Population by religion from the Brunei 2021 census[1]
Islam (82.1%)
Christianity (8.7%)
Buddhism (7.8%)
Others (4.7%)
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]
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%
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%
^US State Dept 2022 report
^US State Dept 2022 report
^ abcd"Brunei". Background Notes. United States State Department. Retrieved 8 May 2011.
^ abc"Brunei". emory.edu. Emory. Retrieved 11 May 2011.
^ ab"Brunei". United States Department of State 2019 report. Retrieved 2020-12-05.
^"Population by Religion, Sex and Census Year".
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