2011 Edition

Background

In 1783, the Sunni Al-Khalifa family captured Bahrain from the Persians. 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. Facing declining oil reserves, Bahrain has turned to petroleum processing and refining and has transformed itself into an international banking center. Bahrain's small size and central location among Persian Gulf countries require it to play a delicate balancing act in foreign affairs among its larger neighbors. In addition, the Sunni-led government has struggled to manage relations with its approximately 70% Shia-majority population. During the mid-to-late 1990s, Shia activists mounted a low-intensity uprising to demand that the Sunni-led government stop systemic economic, social, and political discrimination against Shia Bahrainis. King HAMAD bin Isa Al-Khalifa, after succeeding his late father in 1999, pushed economic and political reforms in part to improve relations with the Shia community. After boycotting the country's first round of democratic elections under the newly-promulgated constitution in 2002, Shia political societies participated in 2006 and 2010 in legislative and municipal elections and Wifaq, the largest Shia political society, won the largest bloc of seats in the elected lower-house of the legislature both times. Nevertheless, Shia discontent persisted, often manifesting itself in street demonstrations and occasional low-level violence. In early 2011, Bahrain's fractious opposition sought to ride a rising tide of popular Arab protests to petition for the redress of popular grievances. In mid-February, a vanguard of hardline activists - who reject the legitimacy of the Al Khalifa regime and have sometimes instigated low-level violence - organized demonstrations in Shia neighborhoods demanding a new constitution, release of hundreds of Shia prisoners, and an end to discriminations in all sectors of society. Cycles of protestor deaths, funerals, and clashes with security forces ensued, escalating domestic tensions. The government's offers of modest political and economic concessions went nowhere as did the king's "national dialogue" with the opposition. In mid-March 2011, with the backing of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) capitals - especially Riyadh and Abu Dhabi - King HAMAD put an end to the mass public gatherings and increasingly disruptive demonstrations by declaring a state of emergency and authorizing the military to take all measures to "protect the safety of the country and its citizens." Manama also welcomed a contingent of mostly Saudi and Emirati forces as part of a GCC deployment intended to help Bahraini security forces maintain order. By mid-April security forces had largely relegated demonstrations to outlying Shia neighborhoods and villages, and negotiations between the government and opposition reached a stalemate. Manama exacted retribution against opposition groups and their supporters through mass firings, arrests, and sectarian incitement. In March, the Gulf Cooperation Council pledged $20 billion in financial aid to Bahrain and Oman over a 10-year period to assist the two nations in their struggle with Arab protests. In June, in an effort to salvage Bahrain's image and economy, King HAMAD lifted the state of emergency, offered to renew talks with opposition leaders, and formed an independent commission of experts from the legal community to investigate abuses during the February and March protests. The government held a byelection in September 2011 to fill 18 seats that were vacated earlier in the year when Wifaq withdrew from the National Assembly.

Area

760 sq km 760 sq km 0 sq km

total

760 sq km

water

0 sq km

Area - comparative

3.5 times the size of Washington, DC

Climate

arid; mild, pleasant winters; very hot, humid summers

Coastline

161 km

Elevation extremes

Persian Gulf 0 m Jabal ad Dukhan 122 m

highest point

Jabal ad Dukhan 122 m

lowest point

Persian Gulf 0 m

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)

Environment - international agreements

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands none of the selected agreements

party to

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified

none of the selected agreements

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

0.3 cu km/yr (40%/3%/57%) 411 cu m/yr (2000)

per capita

411 cu m/yr (2000)

total

0.3 cu km/yr (40%/3%/57%)

Geographic coordinates

26 00 N, 50 33 E

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

Irrigated land

40 sq km (2008)

Land boundaries

0 km

Land use

2.82% 5.63% 91.55% (2005)

arable land

2.82%

other

91.55% (2005)

permanent crops

5.63%

Location

Middle East, archipelago in the Persian Gulf, east of Saudi Arabia

Map references

Middle East

Maritime claims

12 nm 24 nm extending to boundaries to be determined

contiguous zone

24 nm

continental shelf

extending to boundaries to be determined

territorial sea

12 nm

Natural hazards

periodic droughts; dust storms

Natural resources

oil, associated and nonassociated natural gas, fish, pearls

Terrain

mostly low desert plain rising gently to low central escarpment

Total renewable water resources

0.1 cu km (1997)

Age structure

20.5% (male 126,313/female 122,359) 77% (male 595,244/female 339,635) 2.6% (male 14,791/female 16,363) (2011 est.)

0-14 years

20.5% (male 126,313/female 122,359)

15-64 years

77% (male 595,244/female 339,635)

65 years and over

2.6% (male 14,791/female 16,363) (2011 est.)

Birth rate

14.64 births/1,000 population (2011 est.)

Death rate

2.61 deaths/1,000 population (July 2011 est.)

Education expenditures

2.9% of GDP (2008)

Ethnic groups

Bahraini 62.4%, non-Bahraini 37.6% (2001 census)

Health expenditures

4.5% of GDP (2009)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.2% (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

fewer than 200 (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

fewer than 600 (2007 est.)

Hospital bed density

1.9 beds/1,000 population (2008)

Infant mortality rate

10.43 deaths/1,000 live births 11.68 deaths/1,000 live births 9.14 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)

female

9.14 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)

total

10.43 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

Arabic (official), English, Farsi, Urdu

Life expectancy at birth

78.15 years 76.03 years 80.33 years (2011 est.)

female

80.33 years (2011 est.)

total population

78.15 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 86.5% 88.6% 83.6% (2001 census)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

83.6% (2001 census)

male

88.6%

total population

86.5%

Major cities - population

MANAMA (capital) 163,000 (2009)

Maternal mortality rate

19 deaths/100,000 live births (2008)

Median age

30.9 years 32.2 years 28.1 years (2011 est.)

female

28.1 years (2011 est.)

male

32.2 years

total

30.9 years

Nationality

Bahraini(s) Bahraini

adjective

Bahraini

noun

Bahraini(s)

Net migration rate

16.1 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2011 est.)

Physicians density

1.442 physicians/1,000 population (2008)

Population

1,214,705 includes 235,108 non-nationals (July 2011 est.)

Population growth rate

2.814% (2011 est.)

Religions

Muslim (Shia and Sunni) 81.2%, Christian 9%, other 9.8% (2001 census)

Sanitation facility access

urban: 100% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population (2008)

rural

100% of population

total

100% of population (2008)

urban

100% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

14 years 13 years 14 years (2006)

female

14 years (2006)

male

13 years

total

14 years

Sex ratio

1.028 male(s)/female 1.02 male(s)/female 1.33 male(s)/female 1.13 male(s)/female 1.24 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

15-64 years

1.33 male(s)/female

65 years and over

1.13 male(s)/female

at birth

1.028 male(s)/female

total population

1.24 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

under 15 years

1.02 male(s)/female

Total fertility rate

1.88 children born/woman (2011 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

20.1% 17.2% 27% (2001)

female

27% (2001)

total

20.1%

Urbanization

89% of total population (2010) 1.8% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

rate of urbanization

1.8% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

89% of total population (2010)

Administrative divisions

5 governorates; Asamah, Janubiyah, Muharraq, Shamaliyah, Wasat each governorate administered by an appointed governor

Capital

Manama 26 14 N, 50 34 E UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

geographic coordinates

26 14 N, 50 34 E

name

Manama

time difference

UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Constitution

adopted 14 February 2002

Country name

Kingdom of Bahrain Bahrain Mamlakat al Bahrayn Al Bahrayn Dilmun, State of Bahrain

conventional long form

Kingdom of Bahrain

conventional short form

Bahrain

former

Dilmun, State of Bahrain

local long form

Mamlakat al Bahrayn

local short form

Al Bahrayn

Diplomatic representation from the US

Ambassador Thomas C. KRAJESKI Building #979, Road 3119 (next to Al-Ahli Sports Club), Block 331, Zinj District, Manama PSC 451, Box 660, FPO AE 09834-5100; international mail: American Embassy, Box 26431, Manama [973] 1724-2700 [973] 1727-0547

chief of mission

Ambassador Thomas C. KRAJESKI

embassy

Building #979, Road 3119 (next to Al-Ahli Sports Club), Block 331, Zinj District, Manama

FAX

[973] 1727-0547

mailing address

PSC 451, Box 660, FPO AE 09834-5100; international mail: American Embassy, Box 26431, Manama

telephone

[973] 1724-2700

Diplomatic representation in the US

Ambassador Huda Azra Ibrahim NUNU 3502 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 342-1111 [1] (202) 362-2192 New York

chancery

3502 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008

chief of mission

Ambassador Huda Azra Ibrahim NUNU

consulate(s) general

New York

FAX

[1] (202) 362-2192

telephone

[1] (202) 342-1111

Executive branch

King HAMAD bin Isa Al-Khalifa (since 6 March 1999); Heir Apparent Crown Prince SALMAN bin Hamad Al-Khalifa (son of the monarch, born 21 October 1969) Prime Minister KHALIFA bin Salman Al-Khalifa (since 1971); Deputy Prime Ministers ALI bin Khalifa bin Salman Al-Khalifa, MUHAMMAD bin Mubarak Al-Khalifa, Jawad bin Salim al-ARAIDH Cabinet appointed by the monarch the monarchy is hereditary; prime minister appointed by the monarch

cabinet

Cabinet appointed by the monarch

chief of state

King HAMAD bin Isa Al-Khalifa (since 6 March 1999); Heir Apparent Crown Prince SALMAN bin Hamad Al-Khalifa (son of the monarch, born 21 October 1969)

elections

the monarchy is hereditary; prime minister appointed by the monarch

head of government

Prime Minister KHALIFA bin Salman Al-Khalifa (since 1971); Deputy Prime Ministers ALI bin Khalifa bin Salman Al-Khalifa, MUHAMMAD bin Mubarak Al-Khalifa, Jawad bin Salim al-ARAIDH

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 until 2002 the flag had eight white points, but this was reduced to five to avoid confusion with the Qatari flag

Government type

constitutional monarchy

Independence

15 August 1971 (from the UK)

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt

International organization participation

ABEDA, AFESD, AMF, CICA, FAO, G-77, GCC, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDB, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAS, MIGA, NAM, OAPEC, OIC, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Judicial branch

High Civil Appeals Court

Legal system

mixed legal system of Islamic law and English common law

Legislative branch

bicameral legislature consists of the Consultative Council (40 members appointed by the King) and the Council of Representatives or Chamber of Deputies (40 seats; members directly elected to serve four-year terms) Council of Representatives - last held in two rounds on 23 and 30 October 2010 (next election to be held in 2014) Council of Representatives - percent of vote by society - NA; seats by society - Wifaq (Shia) 18, Asala (Sunni Salafi) 3, Minbar (Sunni Muslim Brotherhood) 2, independents 17

election results

Council of Representatives - percent of vote by society - NA; seats by society - Wifaq (Shia) 18, Asala (Sunni Salafi) 3, Minbar (Sunni Muslim Brotherhood) 2, independents 17

elections

Council of Representatives - last held in two rounds on 23 and 30 October 2010 (next election to be held in 2014)

National anthem

"Bahrainona" (Our Bahrain) unknown 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

lyrics/music

unknown

name

"Bahrainona" (Our Bahrain)

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

Political parties and leaders

political parties prohibited but political societies were legalized per a July 2005 law

Political pressure groups and leaders

Shia activists; Sunni Islamist legislators several small leftist and other groups are active

other

several small leftist and other groups are active

Suffrage

20 years of age; universal; note - Bahraini Cabinet in May 2011 endorsed a draft law lowering eligibility to 18 years

Agriculture - products

fruit, vegetables; poultry, dairy products; shrimp, fish

Budget

$5.786 billion $7.009 billion (2010 est.)

expenditures

$7.009 billion (2010 est.)

revenues

$5.786 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-5.4% of GDP (2010 est.)

Central bank discount rate

0.5% (31 December 2010 est.) 0.5% (31 December 2009 est.)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

7.25% (31 December 2010 est.) 7.9% (31 December 2009 est.)

Current account balance

$239.5 million (2010 est.) $559.9 million (2009 est.)

Debt - external

$14.58 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $10.55 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Economy - overview

Bahrain is one of the most diversified economies in the Persian Gulf. Highly developed communication and transport facilities make Bahrain home to numerous 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. Bahrain's economy, however, continues to depend heavily on oil. Petroleum production and refining account for more than 60% of Bahrain's export receipts, 70% of government revenues, and 11% of GDP (exclusive of allied industries). Other major economic activities are production of aluminum - Bahrain's second biggest export after oil - finance, and construction. Bahrain competes with Malaysia as a worldwide center for Islamic banking and continues to seek new natural gas supplies as feedstock to support its expanding petrochemical and aluminum industries. Unemployment, especially among the young, is a long-term economic problem Bahrain struggles to address. In 2009, to help lower unemployment among Bahraini nationals, Bahrain reduced sponsorship for expatriate workers, increasing the costs of employing foreign labor. The global financial crisis caused funding for many non-oil projects to dry up and resulted in slower economic growth for Bahrain. Other challenges facing Bahrain include the slow growth of government debt as a result of a large subsidy program, the financing of large government projects, and debt restructuring, such as the bailout of state-owned Gulf Air.

Electricity - consumption

10.48 billion kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity - production

11.22 billion kWh (2008 est.)

Exchange rates

Bahraini dinars (BHD) per US dollar - 0.376 (2010) 0.376 (2009) 0.376 (2008) 0.376 (2007) 0.376 (2006)

Exports

$13.83 billion (2010 est.) $12.05 billion (2009 est.)

Exports - commodities

petroleum and petroleum products, aluminum, textiles

Exports - partners

Saudi Arabia 2.9%, Japan 2%, UAE 1.9%, India 1.9% (2010)

GDP - composition by sector

0.5% 58% 41.5% (2010 est.)

agriculture

0.5%

industry

58%

services

41.5% (2010 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$40,300 (2010 est.) $39,200 (2009 est.) $38,500 (2008 est.) data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

4.1% (2010 est.) 3.1% (2009 est.) 6.3% (2008 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$22.66 billion (2010 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$29.71 billion (2010 est.) $28.55 billion (2009 est.) $27.69 billion (2008 est.) data are in 2010 US dollars

Household income or consumption by percentage share

NA% NA%

highest 10%

NA%

lowest 10%

NA%

Imports

$11.19 billion (2010 est.) $9.613 billion (2009 est.)

Imports - commodities

crude oil, machinery, chemicals

Imports - partners

Saudi Arabia 24.7%, US 12.2%, China 7.8%, Brazil 6%, Japan 5.8%, France 5% (2010)

Industrial production growth rate

1.5% (2010 est.)

Industries

petroleum processing and refining, aluminum smelting, iron pelletization, fertilizers, Islamic and offshore banking, insurance, ship repairing, tourism

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

2% (2010 est.) 2.8% (2009 est.)

Investment (gross fixed)

23.9% of GDP (2010 est.)

Labor force

654,900 44% of the population in the 15-64 age group is non-national (2010 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

1% 79% 20% (1997 est.)

agriculture

1%

industry

79%

services

20% (1997 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$20.43 billion (31 December 2010) $16.93 billion (31 December 2009) $21.18 billion (31 December 2008)

Natural gas - consumption

12.58 billion cu m (2009 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2009 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2009 est.)

Natural gas - production

12.58 billion cu m (2009 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

92.03 billion cu m (1 January 2011 est.)

Oil - consumption

47,000 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Oil - exports

239,900 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Oil - imports

213,000 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Oil - production

46,430 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Oil - proved reserves

124.6 million bbl (1 January 2011 est.)

Population below poverty line

NA%

Public debt

60.1% of GDP (2010 est.) 42.4% of GDP (2009 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$4.789 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $3.54 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of broad money

$20.92 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $18.93 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$7.883 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $7.549 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$15.15 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $15 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$17.26 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $16.34 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$6.127 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $5.74 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

25.5% of GDP (2010 est.)

Unemployment rate

15% (2005 est.)

Broadcast media

state-run broadcast media; Bahrain Radio and Television Corporation (BRTC) operates 5 terrestrial TV networks; satellite TV systems provide access to international broadcasts; state-run BRTC broadcasts over several radio stations; 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

Internet hosts

53,944 (2010)

Internet users

419,500 (2009)

Telephone system

modern system modern fiber-optic integrated services; digital network with rapidly growing use of mobile-cellular telephones country code - 973; landing point for the Fiber-Optic Link Around the Globe (FLAG) 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 (2007)

domestic

modern fiber-optic integrated services; digital network with rapidly growing use of mobile-cellular telephones

general assessment

modern system

international

country code - 973; landing point for the Fiber-Optic Link Around the Globe (FLAG) 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 (2007)

Telephones - main lines in use

228,000 (2010)

Telephones - mobile cellular

1.567 million (2010)

Airports

4 (2010)

Airports - with paved runways

1 (2010)

2,438 to 3,047 m

1 (2010)

over 3,047 m

3

total

4

Heliports

1 (2010)

Merchant marine

bulk carrier 2, container 4, petroleum tanker 1 5 (Kuwait 5) 6 (Honduras 5, Saint Kitts and Nevis 1) (2010)

foreign-owned

5 (Kuwait 5)

registered in other countries

6 (Honduras 5, Saint Kitts and Nevis 1) (2010)

total

7

Pipelines

gas 20 km; oil 29 km (2010)

Ports and terminals

Mina' Salman, Sitrah

Roadways

3,851 km 3,121 km 730 km (2007)

total

3,851 km

unpaved

730 km (2007)

Manpower available for military service

508,863 290,801 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

290,801 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

508,863

Manpower fit for military service

423,757 245,302 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

245,302 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

423,757

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

8,988 8,117 (2010 est.)

female

8,117 (2010 est.)

male

8,988

Military branches

Bahrain Defense Forces (BDF): Ground Force, Royal Bahraini Navy (RBN), Royal Bahraini Air Force (RBAF), Royal Bahraini Air Defense Force (RBADF) (2011)

Bahrain Defense Forces (BDF)

Ground Force, Royal Bahraini Navy (RBN), Royal Bahraini Air Force (RBAF), Royal Bahraini Air Defense Force (RBADF) (2011)

Military expenditures

4.5% of GDP (2006)

Military service age and obligation

17 years of age for voluntary military service; 15 years of age for NCOs, technicians, and cadets; no conscription (2010)

Disputes - international

none