In a world where traffic jams are the norm and public transport is a daily ritual, Brunei Darussalam stands out for a very different reason: it has one of the highest car ownership rates on Earth. With 805 vehicles per 1,000 people, this tiny sultanate isn't just leading Southeast Asia—it’s playing in a whole different league.
But how did a country of less than half a million people become so dependent on cars? The answer lies in a unique blend of wealth, geography, and cultural preferences.
Why Bruneians Love Their Cars
At the heart of Brunei’s car obsession is cheap fuel—really cheap. Thanks to its abundant oil reserves, petrol costs around B$0.53 per liter, making it more affordable than bottled water. Combine that with low import duties, zero toll roads, and accessible auto financing, and car ownership becomes less of a luxury and more of a no-brainer.
Yet, affordability is just part of the equation. Brunei’s public transportation system is limited, with infrequent buses and no metro or rail options. Most residential areas are spread out, and walking simply isn’t practical. In this context, a car is not just convenient—it’s essential.
And over time, this necessity has evolved into something deeper: a culture built around cars.
A Culture on Wheels
In Brunei, cars are more than just a means of transport—they’re a lifestyle. It’s common for households to own multiple cars: one for each parent, one for the kids, and maybe an extra for weekends or special occasions. Vehicles are often treated with pride, customized with stylish rims, tinted windows, or upgraded sound systems.
And then there’s the royal garage—literally. Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah is famous for owning one of the largest car collections in the world, with over 7,000 vehicles. His fleet includes rare Ferraris, custom Rolls-Royces, Bentleys, and hypercars that most of us only dream of. It’s not just a collection—it’s an empire on wheels.
But even in a nation that celebrates the automobile, this level of car saturation has started to raise concerns.
The Cost of Convenience
For all its advantages, Brunei’s car-centric lifestyle is not without its drawbacks.
Traffic in Brunei may not rival the gridlock of Jakarta or Manila, but congestion is on the rise, especially during peak hours in the capital, Bandar Seri Begawan. Parking has become a growing issue, with limited space in commercial areas, schools, and public facilities.
More pressing is the environmental cost. Transportation accounts for nearly 50% of Brunei’s total energy consumption, with most of it coming from fossil fuels. That puts the country at odds with its own climate ambitions under Brunei Vision 2035, which aims to cut emissions and embrace sustainability.
So where does Brunei go from here?
Is Change on the Horizon?
Recognizing these challenges, Brunei’s government has begun laying the groundwork for a more sustainable future in transportation.
Efforts are underway to encourage electric vehicle (EV) adoption, invest in electric public transport systems, and improve urban planning that reduces reliance on personal cars. Discussions about ride-sharing incentives and pedestrian-friendly infrastructure are also gaining momentum.
Yet, these changes are still in their infancy. EV infrastructure remains sparse, and car culture is deeply embedded in daily life. For many Bruneians, the idea of giving up the wheel is hard to imagine.
Still, when compared to its regional peers, Brunei’s car ownership rate is truly exceptional.
Brunei’s high vehicle ownership is a mirror of its affluence, its development path, and its deep-rooted sense of personal mobility. But as the world moves toward smarter, greener cities, the pressure is on for Brunei to evolve.
The government faces a difficult balancing act: preserving convenience and freedom of movement, while reducing emissions and promoting sustainability.
The good news? The road ahead is open. With the right investments, incentives, and shifts in mindset, Brunei has the resources—and the opportunity—to redefine what mobility looks like in a modern, oil-rich nation.
It just needs to decide when to take the wheel and turn.
