Bahrain
Kingdom of Bahrain
Population
1.57M
Area
760 km²
GDP
$47.74B
GDP Per Capita
$59,100
Pop. Density
2,062/km²
Quick Facts
Currency
.د.بBahraini dinar(BHD)
Calling Code
+973
Timezone
UTC+03:00
Languages
Arabic
Driving Side
right
Demonym
Bahraini
Background
The Sunni royal family has long struggled to manage relations with its Shia-majority population. In 2011, amid Arab uprisings elsewhere in the region, the Bahraini Government responded to similar pro-democracy and reform protests at home with police and military action, including deploying Gulf Cooperation Council security forces. Ongoing dissatisfaction with the political status quo continues to factor into sporadic clashes between demonstrators and security forces. In 2020, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates signed the US-brokered Abraham Accords with Israel. In 2023, Bahrain and the United States signed the Comprehensive Security Integration and Prosperity Agreement to enhance cooperation across a wide range of areas, from defense and security to emerging technology, trade, and investment.
Historical Trends
GDP (USD)
↑154.6% since 2006Population
↑65.4% since 2006Life Expectancy at Birth
Latest: 81.3 yearsData source: World Bank Open Data
Geography18
Location
Middle East, archipelago in the Persian Gulf, east of Saudi Arabia
Geographic coordinates
26 00 N, 50 33 E
Map references
Middle East
Area
land: 760 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative
3.5 times the size of Washington, D.C.
Land boundaries
Coastline
161 km
Maritime claims
contiguous zone: 24 nm
continental shelf: extending to boundaries to be determined
Climate
arid; mild, pleasant winters; very hot, humid summers
Terrain
mostly low desert plain rising gently to low central escarpment
Elevation
lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m
Natural resources
oil, associated and nonassociated natural gas, fish, pearls
Land use
agricultural land
agricultural land: arable land
agricultural land: permanent crops
agricultural land: permanent pasture
forest
other
Irrigated land
40 sq km (2012)
Major aquifers
Arabian Aquifer System
Population distribution
smallest population of the Gulf States, but urbanization rate exceeds 90%; largest settlement concentration is found on the far northern end of the island in and around Manamah and Al Muharraq
Natural hazards
periodic droughts; dust storms
Geography - note
close to primary Middle Eastern petroleum sources; strategic location in Persian Gulf, through which much of the Western world's petroleum must transit to reach open ocean
People & Society33
Population
male: 940,022
female: 626,866
Nationality
adjective: Bahraini
Ethnic groups
Bahraini 47.4%, Asian 43.4%, other Arab 4.9%, African 1.4%, North American 1.1%, Gulf Co-operative countries 0.9%, European 0.8%, other 0.1% (2020 est.)
Languages
major-language sample(s):
كتاب حقائق العالم، المصدر الذي لا يمكن الاستغناء عنه للمعلومات الأساسية (Arabic)
The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.
Religions
Muslim 74.2%, other 25.9% (2020 est)
Age structure
15-64 years: 77.7% (male 762,190/female 454,616)
65 years and over: 4.3% (2024 est.) (male 34,433/female 32,583)
Dependency ratios
youth dependency ratio: 23.3 (2024 est.)
elderly dependency ratio: 5.5 (2024 est.)
potential support ratio: 18.2 (2024 est.)
Median age
male: 34.6 years
female: 31.2 years
Population growth rate
0.79% (2025 est.)
Birth rate
12.08 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Death rate
2.86 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Net migration rate
-1.33 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Population distribution
smallest population of the Gulf States, but urbanization rate exceeds 90%; largest settlement concentration is found on the far northern end of the island in and around Manamah and Al Muharraq
Urbanization
rate of urbanization: 1.99% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Major urban areas - population
709,000 MANAMA (capital) (2023)
Sex ratio
0-14 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.68 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 1.06 male(s)/female
total population: 1.5 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
Maternal mortality ratio
17 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)
Infant mortality rate
male: 11.3 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 8 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth
male: 78.1 years
female: 82.7 years
Total fertility rate
1.64 children born/woman (2025 est.)
Gross reproduction rate
0.81 (2025 est.)
Drinking water source
unimproved: total: total: 0.1% of population (2022 est.)
Health expenditure
Health expenditure (as % of national budget): 8.6% of national budget (2022 est.)
Physician density
0.74 physicians/1,000 population (2020)
Hospital bed density
1.7 beds/1,000 population (2019 est.)
Sanitation facility access
unimproved: total: total: 0% of population (2022 est.)
Obesity - adult prevalence rate
29.8% (2016)
Alcohol consumption per capita
beer: 0.4 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
wine: 0.11 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
spirits: 0.66 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
other alcohols: 0.01 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Tobacco use
male: 24.3% (2025 est.)
female: 4.8% (2025 est.)
Currently married women (ages 15-49)
56.4% (2020 est.)
Education expenditure
Education expenditure (% national budget): 8.3% national budget (2025 est.)
Literacy
male: 98.7% (2024 est.)
female: 96.3% (2024 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)
male: 15 years (2023 est.)
female: 17 years (2023 est.)
Government25
Country name
conventional long form
conventional short form
local long form
local short form
former
etymology
Government type
constitutional monarchy
Capital
geographic coordinates: 26 14 N, 50 34 E
time difference: UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
etymology: name derives from the Arabic word al-manama, meaning "place of rest" or "place of dreams"
Administrative divisions
Legal system
mixed legal system of Islamic (sharia) law, English common law, Egyptian civil, criminal, and commercial codes; customary law
Constitution
amendment process: proposed by the king or by at least 15 members of either chamber of the National Assembly followed by submission to an Assembly committee for review and, if approved, submitted to the government for restatement as drafts; passage requires a two-thirds majority vote by the membership of both chambers and validation by the king; constitutional articles on the state religion (Islam), state language (Arabic), and the monarchy and "inherited rule" cannot be amended
International law organization participation
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt
Citizenship
citizenship by descent only: the father must be a citizen of Bahrain
dual citizenship recognized: no
residency requirement for naturalization: 25 years; 15 years for Arab nationals
Suffrage
20 years of age; universal
Executive branch
head of government: Prime Minister Crown Prince SALMAN bin Hamad Al-Khalifa (since 11 November 2020)
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the monarch
election/appointment process: the monarchy is hereditary; prime minister appointed by the monarch
Legislative branch
legislative structure: bicameral
Legislative branch - lower chamber
chamber name
number of seats
electoral system
scope of elections
term in office
most recent election date
percentage of women in chamber
expected date of next election
Legislative branch - upper chamber
chamber name
number of seats
scope of elections
term in office
most recent election date
percentage of women in chamber
expected date of next election
Judicial branch
judge selection and term of office: Court of Cassation judges appointed by royal decree and serve for a specified tenure; Constitutional Court president and members appointed by the Higher Judicial Council, a body chaired by the monarch and includes judges from the Court of Cassation, sharia law courts, and Civil High Courts of Appeal; members serve 9-year terms; High Sharia Court of Appeal member appointments by royal decree for a specified tenure
subordinate courts: Civil High Courts of Appeal; middle and lower civil courts; High Sharia Court of Appeal; Senior Sharia Court; Administrative Courts of Appeal; military courts
Political parties
note: political parties are prohibited, but political societies were legalized under a July 2005 law
Diplomatic representation in the US
chief of mission
chancery
telephone
FAX
email address and website
consulate(s) general
Diplomatic representation from the US
chief of mission
embassy
mailing address
telephone
FAX
email address and website
International organization participation
ABEDA, AFESD, AMF, CAEU, CICA, FAO, G-77, GCC, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAS, MIGA, NAM, OAPEC, OIC, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNOOSA, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Independence
15 August 1971 (from the UK)
National holiday
National Day, 16 December (1971)
Flag
meaning: red is the traditional color for flags of Persian Gulf states; the five points represent the five pillars of Islam
history: until 2002, the flag had eight white points, but this was reduced to five to avoid confusion with the Qatari flag
National symbol(s)
a white serrated band with five white points on top of a red field
National color(s)
red, white
National anthem(s)
lyrics/music: unknown
history: adopted 1971; Mohamed Sudqi AYYASH wrote the original lyrics, but they were changed in 2002 after Bahrain became a kingdom
National heritage
selected World Heritage Site locales: Dilmun Burial Mounds; Qal'at al-Bahrain – Ancient Harbor and Capital of Dilmun; Bahrain Pearling Path
Economy28
Economic overview
high-income, growing Middle Eastern island economy; oil and aluminum exporter with diversification led by services, construction and manufacturing; regional finance and tourism hub; high public debt linked to oil revenue dependence and limited tax base; vulnerable to water reservoir depletion
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2023: $91.185 billion (2023 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022: $87.781 billion (2022 est.)
Real GDP growth rate
Real GDP growth rate 2023: 3.9% (2023 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2022: 6.2% (2022 est.)
Real GDP per capita
Real GDP per capita 2023: $57,800 (2023 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2022: $57,600 (2022 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate)
$47.737 billion (2024 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2023: 0.1% (2023 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2022: 3.6% (2022 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin
industry: 43.4% (2023 est.)
services: 51.9% (2023 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use
household consumption
government consumption
investment in fixed capital
investment in inventories
exports of goods and services
imports of goods and services
Agricultural products
lamb/mutton, dates, milk, tomatoes, chicken, eggs, sheep offal, sheepskins, eggplants, chillies/peppers (2023)
Industries
petroleum processing and refining, aluminum smelting, iron pelletization, fertilizers, Islamic and offshore banking, insurance, ship repairing, tourism
Industrial production growth rate
0.1% (2023 est.)
Labor force
913,300 (2024 est.)
Unemployment rate
Unemployment rate 2023: 1.2% (2023 est.)
Unemployment rate 2022: 1.4% (2022 est.)
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)
male: 2.5% (2024 est.)
female: 12.4% (2024 est.)
Average household expenditures
on alcohol and tobacco: 0.4% of household expenditures (2023 est.)
Remittances
Remittances 2022: 0% of GDP (2022 est.)
Remittances 2021: 0% of GDP (2021 est.)
Budget
expenditures: $9.982 billion (2020 est.)
Public debt
Taxes and other revenues
2.8% (of GDP) (2020 est.)
Current account balance
Current account balance 2023: $2.699 billion (2023 est.)
Current account balance 2022: $6.839 billion (2022 est.)
Exports
Exports 2023: $40.344 billion (2023 est.)
Exports 2022: $44.58 billion (2022 est.)
Exports - partners
UAE 16%, Saudi Arabia 15%, South Africa 8%, USA 6%, India 4% (2023)
Exports - commodities
refined petroleum, aluminum, iron ore, aluminum wire, jewelry (2023)
Imports
Imports 2023: $32.374 billion (2023 est.)
Imports 2022: $33.066 billion (2022 est.)
Imports - partners
China 13%, Saudi Arabia 12%, UAE 11%, Brazil 8%, Australia 7% (2023)
Imports - commodities
iron ore, aluminum oxide, ships, cars, gold (2023)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2023: $5.118 billion (2023 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2022: $4.775 billion (2022 est.)
Exchange rates
Currency
Exchange rates 2024
Exchange rates 2023
Exchange rates 2022
Exchange rates 2021
Exchange rates 2020
Energy7
Electricity access
Electricity
consumption: 35.09 billion kWh (2023 est.)
exports: 467.898 million kWh (2023 est.)
imports: 480.883 million kWh (2023 est.)
transmission/distribution losses: 1.093 billion kWh (2023 est.)
Electricity generation sources
solar: 0.2% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Coal
imports: 300 metric tons (2023 est.)
Petroleum
refined petroleum consumption: 72,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 186.5 million barrels (2021 est.)
Natural gas
consumption: 19.878 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
imports: 81.98 million cubic meters (2020 est.)
proven reserves: 81.383 billion cubic meters (2021 est.)
Energy consumption per capita
Communications6
Telephones - fixed lines
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 16 (2023 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 160 (2024 est.)
Broadcast media
state-run Bahrain Radio and Television Corporation (BRTC) operates 6 terrestrial TV networks and several radio stations; satellite TV systems provide access to international broadcasts; 1 private FM station has broadcasts for Indian listeners; radio and TV broadcasts from countries in the region are available (2023)
Internet country code
.bh
Internet users
Broadband - fixed subscriptions
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 17 (2023 est.)
Transportation5
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
A9C
Airports
3 (2025)
Heliports
8 (2025)
Merchant marine
by type: general cargo 12, oil tanker 3, other 169
Ports
total ports
large
medium
small
very small
ports with oil terminals
key ports
Military & Security6
Military and security forces
Ministry of Interior: National Guard, Special Security Forces Command (SSFC), Coast Guard (2025)
Military expenditures
Military Expenditures 2023: 3.2% of GDP (2023 est.)
Military Expenditures 2022: 3.2% of GDP (2022 est.)
Military Expenditures 2021: 3.6% of GDP (2021 est.)
Military Expenditures 2020: 4.2% of GDP (2020 est.)
Military and security service personnel strengths
information varies; approximately 10,000 active Bahrain Defense Force; approximately 3,000 National Guard (2025)
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions
the military's inventory is comprised of mostly older US armaments alongside smaller quantities from other countries, such as France, Germany, Turkey, and the UK (2025)
Military service age and obligation
18 years of age for voluntary military service; 18-55 to voluntarily join the reserves (2025)
Military - note
the BDF (established 1968) is responsible for territorial defense and support to internal security; its primary concern is Iran, both the conventional military threat and Tehran's support to regional terrorist groups; the BDF participates in multinational exercises and has conducted small deployments outside of the country; in 2015, for example, Bahrain joined the Saudi Arabia-led military intervention in Yemen, supplying a few hundred troops and combat aircraft
Bahrain’s closest security partners are Saudi Arabia and the US; Bahraini leaders have said that the security ties of Bahrain and Saudi Arabia are “indivisible”; Saudi Arabia sent forces to Bahrain to assist with internal security following the 2011 uprising; Bahrain hosts the US Naval Forces Central Command (USNAVCENT; established 1983), which includes the US 5th Fleet and the Combined Maritime Forces (established 2002), a coalition of more than 30 nations providing maritime security for regional shipping lanes; Bahrain also has close security ties with the UK, which maintains a naval support facility thereBahrain hosts the Gulf Cooperation Council's (GCC) Unified Maritime Operations Center and is a member of the Peninsula Shield Forces, a joint military force established by the GCC countries with the aim of maintaining security and stability in the region (2025)