Immigration To Brunei: Annual Trends And Data

Immigration is a significant aspect of Brunei's demographics, with the country hosting a relatively large expatriate community. While specific annual data on immigration is not readily available, estimates suggest that in 2010, there were approximately 100,000 immigrants in Brunei. The net migration rate, which is the number of immigrants minus emigrants per thousand population, provides insight into the country's immigration trends. Brunei's net migration rate declined from 7.83 in 1971 to 4.66 in 2020. The country's population comprises various ethnicities, including Malay, Chinese, indigenous groups, and expatriates primarily from non-Muslim countries.

Immigration statistics for Brunei in 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019 and 2018 were 0.00

In fact, the net migration rate for Brunei has been declining gradually since 1971, when it was 7.83 migrants per thousand population. By 2020, this figure had fallen to 4.66 migrants per thousand population. This decline in net migration may be due to a variety of factors, including the country's isolationist policies and the COVID-19 pandemic, which restricted international travel.

It is worth noting that the population of Brunei has also been decreasing in recent years. As of 2023, the country had a population of 455,858, down from 462,721 in 2022. The median age in Brunei is 32.2 years, and the country has an urban population of 79.7%.

In 2020, Brunei's net migration rate was 4.66 migrants per thousand population

The net migration rate gives an indication of the flow of people into and out of a country. In the case of Brunei, the rate has been falling gradually since 1971, when it stood at 7.83 migrants per thousand population. By 2020, this figure had dropped to 4.66.

Brunei, officially Brunei Darussalam, is a small country in Southeast Asia with a population of around 460,000 people as of 2024. The country has a mix of ethnicities, with approximately 65.7% of the population identifying as Malay, 10.3% as Chinese, 3.4% as indigenous, and the remaining 20.6% comprising smaller groups. There is also a relatively large expatriate community, with people coming from non-Muslim countries such as Australia, the United Kingdom, South Korea, Japan, and others.

The official language of Brunei is Malay, and the state religion is Islam. The country is led by Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, who has ruled since 1967, and the government is a constitutional absolute monarchy. Brunei has a unicameral legislature, the Legislative Council, which is appointed by the Sultan and serves a consultative role.

In 2014, 65.7% of Brunei's population were Malay, 10.3% Chinese, 3.4% indigenous, and 20.6% smaller groups

In 2014, 65.7% of Brunei's population were Malay, the country's official ethnicity. The Malay people are ethnically related to the larger Malay populations in nearby Malaysia and Indonesia, although cultural and linguistic differences make the Brunei Malays distinct. The official language of Brunei is Malay, and the country's official religion is Islam, which is practised by the majority of Bruneian Malays. The country's official name, "Negara Brunei Darussalam", means "Nation of Brunei, the Abode of Peace" in Malay.

The second-largest ethnic group in Brunei in 2014 was Chinese, at 10.3% of the population. The Chinese in Brunei speak a number of Chinese dialects, and most of them are permanent residents, with many being stateless. Buddhism is practised by 6.3% of the population, mainly Chinese.

Indigenous people made up 3.4% of Brunei's population in 2014. Indigenous groups include the Iban people, Murut (a branch of the Dayak people), the Dusun (Brunei), and the Melanau.

The remaining 20.6% of the population in 2014 was made up of smaller groups. There is a relatively large expatriate community in Brunei, with most expats coming from non-Muslim countries such as Australia, the United Kingdom, South Korea, Japan, the Philippines, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, and India.

Brunei's expat community is relatively large, with most coming from non-Muslim countries

Brunei has a large expat community, with around 40% of the country's population being foreigners. Most expats are attracted by the prospect of lucrative employment packages and tax-free income, with many working in the oil and gas sector or in construction. The expat community is largely made up of people from non-Muslim countries such as Australia, the United Kingdom, South Korea, Japan, the Philippines, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, and India.

English is widely spoken in Brunei, making it easy for most expats to communicate and get by. The country also has one of the world's top public healthcare systems, with low rates for expats and several high-standard private hospitals. The cost of living in Brunei is relatively low, especially when compared to Western Europe and North America. Food and travel are particularly affordable.

The culture in Brunei may be a shock to new arrivals, as it is a strictly Islamic country with modest dress and behaviour expectations. However, the country is generally safe, with most crimes being opportunistic rather than violent. Brunei's natural environment, including its beaches and rainforests, offers plenty of opportunities for outdoor activities, and its public education system is of a high standard.

Overall, Brunei's expat community is diverse and sizeable, with many expats enjoying a high standard of living and a range of opportunities in this small, tropical country.

Brunei's population in 2023 was 455,858, with around 180,000 residing in the capital, Bandar Seri Begawan

Brunei's population in 2023 was 455,858, according to UN estimates. Around 200,000 people live in the country's capital, Bandar Seri Begawan, which is also its largest city. Bandar Seri Begawan is located in the Brunei-Muara district, the largest of the country's four districts, with more than half of the country's population. The population of Brunei has been steadily increasing since the 1960s, when it chose to remain a British dependency rather than join the Malaysian Federation.

Brunei has a small population relative to its land area, with just under 97% of its citizens living in the larger western area, which includes the districts of Brunei-Muara, Tutong, and Belait. In contrast, only 10,000 people reside in the eastern mountainous region. The country's population density is 88 people per square kilometre (227 people per square mile), with an urban population of 79.7% (368,738 people). The median age in Brunei is 32.2 years, and the fertility rate is 2.1 children per woman, which is the replacement-level fertility rate.

By 2030, the United Nations projects that Brunei's population will reach 560,000.

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