Fertility Rate: 1.85. Fertility Rate is the average number of children a woman would have over her reproductive years based on current birth rates. Higher fertility rates indicate larger family sizes and population growth.
- Internet Users (% of population): 91.3%. Internet Users (% of population) refers to the percentage of the total population in a country or region that has access to and uses the internet. Higher values indicate greater internet penetration and connectivity among the population.
- Urban Population: 337,711. Urban Population refers to the percentage or number of people living in urban areas or cities within a country or region. Higher urban population values indicate greater urbanization and concentration of people in cities compared to rural areas.
- Out of Pocket Health Expenditure (% of total health expenditure):6.00%. Out of Pocket Health Expenditure (% of total health expenditure) represents the portion of total health care costs that individuals pay directly out of their own pockets, rather than being covered by insurance or government programs. Higher values indicate greater personal financial burden for health care expenses.
Infrastructure and Services
Military and Security Forces
Brunei’s military consists of three main branches: Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF), comprising the Royal Brunei Land Force, Royal Brunei Navy, and Royal Brunei Air Force; Royal Brunei Police Force; and the Gurkha Reserve Unit, an elite infantry battalion of Gurkha soldiers from Nepal.
Military Expenditures
Brunei’s military expenditure as a percentage of GDP over the last five years:
- 2018: 2.9%
- 2019: 2.8%
- 2020: 3.2%
- 2021: 3.4%
- 2022: 3.6%
Brunei ranks 33rd globally in terms of military spending as a share of GDP.
Personnel Strengths
Brunei has approximately 7,000 active-duty military personnel, with the breakdown as follows:
- Royal Brunei Land Force: 4,500
- Royal Brunei Navy: 1,000
- Royal Brunei Air Force: 1,500
The Royal Brunei Police Force has around 5,000 personnel.
Military Equipment Inventories and Acquisitions
Brunei’s military equipment includes light armored vehicles, infantry fighting vehicles, towed and self-propelled artillery, surface-to-air missiles, utility and transport helicopters, and maritime patrol aircraft. Most equipment is imported from the United Kingdom, Germany, and other Western nations.
Significant future acquisitions include the purchase of 12 Sikorsky S-70i Black Hawk helicopters from the United States and the planned procurement of additional transport and combat aircraft.
Military Service Age and Obligation
Military service is voluntary in Brunei. The minimum age for voluntary military service is 18 years old, with no maximum age limit for entry into the service. There is currently no conscription or mandatory military service in Brunei.
Military Deployments
Brunei has a small contingent of around 20 personnel deployed as part of the International Monitoring Team in Mindanao, Philippines, as well as a few peacekeepers serving in United Nations missions.
Strategic Military Notes
Brunei’s defense strategy focuses on maintaining a small but well-equipped and professional military force capable of defending the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. The military also plays a role in regional security cooperation through participation in joint exercises and initiatives with neighbors like Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia.
Brunei is not a member of any major military alliances but maintains close defense ties with the United Kingdom and other Western nations, particularly for training and equipment acquisitions.
- Armed Forces Size: 8000. Armed Forces Size refers to the total number of active personnel serving in a country’s military forces, including the army, navy, air force, and other branches. Higher values indicate a larger military presence and personnel.
- Physicians per Thousand: Number of doctors per 1,000 people is 1.61
- Population: Labor Force Participation (%): 64.70%. This is the percentage of the total population aged 15 and older that is economically active, meaning they are either employed or actively seeking employment. Higher values indicate a greater proportion of the working-age population engaged in the labor force.