World Factbook
Brunei
Negara Brunei Darussalam
Last updated: 2026-03-28 (today)
Flag
description: yellow with a diagonal white band and second below it in black, both starting from the upper left; the national emblem in red is at the center; the state motto, "Always render service with God's guidance," appears in yellow Arabic script on the emblem's crescent; a ribbon below the crescent reads "Brunei, the Abode of Peace" meaning: yellow symbolizes the sultanate, and the white and black bands stand for the chief ministers; the emblem includes a royal umbrella (the monarchy), two wings with four feathers (justice, tranquility, prosperity, and peace), two upraised hands (the government's pledge to preserve and promote the people's welfare), and the crescent moon of Islam (the state religion)
Capital
name
Bandar Seri Begawan
etymology
named in 1970 after Sultan Omar Ali SAIFUDDIEN III (1914-1986), who adopted the title of "Seri Begawan" (approximately meaning "honored lord") when he abdicated in 1967; "bandar" means "city" or "port" in Malay; the capital had previously been called Bandar Brunei (Brunei City)
time difference
UTC+8 (13 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
geographic coordinates
4 53 N, 114 56 E
Suffrage
18 years of age for village elections; universal
Citizenship
citizenship by birth
no
citizenship by descent only
the father must be a citizen of Brunei
dual citizenship recognized
no
residency requirement for naturalization
12 years
Constitution
note
note: some constitutional provisions suspended since 1962 under a state of emergency, others suspended since independence in 1984
history
drafted 1954 to 1959, signed 29 September 1959
amendment process
proposed by the monarch; passage requires submission to the Privy Council for Legislative Council review and finalization takes place by proclamation; the monarch can accept or reject changes to the original proposal provided by the Legislative Council
Country name
etymology
derivation of the name is unclear; the name may come from the Sanskrit word bhumi , meaning "land" or "region"
local long form
Negara Brunei Darussalam
local short form
Brunei
conventional long form
Brunei Darussalam
conventional short form
Brunei
Independence
1 January 1984 (from the UK)
Legal system
mixed legal system based on English common law and Islamic law
note: in 2019, sharia penal codes came into force and apply to Muslims and partly to non-Muslims in parallel with common law codes
Government type
absolute monarchy or sultanate
Judicial branch
note
note: Brunei has a dual judicial system of secular and sharia (religious) courts; the Judicial Committee of Privy Council (in London) serves as the final appellate court for civil cases only
highest court(s)
Supreme Court (consists of the Court of Appeal and the High Court, each with a chief justice and 2 judges); Sharia Court (consists the Court of Appeals and the High Court)
subordinate courts
Intermediate Court; Magistrates' Courts; Juvenile Court; small claims courts; lower sharia courts
judge selection and term of office
Supreme Court judges appointed by the monarch to serve until age 65, and older if approved by the monarch; Sharia Court judges appointed by the monarch for life
Executive branch
note
note 1: the monarch is both chief of state and head of government, as well as Minister of Finance, Defense, and Foreign Affairs and Trade note 2: 4 additional advisory councils appointed by the monarch are the Religious Council, Privy Council for Constitutional Issues, Council of Succession, and Legislative Council
cabinet
Council of Ministers appointed and presided over by the monarch
chief of state
Sultan and Prime Minister Sir HASSANAL Bolkiah (since 5 October 1967)
head of government
Sultan and Prime Minister Sir HASSANAL Bolkiah (since 5 October 1967)
election/appointment process
none; the monarchy is hereditary
National holiday
National Day, 23 February (1984)
note: 1 January 1984 was the date of independence from the UK, 23 February 1984 was the date of independence from British protection; the Sultan's birthday, 15 June
National color(s)
yellow, white, black
Political parties
National Development Party or NDP
note: the NDP is Brunei’s only registered party, but does not have representation in the Legislative Council, which is appointed
Legislative branch
term in office
5 years
number of seats
45 (all appointed)
electoral system
plurality/majority
legislature name
Legislative Council (Majlis Mesyuarat Negara)
scope of elections
full renewal
legislative structure
unicameral
most recent election date
1/20/2023
expected date of next election
January 2028
percentage of women in chamber
11.4%
National anthem(s)
title
"Allah Peliharakan Sultan" (God Bless His Majesty)
history
adopted 1951
lyrics/music
Pengiran Haji Mohamed YUSUF bin Pengiran Abdul Rahim/Awang Haji BESAR bin Sagap
National symbol(s)
royal parasol
Administrative divisions
4 districts ( daerah-daerah , singular - daerah ); Belait, Brunei dan Muara, Temburong, Tutong
Diplomatic representation in the US
FAX
[1] (202) 885-0560
chancery
3520 International Court NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone
[1] (202) 237-1838
consulate(s)
New York
chief of mission
Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d'Affaires IZZATI Baharuddin (since 6 May 2025)
email address and website
info@bruneiembassy.org http://www.bruneiembassy.org/index.html
Diplomatic representation from the US
FAX
(673) 238-7533
embassy
Simpang 336-52-16-9, Jalan Duta, Bandar Seri Begawan, BC4115
telephone
(673) 238-7400
mailing address
4020 Bandar Seri Begawan Place, Washington DC 20521-4020
chief of mission
Ambassador Caryn R. McCLELLAND (since December 2021)
email address and website
ConsularBrunei@state.gov https://bn.usembassy.gov/
International organization participation
ADB, APEC, ARF, ASEAN, C, CP, EAS, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), ICRM, IDA, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, NAM, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIFIL, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
International law organization participation
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICC