Brunei

At a Glance

Brunei is a small, wealthy sultanate on the island of Borneo, surrounded on land by Malaysia and facing the South China Sea, with pristine rainforest covering most of its interior and a capital that mixes gilded mosques with quiet riverside villages. The pace of life is calm and the country is very safe, with a strong Malay Islamic culture that shapes public life. Those seeking nightlife or a busy social scene will find it very quiet.

• Citizens pay no income tax and receive free healthcare and education.
• One of the highest GDP per capita in Asia — almost invisible in global media.
• Oil revenue so dominates the economy that 99% of export earnings come from it.