Population change in brunei darussalam

Abstract

This study attempts to examine the principal aspects of demography which contribute to the growth and change of the population of Brunei Darussalam, The central consideration is the dramatic change which has taken place since the War, The study concentrates in analysing the demographic components, mortality, fertility and migration. In doing so, attempts are made to make the thesis explanatory rather than mere description and interpretion of data. However, this is difficult as relevant local information is very scanty. Mortality analyses include the trends, age differentials, life expectancy and causes of death. The investigation into fertility is more limited due to lack of pertinent data. However, important aspects such as the trends and fertility differentials are presented. Factors influencing mortality and fertility decline are also incorporated. The study of migration deals mainly with the trend of labour immigration, and the distribution, composition, and age-sex structure of immigrants, along with government resettlement schemes, the changes in mortality, fertility and immigration are reflected in the age-sex structure and composition of the population. Fairly detailed analyses of these characteristics are therefore made as well as the marital status, ethnic and religious compositions. The socio-economic characteristics, education and the working population are also analysed, including immigrant workers. In general these characteristics should serve as causal factors contributing to the decline of fertility and mortality. The final chapter summarizes the preceding six chapters; In addition attempts are made to apply the demographic experience of Brunei to the demographic transition model. Finally, brief comments on the desirability of a population policy are attempted, the thesis is mainly based on the 1971 and 1981 censuses, and throughout the study comparisons are made between Brunei demographic experience and characteristics with those of comparable countries in Southeast Asia as well as the oil-rich countries of the Gulf. Such comparative analyses should provide better understanding of the different demographic aspects of the population of Brunei Darussalam.