2019 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 petroleum processing and refining, aluminum production, and hospitality and retail sectors. It has also endeavored to become a leading regional banking center, especially with respect to Islamic finance. Bahrain's small size, central location among Gulf countries, economic dependence on Saudi Arabia, and proximity to Iran require it to play a delicate balancing act in foreign affairs among its larger neighbors. Its foreign policy activities usually fall in line with Saudi Arabia and the UAE. The Sunni royal family 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. Failed political talks prompted opposition political societies to boycott 2014 legislative and municipal council elections. In 2018, a law preventing members of political societies dissolved by the courts from participating in elections effectively sidelined the majority of opposition figures from taking part in national elections. As a result, most members of parliament are independents. Ongoing dissatisfaction with the political status quo continues to factor into sporadic clashes between demonstrators and security forces.

Area

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

Highest Point

Jabal ad Dukhan 135 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); lowered water table leaves aquifers vulnerable to saline contamination; desalinization provides some 90% of the country's freshwater

Environment International 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

Agricultural Land

11.3% (2016 est.)

Agricultural Land Arable Land

2.1% (2016 est.)

Agricultural Land Permanent Crops

3.9% (2016 est.)

Agricultural Land Permanent Pasture

5.3% (2016 est.)

Forest

0.7% (2016 est.)

Other

88% (2016 est.)

Location

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

Map References

Middle East

Maritime Claims

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

0 14 Years

18.88% (male 138,309 /female 134,067)

15 24 Years

15.49% (male 126,564 /female 96,834)

25 54 Years

56.06% (male 527,417 /female 281,391)

55 64 Years

6.49% (male 59,404 /female 34,284)

65 Years And Over

3.08% (male 22,258 /female 22,131) (2018 est.)

Birth Rate

13.1 births/1,000 population (2018 est.)

Current Health Expenditure

4.9% (2016)

Death Rate

2.8 deaths/1,000 population (2018 est.)

Dependency Ratios

Elderly Dependency Ratio

3 (2015 est.)

Potential Support Ratio

33.1 (2015 est.)

Total Dependency Ratio

30.2 (2015 est.)

Youth Dependency Ratio

27.1 (2015 est.)

Drinking Water Source

Improved Rural

100% of population

Improved Total

100% of population

Improved Urban

100% of population

Unimproved Rural

0% of population

Unimproved Total

0% of population (2015 est.)

Unimproved Urban

0% of population

Education Expenditures

2.3% of GDP (2017)

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.)

HIV/AIDS Adult Prevalence Rate

<.1% (2017 est.)

HIV/AIDS Deaths

<100 (2017 est.)

HIV/AIDS People Living With HIV/AIDS

<500 (2017 est.)

Hospital Bed Density

2 beds/1,000 population (2014)

Infant Mortality Rate

Female

7.7 deaths/1,000 live births

Male

9.7 deaths/1,000 live births

Total

8.8 deaths/1,000 live births (2018 est.)

Languages

Arabic (official), English, Farsi, Urdu

Life Expectancy at Birth

Female

81.5 years

Male

76.9 years

Total Population

79.1 years (2018 est.)

Literacy

Definition

age 15 and over can read and write

Female

93.5% (2015)

Male

96.9%

Total Population

95.7%

Major Urban Areas Population

600,000 MANAMA (capital) (2019)

Maternal Mortality Rate

14 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.)

Median Age

Female

29.8 years

Male

34 years

Total

32.5 years (2018 est.)

Nationality

Adjective

Bahraini

Noun

Bahraini(s)

Net Migration Rate

11.6 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2018 est.)

Obesity Adult Prevalence Rate

29.8% (2016)

Physicians Density

0.93 physicians/1,000 population (2015)

Population

1,442,659 (July 2018 est.)

Population Growth Rate

2.19% (2018 est.)

Religions

Muslim 73.7%, Christian 9.3%, Jewish 0.1%, other 16.9% (2017 est.)

Sanitation Facility Access

Improved Rural

99.2% of population (2015 est.)

Improved Total

99.2% of population (2015 est.)

Improved Urban

99.2% of population (2015 est.)

Unimproved Rural

0.8% of population (2015 est.)

Unimproved Total

0.8% of population (2015 est.)

Unimproved Urban

0.8% of population (2015 est.)

School Life Expectancy Primary To Tertiary Education

Female

16 years (2017)

Male

15 years

Total

15 years

Sex Ratio

0 14 Years

1.03 male(s)/female

15 24 Years

1.31 male(s)/female

25 54 Years

1.87 male(s)/female

55 64 Years

1.73 male(s)/female

65 Years And Over

1.01 male(s)/female

At Birth

1.03 male(s)/female

Total Population

1.54 male(s)/female (2018 est.)

Total Fertility Rate

1.73 children born/woman (2018 est.)

Unemployment Youth Ages 15 24

Female

12.2% (2012 est.)

Male

2.6%

Total

5.3%

Urbanization

Rate Of Urbanization

4.38% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

Urban Population

89.4% of total population (2019)

Administrative Divisions

4 governorates (muhafazat, singular - muhafazah); Asimah (Capital), Janubiyah (Southern), Muharraq, Shamaliyah (Northern)

Capital

Geographic Coordinates

26 14 N, 50 34 E

Name

Manama

Time Difference

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

Citizenship

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

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

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, Tylos, Awal, Mishmahig, Bahrayn, State of Bahrain

Local Long Form

Mamlakat al Bahrayn

Local Short Form

Al Bahrayn

Diplomatic Representation From The Us

Chief Of Mission

Ambassador Justin H. SIBERELL (since November 2017)

Embassy

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

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

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

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

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

Highest Courts

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

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 appointments by royal decree for a specified tenure

Subordinate Courts

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

Legal System

mixed legal system of Islamic (sharia) law, English common law, Egyptian civil, criminal, and commercial codes; customary law

Legislative Branch

Description

bicameral National Assembly consists of: Consultative Council or Majlis al-Shura (40 seats; members appointed by the king) 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

Consultative Council - composition - men 31, women 9, percent of women 22.5% Council of Representatives (for 2018 election) - percent of vote by society - NA; seats by society - Islamic Al-Asalah (Sunni Salafi) 3, Minbar al-Taqadumi (Communist) 2, National Unity Gathering (Sunni progovernment) 1, National Islamic Minbar (Sunni Muslim Brotherhood) 1, independent 33; composition - men 34, women 6, percent of women 15%; note - total National Assembly percent of women 19%

Elections

Consultative Council - last appointments on 12 December 2018 (next NA) Council of Representatives - first round for 9 members held on 24 November 2018; second round for remaining 31 members held on 1 December 2018 (next to be held in 2022)

National Anthem

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

National Symbol S

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

Political Parties And Leaders

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

Suffrage

20 years of age; universal

Agriculture Products

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

Budget

Expenditures

9.407 billion (2017 est.)

Revenues

5.854 billion (2017 est.)

Budget Surplus Or Deficit

-10.1% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Central Bank Discount Rate

18 December 2017

1.75%

31 December 2010

0.5%

Commercial Bank Prime Lending Rate

31 December 2016

5.18%

31 December 2017

5.33%

Current Account Balance

2016

-$1.493 billion

2017

-$1.6 billion

Debt External

31 December 2016

$42.55 billion

31 December 2017

$52.15 billion

Economy Overview

Oil and natural gas play a dominant role in Bahrain’s economy. Despite the Government’s past efforts to diversify the economy, oil still comprises 85% of Bahraini budget revenues. In the last few years lower world energy prices have generated sizable budget deficits - about 10% of GDP in 2017 alone. Bahrain has few options for covering these deficits, with low foreign assets and fewer oil resources compared to its GCC neighbors. The three major US credit agencies downgraded Bahrain’s sovereign debt rating to "junk" status in 2016, citing persistently low oil prices and the government’s high debt levels. Nevertheless, Bahrain was able to raise about $4 billion by issuing foreign currency denominated debt in 2017.Other major economic activities are production of aluminum - Bahrain's second biggest export after oil and gas –finance, and construction. Bahrain continues to seek new natural gas supplies as feedstock to support its expanding petrochemical and aluminum industries. In April 2018 Bahrain announced it had found a significant oil field off the country’s west coast, but is still assessing how much of the oil can be extracted profitably.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. Since 2015, the government lifted subsidies on meat, diesel, kerosene, and gasoline and has begun to phase in higher prices for electricity and water. 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. It plans to introduce a Value Added Tax (VAT) by the end of 2018.

Exchange Rates

2013

0.376

2014

0.376

2015

0.376

2016

0.376

2017

0.376

Currency

Bahraini dinars (BHD) per US dollar -

Exports

2016

$12.78 billion

2017

$15.38 billion

Exports Commodities

petroleum and petroleum products, aluminum, textiles

Exports Partners

UAE 19.6%, Saudi Arabia 11.7%, US 10.8%, Oman 8.1%, China 6.5%, Qatar 5.7%, Japan 4.2% (2017)

Fiscal Year

calendar year

GDP Composition By End Use

Exports Of Goods And Services

80.2% (2017 est.)

Government Consumption

15.5% (2017 est.)

Household Consumption

45.8% (2017 est.)

Imports Of Goods And Services

-67.9% (2017 est.)

Investment In Fixed Capital

26.1% (2017 est.)

Investment In Inventories

0.4% (2017 est.)

GDP Composition By Sector Of Origin

Agriculture

0.3% (2017 est.)

Industry

39.3% (2017 est.)

Services

60.4% (2017 est.)

GDP Official Exchange Rate

$35.33 billion (2017 est.)

GDP Per Capita Ppp

2015

$48,400

2016

$48,200

2017

$49,000

GDP Purchasing Power Parity

2015

$66.3 billion

2016

$68.59 billion

2017

$71.17 billion

GDP Real Growth Rate

2015

2.9%

2016

3.5%

2017

3.8%

Gross National Saving

2015

22% of GDP

2016

21.2% of GDP

2017

19.8% of GDP

Imports

2016

$13.59 billion

2017

$16.08 billion

Imports Commodities

crude oil, machinery, chemicals

Imports Partners

China 8.8%, UAE 7.2%, US 7.1%, Australia 5.3%, Japan 4.8% (2017)

Industrial Production Growth Rate

0.6% (2017 est.)

Industries

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

Inflation Rate Consumer Prices

2016

2.8%

2017

1.4%

Labor Force

831,600 (2017 est.)

Labor Force By Occupation

Agriculture

1%

Industry

32%

Services

67% (2004 est.)

Market Value Of Publicly Traded Shares

31 December 2013

$18.57 billion

31 December 2014

$22.07 billion

31 December 2015

$19.25 billion

Public Debt

2016

81.4% of GDP

2017

88.5% of GDP

Reserves Of Foreign Exchange And Gold

31 December 2016

$3.094 billion

31 December 2017

$2.349 billion

Stock Of Broad Money

31 December 2016

$9.078 billion

31 December 2017

$9.185 billion

Stock Of Direct Foreign Investment Abroad

31 December 2016

$10.5 billion

31 December 2017

$10.66 billion

Stock Of Direct Foreign Investment at Home

31 December 2016

$21.56 billion

31 December 2017

$22.08 billion

Stock Of Domestic Credit

31 December 2016

$29.08 billion

31 December 2017

$29.72 billion

Stock Of Narrow Money

31 December 2016

$9.078 billion

31 December 2017

$9.185 billion

Taxes And Other Revenues

16.6% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Unemployment Rate

2016

3.7%

2017

3.6%

Carbon Dioxide Emissions From Consumption Of Energy

37.98 million Mt (2017 est.)

Crude Oil Exports

0 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Crude Oil Imports

226,200 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Crude Oil Production

40,000 bbl/day (2018 est.)

Crude Oil Proved Reserves

124.6 million bbl (1 January 2018 est.)

Electricity Access

100% (2016)

Electricity Consumption

26.11 billion kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity Exports

213 million kWh (2015 est.)

Electricity From Fossil Fuels

100% of total installed capacity (2016 est.)

Electricity From Hydroelectric Plants

0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)

Electricity From Nuclear Fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)

Electricity From Other Renewable Sources

0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)

Electricity Imports

276 million kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity Installed Generating Capacity

3.928 million kW (2016 est.)

Electricity Production

26.81 billion kWh (2016 est.)

Natural Gas Consumption

15.89 billion cu m (2017 est.)

Natural Gas Exports

0 cu m (2017 est.)

Natural Gas Imports

0 cu m (2017 est.)

Natural Gas Production

15.89 billion cu m (2017 est.)

Natural Gas Proved Reserves

92.03 billion cu m (1 January 2018 est.)

Refined Petroleum Products Consumption

61,000 bbl/day (2016 est.)

Refined Petroleum Products Exports

245,300 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Refined Petroleum Products Imports

14,530 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Refined Petroleum Products Production

274,500 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Broadband Fixed Subscriptions

Subscriptions Per 100 Inhabitants

15 (2017 est.)

Total

213,633

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 (2019)

Internet Country Code

.bh

Internet Users

Percent Of Population

98% (July 2016 est.)

Total

1,351,326

Telephone System

Domestic

modern fiber-optic integrated services; digital network with rapidly growing use of mobile-cellular telephones; 20 per 100 fixed-line, 168 per 100 mobile-cellular; (2018)

General Assessment

modern system; well-developed LTE networks, 5G trials tested and deployment in near future; mobile penetration is high compared to the region; development of its own National Broadband Network (NBN); competition is good and telecoms are regulated (2018)

International

country code - 973; landing points for the FALCON, Tata TGN-Gulf, GBICS/MENA, and FOG submarine cable network that provides links to Asia, the Middle East, and Africa; tropospheric scatter to Qatar and UAE; microwave radio relay to Saudi Arabia; satellite earth station - 1 (2019)

Telephones Fixed Lines

Subscriptions Per 100 Inhabitants

20 (2017 est.)

Total Subscriptions

285,318

Telephones Mobile Cellular

Subscriptions Per 100 Inhabitants

168 (2017 est.)

Total Subscriptions

2,364,477

Airports

4 (2013)

Airports With Paved Runways

914 To 1 523 M

1 (2017)

Over 3 047 M

3 (2017)

Total

4 (2017)

Civil Aircraft Registration Country Code Prefix

A9C (2016)

Heliports

1 (2013)

Merchant Marine

By Type

bulk carrier 1, container ship 1, general cargo 12, oil tanker 4, other 241 (2018)

Total

259

National Air Transport System

Annual Freight Traffic On Registered Air Carriers

240,107,004 mt-km (2015)

Annual Passenger Traffic On Registered Air Carriers

5,313,756 (2015)

Inventory Of Registered Aircraft Operated By Air Carriers

42 (2015)

Number Of Registered Air Carriers

6 (2015)

Pipelines

20 km gas, 54 km oil (2013)

Ports And Terminals

Mina' Salman, Sitrah

Roadways

Paved

3,392 km (2010)

Total

4,122 km (2010)

Unpaved

730 km (2010)

Military And Security Forces

Bahrain Defense Force (BDF): Royal Bahraini Army, Royal Bahraini Navy, Royal Bahraini Air Force, Royal Bahraini Air Defense Force. The BDF also includes the Royal Guard, a battalion-plus sized combined arms special forces unit. The National Guard is charged with internal security and assisting the BDF in defending against external threats. (2016)

Military Expenditures

2014

4.42% of GDP

2015

4.59% of GDP

2016

4.73% of GDP

2017

4.39% of GDP

2018

3.6% of GDP

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

Terrorist Groups Foreign Based

aim(s): seeks to overthrow the Sunni al-Khalifa ruling family, and to expel America&rsquo;s military presence; supports anti-government insurgent groups with funding, weapons, and training area(s) of operation: Bahrain (2019)