Statistics Bahrain 
Bahrain in the World
Bahrain - Introduction 2016
top of pageBackground:
In 1783 the Sunni Al-Khalifa family took power in Bahrain. In order to secure these holdings it entered into a series of treaties with the UK during the 19th century that made Bahrain a British protectorate. The archipelago attained its independence in 1971. A steady decline in oil production and reserves since 1970 prompted Bahrain to take steps to diversify its economy in the process developing successful petroleum processing and refining aluminum production and hospitality and retail sectors and also to become a leading regional banking center especially with respect to Islamic finance. Bahrain's small size and central location among Gulf countries require it to play a delicate balancing act in foreign affairs among its larger neighbors.
The Sunni-led government has long struggled to manage relations with its large Shia-majority population. In early 2011 amid Arab uprisings elsewhere in the region the Bahraini Government confronted similar pro-democracy and reform protests at home with police and military action including deploying Gulf Cooperation Council security forces to Bahrain. Political talks throughout 2014 between the government and opposition and loyalist political groups failed to reach an agreement prompting opposition political societies to boycott parliamentary and municipal council elections in late 2014. Ongoing dissatisfaction with the political status quo continues to factor into sporadic clashes between demonstrators and security forces.
The Sunni-led government has long struggled to manage relations with its large Shia-majority population. In early 2011 amid Arab uprisings elsewhere in the region the Bahraini Government confronted similar pro-democracy and reform protests at home with police and military action including deploying Gulf Cooperation Council security forces to Bahrain. Political talks throughout 2014 between the government and opposition and loyalist political groups failed to reach an agreement prompting opposition political societies to boycott parliamentary and municipal council elections in late 2014. Ongoing dissatisfaction with the political status quo continues to factor into sporadic clashes between demonstrators and security forces.
Area
Total: 760 km²
Land: 760 km²
Water: 0 km²
Rank: 188
Comparative: 3.5 times the size of Washington DC
Maritime claims
Territorial sea: 12 nm
Contiguous zone: 24 nm
Continental shelf: extending to boundaries to be determined
Elevation
Mean elevation: NA
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m: highest point: Jabal ad Dukhan 122 m
Land use
Agricultural land: 11.3%
arable land: 2.1%
permanent crops: 3.9%
permanent pasture: 5.3%
permanent crops: 3.9%
permanent pasture: 5.3%
Forest: 0.7%
Other: 88%
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
Bahrain - People 2016
top of pagePopulation
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: 1,378,904 (July 2016 est.)
Note: immigrants make up approximately 50% of the total population according to UN data
Rank: 156
Growth rate: 2.33% (2016 est.)
Growth rate rank: 34
Below poverty line: NA%
Ethnic groups: Bahraini 46% Asian 45.5% other Arab 4.7% African 1.6% European 1% other 1.2% (includes Gulf Co-operative country nationals North and South Americans and Oceanians) (2010 est.)
Religions: Muslim 70.3% Christian 14.5% Hindu 9.8% Buddhist 2.5% Jewish 0.6% folk religion .1 unaffiliated 1.9% other 0.2% (2010 est.)
Age structure
0-14 years: 19.27%
15-24 years: 15.76%
25-54 years: 56.07%
55-64 years: 6.05%
65 years and over: 2.85% (2016 est.)
Dependency ratios
Total dependency ratio: 31.4%
Youth dependency ratio: 28.2%
Elderly dependency ratio: 3.2%
Potential support ratio: 31.6%
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
Urban population: 88.8% of total population
Rate of urbanization: 1.71% annual rate of change
Environment
Current issues: desertification resulting from the degradation of limited arable land: periods of drought and dust storms; coastal degradation (damage to coastlines coral reefs and sea vegetation) resulting from oil spills and other discharges from large tankers oil refineries and distribution stations; lack of freshwater resources (groundwater and seawater are the only sources for all water needs)
International agreements party to: Biodiversity Climate Change Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol Desertification Hazardous Wastes Law of the Sea Ozone Layer Protection Wetlands
International agreements signed but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Sex ratio
At birth: 1.03 male/female
0-14 years: 1.03 male/female
15-24 years: 1.3 male/female
25-54 years: 1.88 male/female
55-64 years: 1.81 male/female
65 years and over: 0.95 male/female
Total population: 1.54 male/female
Infant mortality rate
Total: 9.2 deaths/1000 live births
Male: 10.2 deaths/1000 live births
Female: 8.1 deaths/1000 live births
Rank: 143
Drinking water source:
urban: 100% of population
rural: 100% of population
total: 100% of population
urban: 0% of population
rural: 0% of population
total: 0% of population (2015 est.)
rural: 100% of population
total: 100% of population
urban: 0% of population
rural: 0% of population
total: 0% of population (2015 est.)
Sanitation facility access:
urban: 99.2% of population
rural: 99.2% of population
total: 99.2% of population
urban: 0.8% of population
rural: 0.8% of population
total: 0.8% of population (2015 est.)
rural: 99.2% of population
total: 99.2% of population
urban: 0.8% of population
rural: 0.8% of population
total: 0.8% of population (2015 est.)
Literacy
Definition: age 15 and over can read and write
Total population: 95.7%
Male: 96.9%
Female: 93.5%
Bahrain - Government 2016
top of pageCountry name
Conventional long form: Kingdom of Bahrain
Conventional short form: Bahrain
Local long form: Mamlakat al Bahrayn
Local short form: Al Bahrayn
Former: Dilmun State of Bahrain
Etymology: the name means 'the two seas' in Arabic and refers to the water bodies surrounding the archipelago
Administrative divisions: 4 governorates (muhafazat singular - muhafazah); Asimah (Capital) Janubiyah (Southern) Muharraq Shamaliyah (Northern)
Note: each governorate administered by an appointed governor
National holiday: National Day 16 December (1971); note - 15 August 1971 was the date of independence from the UK 16 December 1971 was the date of independence from British protection
Legal system: mixed legal system of Islamic law English common law Egyptian civil criminal and commercial codes; customary law
International law organization participation: has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt
Citizenship
Citizenship by birth: no
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; note - Bahraini Cabinet in May 2011 endorsed a draft law lowering eligibility to 18 years
Executive branch
Chief of state: King HAMAD bin Isa Al-Khalifa ; Crown Prince SALMAN bin Hamad Al-Khalifa (son of the monarch born 21 October 1969)
Head of government: Prime Minister KHALIFA bin Salman Al-Khalifa ; First Deputy Prime Minister SALMAN bin Hamad Al Khalifa (since 11 March 2013); Deputy Prime Ministers ALI bin Khalifa bin Salman Al-Khalifa Jawad bin Salim al-ARAIDH (since 11 December 2006) KHALID bin Abdallah Al Khalifa (since November 2010) MUHAMMAD bin Mubarak Al-Khalifa (since September 2005)
Cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the monarch
Electionsappointments: the monarchy is hereditary; prime minister appointed by the monarch
Legislative branch
Description: bicameral National Assembly consists of the Consultative Council or Majlis al Shura and the Council of Representatives or Majlis al Nuwab (40 seats; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by absolute majority vote in two rounds if needed; members serve 4-year renewable terms)
Elections: Council of Representatives - last held in two rounds on 23 and 29 November 2014
Election results: Council of Representatives - percent of vote by society - NA; seats by society - Al-Asalah 2 Islamic Minbar (Sunni Muslim Brotherhood) 1 independent 36 other 1; note - Bahrain has societies rather than parties
Judicial branch
Highest court: Court of Cassation or Supreme Court of Appeal ; Constitutional Court (consists of the president and 6 members); High Sharia Court of Appeal (court sittings include the president and at least one judge); appeals beyond the High Sharia Court of Appeal are heard by the Supreme Court of Appeal
Note: the judiciary of Bahrain is divided into civil law courts and sharia law courts; sharia courts are further divided into Sunni Muslim and Shia Muslim
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 appointment and tenure NA
Subordinate courts: Civil High Courts of Appeal; middle and lower civil courts; High Sharia Court of Appeal; Senior Sharia Court
Political parties and leaders
Note: political parties are prohibited but political societies were legalized under a July 2005 law:
National Democratic Action Society [Radhi AL-MOUSAWI]
National Democratic Assembly [Hasan AL-ALI]
National Dialogue Society
National Fraternity Society [Musa AL-ANSARI]
National Islamic Minbar [Ali AHMAD]
National Progressive Tribune [Abd al-Nabi SALMAN]
National Unity Gathering [Abdullatif AL-MAHMOOD]
Unitary National Democratic Assemblage [Fadhil ABBAS]
National Democratic Assembly [Hasan AL-ALI]
National Dialogue Society
National Fraternity Society [Musa AL-ANSARI]
National Islamic Minbar [Ali AHMAD]
National Progressive Tribune [Abd al-Nabi SALMAN]
National Unity Gathering [Abdullatif AL-MAHMOOD]
Unitary National Democratic Assemblage [Fadhil ABBAS]
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 UNWTO UPU WCO WFTU (NGOs) WHO WIPO WMO WTO
Diplomatic representation
In the us chief of mission: Ambassador ABDALLAH bin Muhammad bin Rashid Al Khalifa
In the us chancery: 3,502 International Drive NW Washington DC 20,008
In the us telephone: [1] 342-1111
In the us FAX: [1] 362-2,192
In the us consulate general: New York
From the us chief of mission: Ambassador William V. ROEBUCK
From the us embassy: Building
From the us mailing address: PSC 451 Box 660 FPO AE 9,834-5,100; international mail: American Embassy Box 26,431 Manama
From the us telephone: [973] 1724-2,700
From the us FAX: [973] 1727-0547
Flag description: red the traditional color for flags of Persian Gulf states with a white serrated band (five white points) on the hoist side; the five points represent the five pillars of Islam
Note: until 2002 the flag had eight white points but this was reduced to five to avoid confusion with the Qatari flag
National symbols: a red field surmounted by a white serrated band with five white points; national colors: red white
National anthem
Name: 'Bahrainona'
Lyrics and music: unknown
Note: adopted 1971; although Mohamed Sudqi AYYASH wrote the original lyrics they were changed in 2002 following the transformation of Bahrain from an emirate to a kingdom
Bahrain - Economy 2016
top of pageEconomy overview:
Low oil prices have generated a budget deficit of at least a $4 billion deficit in 2015 13% of GDP. Bahrain has few options for covering this deficit with meager foreign assets and a constrained borrowing ability stemming in part from a sovereign debt rating averaging just above “junk” status.
Oil comprises 86% of Bahraini budget revenues despite past efforts to diversify its economy and to build communication and transport facilities for multinational firms with business in the Gulf. As part of its diversification plans Bahrain implemented a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the US in August 2006 the first FTA between the US and a Gulf state.
Other major economic activities are production of aluminum - Bahrain's second biggest export after oil - finance and construction. Bahrain continues to seek new natural gas supplies as feedstock to support its expanding petrochemical and aluminum industries.
In 2011 Bahrain experienced economic setbacks as a result of domestic unrest driven by the majority Shia population however the economy recovered in 2012-15 partly as a result of improved tourism. In addition to addressing its current fiscal woes Bahraini authorities face the long-term challenge of boosting Bahrain’s regional competitiveness—especially regarding industry finance and tourism—and reconciling revenue constraints with popular pressure to maintain generous state subsidies and a large public sector.
Oil comprises 86% of Bahraini budget revenues despite past efforts to diversify its economy and to build communication and transport facilities for multinational firms with business in the Gulf. As part of its diversification plans Bahrain implemented a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the US in August 2006 the first FTA between the US and a Gulf state.
Other major economic activities are production of aluminum - Bahrain's second biggest export after oil - finance and construction. Bahrain continues to seek new natural gas supplies as feedstock to support its expanding petrochemical and aluminum industries.
In 2011 Bahrain experienced economic setbacks as a result of domestic unrest driven by the majority Shia population however the economy recovered in 2012-15 partly as a result of improved tourism. In addition to addressing its current fiscal woes Bahraini authorities face the long-term challenge of boosting Bahrain’s regional competitiveness—especially regarding industry finance and tourism—and reconciling revenue constraints with popular pressure to maintain generous state subsidies and a large public sector.
Real gdp purchasing power parity:
$64.8 billion (2015 est.)
$62.82 billion (2014 est.)
$60.12 billion (2013 est.)
$62.82 billion (2014 est.)
$60.12 billion (2013 est.)
Note: data are in 2015 US dollars
Rank: 100
Real gdp per capita:
$50,100 (2015 est.)
$49,500 (2014 est.)
$48,400 (2013 est.)
$49,500 (2014 est.)
$48,400 (2013 est.)
Note: data are in 2015 US dollars
Rank: 23
Gross national saving:
16.1% of GDP (2015 est.)
19.9% of GDP (2014 est.)
25% of GDP (2013 est.)
19.9% of GDP (2014 est.)
25% of GDP (2013 est.)
Rank: 82
Gdp composition by end use
Household consumption: 46.7%
Government consumption: 17.2%
Investment in fixed capital: 17.6%
Investment in inventories: -0.9%
Exports of goods and services: 54.7%
Imports of goods and services: -35.3%
Industries: petroleum processing and refining aluminum smelting iron pelletization fertilizers Islamic and offshore banking insurance ship repairing tourism
Labor force: 786,100
Note: excludes unemployed; 44% of the population in the 15-64 age group is non-national
Rank: 150
By occupation agriculture: 1%
By occupation industry: 32%
By occupation services: 67%
Unemployment rate:
4.1% (2014 est.)
4.3% (2013 est.)
4.3% (2013 est.)
Note: official estimate; actual rate is higher
Rank: 39
Budget
Revenues: $5.436 billion
Expenditures: $9.464 billion
Surplus or deficit: -13.2% of GDP (2015 est.)
Surplus or deficit rank: 208
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
5.16% (31 December 2015 est.)
5.87% (31 December 2014 est.)
5.87% (31 December 2014 est.)
Rank: 140
Stock of narrow money:
$8.762 billion (31 December 2015 est.)
$8.232 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
$8.232 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
Rank: 85
Stock of broad money:
$27 billion (31 December 2015 est.)
$25.95 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
$25.95 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
Rank: 78
Stock of domestic credit:
$28.29 billion (31 December 2015 est.)
$25.44 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
$25.44 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
Rank: 80
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$22.1 billion (31 December 2015 est.)
$18.57 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
$15.65 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
$18.57 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
$15.65 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
Rank: 67
Exports:
$14.2 billion (2015 est.)
$20.75 billion (2014 est.)
$20.75 billion (2014 est.)
Rank: 75
Commodities: petroleum and petroleum products aluminum textiles
Partners: Saudi Arabia 3.6% UAE 2.4% US 2.2% (2015)
Imports:
$8.848 billion (2015 est.)
$13.32 billion (2014 est.)
$13.32 billion (2014 est.)
Rank: 102
Commodities: crude oil machinery chemicals
Partners: Saudi Arabia 29.1% US 9.5% China 7.6% Japan 6.6% Australia 5.1% India 4.9% (2015)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$4.657 billion (31 December 2015 est.)
$6.049 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
$6.049 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
Rank: 95
Stock of direct foreign investment at home:
$17.31 billion (31 December 2015 est.)
$18.77 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
$18.77 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
Rank: 80
Stock of direct foreign investment abroad:
$11.22 billion (31 December 2015 est.)
$10.72 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
$10.72 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
Rank: 58
Exchange rates:
Bahraini dinars (BHD) per US dollar -
0.376 (2015 est.)
0.376 (2014 est.)
0.376 (2013 est.)
0.376 (2012 est.)
0.376 (2011 est.)
0.376 (2015 est.)
0.376 (2014 est.)
0.376 (2013 est.)
0.376 (2012 est.)
0.376 (2011 est.)
Bahrain - Energy 2016
top of pageElectricity
Access population without electricity: 41,317
Access electrification total population: 98%
Access electrification urban areas: 98%
Access electrification rural areas: 93%
Production: 26 billion kWh (2014 est.)
Production rank: 89
Consumption: 25 billion kWh (2014 est.)
Consumption rank: 86
Exports: 200 million kWh (2014 est.)
Exports rank: 76
Imports: 200 million kWh (2014 est.)
Imports rank: 105
Installed generating capacity: 3.9 million kW (2014 est.)
Installed generating capacity rank: 83
Generation sources fossil fuels: 99.9% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)
Generation sources fossil fuels rank: 36
Generation sources nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)
Generation sources nuclear rank: 46
Generation sources hydroelectricity: 0% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)
Generation sources hydroelectricity rank: 158
Generation sources other renewable sources: 0.1% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)
Generation sources other renewable sources rank: 118
Petroleum
Petroleum total petroleum production: 50,000 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Petroleum total petroleum production rank: 57
Crude oil exports: 0 bbl/day (2013 est.)
Crude oil exports rank: 33
Crude oil imports: 219,100 bbl/day (2013 est.)
Crude oil imports rank: 30
Crude oil proven reserves: 100 million bbl (1 January 2016 es)
Crude oil proven reserves rank: 70
Refined petroleum
Products production: 272,900 bbl/day (2013 est.)
Products production rank: 46
Products consumption: 55,000 bbl/day (2014 est.)
Products consumption rank: 99
Products exports: 243,000 bbl/day (2013 est.)
Products exports rank: 28
Products imports: 15,960 bbl/day (2013 est.)
Products imports rank: 179
Natural gas
Production: 16.9 billion m³ (2014 est.)
Production rank: 36
Consumption: 16.9 billion m³ (2014 est.)
Consumption rank: 43
Exports: 0 m³ (2013 est.)
Exports rank: 59
Imports: 0 m³ (2013 est.)
Imports rank: 158
Proven reserves: 92.03 billion m³ (1 January 2016 es)
Proven reserves rank: 55
Carbon dioxide emissions
From consumption of energy: 37 million Mt (2013 est.)
From consumption of energy rank: 74
Bahrain - Communication 2016
top of pageTelephones
Fixed lines total subscriptions: 278,976
Fixed lines subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 21
Fixed lines rank: 118
Mobile cellular total: 2.519 million
Mobile cellular subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 187
Mobile cellular rank: 148
Telephone system
General assessment: modern system
Domestic: modern fiber-optic integrated services; digital network with rapidly growing use of mobile-cellular telephones
International: country code - 973; landing point for the Fiber-Optic Link Around the Globe submarine cable network that provides links to Asia Middle East Europe and US; tropospheric scatter to Qatar and UAE; microwave radio relay to Saudi Arabia; satellite earth station - 1 (2015)
Broadcast media: state-run Bahrain Radio and Television Corporation (BRTC) operates 5 terrestrial TV networks and several radio stations; satellite TV systems provide access to international broadcasts; 1 private FM station directs broadcasts to Indian listeners; radio and TV broadcasts from countries in the region are available (2007)
Internet
Country code: .bh
Users total: 1.259 million
Users percent of population: 93.5%
Users rank: 116
Bahrain - Military 2016
top of pageMilitary service age and obligation: 18 years of age for voluntary military service; 15 years of age for NCOs technicians and cadets; no conscription (2012)
Bahrain - Transportation 2016
top of pageNational air transport system
Number of registered air carriers: 6
Inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 42
Annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 5,313,756
Annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 240,107,004 mt-km
Airports: 4 (2013)
Rank: 184
With paved runways total: 4
With paved runways over 3047 m: 3
With paved runways 914 to 1523 m: 1
Merchant marine
Total: 8
By type: bulk carrier 2 container 4 petroleum tanker 2
Foreign owned: 5
Registered in other countries: 5 (2010)
Rank: 119
Bahrain - Transnational issues 2016
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