Brunei Darussalam Central Bank, BDCB, published the Brunei Darussalam Business Sentiment Index, BSI for December 2025. The index is based on surveys conducted on about 500 micro, small, medium, and large businesses from 11 economic sectors across all districts in the country. The monthly index is designed to measure the current and future business conditions, investment, employment of workers, as well as costs of running the business. The main headline index, Current Business Conditions sub-index, was recorded at 50.3 in December 2025, indicating improved business conditions compared to the previous month. The optimism was mainly driven by seasonal boosts from bonus pay-outs in the public sector, year-end promotions, and increased consumer spending during the school holidays.

In the next few months, businesses expect investment levels to continue rising, primarily driven by preparations and restocking efforts in anticipation of higher demand associated with upcoming festivities. The Employment sub-index stood at 49.9 for the current month and one month (1M) ahead. The current month index showed mild pessimism, indicating a slight decline in overall employee headcount, likely due to staff turnover, end-of-contract departures, and project completions. The Costs sub-index was 50.3 for the current month and 49.8 for one month ahead. In December 2025, cost increases were driven largely by year-end bonus payments, higher payroll expenses from new hires for some businesses, salary increments, and overtime and project expenditures linked to new projects and material purchases.

In terms of economic sectors, Transport and Communication; Oil and Gas Related; Hotels and Restaurants as well as Wholesale and Retail Trade showed an increase.

This is due to increased travel activity and high demand for services during the school holiday season and tourist arrivals in December 2025.

However, there are several economic sectors showing declines, especially Finance and Insurance; Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries and Livestock as well as Real Estate and Ownership of Dwellings.

Meanwhile, in terms of size, micro, small, medium and large businesses showed an increase. This was due to long-term contracts and increased sales associated with year-end promotions and events. New projects and participation in year-end events and sentiment were more or less the same, recording stable activity.

For detailed information on BSI, visit the BDCB website at 'bdcb.gov.bn' or Instagram BDCB '@centralbank.brunei'.