English
Brunei population declined 1.3 per cent last year
Brunei-Muara District has the highest population of 316,100 persons (69.7 per cent of the total population). This is followed by Belait District with 74,800 persons (16.5 per cent), Tutong District 51,500 persons (11.4 per cent) and Temburong District 11,200 persons (2.5 per cent), the Department of Economic Planning and Statistics (DEPS) stated in the Report of the Mid-Year Population Estimates 2020.
The report presents the data of population estimates and key demographic characteristics of Brunei Darussalam’s mid-year population in 2020.
The compilation for the estimates is based on the data of the Population and Housing Census Update (KBPP) 2016 and incorporating the major components of population change, that is births and deaths for natural increase and net migration. The main data source for the estimate are from the Immigration and National Registration Department, Ministry of Home Affairs. The report added that the mid-year population estimate of Brunei Darussalam for 2020 was 453,600 persons compared to 459,500 persons in 2019, a decline of 1.3 per cent.
The decline is due to the decrease in the number of temporary residents by 10.9 per cent from 94,200 persons in 2019 to 83,900 persons in 2020. This is due to the travel restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic, specifically on the entry of foreigners to Brunei Darussalam, where a number of foreign workers have left the country upon the expiration of contract while only a limited number of new foreign workers have been allowed to enter the country for certain sectors and jobs.
However, the number of Brunei citizens and permanent residents increased by 1.3 per cent (2019: 331,800 persons, 2020: 336,000 persons) and 0.6 per cent (2019: 33,500 persons, 2020: 33,700 persons) respectively, which shows an offset to the decline.
The population in 2020 was made up of 240,700 males (53.1 per cent) and 212,900 females (46.9 per cent).
The sex ratio was 113 males for every 100 females.
Brunei citizens accounted for the largest share at 74.1 per cent (336,000 persons), while the shares of the permanent residents and temporary residents were 7.4 per cent (33,700 persons) and 18.5 per cent (83,900 persons)respectively.
From the age distribution aspect, about 20.4 per cent (92,500 persons) of the total population were below 15 years, 73.6 per cent (333,900 persons) were in the working age group of 15-64 and 6.0 per cent (27,200 persons) were aged 65 years and above.
The median age in 2020 was 31.3 years compared to 30.6 years in 2019.
Malays formed the largest community in the country with a share of 65.8 per cent (298,400 persons). Chinese and others comprised 10.2 per cent (46,400 persons) and 24 per cent (108,800 persons) of the total population.
The Report of the Mid-Year Population Estimates 2020 is available from
DEPS’ website.
For enquiries contact DEPS on 2230250 or 2230265 (working hours), [email protected] or www.deps.gov.bn.
Source: https://borneobulletin.com.bn/brunei-population-declined-1-3-per-cent-last-year/