5 Facts You Probably Didn’t Know About Brunei

Wikimedia

How many times in your life have you heard about Brunei? It’s okay if you’re not familiar with the tiny nation, which is located on the island of Borneo in Southeast Asia. We’ll help you get better acquainted. Here are five things you probably didn’t know about Brunei:

1. The average life expectancy is 77 years old.

Brunei has a higher-than-normal life expectancy, and its standard of living is so good (it’s one of the best in Southeast Asia) that its capital was named Brunei Darussalam, which means “abode of peace”.

2. Education and health care are totally free.

Brunei citizens receive free education, including college, and health care is on the government too. Plus, Brunei has a discounted system for immigrants who are working legally in the country, so even a visitor could receive health care for close to nothing, depending on the case.

3. Obesity is a problem.

Brunei ranks as the fourth most obese country in the world with over 20 percent of the population being severely overweight. 20 percent of children in the nation are considered obese, according to medical professionals.

4. The country’s form of punishment is pretty old-school.

Brunei is one of the only countries in the world that still practices caning as a from of punishment. Esesentially, caning includes using a reed or hard stick to hit a person on the back or behind. The activity is still widely used there today.

5. Brunei has strict social codes when it comes to nonverbal communication.

In Brunei, men and women traditionally cannot shake hands. Also, pointing with your pointer finger is considered extremely inappropriate. Instead in Brunei, you’re supposed to point with your thumb.