Religion in Brunei

Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque at night

Population by religion from the Brunei 2021 census[1]

  Islam (82.1%)
  Christianity (6.7%)
  Buddhism (6.3%)
  Others (4.9%)

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: 6.7% of the population is Christian and another 6.3% is Buddhist. The remaining 4.9% 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][failed verification]

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]

Brunei Darussalam Official Censuses [6]
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%
2021 Census Number 362,035 29,462 27,745 21,473 440,715
Percent
82.1%
6.7%
6.3%
4.9%
100%
Religion in Brunei Darussalam based on Ethnicity (2011 Estimate) [5]
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%
  1. ^ US State Dept 2022 report
  2. ^ US State Dept 2022 report
  3. ^ a b c d "Brunei". Background Notes. United States State Department. Retrieved 8 May 2011.
  4. ^ a b c "Brunei". emory.edu. Emory. Retrieved 11 May 2011.
  5. ^ a b "Brunei". United States Department of State 2019 report. Retrieved 2020-12-05.
  6. ^ "Population by Religion, Sex and Census Year".