Brunei Darussalam

Year

INTRODUCTION

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Ministry of Health
Jalan Menteri Besar
Bandar Seri Begawan BB3910
Negara Brunei Darussalam
Tel:(673) 238 1640
Fax:(673) 238 1440
http://www.moh.gov.bn
WHO Representative in Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam and Singapore
PO Box 12550
50782 Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia
Tel:(603) 2093 9908 / 2092 1184
Fax:(603) 2093 7446
who@maa.wpro.who.int

Brunei Darussalam is situated in northwest Borneo.  It has a total area of 5765 square kilometres (km2) with a coastline of about 161 kilometres (km) along the South China Sea.  It is bounded on the north by the South China Sea and on all the other sides by Malaysian state of Sarawak.

The land surface is developed on bedrock of tertiary age comprising of sandstone, shale and clays.  The terrain in the western part of Brunei Darussalam is predominantly hilly lowland below 91 metres (m), but rising in the hinterland to about 300 m.  The eastern part of the state consists predominantly of rugged mountain terrain, rising 1850 m above sea level at Bukit Pagon.  The coast has a wide, tidal and swampy plain.

Brunei Darussalam has an equatorial climate characterized by a uniform high temperature, high humidity and heavy rainfall.  Temperatures range from 23 to 32 degrees Celsius, while annual rainfall varies from 2500 millimetres (mm) on the coast to 7500 mm in the interior.  There is no distinct wet season.

Brunei Darussalam is divided into four districts, namely Brunei/Muara, Tutong, Belait and Temburong. Bandar Seri Begawan is the capital of Brunei Darussalam with an area of about 16 km2 and a population of about 46 000 (1991 census) including Kampong Ayer (Water Village).  The capital is located in the Brunei/Muara District, and is the centre of government and business activities.

Other towns are Muara, about 41 km to the northeast of Bandar Seri Begawan where the chief port is located; Seria, which is the seat of oil and gas industry; and Kuala Belait, Pekan Tutong and Bangar, which are the administrative centres of Belait, Tutong and Temburong districts respectively.

Table 1.  Core population and health data (2002)

Population

[Total]

340 800

Life expectancy
at birth (years)

[Both]

…

[0-14 years]

101 899 (29.90%)

[Male]

73.50

[65+ years]

9 883 (2.90%)

[Female]

76.10

Crude birth rate
(per 1000 population)

 

23.70

Total fertility rate

 

2.30

Crude death rate
(per 1000 population)

 

3.10

% of population served with safe water

[Total]

99.00

[Urban]

…

[Rural]

…

Infant mortality rate
(per 1000 live births)

 

8.30

% of population with adequate sanitary facilities

[Total]

80.00

[Urban]

…

[Rural]

…

Maternal mortality rate
 (per 100 000 live births)

 

26.80

 

 

 



In 2002, Brunei Darussalam had an estimated population of 340 800 with around 30% of the population below 15 years old and 3% above 65 years old.  Population growth was 2.40% over the previous year.  About 71.70% of the population are urban dwellers.  Total fertility rate dropped to 2.30 in 2002 from 2.70 in 1999.

Disclaimer: The boundaries and names shown and the designations used on this map do not imply the expression of an opinion whatsoever on the part of the World Health Organization concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or areas or its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries.