Brunei Darussalam's population in 1997 was estimated at 314,400, which grew three per cent compared to 305,100 in 1996. The figure included everybody staying in Brunei, including foreigners. There were 166,600 males and 147,800 females last year. Three out of ten persons (32.8 per cent) are in the 0-14 years-old-age group; six out of 10 (60.1 per cent) are 15-54-years-old; and seven out of 100 (7.1 per cent) are 55 years and above.
Life expectancy at birth was 72.1 years in 1991, compared to 70.1 in 1981 and 61.9 in 1971 for males. It was 76.5 years in 1991, 72.7 in 1981 and 62.1 in 1971 for females, according to a population census.Malays form the majority of the population at 210,700 in 1997, compared to 204,000 (67 per cent) in 1996. They include the indigenous communities of Kedayan, Tutong, Belait, Bisaya, Dusun and Murut. Other indigenous communities like the Iban/Dayaks aiid Kelabit numbered 18,800 in 1997 compared to 18,100 (six per cent) in 1996. The Chinese numbered 47,400 in 1997 compared to 46,300 (15 per cent) in 1996. Other races numbered 37,500 in 1997 compared to 36,700 (12 per cent) in 1996.
Some 207,500 people lived in 1997 in the Brunei-Muara area, where the main industries and businesses are located, compared to 201,100 (65.9 per cent) in 1997. There were 63,600 people in the Belait District, the heart of the oil and gas industry, in 1997 compared to 61,800 (20.2 per cent) in 1996. Tutong, the third largest district, had 34,300 population in 1997 compared to 33,500 (11 per cent) in 1996. Temburong, the smallest district, bad 9,000 residents in 1997 compared to J 8,700 (2.9 per cent) in 1996.
Brunei Darussalam, which is 5,765 square kilometres, had a population density of 55 persons per square kilometre in 1997, up from 53 persons per square kilometre in 1996. The capital, the 13-sq.km.Bandar Seri Begawan, had the highest population density in 1996 at 3,382 persons per sq. km. Belait, the largest district, had 23 persons per square kilometre.
Brunei Darussalam's total population is projected to increase by about 131,400 persons over the next 14 years, from 305,100 to 345,000 by the year 2001, 389,00 by the year 2006 and 436,500 by the year 2011.
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