Country Profile: Bahrain

Bahrain is a small archipelago in the Persian Gulf, strategically located east of Saudi Arabia. It has a diverse population of approximately 1.57 million, with a significant urbanization rate exceeding 90%. The country's economy is primarily based on oil and aluminum, but it has made efforts to diversify into finance, tourism, and services. Governed as a constitutional monarchy, Bahrain faces ongoing political challenges, particularly concerning the relationship between the Sunni royal family and the Shia-majority population.

Geography

Bahrain is situated in the Middle East, characterized as an archipelago with a total area of 760 square kilometers and a coastline of 161 kilometers. The terrain is predominantly low desert plains, with the highest point being Jabal ad Dukhan at 135 meters above sea level. It has a strategic location near major Middle Eastern petroleum sources and experiences a hot, arid climate.

760 sq km: Total area of Bahrain
161 km: Length of coastline
135 m: Elevation of the highest point, Jabal ad Dukhan
90%: Urbanization rate of the population

People and Society

Bahrain's estimated population is approximately 1.57 million, with a diverse demographic comprising mainly Bahrainis (47.4%) and a significant number of Asians (43.4%). Arabic is the official language, and Islam is the predominant religion, accounting for more than 74% of the population. The nation has a high literacy rate of 97.8% and experiences moderate population growth.

1.57 million: Total population (2024 estimate)
97.8%: Literacy rate (2024 estimate)
80.4 years: Life expectancy at birth (2024 estimate)
18.1%: Population aged 0-14 years

Economy

Bahrain has a high-income economy that is transitioning from its reliance on oil exports to a more diverse economic base, including finance and tourism. The GDP in purchasing power parity was approximately $93.94 billion in 2024, with a real GDP growth rate of 3%. The country is also noted for its strategic role as a banking center in the region.

$93.94 billion: GDP (PPP) for 2024
3%: GDP growth rate (2024 estimate)
1.2%: Unemployment rate (2024 estimate)
$59,100: GDP per capita (2024 estimate)

Government

The Kingdom of Bahrain operates as a constitutional monarchy. The political structure includes a bicameral National Assembly with a lower chamber elected by the public and an upper chamber appointed by the king. The legal system is a mix of Islamic law and civil codes, and the current monarch is King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa.

Established: Independence from the UK on 15 August 1971
Parliament structure: Bicameral National Assembly
Voting age: Universal suffrage at 20 years

Military and Security

The Bahrain Defense Force encompasses the army, navy, and air force, focusing on territorial defense and internal security. The country allocates about 3% of its GDP to military spending, maintaining a sizeable force in collaboration with Saudi Arabia and the US for regional security.

10,000: Approximate active personnel in the Bahrain Defense Force
3%: Military expenditure as a percentage of GDP (2024 estimate)

Energy

Bahrain's energy sector is significantly reliant on fossil fuels, providing nearly all of its electricity generation capacity. The total petroleum production is about 190,000 barrels per day, while natural gas production reaches 19.55 billion cubic meters. The country also aims to diversify its energy sources, including solar power.

190,000 bbl/day: Total petroleum production (2023 estimate)
100%: Electrification rate of the population (2022 estimate)

Environment

Bahrain faces several environmental challenges, including desertification, drought, and limited freshwater resources. It is a party to multiple international environmental agreements, aiming to address issues such as climate change and biodiversity.

99.9%: Access to improved drinking water sources (2022 estimate)
951,900 tons: Annual municipal solid waste generated (2024 estimate)
14.1%: Percentage of municipal solid waste recycled (2022 estimate)

Transportation

Bahrain has a well-developed transportation infrastructure, featuring three airports and a merchant marine fleet. Its key ports facilitate trade and transport across the region.

3: Number of airports (2025 estimate)
184: Total merchant marine ships (2023 estimate)

Communications

Bahrain boasts a high level of connectivity, with 100% of the population having access to the internet. The country has substantial mobile phone subscriptions, reflecting its modern communication facilities.

100%: Internet penetration rate (2023 estimate)
2.42 million: Total mobile cellular subscriptions (2023 estimate)

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	1,566,888 (2024 est.)
Area	760 sq km
GDP (PPP)	$93.94 billion (2024 est.)
Energy Consumption per Capita	554.202 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
Birth Rate	12.08 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Unemployment Rate	1.2% (2024 est.)
Life Expectancy at Birth	80.4 years (2024 est.)