Bahrain

World Book Index

Introduction

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.

Geography

Area
total : 760 sq km
land: 760 sq km
water: 0 sq km

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

Natural resources
oil, associated and nonassociated natural gas, fish, pearls

People and Society

Population
total: 1,566,888 (2024 est.)

Ethnic groups
Bahraini 47.4%, Asian 43.4%, other Arab 4.9%, African 1.4%, North American 1.1%, Gulf Co-operative countries 0.9%, European 0.8%, other 0.1% (2020 est.)

Languages
Arabic (official), English, Farsi, Urdu

Religions
Muslim 74.2%, other (includes Christian, Jewish, Hindu, Baha'i) 25.8% (2020 est.)

Population growth rate
0.82% (2024 est.)

Government

Government type
constitutional monarchy

Capital
name: Manama

Executive branch
chief of state: King HAMAD bin Isa Al-Khalifa (since 6 March 1999)
head of government: Prime Minister Crown Prince SALMAN bin Hamad Al-Khalifa (since 11 November 2020)

Diplomatic representation in the US
chief of mission: Ambassador Abdulla bin Rashed AL KHALIFA (since 21 July 2017)

Diplomatic representation from the US
chief of mission: Ambassador Steven C. BONDY (since 9 February 2022)

Economy

Economic overview
high-income, growing Middle Eastern island economy; oil and aluminum exporter with diversification led by services, construction and manufacturing; regional finance and tourism hub; high public debt linked to oil revenue dependence and limited tax base; vulnerable to water reservoir depletion

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$93.937 billion (2024 est.)
$91.185 billion (2023 est.)
$87.781 billion (2022 est.)

Real GDP per capita
$59,100 (2024 est.)
$57,800 (2023 est.)
$57,600 (2022 est.)

Exports
$41.303 billion (2024 est.)
$40.344 billion (2023 est.)
$44.58 billion (2022 est.)

Exports - partners
UAE 16%, Saudi Arabia 15%, South Africa 8%, USA 6%, India 4% (2023)

Exports - commodities
refined petroleum, aluminum, iron ore, aluminum wire, jewelry (2023)

Imports
$33.044 billion (2024 est.)
$32.374 billion (2023 est.)
$33.066 billion (2022 est.)

Imports - partners
China 13%, Saudi Arabia 12%, UAE 11%, Brazil 8%, Australia 7% (2023)

Imports - commodities
iron ore, aluminum oxide, ships, cars, gold (2023)

Human Development Index

The country's Human Development Index (HDI) is 0.899, ranking it 38th out of 193 countries tested. (more information)

World Happiness Report

The World Happiness Report ranked the country 80th out of 158 countries tested with a score of 5.707. (more information)