People buy foods at Gadong Night Market in Bandar Seri Begawan on January 12, 2024. - AFP
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: Brunei’s workforce has grown steadily, with the number of employees increasing by 8.1 per cent between 2017 and 2023, according to data from the Workforce Survey.
The survey, which follows International Labour Organisation (ILO) standards, also shows that the average monthly income has risen from BND1,331 (US$999) in 2017 to BND1,755 (US$1,317) in 2023.
Despite this, the rising cost of living remains a challenge. Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office and Minister of Finance and Economy II Datuk Seri Setia Dr Awang Mohd Amin Liew Abdullah emphasised the importance of government subsidies in easing household financial burdens and improving the overall quality of life.
He was responding to concerns by Legislative Council (LegCo) members Safiah Sheikh Abdul Salam and Datuk Seri Setia Awang Suyoi Osman.
As of January 31, 2025, more than 4,000 job vacancies were advertised on the JobCentre Brunei (JCB) portal across various industries, including oil and gas, construction and manufacturing.
The Manpower Planning Office estimates that 10,500 new job opportunities will be created between 2024 and 2028 in sectors such as agrifood, agriculture, tourism and hospitality.
However, only a small percentage of these jobs require a Bachelor’s degree or higher. To create more opportunities for graduates, efforts must focus on attracting investments and fostering private sector growth. The minister stressed the importance of producing graduates who are skilled, innovative, and adaptable to market changes – qualities that can help them become future job creators. - Borneo Bulletin/ANN
