Bahrain WATCH 43
Amalgam 43: kinetic 44 × w 0.97 + structural 0 (UCDP) × 0.03 · tone momentum 0.14σ · kinetic z -0.44 · GDELT 48h: 146 events, conflict 4.8%, tone -0.22
UCDP GED: ~0 organized-violence deaths/yr (decayed avg)
Factbook dossier
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. In 2022, the United States designated Bahrain as a major non-NATO ally. The Sunni royal family has long struggled to manage relations with its Shia-majority population. In 2011, amid Arab uprisings elsewhere in the region, the Bahraini Government responded to similar pro-democracy and reform protests at home with police and military action, including deploying Gulf Cooperation Council security forces. Ongoing dissatisfaction with the political status quo continues to factor into sporadic clashes between demonstrators and security forces. In 2020, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates signed the US-brokered Abraham Accords with Israel. In 2023, Bahrain and the United States signed the Comprehe…
Location
Middle East, archipelago in the Persian Gulf, east of Saudi Arabia
Area
total : 760 sq km land: 760 sq km water: 0 sq km
Natural resources
oil, associated and nonassociated natural gas, fish, pearls
Natural hazards
periodic droughts; dust storms
Population
total: 1,566,888 (2024 est.) male: 940,022 female: 626,866
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 major-language sample(s): كتاب حقائق العالم، المصدر الذي لا يمكن الاستغناء عنه للمعلومات الأساسية (Arabic) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.
Religions
Muslim 74.2%, other 25.9% (2020 est)
Environmental issues
desertification; drought; coastal degradation from oil spills and other discharges from large tankers, oil refineries, and distribution stations; lack of freshwater resources; saline contamination from lowered water table
Government type
constitutional monarchy
Capital
name: Manama geographic coordinates: 26 14 N, 50 34 E time difference: UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) etymology: name derives from the Arabic word al-manama , meaning "place of rest" or "place of dreams"
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) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the monarch election/appointment process: the monarchy is hereditary; prime minister appointed by the monarch
Legislative branch
legislature name: National Assembly (Al-Majlis Al-Watani) legislative structure: bicameral
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$93.937 billion (2024 est.) $91.185 billion (2023 est.) $87.781 billion (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars
Real GDP per capita
$59,100 (2024 est.) $57,800 (2023 est.) $57,600 (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
0.9% (2024 est.) 0.1% (2023 est.) 3.6% (2022 est.) note: annual % change based on consumer prices
Exports - partners
UAE 16%, Saudi Arabia 15%, South Africa 8%, USA 6%, India 4% (2023) note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports
Imports - partners
China 13%, Saudi Arabia 12%, UAE 11%, Brazil 8%, Australia 7% (2023) note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports
Military and security forces
Bahrain Defense Force (BDF): Royal Bahraini Army (includes the Royal Guard), Royal Bahraini Navy, Royal Bahraini Air Force Ministry of Interior: National Guard, Special Security Forces Command (SSFC), Coast Guard (2025) note 1: the Royal Guard is officially under the command of the Army, but exercises considerable autonomy note 2: the Ministry of Interior is responsible for internal security and oversees police and specialized security units responsible for maintaining internal order; the National Guard's primary mission is to guard critical infrastructure such as the airport and oil fields and is a back-up to the police; the Guard is under the Ministry of Interior but reports directly to the king
Military expenditures
3% of GDP (2024 est.) 3.2% of GDP (2023 est.) 3.2% of GDP (2022 est.) 3.6% of GDP (2021 est.) 4.2% of GDP (2020 est.)