🇧🇳 Brunei

Brunei is a tiny oil-rich sultanate of 450,000 people on the island of Borneo, with a GDP of about $15 billion. The Sultan of Brunei is one of the world's wealthiest individuals, and the country has no income tax, free education, free healthcare, and subsidized housing and fuel. GDP per capita exceeds $30,000, among the highest in Southeast Asia. The country implemented full Sharia law in 2019, including stoning for adultery and amputation for theft, drawing international condemnation. Brunei's Istana Nurul Iman is the world's largest residential palace, with 1,788 rooms.

Oil and gas account for over 90% of exports and 60% of government revenue. Production has been declining — from a peak of 230,000 barrels per day to about 100,000. Japan, South Korea, and Australia are the main energy customers. The government's Wawasan 2035 plan aims to diversify into halal food, tourism, and petrochemicals, but progress has been slow. The public sector employs about 40% of the workforce.

Brunei's Sultan has a car collection estimated at 7,000 vehicles, including 500 Rolls-Royces. The country's Kampong Ayer is the world's largest water village, with 30,000 people living in stilted houses over the Brunei River. Alcohol sales are banned, but non-Muslims can import limited quantities for personal consumption.

Brunei's oil wealth has created comfort but also complacency. With production declining and no real diversification, the sultanate faces a slow squeeze unless it finds a new economic engine.