Bahrain Stats & General Information

Bahrain may be a small country but each area of Bahrain has its own very distinct character. A lot of Bahrain island is barren desert, as the surface is lime stone covered  with saline salt, although with a surprisingly varied wildlife. Bahrain also has a fertile strip along the north coast.

Much of the oil industry in Bahrain is concentrated near the highest point of the main Bahrain island, Jebel ad-Dukhan. The entire country of Bahrain covers an area of only 48km long by 16km wide. Although there are another 32 islands that help to make up Bahrain.

The King Fahad causeway connects Bahrain to Saudi Arabia which is only 25km away from Bahrain. Bahrain is home to more then 600,000 people, about which 30 percent are non-Bahraini immigrants.

Manama, Bahrain's capital is an extremely cosmopolitan city. The official language of Bahrain is Arabic although most people speak English.

Due to an oil boom in the region, Bahrain has become the world’s fastest growing financial center by the City of London’s Global Financial Centres Index. The Index of Economic Freedom published by the Heritage Foundation / Wall Street Journal, also stated in 2006 that Bahrain has the freest economy in the Middle East and is the 25th freest economy in the world.

60% of export receipts come from petroleum production and processing and between them they also accounts for 60% of government revenues, and 30% of GDP.

The economy of Bahrain has fluctuated and is very dependant on oil prices as not only does Bahrain produce oil, but it also a major tourist attraction for neighboring Arab countries and when these countries boom, so does Bahrain.

Bahrain has a highly developed communication net work with virtually unrestricted Internet access and broad band readily available in most 5 star & 4 star hotels.

Bahrain is also home to numerous multinational firms who take advantage of the liberal tax laws, Vibrant night life and western lifestyle available.

Unemployment is a major problem among the young, and the depletion of both oil and underground water resources are major long-term economic problem which Bahrain must face.

In 2007 instigated by Minister of Labour, Dr. Majeed Al Alawi, Bahrain became the first Arab country to intorduce unemployment benefits as part of a series of labour reforms.

In 2008, the jobless figure was a 3.8%, but women are over represented at 85% of the total.

Geographic coordinates: 26 00 N, 50 33 E

Coastline: 161 km

Elevation extremes: lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m highest point: Jabal ad Dukhan 122 m

Bahrain Population: 1,046,814 (July 2007) includes 235,108 non-nationals . With 63% of the population being Bahraini. The breakdown of the population is as follows:-

0-14 years: 26.9% (male 96,217/female 94,275)

15-64 years: 69.5% (male 284,662/female 207,555)

65 years and over: 3.7% (male 13,451/female 12,413) As of 2007

Life Expectancy (2005)

Male: 72.18 years

Female: 77.25 years as of 2007.

Population growth rate: 1.392% (2007 est.)

Birth rate: 17.53 births/1,000 population (2007 est.)

Death rate: 4.21 deaths/1,000 population (2007 est.)

Median age: total: (2007)

29.7 years total

32.7 years male

26.1 years female

Bahrain is a Muslim country, and the official language is Arabic, although most of the population speaks English. Other languages spoken include Farsi, Urdu and Hindi. Business language is normally English.

Ethnic break down of population - Bahraini 63%, Asian 19%, other Arab 10%, Iranian 8%

Natural resources: Oil, associated and non-associated natural gas, fish, pearls.

Bahrain Time : Bahrain is three hours ahead of GMT and there is no Summer time change for Bahrain.

Bahrain Climate : Bahrain's tourist season is from November to February, as the summer in Bahrain can be very uncomfortable due to the heat and humidity.

Bahrain History : Bahrain was once connected the Arabian mainland only becoming an island at about 6000 BC. It is believed that Bahrain's first settlers could have arrived as early as  10,000 BC. For more information on Bahrain History please Click here.

Bahrain Currency : The Bahrain Currency is the Dinar which is pegged to the US Dollar. Bahrain has no currency restrictions on its import and export of Bahrain's currency. For a Bahrain Currency Converter please click here.

Bahrain Ministries : For a full list of Bahrain's Ministries please Click Here

Bahrain Embassies : Bahrain is host to most major countries Embassies and for a full list of Embassies in Bahrain please click here.

Bahrain Health : Bahrain benefits from an excellent health service which is free to local Bahraini's. Some guide books will recommend that when travelling to Bahrain you should have vaccinations against a range of diseases, how ever if staying in the main centres' such as Manama then these are not necessarily required.

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.3% (2001 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: less than 200 as of 2003

For more medical information please click here.

Bahrain Guides: Newarabia.net - A comprehensive guide to living and working in Bahrain

Bahrain Business Hours : Bahrain follows the Islamic calendar and so Wednesday is the equivalent of Friday night and Friday is Sunday. Most businesses in Bahrain take a break during the afternoon between 1 and 3pm but are then open later in the evening for business.

Bahrain Economy :In Bahrain, petroleum production and refining account for about 60% of export receipts, 60% of government revenues, and 30% of GDP. With its highly developed communication and transport facilities, Bahrain is home to numerous multinational firms with business in the Gulf. Bahrain is dependent on Saudi Arabia for oil revenue granted as aid. A large share of exports consists of petroleum products made from refining imported crude. Construction proceeds on several major industrial projects. Unemployment, especially among the young, and the depletion of oil and underground water resources are major long-term economic problems. For more information please click here

Bahrain Public Holidays : Bahrain follows the Islamic holiday calendar as well as celebrating Bahraini National day and the Christian New years day. click here for list of Islamic Public holidays.

Bahrain Banks : Bahrain is a major financial center for the Middle East and as a result Bahrain plays host to most major banks. For more information please click here.

Bahrain Crime Rate : Bahrain is a very safe country that does not suffer from very violent crime. As with all countries there is a degree of petty theft and one should be as cautious as if they where in their own country. Check out our Gulf Daily news for Bahrain reports.

Bahrain's Standard of Living : There has been a dramatic improvement in the standard of living for most Bahraini's and life expectancy for the average Bahraini is now in the seventies. Bahrain offers free schooling to its residents and it is compulsory until the age of 15. Bahrain is now a modern industrial state with good standards of health care and education. Bahrain would be virtually unrecognizable to anybody who new it in the 1970's.

Bahrain Visa Information : Virtually everyone needs a visa to enter Bahrain, except for G.C.C. Nationals but these are not usually difficult to obtain. For more information please click here.

Bahrain Links: Bahrain Links page.