Religion in Brunei
Population by religion from the Brunei 2021 census[1]
Among religions in Brunei, Sunni Islam is predominant. In 2021, the government census showed that 82.1% of Brunei's population is Muslim. However, other religions also have a considerable foothold in Brunei: 8.7% of the population is Christian and another 7.8% is Buddhist. The remaining 5% subscribe to various religions, including indigenous religions.[2]
Islam is the state religion of Brunei, but freedom of religion is guaranteed. This freedom however, is limited for several cases.[3] The right to practice privately is given to a plethora of religions.[3] Furthermore, some non-Islamic holidays, such as Lunar New Year, Christmas, Vesak day and Gawai Dayak, are recognised.[3] These rights however, are limited: religious education is controlled, even in the Chinese, Christian and private schools, and any non-Islamic religious materials being distributed are gazetted as illegal and tightly forbidden; where if caught it will result in an immediate death punishment without judgment and the involved materials are subject to confiscation, based on the 2014 Shariah Penal Code Ordinance.[3]
The state madh'hab of Islam is the Shafi'i school of jurisprudence of Sunni Islam.[4] Most of Brunei's Muslim population subscribe to the Shafi'i school as well, and Shafi'i is a major source of law for the country.[4] However, with the Sultan's permission, lawmakers may also consult the other three Sunni schools of fiqh.[4]
In Brunei, non-Muslims must be at least 14 years and 7 months old if they want to convert to another religion. A minor will automatically become a Muslim if his parents convert to Islam.[5]
| Islam | Christianity | Buddhism | Others | Total: | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 Census | Number | 122,269 | 18,767 | 27,063 | 24,733 | 192,832 |
| Percent | 63.4% |
9.7% |
14.1% |
12.8% |
100% | |
| 1991 Census | Number | 174,973 | 25,994 | 33,387 | 26,128 | 260,482 |
| Percent | 67.2% |
10% |
12.8% |
10% |
100% | |
| 2001 Census | Number | 249,822 | 31,291 | 28,480 | 23,251 | 332,844 |
| Percent | 75% |
9.4% |
8.6% |
7% |
100% | |
| 2011 Census | Number | 309,962 | 34,176 | 30,814 | 18,420 | 393,272 |
| Percent | 78.8% |
8.7% |
7.8% |
4.7% |
100% | |
| 2016 Census | Number | 337,391 | 29,510 | 29,495 | 20,860 | 417,256 |
| Percent | 80.9% |
7.1% |
7% |
5% |
100% | |
| Ethnicity | Islam | Buddhism | Christianity | Folk Religion / Others |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Malays | 100% |
N/A (All Malays are Muslims according to the Bruneian Law.) | ||
| Chinese | 14% |
65% |
20% |
1% |
| Aborigines | 50% |
N/A | 15% |
35% |
| Non-Citizens | 50% |
15% |
33% |
2% |
| Total: | 78.8% |
7.8% |
8.7% |
4.7% |
See also[edit]
- Hinduism in Brunei
- Christianity in Brunei
- Buddhism in Brunei
- Islam in Brunei
- Freedom of religion in Brunei
References[edit]
- ^ US State Dept 2022 report
- ^ US State Dept 2022 report
- ^ a b c d "Brunei". Background Notes. United States State Department. Retrieved 8 May 2011.
- ^ a b c "Brunei". emory.edu. Emory. Retrieved 11 May 2011.
- ^ a b "Brunei". United States Department of State 2019 report. Retrieved 2020-12-05.
- ^ "Population by Religion, Sex and Census Year".
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