Eight Management Seminar for

Heads of National Statistical Offices in Asia and the Pacific

3 – 5 November 2009, New Delhi, India

Organized by UNDP and UNSIAP

New Delhi, India

3-5Nov 2009

COUNTRY PAPER: BRUNEI DARUSSALAM

DEPARTMENT OF STATISTICS
DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT
(JPKE)
PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE
BRUNEI DARUSSALAM
Introduction

Brunei Darussalam is a Malay, Islamic Monarchy and an independent sovereign

Sultanate governed on the basis of a written constitution. Brunei Darussalam is situated
on the northwest of the Island of Borneo, alongside the South China Sea The total area
land area of Brunei is 5,765 square kilometers, 78 percent covered in tropical rain forest.
Administratively, Brunei Darussalam is divided into four districts. The capital is Bandar
Seri Begawan, located in the Brunei Muara district.

Brunei Darussalam has a small population. The last census in 2001 population’s count
was 332,844 persons. The mid year population estimate in 2009 was 406,200 persons.
Between the inter-census periods of 1991-2001, the average growth was 2.5 percent per
annum. However the average annual growth from 2001-2009 is 2.0 percent. If the current
growth rate continues, the country’s population will double in 35 years.

1. Organization Structure of Department of Statistics (DOS)

The Department of Economic Planning and Development (JPKE), Prime Minister’s
Office is headed by a Director General, assisted by two Deputy Director Generals and
comprised of six Departments, of which the sixth Department was established in recent
year. The Departments are: Department of Planning (DOP), Department of Policy and co-
ordination (DOPC), Department of Policy Implementation (DOI), Department of
Administration and ICT (DOA), Department of Statistics (DOS,) Department of Human
Resource Development. Each Department is headed by a Director.

The main statistical agency in Brunei Darussalam is the Department of Statistics (DOS),
JPKE which serve as the authority in national statistics responsible for collection,
compilation, interpretation, analysis and dissemination of official statistics. DOS consists
of three main divisions namely:
Real Sector Division which further divided into three sections :
i) National Account Statistics
ii) Economic Census
iii) Industry and Services
External Sector Division which further divided into three sections :
i) External Trade Statistics (ETS)
ii) Foreign Direct Investment (FDI)
iii) Balance of Payment (BOP)
Social Statistics Division which further divided into three sections :
i) Survey
ii) Collection and Dissemination
iii) Social Statistics

Each Division is headed by an Assistant Director..

DOS acts as a focal point for all matters pertaining to statistical activities and
development at national, regional and international level.

1
Tasks related to Census and surveys:
• The Real Sector Division conducted Economic Census of Business Enterprises
and Quarterly Survey of Businesses.
• The External Sector Division conducted Quarterly FDI Survey
• Social Statistics Division is responsible for Population and Housing Census
(decennial),Population Survey, nation wide large-scale household surveys such as
Household Expenditure Survey (HES), Labour Force Survey (LFS) and adhoc
survey required by JPKE users for collection of statistical data

There is a collection and dissemination section under the Social Statistics Division. The
Collection and Dissemination Section under the Social Statistics Division is responsible
for publications of annual Brunei Darussalam Statistical Year Book (BDSYB), annual
Brunei Darussalam Key Indicators (BDKI), Brunei Darussalam Quarterly Statistics
Indicators (BDQSI). The publication of census reports, household survey reports and
adhoc request on Population and Housing Census, surveys tabulations is also under the
Social Statistics Division’s responsibilities. However, collection of data related to each
division’s responsibility is also carried out by the relevant division.

2. Legislation
There are two legislations governing the collection of official statistics in Brunei
Darussalam namely, the Census Act and Statistics Act. The legal authority to conduct a
census of population and housing is provided through Chapter 78 from the Laws of
Brunei Darussalam–1974 Census Act (Revised1984). The legislation empowers census
officers to collect relevant information and provides that it to be kept confidential and
stipulates penalties in the case of unauthorized disclosure. The Statistics Act allows the
collection of statistics which include household surveys and economic census/surveys.

3. Statistical System
The Statistical system in Brunei Darussalam is considered as decentralized; whereby each
ministry and department produces their own statistics.

4. Statistical Committee
The National Statistics Coordinating Committee (NSCC) was formed within JPKE was
formed in 2006. The NSCC appointed its members from officials of the Government
Ministries and Departments, of which DOS JPKE serve as the secretariat. The NCCC
was mandated to co-ordinate statistical activities and developments in the country at
national level. Under the NSCC there are sub-committees which take the task of technical
working groups. DOS conduct meetings consultations and discussions with relevant
agencies including private sectors to improve the timely supply of data, accessible of data
from data users, enhance data reliability and also improve communication and
collaboration

2
The Statistics Panel Meeting in DOS is responsible to conduct discussions on all
statistical published report. The panel meets before submission of reports to higher
management.

5. Collection, Compilation of data

5.1. Population and Housing Census Data
Censuses of population and Housing in Brunei Darussalam were conducted in 1921,
1931, 1947, 1960, 1971, 1981, 1991 and 2001. Between Census 1981 and 1991period an
inter-censal survey was carried out in 1986.The next census is scheduled in 2011.

As in the previous censuses, the main purpose of the population census was for
population count and also to provide information on the demographic, socio-economic
and related characteristics of the country’s population such as size, distribution, as well as
households characteristics and housing stock. The findings from census made it possible
to assess the trends and changes of Brunei Darussalam’s population over time.

The Population and Housing census provided the Government the most reliable,
comprehensive source of information. In Brunei Darussalam, census data was used
mainly for Five-Year National Development Plan (NDP). It enabled a quantitative
assessment of some of the achievements and progress that have resulted from Brunei
Darussalam’s Five-Year NDP such as the Sixth NDP (1991-1995) and the Seventh NDP
(1995-2000) eight NDP (2000-2005). Further, the 2001 census data was extensively used
to provide invaluable and comprehensive information for the formulation of policies and
the monitoring and evaluation of implemented programmes in the nation’s various areas
of socio-development plans and policies. The statistics generated was used for the Long
Term Development Plan, Vision/Wawasan2035, Overview Strategies and Policies
Development (OSPD 2007-2017) and the ninth National Development Plan (NDP 2007-
2011).

Census results were also used in policy development of Human Resource Development
(HRD), management of national affairs such as comparable between two administrative
districts population; rural development; and welfare purposes; housing programmes.

5.2. Some Surveys conducted

5.2.1 Household Expenditure Surveys (HES)
The DOS had conducted Household Expenditure Surveys (HES) (1977, 1987/8, 1997/8,
2005). Data generated from these surveys are compilation to produce its summary
tabulations report for various users. The main uses are for revisions of weights; updates
basket of Food for Consumer Price Index. The other uses are to study the pattern and
structure of expenditures and income of households in the country, for national account
purposes. Among others it is also use for study on lower income households in the
country. The next HES will be scheduled in 2010 on a five-year basis.

3
5.2.2 Labour Force Survey
The current LFS were conducted in 1985 and 2008. There is no regular Labour Force
Survey in Brunei Darussalam. However, DOS has included in the Mid and Long Term
Work Plan to implement LFS.

5.2.3 National Health Nutrition Survey

The Ministry of Health conducted the National Health Nutrition Survey in 1998.
Currently the Ministry of Health is conducting its National Health Nutrition Survey
which has started in 2009 and will continue until June 2010.

5.2.4 Annual Census of Employers/Employees wages, earnings and hours

(ACEEWEH)

The ACEEWEH is conducted on annual basis in October each yearby Labour

Department Survey. In 2008, a total of 9,000 forms were distributed

5.2.5 Quarterly Foreign Direct Investment Survey

Conducted by Department of Statistics

5.2.6 Quarterly Survey of Business

Conducted by Department of Statistics

6. Administrative record

DOS also compile various types of data through administrative records of government
ministries and departments and from the private sectors.

7. Data Dissemination
DOS disseminate its data as follows:
• Published form (hard copy)
• Unpublished report
• CD-ROM
• Electronic form
• Specific Report
• Special topic monograph
DOS release its publication through:
JPKE website (www.depd.gov.bn)
Mass media( radio and television, newspaper)
Press conference
Press release
Specific functions

4
Dos have embarked the establishing of the National Statistical Information System
(NSIS) with aims to achieve the following objectives:

• To enhance JPKE image as the national statistical authority of Brunei Darussalam

• To serve as the statistical portal in providing Brunei Darussalam official statistical
to local and international users.
• To facilitate on line data submission from producers and census / survey
respondents and on line data request from users.
• To facilitate storage, retrieval and customized tabulations of time series statistical
data
• To provide avenue, retrieval and customized tabulations of time series statistical
data; and
• To provide a venue for feedback and comments from users.

The key functions areas to be covered in NSIS will include,

• Online Statistic portal and content management module
o This will become the home page of the NSIS system
o It will cooperate a Content Management System
o It will display information on:
ƒ About NSIS
ƒ Product and services
ƒ Latest Release
ƒ National summary pages
ƒ Contact information,
ƒ FAQ site map
ƒ Useful links
o User can register to obtain information automatically about latest
statistical news and releases through e-mail notification or via RSS.
• Online interactive Dissemination System Module
• Online Statistic Collection System Module
• Data Transformation Module
• Archival System Module

8. Challenges
• Increasing demand of official statistics
• Request of micro data
• Accessibility of administrative data
• Database
• Recruitment of statistical officials
• Emerging statistics
• New technology tools for collection, analysis and timely dissemination

5
9. Conclusion

DOS recognized the increasing demand of official statistics. Hence, DOS has
emphasized efforts to improve compilation of official statistics through various means
such as:

¾ to strengthen capacity building and statistical capabilities

¾ To strengthen IT skilled personnel and strengthening its capacity building in order
to be able to meet user needs of timely data
¾ co-ordinate implementation of census through National Statistics Coordinating
Committee (NSCC)
¾ early management of census operation activity
¾ capacity building of human resource
¾ coordinating with relevant agencies,
¾ acknowledge the importance of statistical leadership and management
¾ management strategies more effective in terms of strategies work plan

DOS will continue to participate workshops, seminars, and forums to gain more
knowledge and experiences from others more advance counties in terms of collection,
compilation and dissemination strategy, improvements in various aspects of statistical
activities.

DOS appreciated the efforts done by UNSIAP in capacity building programmes through
workshop and courses. DOS hope that UNSIAP and UNDP will in future continue to
organized similar workshops to enhance data dissemination and various aspects of
capacity building including new technology tools in data dissemination