2013 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 become 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. The Sunni-led government has 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 protests at home with police and military action. The aftermath led to modest reforms, though continued dissatisfaction by Bahraini oppositionists with the extent of the reforms, has led to a broader dialogue between government officials, political societies, and legislators.

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)

0.36 cu km/yr (50%/6%/45%) 386 cu m/yr (2003)

per capita

386 cu m/yr (2003)

total

0.36 cu km/yr (50%/6%/45%)

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

40.15 sq km (2003)

Land boundaries

0 km

Land use

1.79% 3.95% 94.26% (2011)

arable land

1.79%

other

94.26% (2011)

permanent crops

3.95%

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

0.12 cu km (2011)

Age structure

20% (male 130,097/female 126,067) 15.9% (male 113,973/female 89,602) 56.2% (male 472,537/female 247,873) 5.2% (male 43,884/female 23,352) 2.6% (male 16,262/female 17,685) (2013 est.)

0-14 years

20% (male 130,097/female 126,067)

15-24 years

15.9% (male 113,973/female 89,602)

25-54 years

56.2% (male 472,537/female 247,873)

55-64 years

5.2% (male 43,884/female 23,352)

65 years and over

2.6% (male 16,262/female 17,685) (2013 est.)

Birth rate

14.16 births/1,000 population (2013 est.)

Child labor - children ages 5-14

5,530 5 % (2000 est.)

percentage

5 % (2000 est.)

total number

5,530

Contraceptive prevalence rate

61.8% (1995)

Death rate

2.65 deaths/1,000 population (2013 est.)

Dependency ratios

30.3 % 27.3 % 2.9 % 34.3 (2013)

elderly dependency ratio

2.9 %

potential support ratio

34.3 (2013)

total dependency ratio

30.3 %

youth dependency ratio

27.3 %

Drinking water source

urban: 100% of population (2010 est.)

urban

100% of population (2010 est.)

Education expenditures

2.9% of GDP (2008)

Ethnic groups

Bahraini 46%, non-Bahraini 54% (2010 census)

Health expenditures

3.8% of GDP (2011)

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

1.8 beds/1,000 population (2009)

Infant mortality rate

9.93 deaths/1,000 live births 11.1 deaths/1,000 live births 8.72 deaths/1,000 live births (2013 est.)

female

8.72 deaths/1,000 live births (2013 est.)

total

9.93 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

Arabic (official), English, Farsi, Urdu

Life expectancy at birth

78.43 years 76.28 years 80.63 years (2013 est.)

female

80.63 years (2013 est.)

total population

78.43 years

Literacy

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

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

91.6% (2010 est.)

male

96.1%

total population

94.6%

Major urban areas - population

MANAMA (capital) 262,000 (2011)

Maternal mortality rate

20 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)

Median age

31.4 years 32.8 years 28.6 years (2013 est.)

female

28.6 years (2013 est.)

male

32.8 years

total

31.4 years

Nationality

Bahraini(s) Bahraini

adjective

Bahraini

noun

Bahraini(s)

Net migration rate

14.13 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2013 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

32.9% (2008)

Physicians density

1.49 physicians/1,000 population (2010)

Population

1,281,332 July 2013 est. includes 235,108 non-nationals

Population growth rate

2.57% (2013 est.)

Religions

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

Sanitation facility access

urban: 100% of population (2010 est.)

urban

100% of population (2010 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

14 years 14 years 15 years (2006)

female

15 years (2006)

male

14 years

total

14 years

Sex ratio

1.03 male(s)/female 1.03 male(s)/female 1.26 male(s)/female 1.92 male(s)/female 1.89 male(s)/female 0.91 male(s)/female 1.54 male(s)/female (2013 est.)

0-14 years

1.03 male(s)/female

15-24 years

1.26 male(s)/female

25-54 years

1.92 male(s)/female

55-64 years

1.89 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 (2013 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.83 children born/woman (2013 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

28.3% 25.7% 32.6% (2004)

female

32.6% (2004)

total

28.3%

Urbanization

88.7% of total population (2011) 2.21% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

rate of urbanization

2.21% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

88.7% of total population (2011)

Administrative divisions

5 governorates (muhafazat, singular - muhafazah); Asamah (Capital), Janubiyah (Southern), Muharraq, Shamaliyah (Northern), Wasat (Central) 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; amended 2012 (2012)

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 (since 26 October 2011) 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 (since 26 October 2011)

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 Shaikh ABDULLA Mohamed Rashed Al Khalifa (since 3 December 2013) 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 Shaikh ABDULLA Mohamed Rashed Al Khalifa (since 3 December 2013)

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); 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, KHALID bin Abdallah Al Khalifa, MUHAMMAD bin Mubarak Al-Khalifa 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); 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, KHALID bin Abdallah Al Khalifa, MUHAMMAD bin Mubarak Al-Khalifa

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

Court of Cassation (consists of a chairman and 3 judges); Constitutional Court (consists of a president and 6 members) note - the judiciary of Bahrain is divided into the civil law and sharia law courts Court of Cassation and Constitutional Court judges appointed by royal decree and serve for a specified tenure High Court of Appeal; middle and lower civil courts; higher and lower shariah courts, and the High Shariah Court of Appeal

highest court(s)

Court of Cassation (consists of a chairman and 3 judges); Constitutional Court (consists of a president and 6 members)

judge selection and term of office

Court of Cassation and Constitutional Court judges appointed by royal decree and serve for a specified tenure

subordinate courts

High Court of Appeal; middle and lower civil courts; higher and lower shariah courts, and the High Shariah Court of Appeal

Legal system

mixed legal system of Islamic law, English common law, Egyptian civil, criminal, and commercial codes; customary 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 in two rounds on 24 September and 1 October 2011 Council of Representatives (2010) - percent of vote by society - NA; seats by society - Wifaq (Shia) 18, Asalah (Sunni Salafi) 3, Minbar (Sunni Muslim Brotherhood) 2, independents 17; Council of Representatives byelection for 18 seats vacated by Wifaq (2011) - seats by society - independent Sunni 8, independent Shia 8, other 2; 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, Asalah (Sunni Salafi) 3, Minbar (Sunni Muslim Brotherhood) 2, independents 17; Council of Representatives byelection for 18 seats vacated by Wifaq (2011) - seats by society - independent Sunni 8, independent Shia 8, other 2; 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 in two rounds on 24 September and 1 October 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

political parties are prohibited but political societies were legalized per a July 2005 law Arab Islamic Center Society [Ahmad Sanad AL-BENALI] Constitutional Gathering Society Islamic Asalah [Abd al-Halim MURAD] Islamic Saff Society [Abdullah Khalil BU GHAMAR] Islamic Shura Society Movement of National Justice Society [Muhi al-Din KHAN] National Action Charter Society [Muhammad AL-BUAYNAYN] National Dialogue Society National Islamic Minbar [Ali AHMAD] National Unity Gathering [Abdullah AL-HUWAYHI] National Democratic Action Society [Ibrahim SHARIF] National Democratic Assembly [Hasan AL-ALI] National Fraternity Society [Musa AL-ANSARI] National Progressive Tribune [Abd al-Nabi SALMAN] Unitary National Democratic Assemblage [Fadhil ABBAS] Wifaq National Islamic Society [Ali SALMAN]

note

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

Political pressure groups and leaders

Al-Fatih Awakening 14 February Revolution Youth Coalition Bahrain Islamic Freedom Movement [Said SHIHABI] Haqq Movement [Hasan MUSHAYMA] Islamic Amal [Muhammad Ali AL-MAHFUDH] Khalas [Abd al-Rauf AL-SHAYIB] Wafa Islamic Society [Abd al-Wahab HUSAYN]

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

$8.07 billion $8.673 billion (2012 est.)

expenditures

$8.673 billion (2012 est.)

revenues

$8.07 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-2.3% of GDP (2012 est.)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

6.05% (31 December 2012 est.) 6.83% (31 December 2011 est.)

Current account balance

$2.221 billion (2012 est.) $3.248 billion (2011 est.)

Debt - external

$27.54 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $27.04 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Economy - overview

Bahrain has taken great strides in diversifying its economy and its 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. 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 2012, Bahrain experienced economic setbacks as a result of domestic unrest, however, several factors indicate that the economy is beginning to recover, such as the return of the formula one race and tourist cruise ships to Bahrain. Economic policies aimed at restoring confidence in Bahrain's economy, such as the suspension of an expatriate labor tax and frequent bailouts of Gulf Air, 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 - 0.38 (2012 est.) 0.38 (2011 est.) 0.38 (2010 est.) 0.38 (2009) 0.38 (2008)

Exports

$20.39 billion (2012 est.) $19.65 billion (2011 est.)

Exports - commodities

petroleum and petroleum products, aluminum, textiles

Exports - partners

Saudi Arabia 3.3%, India 2.2%, UAE 2.2%, South Korea 2% (2012)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP - composition, by end use

38.3% 14.6% 19.5% 0.8% 75.3% -48.5% (2012 est.)

exports of goods and services

75.3%

government consumption

14.6%

household consumption

38.3%

imports of goods and services

-48.5%

investment in fixed capital

19.5%

investment in inventories

0.8%

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

0.3% 48.1% 51.6% (2012 est.)

agriculture

0.3%

industry

48.1%

services

51.6% (2012 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$28,700 (2012 est.) $27,900 (2011 est.) $27,900 (2010 est.) data are in 2012 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

4.8% (2012 est.) 2.1% (2011 est.) 4.7% (2010 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$26.75 billion (2012 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$33.03 billion (2012 est.) $31.52 billion (2011 est.) $30.87 billion (2010 est.) data are in 2012 US dollars

Gross national saving

27.6% of GDP (2012 est.) 27.5% of GDP (2011 est.) 30.3% of GDP (2010 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

NA% NA%

highest 10%

NA%

lowest 10%

NA%

Imports

$13.24 billion (2012 est.) $12.11 billion (2011 est.)

Imports - commodities

crude oil, machinery, chemicals

Imports - partners

Saudi Arabia 27.4%, US 9.6%, China 9.5%, Japan 6.4%, India 4.9%, France 4.7% (2012)

Industrial production growth rate

-1.7% (2012 est.)

Industries

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

2.8% (2012 est.) -0.4% (2011 est.)

Labor force

655,300 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

54.2% of GDP (2012 est.) 48% of GDP (2011 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$5.211 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $4.551 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

$9.699 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $8.777 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$16.83 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $15.93 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$22.19 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $20.78 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$6.944 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $7.013 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

30.2% of GDP (2012 est.)

Unemployment rate

15% (2005 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

29.7 million Mt (2011 est.)

Crude oil - exports

152,600 bbl/day (2012 est.)

Crude oil - imports

256,000 bbl/day (2011 est.)

Crude oil - production

49,160 bbl/day (2012 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

124.6 million bbl (1 January 2013 es)

Electricity - consumption

12.97 billion kWh (2011 est.)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2012 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

100% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

0% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

0% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)

Electricity - imports

214 million kWh (2011 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

3.169 million kW (2010 est.)

Electricity - production

13.16 billion kWh (2011 est.)

Natural gas - consumption

12.77 billion cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2011 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2011 est.)

Natural gas - production

12.62 billion cu m (2011 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

92.03 billion cu m (1 January 2013 es)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

51,450 bbl/day (2012 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

226,000 bbl/day (2012 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

0 bbl/day (2012 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

270,800 bbl/day (2012 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

290,000 (2012)

Telephones - mobile cellular

2.125 million (2012)

Airports

4 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways

1 (2013)

914 to 1,523 m

1 (2013)

over 3,047 m

3

total

4

Heliports

1 (2013)

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 54 km (2013)

Ports and terminals

Mina' Salman, Sitrah

major seaport(s)

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) (2013)

Bahrain Defense Force (BDF)

Royal Bahraini Army (RBA), Royal Bahraini Navy (RBN), Royal Bahraini Air Force (RBAF), Royal Bahraini Air Defense Force (RBADF) (2013)

Military expenditures

4.5% of GDP (2006)

Military service age and obligation

18 years of age for voluntary military service; 15 years of age for NCOs, technicians, and cadets; no conscription (2012)

Disputes - international

none

Trafficking in persons

Bahrain is a destination country for men and women subjected to forced labor and sex trafficking; unskilled and domestic workers from India, Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines, Ethiopia, Ghana, and Eritrea migrate willingly to Bahrain, but some face conditions of forced labor through the withholding of passports, restrictions on movement, nonpayment, threats, and abuse; many Bahraini labor recruitment agencies and some employers charge foreign workers exorbitant fees that make them vulnerable to forced labor and debt bondage; domestic workers are particularly vulnerable to forced labor and sexual exploitation because they are not protected under labor laws; women from Thailand, the Philippines, Morocco, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, China, Vietnam, Russia, Ukraine, and Eastern European countries are forced into prostitution in Bahrain Tier 2 Watch List - Bahrain does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so; the government has made few discernible efforts to investigate, prosecute, and convict trafficking offenses; cases of unpaid or withheld wages, passport retention, and other abuses - common indicators of trafficking - are treated as labor disputes and taken to civil court rather than criminal court; the government has made no indication of taking steps to institute a formal trafficking victim identification procedure and referral mechanism, resulting in the majority of victims seeking shelter at their embassies or the NGO-operated trafficking shelter; most victims have not filed lawsuits against employers because of a distrust of the legal system or a fear of reprisals (2013)

current situation

Bahrain is a destination country for men and women subjected to forced labor and sex trafficking; unskilled and domestic workers from India, Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines, Ethiopia, Ghana, and Eritrea migrate willingly to Bahrain, but some face conditions of forced labor through the withholding of passports, restrictions on movement, nonpayment, threats, and abuse; many Bahraini labor recruitment agencies and some employers charge foreign workers exorbitant fees that make them vulnerable to forced labor and debt bondage; domestic workers are particularly vulnerable to forced labor and sexual exploitation because they are not protected under labor laws; women from Thailand, the Philippines, Morocco, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, China, Vietnam, Russia, Ukraine, and Eastern European countries are forced into prostitution in Bahrain

tier rating

Tier 2 Watch List - Bahrain does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so; the government has made few discernible efforts to investigate, prosecute, and convict trafficking offenses; cases of unpaid or withheld wages, passport retention, and other abuses - common indicators of trafficking - are treated as labor disputes and taken to civil court rather than criminal court; the government has made no indication of taking steps to institute a formal trafficking victim identification procedure and referral mechanism, resulting in the majority of victims seeking shelter at their embassies or the NGO-operated trafficking shelter; most victims have not filed lawsuits against employers because of a distrust of the legal system or a fear of reprisals (2013)