Governance at a glance
- Government
- Unitary Islamic absolute monarchy
- UN member
- Yes
- Independent
- Yes
- Press freedom (2025)
- 53.5/100 #97
- HDI
- 0.837
- Regional blocs
- ASEAN
Government and leaders
- Government type
- Unitary Islamic absolute monarchy
| Title | Name |
|---|---|
| Sultan of Brunei | Hassanal Bolkiah |
| Prime Minister of Brunei | Hassanal Bolkiah |
| Crown Prince | Al-Muhtadee Billah |
| Senior Minister | Al-Muhtadee Billah |
Safety and security
- Homicide rate (2013)
- 0.5/100k
- Traffic deaths (2019)
- 7.5/100k
- Military spending (2024)
- 3.6% of GDP
Press freedom index
- Overall score (2025)
- 53.5 / 100
- Global rank
- #97 / 180
- Rank change
- +20 vs previous year
- RSF zone
- Asie-Pacifique
- Political #88
- 46.0
- Economic #63
- 48.2
- Legal #138
- 43.6
- Social #137
- 43.7
- Safety #65
- 85.9
Press freedom historical data
| Year | Score | Rank | Political | Economic | Legal | Social | Safety |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 53.5 | 97 | 46.0 | 48.2 | 43.6 | 43.7 | 85.9 |
| 2024 | 50.1 | 117 | 49.4 | 45.2 | 41.1 | 37.8 | 77.0 |
| 2023 | 44.2 | 142 | 49.8 | 34.8 | 30.7 | 29.9 | 75.8 |
| 2022 | 42.5 | 144 | 40.6 | 30.6 | 28.5 | 34.0 | 78.9 |
| 2021 | 50.1 | 154 | - | - | - | - | 100.0 |
| 2020 | 50.4 | 152 | - | - | - | - | 100.0 |
| 2019 | 48.5 | 152 | - | - | - | - | 100.0 |
| 2018 | 48.5 | 153 | - | - | - | - | 100.0 |
| 2017 | 46.3 | 156 | - | - | - | - | 100.0 |
| 2016 | 46.2 | 155 | - | - | - | - | 93.1 |
| 2015 | 63.2 | 121 | - | - | - | - | 100.0 |
| 2014 | 64.6 | 117 | - | - | - | - | - |
| 2013 | 64.6 | 122 | - | - | - | - | - |
| 2012 | 56.2 | 125 | - | - | - | - | - |
| 2010 | 51.0 | 142 | - | - | - | - | - |
| 2009 | 63.5 | 155 | - | - | - | - | - |