BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: Brunei’s unemployment rate rose slightly to 5.0 per cent in 2025, up from 4.7 per cent in the previous year, according to the latest preliminary findings from the Labour Force Survey (LFS) released by the Department of Economic Planning and Statistics (DEPS).
The report showed that the total number of employed persons declined marginally to 220,400 in 2025, compared to 222,300 in 2024.
Local workers continued to make up the majority of the workforce, accounting for 70.9 per cent of total employment.
Despite the increase in unemployment, the working-age population (aged 18 and above) grew by 0.8 per cent to 348,700 persons.
Of these, 66.5 per cent, or 232,000 individuals, were part of the labour force.
The number of people outside the labour force also rose to 116,700, up from 112,800 in 2024. This group includes retirees aged 60 and above, as well as individuals not actively seeking employment.
Women accounted for the majority at 59.1 per cent, compared to 40.9 per cent for men.
The survey highlights ongoing shifts in the labour market, with a slight increase in unemployment alongside a growing working-age population.
The Department of Economic Planning and Statistics expressed appreciation to participating households, noting that their cooperation was vital in providing insights into the country’s labour market trends.
The full preliminary report is available on the DEPS website. - Borneo Bulletin/ANN
