2017 Edition

Background

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, central location among Gulf countries, and proximity to Iran 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.

Area

760 sq km 760 sq km 0 sq km

land

760 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

NA lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m highest point: Jabal ad Dukhan 135 m

elevation extremes

lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m

highest point

Jabal ad Dukhan 135 m

mean elevation

NA

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

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 (2012)

Land boundaries

0 km

Land use

11.3% arable land 2.1%; permanent crops 3.9%; permanent pasture 5.3% 0.7% 88% (2011 est.)

agricultural land

11.3%

forest

0.7%

other

88% (2011 est.)

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

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

Terrain

mostly low desert plain rising gently to low central escarpment

Age structure

19.08% (male 136,669/female 132,493) 15.65% (male 124,906/female 95,881) 56.04% (male 516,064/female 274,604) 6.28% (male 56,671/female 31,983) 2.95% (male 20,656/female 21,015) (2017 est.)

0-14 years

19.08% (male 136,669/female 132,493)

15-24 years

15.65% (male 124,906/female 95,881)

25-54 years

56.04% (male 516,064/female 274,604)

55-64 years

6.28% (male 56,671/female 31,983)

65 years and over

2.95% (male 20,656/female 21,015) (2017 est.)

Birth rate

13.3 births/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Death rate

2.8 deaths/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Dependency ratios

30.2 27.1 33.1 (2015 est.)

elderly dependency ratio

3

potential support ratio

33.1 (2015 est.)

total dependency ratio

30.2

youth dependency ratio

27.1

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

0% of population

total

0% of population (2015 est.)

urban

0% of population

Education expenditures

2.6% of GDP (2012)

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.)

Health expenditures

5% of GDP (2014)

Hospital bed density

2.1 beds/1,000 population (2012)

Infant mortality rate

8.9 deaths/1,000 live births 9.9 deaths/1,000 live births 7.9 deaths/1,000 live births (2017 est.)

female

7.9 deaths/1,000 live births (2017 est.)

male

9.9 deaths/1,000 live births

total

8.9 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

Arabic (official), English, Farsi, Urdu

Life expectancy at birth

79 years 76.8 years 81.3 years (2017 est.)

female

81.3 years (2017 est.)

male

76.8 years

total population

79 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 95.7% 96.9% 93.5% (2015 est.)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

93.5% (2015 est.)

male

96.9%

total population

95.7%

Major urban areas - population

MANAMA (capital) 411,000 (2015)

Maternal mortality rate

15 deaths/100,000 live births (2015 est.)

Median age

32.3 years 33.8 years 29.5 years (2017 est.)

female

29.5 years (2017 est.)

male

33.8 years

total

32.3 years

Nationality

Bahraini(s) Bahraini

adjective

Bahraini

noun

Bahraini(s)

Net migration rate

12.1 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

29.8% (2016)

Physicians density

0.94 physicians/1,000 population (2014)

Population

1,410,942 (July 2017 est.) immigrants make up approximately 50% of the total population, according to UN data (2015)

note

immigrants make up approximately 50% of the total population, according to UN data (2015)

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

Population growth rate

2.26% (2017 est.)

Religions

Muslim 70.3%, Christian 14.5%, Hindu 9.8%, Buddhist 2.5%, Jewish 0.6%, folk religion

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

0.8% of population

total

0.8% of population (2015 est.)

urban

0.8% of population

Sex ratio

1.03 male(s)/female 1.03 male(s)/female 1.3 male(s)/female 1.88 male(s)/female 1.81 male(s)/female 0.95 male(s)/female 1.54 male(s)/female (2016 est.)

0-14 years

1.03 male(s)/female

15-24 years

1.3 male(s)/female

25-54 years

1.88 male(s)/female

55-64 years

1.81 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.95 male(s)/female

at birth

1.03 male(s)/female

total population

1.54 male(s)/female (2016 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.75 children born/woman (2017 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

5.3% 2.6% 12.2% (2012 est.)

female

12.2% (2012 est.)

male

2.6%

total

5.3%

Urbanization

88.9% of total population (2017) 1.77% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

rate of urbanization

1.77% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

urban population

88.9% of total population (2017)

Administrative divisions

4 governorates (muhafazat, singular - muhafazah); Asimah (Capital), Janubiyah (Southern), Muharraq, Shamaliyah (Northern) each governorate administered by an appointed governor

note

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)

Citizenship

no the father must be a citizen of Bahrain no 25 years; 15 years for Arab nationals

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

Constitution

adopted 14 February 2002 proposed by the king or by at least 15 members of either chamber of the National Assembly followed by submission to an Assembly committee for review and, if approved, submitted to the government for restatement as drafts; passage requires a two-thirds majority vote by the membership of both chambers and validation by the king; constitutional articles on the state religion (Islam), state language (Arabic), and the monarchy and “inherited rule” cannot be amended; amended 2012, 2017 (2017)

amendments

proposed by the king or by at least 15 members of either chamber of the National Assembly followed by submission to an Assembly committee for review and, if approved, submitted to the government for restatement as drafts; passage requires a two-thirds majority vote by the membership of both chambers and validation by the king; constitutional articles on the state religion (Islam), state language (Arabic), and the monarchy and “inherited rule” cannot be amended; amended 2012, 2017 (2017)

history

adopted 14 February 2002

Country name

Kingdom of Bahrain Bahrain Mamlakat al Bahrayn Al Bahrayn Dilmun, State of Bahrain the name means "the two seas" in Arabic and refers to the water bodies surrounding the archipelago

conventional long form

Kingdom of Bahrain

conventional short form

Bahrain

etymology

the name means "the two seas" in Arabic and refers to the water bodies surrounding the archipelago

former

Dilmun, State of Bahrain

local long form

Mamlakat al Bahrayn

local short form

Al Bahrayn

Diplomatic representation from the US

Ambassador William V. ROEBUCK (since 14 January 2015) Building PSC 451, Box 660, FPO AE 09834-5100; international mail: American Embassy, Box 26431, Manama [973] 1724-2700 [973] 1727-2594

chief of mission

Ambassador William V. ROEBUCK (since 14 January 2015)

embassy

Building

FAX

[973] 1727-2594

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 Abdulla bin Rashid AL KHALIFA (since 21 July 2017) 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 Abdulla bin Rashid AL KHALIFA (since 21 July 2017)

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 MUHAMMAD bin Mubarak Al-Khalifa (since September 2005), Jawad bin Salim al-ARAIDH, ALI bin Khalifa bin Salman Al-Khalifa (since 11 December 2006), KHALID bin Abdallah Al Khalifa (since November 2010) 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/appointments

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 MUHAMMAD bin Mubarak Al-Khalifa (since September 2005), Jawad bin Salim al-ARAIDH, ALI bin Khalifa bin Salman Al-Khalifa (since 11 December 2006), KHALID bin Abdallah Al Khalifa (since November 2010)

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

note

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 or Supreme Court of Appeal (consists of the chairman and 3 judges); 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 the judiciary of Bahrain is divided into civil law courts and sharia law courts; sharia courts(involving personal status and family law) are further divided into Sunni Muslim and Shia Muslim 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 Civil High Courts of Appeal; middle and lower civil courts; High Sharia Court of Appeal; Senior Sharia Court; military courts

highest court(s)

Court of Cassation or Supreme Court of Appeal (consists of the chairman and 3 judges); 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

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

note

the judiciary of Bahrain is divided into civil law courts and sharia law courts; sharia courts(involving personal status and family law) are further divided into Sunni Muslim and Shia Muslim

subordinate courts

Civil High Courts of Appeal; middle and lower civil courts; High Sharia Court of Appeal; Senior Sharia Court; military courts

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 Consultative Council or Majlis al Shura (40 seats; members appointed by the king) and the Council of Representatives or Majlis al Nuwab (40 seats; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by absolute majority vote in 2 rounds if needed; members serve 4-year renewable terms) Council of Representatives - last held in two rounds on 23 and 29 November 2014 (next to be held in November 2018) Council of Representatives - percent of vote by society - NA; seats by society - Al-Asalah (Sunni Salafi) 2, Islamic Minbar (Sunni Muslim Brotherhood) 1, independent 37; note - Bahrain has societies rather than parties

description

bicameral National Assembly consists of the Consultative Council or Majlis al Shura (40 seats; members appointed by the king) and the Council of Representatives or Majlis al Nuwab (40 seats; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by absolute majority vote in 2 rounds if needed; members serve 4-year renewable terms)

election results

Council of Representatives - percent of vote by society - NA; seats by society - Al-Asalah (Sunni Salafi) 2, Islamic Minbar (Sunni Muslim Brotherhood) 1, independent 37; note - Bahrain has societies rather than parties

elections

Council of Representatives - last held in two rounds on 23 and 29 November 2014 (next to be held in November 2018)

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)

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

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

National symbol(s)

a red field surmounted by a white serrated band with five white points; national colors: red, white

a red field surmounted by a white serrated band with five white points; national colors

red, white

Political parties and leaders

political parties are prohibited, but political societies were legalized under a July 2005 law Arab Islamic Center Society [Abdulrahman AL-BAKER] Constitutional Gathering Society [Abdulrahman AL-BAKER] 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 Democratic Action Society or Wa'ad [Fouad SEYADI] 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]

note

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

Political pressure groups and leaders

none

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

$5.047 billion $9.394 billion (2016 est.)

expenditures

$9.394 billion (2016 est.)

revenues

$5.047 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-13.6% of GDP (2016 est.)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

5.2% (31 December 2016 est.) 4.78% (31 December 2015 est.)

Current account balance

$-1.493 billion (2016 est.) $-752.1 million (2015 est.)

Debt - external

$42.55 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $40.07 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Economy - overview

Low oil prices have generated a budget deficit of at least a $4 billion deficit in 2016, nearly 14% of GDP. Bahrain has few options for covering this deficit, with meager foreign assets and a constrained borrowing ability. In the last year the three major US credit agencies downgraded Bahrain’s sovereign debt rating to “junk” status, citing persistently low oil prices and the government’s inability to more effectively cut spending. 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. Over the past year, the government lifted subsidies on meat, diesel, kerosene, and gasoline and announced new higher prices for electricity and water, although it plans to roll these increases out more gradually than previous subsidy cuts.

Exchange rates

Bahraini dinars (BHD) per US dollar - 0.376 (2016 est.) 0.376 (2015 est.) 0.376 (2014 est.) 0.376 (2013 est.) 0.376 (2012 est.)

Exports

$12.78 billion (2016 est.) $16.54 billion (2015 est.)

Exports - commodities

petroleum and petroleum products, aluminum, textiles

Exports - partners

Saudi Arabia 18.3%, UAE 17.5%, US 11.1%, Japan 8.7%, Qatar 4.8%, China 4.2% (2016)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP - composition, by end use

45.6% 16% 25.2% 2.9% 75.9% -65.6% (2016 est.)

exports of goods and services

75.9%

government consumption

16%

household consumption

45.6%

imports of goods and services

-65.6% (2016 est.)

investment in fixed capital

25.2%

investment in inventories

2.9%

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

0.3% 37.3% 62.3% (2016 est.)

agriculture

0.3%

industry

37.3%

services

62.3% (2016 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$50,700 (2016 est.) $50,200 (2015 est.) $49,800 (2014 est.) data are in 2016 dollars

note

data are in 2016 dollars

GDP - real growth rate

3% (2016 est.) 2.9% (2015 est.) 4.4% (2014 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$31.86 billion (2016 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$66.92 billion (2016 est.) $64.17 billion (2015 est.) $61.71 billion (2014 est.) data are in 2016 dollars

note

data are in 2016 dollars

Gross national saving

21% of GDP (2016 est.) 22% of GDP (2015 est.) 31.4% of GDP (2014 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

NA% NA%

highest 10%

NA%

lowest 10%

NA%

Imports

$13.59 billion (2016 est.) $15.71 billion (2015 est.)

Imports - commodities

crude oil, machinery, chemicals

Imports - partners

China 9.7%, US 8.6%, UAE 7.4%, Japan 6.1%, Saudi Arabia 5.5% (2016)

Industrial production growth rate

2.8% (2016 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% (2016 est.) 1.8% (2015 est.)

Labor force

808,900 excludes unemployed; 44% of the population in the 15-64 age group is non-national (2016 est.)

note

excludes unemployed; 44% of the population in the 15-64 age group is non-national (2016 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

1% 32% 67% (2004 est.)

agriculture

1%

industry

32%

services

67% (2004 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$19.25 billion (31 December 2015 est.) $22.07 billion (31 December 2014 est.) $18.57 billion (31 December 2013 est.)

Population below poverty line

NA%

Public debt

72% of GDP (2016 est.) 60.3% of GDP (2015 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$3.094 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $3.387 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of broad money

$27.36 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $27.02 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$10.5 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $10.33 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$21.56 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $21.28 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$29.08 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $28.29 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$9.157 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $9.105 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

15.8% of GDP (2016 est.)

Unemployment rate

3.7% (2016 est.) 4.3% (2013 est.) official estimate; actual rate is higher

note

official estimate; actual rate is higher

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

37 million Mt (2013 est.)

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Crude oil - imports

223,900 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Crude oil - production

50,000 bbl/day (2016 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

124.6 million bbl (1 January 2017 es)

Electricity - consumption

26.09 billion kWh (2015 est.)

Electricity - exports

213 million kWh (2015 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

99.8% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

0% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

0.2% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - imports

205 million kWh (2015 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

3.928 million kW (2015 est.)

Electricity - production

26.78 billion kWh (2015 est.)

Electricity access

41,317 98% 98% 93% (2012)

electrification - rural areas

93% (2012)

electrification - total population

98%

electrification - urban areas

98%

population without electricity

41,317

Natural gas - consumption

21.92 billion cu m (2015 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2013 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2013 est.)

Natural gas - production

15.5 billion cu m (2015 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

92.03 billion cu m (1 January 2017 es)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

58,000 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

244,500 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

13,320 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

270,100 bbl/day (2014 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 (2009)

Internet country code

.bh

Internet users

1,351,326 98.0% (July 2016 est.)

percent of population

98.0% (July 2016 est.)

total

1,351,326

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 (2016)

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 (2016)

Telephones - fixed lines

287,203 21 (July 2016 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

21 (July 2016 est.)

total subscriptions

287,203

Telephones - mobile cellular

2,994,865 217 (July 2016 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

217 (July 2016 est.)

total

2,994,865

Airports

4 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways

1 (2017)

914 to 1,523 m

1 (2017)

over 3,047 m

3

total

4

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

A9C (2016)

Heliports

1 (2013)

Merchant marine

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

by type

bulk carrier 2, container 4, petroleum tanker 2

foreign-owned

5 (Kuwait 5)

registered in other countries

5 (Honduras 5) (2010)

total

8

National air transport system

5,313,756 240,107,004 mt-km (2015)

annual freight traffic on registered air carriers

240,107,004 mt-km (2015)

annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers

5,313,756

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers

42

number of registered air carriers

6

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)

paved

3,392 km

total

4,122 km

unpaved

730 km (2010)

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

4.59% of GDP (2015) 4.42% of GDP (2014) 4.14% of GDP (2013) 3.84% of GDP (2012) 3.59% of GDP (2011)

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