2012 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 large 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. 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-March 2011, with the backing of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) capitals, King HAMAD put an end to the mass public gatherings and increasingly disruptive civil disobedience by declaring a state of emergency. 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. Since that time, intermittent efforts at political dialogue between the government and opposition have remained at a stalemate. The Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry (BICI), formed in June 2011 to investigate abuses during the unrest and state of emergency, released its final report in November 2011. The King fully endorsed the report, and since then Manama has begun to implement many of the BICI's recommendations, including improving policing procedures, reinstating fired workers, rebuilding some mosques, and establishing a compensation fund for those affected by the unrest and crackdown. Despite this progress, street protests have grown increasingly violent since the beginning of 2012.

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 (2003)

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

20.2% (male 128,285/ female 124,265) 77.2% (male 613,018/ female 350,337) 2.6% (male 15,443/ female 17,000) (2012 est.)

0-14 years

20.2% (male 128,285/ female 124,265)

15-64 years

77.2% (male 613,018/ female 350,337)

65 years and over

2.6% (male 15,443/ female 17,000) (2012 est.)

Birth rate

14.41 births/1,000 population (2012 est.)

Death rate

2.63 deaths/1,000 population (July 2012 est.)

Education expenditures

2.9% of GDP (2008)

Ethnic groups

Bahraini 46%, non-Bahraini 54% (2010 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

10.2 deaths/1,000 live births 11.43 deaths/1,000 live births 8.92 deaths/1,000 live births (2012 est.)

female

8.92 deaths/1,000 live births (2012 est.)

total

10.2 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

Arabic (official), English, Farsi, Urdu

Life expectancy at birth

78.29 years 76.16 years 80.48 years (2012 est.)

female

80.48 years (2012 est.)

total population

78.29 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 94.6% 96.1% 91.6% (2010 census)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

91.6% (2010 census)

male

96.1%

total population

94.6%

Major cities - population

MANAMA (capital) 163,000 (2009)

Maternal mortality rate

20 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)

Median age

31.1 years 32.5 years 28.3 years (2012 est.)

female

28.3 years (2012 est.)

male

32.5 years

total

31.1 years

Nationality

Bahraini(s) Bahraini

adjective

Bahraini

noun

Bahraini(s)

Net migration rate

14.74 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2012 est.)

Physicians density

1.442 physicians/1,000 population (2008)

Population

1,248,348 includes 235,108 non-nationals (July 2012 est.)

Population growth rate

2.652% (2012 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

rural

100% of population

total

100% of population

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

1.03 male(s)/female 1.03 male(s)/female 1.75 male(s)/female 0.91 male(s)/female 1.54 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

15-64 years

1.75 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.91 male(s)/female

at birth

1.03 male(s)/female

total population

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

under 15 years

1.03 male(s)/female

Total fertility rate

1.86 children born/woman (2012 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); 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); 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, 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

Judicial branch

High Civil Appeals Court

Legal system

mixed legal system of Islamic law and English common law

Legislative branch

bicameral National Assembly consists of the Shura Council or 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); byelections to fill 18 vacated seats held on 24 September 2011 Council of Representatives (2010) - percent of vote by society - NA; seats by society - Wifaq (Shia) 18, Asala (Sunni Salafi) 3, Minbar (Sunni Muslim Brotherhood) 2, independents 17; Council of Representatives byelection for 18 vacated seats (2011) - seats by society - independent pro-government 13, Asala (Sunni Salafi) 1, independent 1, independent (Shia) 1, Islamic Society League (Shia pro-government) 1, Society for National Unity (Sunni pro-government) 1; note - Bahrain has societies rather than parties

election results

Council of Representatives (2010) - percent of vote by society - NA; seats by society - Wifaq (Shia) 18, Asala (Sunni Salafi) 3, Minbar (Sunni Muslim Brotherhood) 2, independents 17; Council of Representatives byelection for 18 vacated seats (2011) - seats by society - independent pro-government 13, Asala (Sunni Salafi) 1, independent 1, independent (Shia) 1, Islamic Society League (Shia pro-government) 1, Society for National Unity (Sunni pro-government) 1; note - Bahrain has societies rather than parties

elections

Council of Representatives - last held in two rounds on 23 and 30 October 2010 (next election to be held in 2014); byelections to fill 18 vacated seats held on 24 September 2011

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

none: note - political parties prohibited but political societies were legalized per a July 2005 law

none

note - 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

$8.466 billion $8.911 billion (2012 est.)

expenditures

$8.911 billion (2012 est.)

revenues

$8.466 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-1.7% of GDP (2012 est.)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

6.3% (31 December 2012 est.) 6.83% (31 December 2011 est.)

Current account balance

$2.846 billion (2012 est.) $3.247 billion (2011 est.)

Debt - external

$25.27 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $25.15 billion (31 December 2011 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. In 2011 and continuing into 2012, Bahrain experienced economic setbacks as a result of domestic unrest. Bahrain's reputation as a financial hub of the Gulf has been damaged, and the country now risks losing financial institutions to other regional centers such as Dubai or Doha. Economic policies aimed at restoring confidence in Bahrain's economy, such as the suspension of an expatriate labor tax, will make Bahrain's foremost long-term economic challenges - youth unemployment and the growth of government debt - more difficult to address.

Exchange rates

Bahraini dinars (BHD) per US dollar - 0.376 (2012 est.) 0.376 (2011 est.) 0.376 (2010 est.) 0.376 (2009) 0.376 (2008)

Exports

$20.95 billion (2012 est.) $19.91 billion (2011 est.)

Exports - commodities

petroleum and petroleum products, aluminum, textiles

Exports - partners

Saudi Arabia 3.3%, UAE 2.2%, Japan 2%, Qatar 1.9% (2011)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP - composition by sector

0.4% 50.7% 48.9% (2012 est.)

agriculture

0.4%

industry

50.7%

services

48.9% (2012 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$28,200 (2012 est.) $28,200 (2011 est.) $28,200 (2010 est.) data are in 2012 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

2% (2012 est.) 2.1% (2011 est.) 4.7% (2010 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$26.51 billion (2012 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$32.44 billion (2012 est.) $31.81 billion (2011 est.) $31.16 billion (2010 est.) data are in 2012 US dollars

Household income or consumption by percentage share

NA% NA%

highest 10%

NA%

lowest 10%

NA%

Imports

$14.95 billion (2012 est.) $12.11 billion (2011 est.)

Imports - commodities

crude oil, machinery, chemicals

Imports - partners

Saudi Arabia 28.2%, US 10.5%, China 7.6%, Brazil 6%, India 5.7%, Germany 4.8%, Japan 4.1% (2011)

Industrial production growth rate

1.5% (2010 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

3% (2012 est.) -0.4% (2011 est.)

Investment (gross fixed)

19.9% of GDP (2012 est.)

Labor force

705,900 44% of the population in the 15-64 age group is non-national (2012 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

1% 79% 20% (1997 est.)

agriculture

1%

industry

79%

services

20% (1997 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$17.15 billion (31 December 2011) $20.43 billion (31 December 2010) $16.93 billion (31 December 2009)

Population below poverty line

NA%

Public debt

56.2% of GDP (2012 est.) 54% of GDP (2011 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$4.853 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $4.245 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of broad money

$24.38 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $21.64 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$10.02 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $8.777 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$16.87 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $15.94 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$24.31 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $20.78 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$7.854 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $7.013 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

31.9% of GDP (2012 est.)

Unemployment rate

15% (2005 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

30.69 million Mt (2010 est.)

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Crude oil - imports

225,100 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Crude oil - production

45,000 bbl/day (2011 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

107.2 million bbl (1 January 2013 est.)

Electricity - consumption

11.06 billion kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2010 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

100% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)

Electricity - imports

168 million kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

3.168 million kW (2009 est.)

Electricity - production

11.34 billion kWh (2009 est.)

Natural gas - consumption

12.25 billion cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - production

12.25 billion cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

92.03 billion cu m (1 January 2012 est.)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

48,580 bbl/day (2011 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

212,900 bbl/day (2008 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

0 bbl/day (2008 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

263,000 bbl/day (2008 est.)

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

Internet hosts

47,727 (2012)

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

276,500 (2011)

Telephones - mobile cellular

1.694 million (2011)

Airports

4 (2012)

Airports - with paved runways

1 (2012)

914 to 1,523 m

1 (2012)

over 3,047 m

3

total

4

Heliports

1 (2012)

Merchant marine

bulk carrier 2, container 4, petroleum tanker 2 5 (Kuwait 5) 5 (Honduras 5) (2010)

foreign-owned

5 (Kuwait 5)

registered in other countries

5 (Honduras 5) (2010)

total

8

Pipelines

gas 20 km; oil 29 km (2010)

Ports and terminals

Mina' Salman, Sitrah

Roadways

4,122 km 3,392 km 730 km (2010)

total

4,122 km

unpaved

730 km (2010)

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 Force (BDF): Royal Bahraini Army (RBA), Royal Bahraini Navy (RBN), Royal Bahraini Air Force (RBAF), Royal Bahraini Air Defense Force (RBADF) (2012)

Bahrain Defense Force (BDF)

Royal Bahraini Army (RBA), Royal Bahraini Navy (RBN), Royal Bahraini Air Force (RBAF), Royal Bahraini Air Defense Force (RBADF) (2012)

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