Brunei · Asia
How many people die in Brunei every day?
In Brunei, about 5 people die every day, roughly one death every 4 hours. That is about 2,000 deaths a year, less than 0.1% of everyone who dies worldwide and the 171st highest total of 194 countries. Life expectancy is 75.9 years and the leading cause of death is cardiovascular disease. See every death on earth as it happens on the live death counter.
Deaths per day
5
Deaths per year
2,000
Life expectancy
75.9 years
Population
449,002
Death rate
4.5 per 1,000
Top cause of death
Cardiovascular disease
Compared to the World Average
Life expectancy
Brunei
75.9
World avg
72.8
+3.1 yrs
Death rate (per 1,000)
Brunei
4.5
World avg
7.7
Deaths in Brunei by time period
| Per hour | 0.2 |
| Per day | 5.5 |
| Per week | 38 |
| Per month | 167 |
| Per year | 2,000 |
What people die of in Brunei
According to the World Health Organization’s Global Health Estimates, the single biggest cause of death in Brunei in 2023 was heart disease (ischaemic), which accounted for 13.7% of all deaths, about under 1 a day. It was followed by stroke and diabetes.
Deaths from stroke have more than doubled since 2000, from about 90 to 207 a year.
WHO counts single causes, so heart disease and stroke appear as separate rows. Grouped together as cardiovascular disease, the category in the summary above, they are the largest killer.
| # | Cause | Deaths (2023) | Per day | Share | Since 2000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Heart disease (ischaemic) | 302 | under 1 | 13.7% | +105% |
| 2 | Stroke | 207 | under 1 | 9.4% | +130% |
| 3 | Diabetes | 165 | under 1 | 7.5% | +126% |
| 4 | Kidney diseases | 100 | under 1 | 4.6% | +89% |
| 5 | Bowel (colorectal) cancer | 96 | under 1 | 4.4% | n/a |
| 6 | Pneumonia and other lower respiratory infections | 68 | under 1 | 3.1% | n/a |
| 7 | Alzheimer's and other dementias | 65 | under 1 | 3% | n/a |
| 8 | Lung cancer | 63 | under 1 | 2.9% | n/a |
| 9 | Breast cancer | 39 | under 1 | 1.8% | n/a |
| 10 | Hypertensive heart disease | 38 | under 1 | 1.7% | n/a |
Deaths in Brunei since 2000
WHO estimates that about 2,198 people died in Brunei in 2023, 128% more than in 2000. Totals rise as populations grow and age, even when health improves. WHO’s modelled estimates can differ from the headline figures above, which come from a different source.
| 2000 | 964 deaths |
| 2010 | 1,201 deaths |
| 2019 | 1,784 deaths |
| 2023 | 2,198 deaths |
Life expectancy in Brunei since 1950
A baby born in Brunei in 1950 could expect to live about 50.6 years. By 2023 that had risen to 75.3, a gain of 24.7 years. See how this compares worldwide on our life expectancy by country page.
| 1950 | 50.6 years |
| 1980 | 69 years |
| 2000 | 74 years |
| 2010 | 74.8 years |
| 2019 | 75 years |
| 2023 | 75.3 years |
Brunei compared with similar countries in Asia
Among the 43 countries in Asia on this site, Brunei ranks 0th for life expectancy. Here is how it compares with the countries closest to it in population.
| Country | Deaths per day | Life expectancy | Top cause |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brunei | 5 | 75.9 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Timor-Leste | 21 | 67.7 | Lower respiratory infections |
| Bahrain | 11 | 77.7 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Qatar | 8 | 80.2 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Armenia | 77 | 75.1 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Mongolia | 52 | 70.8 | Cardiovascular disease |
Sources: WHO Global Health Estimates 2023 (deaths by cause and totals); UN World Population Prospects via Our World in Data (life expectancy). Figures are modelled estimates and are rounded.
Frequently asked questions
How many people die in Brunei every day?
In Brunei, about 5 people die every day, or roughly one death every 4 hours. That adds up to about 2,000 deaths a year, less than 0.1% of all deaths worldwide.
What is the leading cause of death in Brunei?
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in Brunei. Heart disease and stroke are the biggest killers in most countries, driven largely by high blood pressure, smoking, diet and inactivity. Counting single causes, WHO's estimates put heart disease (ischaemic) first in 2023, with 13.7% of deaths.
What is the life expectancy in Brunei?
Life expectancy at birth in Brunei is 75.9 years, 3.1 years above the world average of 72.8. That ranks 67th of 194 countries.
Is the death rate in Brunei high?
Brunei records about 4.5 deaths per 1,000 people each year, below the world average of 7.7. Crude death rates are higher in countries with older populations, so a high rate does not always mean poor health care.