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Demographics of Bahrain
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This article's factual accuracy may be compromised due to out-of-date information. (January 2017) |
| Demographics of Bahrain | |
|---|---|
| Population | 1,588,670 (2024) |
| Growth rate | 0.88% (2022 est.) |
| Birth rate | 12.4 births/1,000 population |
| Death rate | 2.82 deaths/1,000 population |
| Life expectancy | 79.9 years |
| • male | 77.63 years |
| • female | 82.24 years |
| Fertility rate | 1.67 |
| Infant mortality rate | 10.19 deaths/1,000 live births |
| Net migration rate | -0.82 migrant(s)/1,000 population |
| Age structure | |
| 0–14 years | 20.13% |
| 15–64 years | 76.71% |
| 65 and over | 3.16% |
| Nationality | |
| Nationality | Bahraini |
| Major ethnic | Bahraini - 46% |
| Language | |
| Official | Arabic |
| Spoken | Arabic (Bahraini, Bahrani), Persian, English, Urdu |

The demographics of the population of Bahrain includes population density, ethnicity, education level, health of the populace, economic status, religious affiliations and other aspects of the population.
Most of the population of Bahrain is concentrated in the two principal cities, Manama and Al Muharraq.
Population
[edit]| Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
|---|---|---|
| 1950 | 116,000 | — |
| 1960 | 162,000 | +3.40% |
| 1970 | 212,000 | +2.73% |
| 1980 | 358,000 | +5.38% |
| 1990 | 493,000 | +3.25% |
| 2000 | 638,000 | +2.61% |
| 2010 | 1,262,000 | +7.06% |
| 2020 | 1,501,635 | +1.75% |
| 2024 | 1,588,670 | +1.42% |
| Source:[1] | ||
Population census
[edit]| census year | Bahraini | non-Bahraini | total population | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| # | % | # | % | ||
| 1941 | 74,040 | 15,930 | 89,970 | ||
| 1950 | 91,179 | 18,471 | 109,650 | ||
| 1959 | 118,734 | 24,401 | 143,135 | ||
| 1965 | 143,814 | 38,389 | 182,203 | ||
| 1971 | 178,193 | 37,885 | 216,078 | ||
| 1981 | 238,420 | 112,378 | 350,798 | ||
| 1991 | 323,305 | 184,732 | 508,037 | ||
| 2001 | 405,667 | 244,937 | 650,604 | ||
| 2010 | 568,399 | 666,172 | 1,234,571 | ||
| 2020 | 712,362 | 789,273 | 1,501,635 | ||
| 2024 | 739,736 | 848,934 | 1,588,670 | ||
Structure of the population
[edit]Population by Sex and Age Group (Census 17.III.2020):[3][4]
| Age Group | Male | Female | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| # | % | |||
| Total | 942,895 | 558,740 | 1,501,635 | |
| 0-4 | 52,591 | 51,012 | 103,603 | |
| 5-9 | 53,578 | 51,416 | 104,994 | |
| 10-14 | 47,812 | 45,864 | 93,676 | |
| 15-19 | 41,062 | 38,276 | 79,338 | |
| 20-24 | 60,706 | 40,725 | 101,431 | |
| 25-29 | 101,401 | 54,679 | 156,080 | |
| 30-34 | 154,215 | 57,757 | 211,972 | |
| 35-39 | 134,083 | 51,794 | 185,877 | |
| 40-44 | 95,104 | 44,385 | 139,489 | |
| 45-49 | 70,467 | 33,509 | 103,976 | |
| 50-54 | 49,621 | 27,786 | 77,407 | |
| 55-59 | 34,498 | 23,095 | 57,593 | |
| 60-64 | 22,418 | 16,353 | 38,771 | |
| 65-69 | 12,499 | 9,200 | 16,877 | |
| 70-74 | 6,184 | 5,177 | 11,361 | |
| 75-79 | 3,216 | 3,363 | 6,579 | |
| 80-84 | 2,002 | 2,452 | 4,454 | |
| 85+ | 1,438 | 1,897 | 3,335 | |
| Age group | Male | Female | Total | |
| 0-14 | 153,981 | 148,292 | 302,273 | |
| 15-64 | 763,575 | 388,359 | 1,151,934 | |
| 65+ | 25,339 | 22,089 | 47,428 | |
Vital statistics
[edit]UN estimates
[edit]| Period[5] | Live births per year | Deaths per year | Natural change per year | CBR* | CDR* | NC* | TFR* | IMR* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950–1955 | 6,000 | 3,000 | 3,000 | 45.0 | 21.6 | 23.4 | 6.97 | 183 |
| 1955–1960 | 7,000 | 3,000 | 4,000 | 45.7 | 17.7 | 27.9 | 6.97 | 156 |
| 1960–1965 | 8,000 | 2,000 | 6,000 | 45.7 | 12.6 | 33.2 | 7.18 | 112 |
| 1965–1970 | 8,000 | 2,000 | 7,000 | 41.6 | 8.7 | 32.9 | 6.97 | 74 |
| 1970–1975 | 8,000 | 2,000 | 7,000 | 35.2 | 6.5 | 28.6 | 5.95 | 49 |
| 1975–1980 | 10,000 | 2,000 | 9,000 | 33.0 | 4.8 | 28.1 | 5.23 | 33 |
| 1980–1985 | 13,000 | 2,000 | 11,000 | 32.9 | 4.1 | 28.8 | 4.63 | 22 |
| 1985–1990 | 14,000 | 2,000 | 13,000 | 31.3 | 3.6 | 27.7 | 4.08 | 16 |
| 1990–1995 | 14,000 | 2,000 | 12,000 | 26.3 | 3.3 | 23.1 | 3.35 | 14 |
| 1995–2000 | 14,000 | 2,000 | 12,000 | 23.1 | 3.2 | 19.9 | 2.89 | 11 |
| 2000–2005 | 14,000 | 2,000 | 12,000 | 21.1 | 3.0 | 18.1 | 2.62 | 9 |
| 2005–2010 | 21,000 | 3,000 | 18,000 | 20.7 | 2.8 | 18.0 | 2.63 | 7 |
| * CBR = crude birth rate (per 1000); CDR = crude death rate (per 1000); NC = natural change (per 1000); IMR = infant mortality rate per 1000 births; TFR = total fertility rate (number of children per woman) | ||||||||
Registered data
[edit]Birth registration of Bahrain is available from 1976, death registration started in 1990. Between 1976 and 2011 the number of baby births roughly doubled but the birth rate of babies decreased from 32 to 13 per 1,000. The death rate of Bahrain (1.9 per 1,000 human beings in 2011) is among the lowest in the world.
| [6][7][8] | Average population | Live births | Deaths | Natural change | Crude birth rate (per 1000) | Crude death rate (per 1000) | Natural change (per 1000) | Total Fertility Rate per woman |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1965 | 5,150 | |||||||
| 1966 | 4,860 | |||||||
| 1967 | 5,179 | |||||||
| 1968 | 5,274 | |||||||
| 1971 | 6,404 | |||||||
| 1972 | 7,274 | |||||||
| 1973 | 7,679 | |||||||
| 1974 | 7,612 | |||||||
| 1975 | 7,767 | |||||||
| 1976 | 282,000 | 8,984 | 31.8 | |||||
| 1977 | 302,000 | 9,058 | 872 | 8,186 | 30.0 | 2.9 | 27.1 | |
| 1978 | 322,000 | 9,398 | 1,002 | 8,396 | 29.2 | 3.1 | 26.1 | |
| 1979 | 341,000 | 9,664 | 1,037 | 8,627 | 28.3 | 3.0 | 25.3 | |
| 1980 | 358,000 | 10,140 | 1,085 | 9,055 | 28.3 | 3.0 | 25.3 | |
| 1981 | 372,000 | 10,300 | 1,065 | 9,235 | 27.7 | 2.9 | 24.8 | |
| 1982 | 384,000 | 11,037 | 1,119 | 9,918 | 28.8 | 2.9 | 25.9 | |
| 1983 | 394,000 | 11,431 | 1,064 | 10,367 | 29.0 | 2.7 | 26.3 | |
| 1984 | 405,000 | 11,519 | 1,303 | 10,216 | 28.5 | 3.2 | 25.3 | |
| 1985 | 417,000 | 12,314 | 1,212 | 11,102 | 29.5 | 2.9 | 26.6 | |
| 1986 | 431,000 | 12,893 | 1,423 | 11,470 | 29.9 | 3.3 | 26.6 | |
| 1987 | 446,000 | 12,699 | 1,584 | 11,115 | 28.5 | 3.6 | 24.9 | |
| 1988 | 462,000 | 12,555 | 1,523 | 11,032 | 27.2 | 3.3 | 23.9 | |
| 1989 | 478,000 | 13,611 | 1,551 | 12,060 | 28.5 | 3.2 | 25.3 | |
| 1990 | 493,000 | 13,370 | 1,552 | 11,818 | 27.1 | 3.1 | 24.0 | |
| 1991 | 503,052 | 13,229 | 1,744 | 11,485 | 26.1 | 3.4 | 22.7 | |
| 1992 | 516,458 | 13,874 | 1,760 | 12,114 | 26.7 | 3.4 | 23.3 | |
| 1993 | 530,225 | 14,191 | 1,714 | 12,477 | 26.7 | 3.2 | 23.5 | |
| 1994 | 544,366 | 13,766 | 1,695 | 12,071 | 25.2 | 3.1 | 22.1 | |
| 1995 | 558,879 | 13,481 | 1,910 | 11,571 | 24.1 | 3.4 | 20.7 | |
| 1996 | 573,792 | 13,123 | 1,780 | 11,343 | 22.8 | 3.1 | 19.7 | |
| 1997 | 589,115 | 13,382 | 1,822 | 11,560 | 22.6 | 3.1 | 19.5 | |
| 1998 | 604,842 | 13,381 | 1,997 | 11,384 | 21.9 | 3.3 | 18.6 | |
| 1999 | 620,989 | 14,280 | 1,920 | 12,360 | 22.8 | 3.1 | 19.7 | 2.9 |
| 2000 | 637,582 | 13,947 | 2,045 | 11,902 | 21.9 | 3.2 | 18.7 | 2.8 |
| 2001 | 661,317 | 13,468 | 1,979 | 11,489 | 21.0 | 3.1 | 17.9 | 2.6 |
| 2002 | 710,554 | 13,576 | 2,035 | 11,541 | 21.1 | 3.2 | 17.9 | 2.4 |
| 2003 | 764,519 | 14,560 | 2,114 | 12,446 | 22.5 | 3.3 | 19.2 | 2.4 |
| 2004 | 823,744 | 14,968 | 2,215 | 12,753 | 22.3 | 3.3 | 19.0 | 2.3 |
| 2005 | 888,824 | 15,198 | 2,222 | 12,976 | 21.0 | 3.1 | 17.9 | 2.1 |
| 2006 | 960,425 | 15,053 | 2,317 | 12,736 | 18.6 | 2.9 | 15.7 | 2.0 |
| 2007 | 1,039,297 | 16,062 | 2,270 | 13,792 | 17.4 | 2.5 | 14.9 | 1.964 |
| 2008 | 1,103,496 | 17,022 | 2,390 | 14,632 | 16.2 | 2.3 | 13.9 | 1.968 |
| 2009 | 1,178,415 | 17,841 | 2,387 | 15,454 | 15.1 | 2.0 | 13.1 | 1.951 |
| 2010 | 1,228,543 | 18,150 | 2,401 | 15,749 | 14.8 | 2.0 | 12.8 | 1.877 |
| 2011 | 1,195,020 | 17,573 | 2,528 | 15,045 | 14.7 | 2.1 | 12.6 | 1.967 |
| 2012 | 1,208,964 | 19,119 | 2,613 | 16,506 | 15.8 | 2.2 | 13.6 | 2.134 |
| 2013 | 1,253,191 | 19,995 | 2,588 | 17,407 | 16.0 | 2.1 | 13.9 | 2.157 |
| 2014 | 1,314,562 | 20,931 | 2,805 | 18,126 | 15.9 | 2.1 | 13.8 | 2.108 |
| 2015 | 1,370,322 | 20,983 | 2,787 | 18,196 | 15.3 | 2.1 | 13.2 | 2.093 |
| 2016 | 1,423,726 | 20,714 | 2,858 | 17,856 | 14.5 | 2.0 | 12.5 | 1.984 |
| 2017 | 1,501,116 | 20,581 | 2,902 | 17,679 | 13.7 | 1.9 | 11.8 | 1.945 |
| 2018 | 1,503,091 | 19,740 | 3,052 | 16,668 | 13.1 | 2.0 | 11.1 | 1.838 |
| 2019 | 1,483,756 | 18,611 | 3,010 | 15,601 | 12.5 | 2.0 | 10.5 | 1.744 |
| 2020 | 1,472,204 | 18,042 | 3,488 | 14,554 | 12.3 | 2.4 | 9.9 | 1.846 |
| 2021 | 1,504,365 | 17,805 | 4,601 | 13,204 | 11.8 | 3.1 | 8.7 | 1.612 |
| 2022 | 1,524,693 | 17,801 | 3,521 | 14,280 | 11.7 | 2.3 | 9.4 | 1.640 |
| 2023 | 1,577,059 | |||||||
| 2024 | 1,588,670 |
Life expectancy
[edit]| Period | Life expectancy in Years |
Period | Life expectancy in Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1950–1955 | 43.0 | 1985–1990 | 71.8 |
| 1955–1960 | 48.5 | 1990–1995 | 72.9 |
| 1960–1965 | 55.3 | 1995–2000 | 73.9 |
| 1965–1970 | 61.1 | 2000–2005 | 74.9 |
| 1970–1975 | 65.4 | 2005–2010 | 75.7 |
| 1975–1980 | 68.3 | 2010–2015 | 76.4 |
| 1980–1985 | 70.5 |
Source: UN World Population Prospects[9]
Ethnic groups
[edit]Regarding the ethnicity of Bahrainis, a Financial Times article published on 31 May 1983 found that "Bahrain is a polyglot state, both religiously and racially. Discounting temporary immigrants of the past ten years, there are at least eight or nine communities on the island".[11] Furthermore, sources claim that the government of Bahrain is said to have naturalised Sunnis from different countries to increase the Sunni population in comparison to the Indigenous Shias including people from India, Pakistan, Jordan, Yemen, Syria, Iraq and Egypt.[12][13] These may be classified as:
| Community | Description |
|---|---|
| Baharna/Bahranis | The indigenous inhabitants of Bahrain. The overwhelming majority are Shia.[11] |
| Ajams (Iranic and Iranian roots) | Iranic; Lurs (Shia), Achomis (Sunni, Shia) , Baluchs (Sunnis), Turkic; Azeris, Qashqai... |
| Bahraini Jews[11] | Jews have inhabited Bahrain for centuries. Most native Bahraini Jews are of Mesopotamian and Persian descent. |
| Huwala Arabs | Sunni Arabs who re-migrated back from the southern coasts of Iran |
| Tribal Arabs | Urbanized Sunni Bahrainis of Bedouin ancestry, such as the Utoob, Dawasir etc.[11] |
| Najdis[11] | Non-tribal urban Sunni Arabs from Najd in central Arabia.[11] |
| Afro-Arabs | Descendants of Africans, primarily from East Africa and of mostly Sunni faith |
| Banyan (Bania) | Indians who traded with Bahrain and settled before the age of oil (formerly known as the Hunood or Banyan, Arabic: البونيان), of mostly Hindu faith.[11] |
Non-nationals make up more than half of the population of Bahrain, with immigrants making up about 52.6% of the overall population.[14] Of those, the vast majority come from South and Southeast Asia: according to various media reports and government statistics dated between 2005 and 2012 roughly 350,000 Indians,[15] 150,000 Bangladeshis,[16] 110,000 Pakistanis,[17] 40,000 Filipinos,[18] and 8,000 Indonesians.[19] In 2023, about 4,000 people from the United Kingdom live in Bahrain,[20] although some estimates are double this number.[21]
| [3] | Population | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Bahraini | 712,362 | |
| Other Arabs | 86,823 | |
| African | 21,502 | |
| North American | 16,415 | |
| Asian | 650,996 | |
| European | 11,750 | |
| Others | 1,787 | |
| total | 1,501,635 |
The following is a firm containing estimates from countries' embassies:[22]
| Nationality | Population | % of population | Year of data |
|---|---|---|---|
| 712,362 | 51% | 2022 | |
| 350,000 | 25.0% | 2015 | |
| 110,000 | 7.88% | 2015 | |
| 100,000 | 7.16% | 2015 | |
| 50,000-60,000 | 4.30% | 2015 | |
| 22,000 | 1.57% | 2015 | |
| 20,000 | 1.43% | 2015 | |
| 20,000 | 1.43% | 2015 | |
| 10,000 | 0.71% | 2015 | |
| 9,000 | 0.64% | 2013 | |
| 8,200 | 0.58% | 2014 | |
| 5,000-7,000 | 0.50% | 2015 | |
| 6,000-7,000 | 0.50% | 2015 | |
| 6,000 | 0.43% | 2015 | |
| 5,000 | 0.35% | 2015 | |
| 4,750 | 0.34% | 2015 | |
| 4,000 | 0.28% | 2015 | |
| 3,500 | 0.25% | 2015 | |
| 2,500 | 0.17% | 2015 | |
| 2,000 | 0.14% | 2015 | |
| 1,500 | 0.10% | 2015 | |
| 1,000 | <0.1% | 2015 | |
| 400 | <0.1% | 2015 | |
| 400 | <0.1% | 2015 | |
| 350 | <0.1% | 2015 | |
| 300-350 | <0.1% | 2015 | |
| 350 | <0.1% | 2013 | |
| 300 | <0.1% | 2015 | |
| 300 | <0.1% | 2015 | |
| 260 | <0.1% | 2015 | |
| 220 | <0.1% | 2013 | |
| 200 | <0.1% | 2015 | |
| 157 | <0.1% | 2015 | |
| 150 | <0.1% | 2015 | |
| 122 | <0.1% | 2015 | |
| 100 | <0.1% | 2015 | |
| 100 | <0.1% | 2015 | |
| 50-100 | <0.1% | 2015 | |
| 83 | <0.1% | 2015 | |
| 20 | <0.1% | 2015 | |
| 4 | <0.1% | 2015 |
Genetics
[edit]Ancient DNA and genetic history
[edit]A 2024 study sequenced whole genomes from four individuals who lived in Bahrain during the Tylos period (circa 300 BCE to 600 CE). The genetic makeup of these ancient Bahrainis revealed a blend of ancestries, primarily tracing back to ancient populations of the Near East. Analysis indicated that their genetic heritage is best described as a mixture of Ancient Anatolia, Levant, and Iran/Caucasus.[23]
Subtle genetic differences were observed among the four individuals, suggesting a degree of population diversity within Bahrain even before the Islamic era. One individual displayed a stronger affinity to Levantine populations, while others showed closer genetic links to groups from Iran and the Caucasus.[23]
Comparing the ancient Bahraini genomes to those of modern populations revealed notable connections. Genetically, the Tylos-period individuals showed closer affinities to present-day inhabitants of Iraq and the Levant than to modern-day Arabians from the peninsula.[23]
Malaria adaptation
[edit]The G6PD Mediterranean mutation, known to provide protection against malaria, was found in three out of the four ancient individuals. Genetic analysis suggests that this mutation began to increase in frequency in Eastern Arabia around 5,000 to 6,000 years ago. This timeframe coincides with the emergence of agriculture in the region, which could have inadvertently created environments conducive to malaria-carrying mosquitoes, thus driving natural selection for malaria resistance.[23]
Haplogroups
[edit]Y-chromosome DNA
[edit]
Y-Chromosome DNA (Y-DNA) represents the male lineage. In 2020, a study was made on 562 unrelated Bahraini males.[24] Paternal population structure within Bahrain was investigated using the 27 Y-STRs (short tandem repeats) in the Yfiler Plus kit to generate haplotypes from 562 unrelated Bahraini males, sub-divided into four geographical regions—Northern, Capital, Southern and Muharraq.[24]
Haplogroup prediction indicated diverse origins of the population with a predominance of haplogroups J2 and J1, but also haplogroups such as B2 and E1b1a likely originating in Africa, and H, L and R2 likely indicative of migration from South Asia.[24] Haplogroup frequencies differed significantly between regions, with J2 significantly more common in the Northern region compared with the Southern, possibly due to differential settlement by Baharna, Ajams and Arabs.[24]

Haplogroup prediction suggests that haplogroup J2 is the most common in the Bahraini population (It is thought that J-M172 may have originated in the Caucasus, Anatolia or Western Iran) encompassing 27.6% of the sample, followed by J1 (23.0%), E1b1b (8.9%), E1b1a (8.6%) and R1a (8.4%), with other predicted haplogroups (G, T, L, R1b, Q, R2, B2, E2, H and C) occurring at progressively lower frequencies.[24]
Haplogroup J1 is most frequent in the Southern Governorate (27%) where the highest proportion of Arabs live, and in the Muharraq Governorate (27%) where many migrant Huwala Arabs resettled, and it declines to its lowest frequency in the Northern and Capital Governorates (21% and 19%).[24]
By contrast, the Northern and Capital Governorates where the Baharna and Ajam are most represented show higher frequencies of haplogroup J2 (34% and 31%) than in Muharraq and the Southern Governorate (both 17%).[24]
Languages
[edit]Religion
[edit]| [3] | Men | Women | Total | Bahraini | Non-Bahraini |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Muslims | 674,329 | 437,204 | 1,111,533 | 710,067 | 401,466 |
| Others | 268,566 | 121,536 | 390,102 | 2,295 | 387,807 |
| Total | 942,895 | 558,740 | 1,501,635 | 712,362 | 789,273 |
| Muslim % | 74.0% | 99.7% | 50.9% |
Islam is the official religion forming 74% of the population.[3] Current census data does not differentiate between the other religions in Bahrain, but in 2022, the country was approximately 12%[26] Christian and had about 40[26][27] Jewish citizens.
According to the website of Ministry of Information Affairs, 74% of the population are Muslim, with Christians being the second largest religious group, forming 10.2% of the population, Jews making up 0.21%. The percentage of local Bahraini Christians, Jews, Hindus and Baha'is is collectively 0.2%.[28][3]
Bahraini citizens of Muslim faith belong to the Shi'a and Sunni branches of Islam. The last official census (1941) to include sectarian identification reported 52% (88,298 citizens) as Shia and 48% as Sunni of the Muslim population.[29][11] Unofficial sources, such as the Library of Congress Country Studies,[30] and The New York Times,[31] estimate sectarian identification to be approximately 45% Sunni and 55% Shia. An official Bahraini document revealed that 51% of the country's citizens are Sunnis, while the Shiite population has declined to 49% of the Muslim population.[32]
Foreigners, overwhelmingly from South Asia and other Arab countries, constituted 52.6% of the population in 2020.[3] Of these, 50.9% are Muslim and 49.1% are non-Muslim,[3] including Christians (primarily: Catholic, Protestant, Syriac Orthodox, and Mar Thoma from South India), Hindus, Buddhists, Baháʼís, and Sikhs.
See also
[edit]References
[edit]Notes
[edit]- ^ "World Population Prospects: The 2010 Revision". Archived from the original on 2011-05-07. Retrieved 2012-03-22.
- ^ "Facts & Figures". www.bahrain.bh. Archived from the original on 2024-10-15. Retrieved 2025-11-04.
- ^ a b c d e f g "Kingdom of Bahrain Open Data Portal: Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2021-05-02. Retrieved 2021-05-02.
- ^ "UNSD - Demographic and Social Statistics".
- ^ "World Population Prospects: The 2010 Revision". Archived from the original on 2011-05-06. Retrieved 2013-05-11.
- ^ [1] Archived 2013-05-03 at the Wayback Machine Ministry of Health Statistics
- ^ "Live births, deaths, and infant deaths, latest available year (2002–2016)" (PDF). United Nations Statistics Division. 2 January 2018.
- ^ United nations. Demographic Yearbooks
- ^ "World Population Prospects – Population Division – United Nations". Archived from the original on 2016-09-19. Retrieved 2017-07-15.
- ^ "Middle East: Bahrain". CIA The World Factbook. 23 April 2022.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "BAHRAIN". www.solarnavigator.net. Retrieved 2024-12-03.
- ^ "Bahrainis allege a plot to change country's sectarian balance". Middle East Eye. Retrieved 2024-12-12.
- ^ "Shias accuse Bahrain of naturalising more Sunnis – GCC". Retrieved 2024-12-12.
- ^ "Bahrain". Central Intelligence Agency. September 27, 2021 – via CIA.gov.
- ^ "Information Wing: Indian Community". eoi.gov.in. Retrieved 2021-10-27.
- ^ "Relation". Embassy of Bangladesh in Bahrain. Archived from the original on 2021-10-27. Retrieved 2021-10-27.
- ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). www.mofa.gov.pk. Archived from the original (PDF) on 1 April 2019. Retrieved 11 January 2022.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ Hampton, Maricar (6 July 2012). "Filipinos etching credible mark in Bahrain". FilAm Star. Archived from the original on February 21, 2013. Retrieved 6 January 2013.
- ^ "Indonesians encouraged", Gulf Daily News, 2007-08-07, archived from the original on 2011-06-08, retrieved 2009-05-12
- ^ UK Government website, Retrieved 2023-08-01
- ^ British Expat Guide website, Retrieved 2023-08-01
- ^ https://web.archive.org/web/20180207171749/http://www.bq-magazine.com/economy/socioeconomics/2015/08/bahrains-population-by-nationality archived from the original
- ^ a b c d Martiniano, Rui; Haber, Marc; Almarri, Mohamed A.; Mattiangeli, Valeria; Kuijpers, Mirte C.M.; Chamel, Berenice; Breslin, Emily M.; Littleton, Judith; Almahari, Salman; Aloraifi, Fatima; Bradley, Daniel G.; Lombard, Pierre; Durbin, Richard (March 2024). "Ancient genomes illuminate Eastern Arabian population history and adaptation against malaria". Cell Genomics. 4 (3) 100507. doi:10.1016/j.xgen.2024.100507. ISSN 2666-979X. PMC 10943591.
- ^ a b c d e f g Al-Snan, Noora R.; Messaoudi, Safia A.; Khubrani, Yahya M.; Wetton, Jon H.; Jobling, Mark A.; Bakhiet, Moiz (2020). "Geographical structuring and low diversity of paternal lineages in Bahrain shown by analysis of 27 Y-STRs". Molecular Genetics and Genomics. 295 (6): 1315–1324. doi:10.1007/s00438-020-01696-4. ISSN 1617-4615. PMC 7524810. PMID 32588126.
This article incorporates text from this source, which is available under the CC BY 4.0 license.
- ^ "Religions in Bahrain | Arda". www.thearda.com. Retrieved 22 Aug 2025.
- ^ a b US State Dept 2022 report
- ^ "Low profile but welcome: a Jewish outpost in the Gulf". Independent. 2 Nov 2007. Archived from the original on 24 December 2018. Retrieved 16 March 2012.
- ^ "Population and Demographics - Ministry of Information Affairs | Kingdom of Bahrain". Archived from the original on 2020-11-10. Retrieved 2020-11-06.
- ^ Qubain, Fahim Issa (1955) "Social Classes and Tensions in Bahrain." The Middle East Journal 9, no. 3: 269–280, p. 270
- ^ Bahrain Country Study Library of Congress
- ^ 1981 Plot in Bahrain linked to Iranians New York Times, 25 July 1982, retrieved 20 June 2018
- ^ Al Jazeera: وثيقة بحرينية: الشيعة أقل من النصف, 1973, retrieved 14 February 2021
Sources
[edit]
This article incorporates public domain material from The World Factbook (2025 ed.). CIA. (Archived 2006 edition.)
- 2003 U.S. Department of State website
Demographics of Bahrain
View on GrokipediaPopulation Dynamics
Historical Growth and Censuses
Bahrain's population censuses, initiated in 1941 as the first in the Gulf Cooperation Council region, have documented significant growth driven primarily by economic expansion following oil discovery in 1932 and subsequent labor migration. The 1941 census enumerated 89,970 residents, with Bahrainis comprising about 82%. By 1959, the total reached 143,135, reflecting modest natural increase and limited immigration. Growth accelerated post-independence in 1971, as oil revenues spurred infrastructure development and expatriate inflows, with the 1971 census recording 216,078 total residents.[4][5][4] Subsequent decennial censuses highlight exponential expansion, with non-Bahraini residents rising from 17% in 1959 to over 30% by 1981, coinciding with diversification into finance and construction sectors. The 1981 census tallied 350,798 individuals, while 1991 and 2001 figures stood at 508,037 and 650,604, respectively, amid sustained migrant labor for petroleum-related industries. By the 2010 census, the population had surged to 1,234,571, with non-nationals exceeding 50% for the first time, underscoring reliance on foreign workers in a rentier economy. The 2020 census reported 1,501,635 residents, maintaining high expatriate proportions despite policy efforts to Bahrainize employment.[4][6][7]| Census Year | Total Population |
|---|---|
| 1941 | 89,970 |
| 1950 | 109,650 |
| 1959 | 143,135 |
| 1971 | 216,078 |
| 1981 | 350,798 |
| 1991 | 508,037 |
| 2001 | 650,604 |
| 2010 | 1,234,571 |
| 2020 | 1,501,635 |
Current Estimates and Density
As of 2024, Bahrain's total population stands at 1,588,670, comprising 739,736 Bahraini nationals (46.6%) and 848,934 non-Bahrainis (53.4%), according to official government statistics.[10] This figure aligns with World Bank data for the same year, reflecting a de facto count of residents excluding non-permanently settled refugees.[11] Bahrain's national population density is reported at 2,002.16 people per square kilometer as of 2023 by government sources, one of the highest globally due to the country's small land area of approximately 778 square kilometers.[10] Density varies significantly by governorate, with the Capital Governorate reaching 6,873.22 people per square kilometer, driven by urban concentration in Manama and surrounding areas.[10] Independent estimates for 2025 project densities around 2,100-2,200 people per square kilometer, accounting for ongoing expatriate inflows, though official updates remain pending.[12]Projections and Influencing Factors
The population of Bahrain is projected to grow steadily through the mid-21st century, with estimates varying by source but consistently highlighting immigration as the dominant driver over natural increase. The Information and eGovernment Authority (IGA) forecasted a rise from over 1.5 million in 2020 to 2.1 million by 2032, reflecting assumptions of sustained expatriate inflows to support economic sectors like construction and services.[13] Similarly, World Health Organization data, drawing from United Nations models, projects an increase from 1,569,666 in 2023 to 2,139,465 by 2050, a 36% expansion primarily attributed to net migration gains of over 20,000 annually in recent years.[14] Longer-term United Nations projections suggest further growth to approximately 3.1 million by 2100, though at a decelerating annual rate declining from 2.07% currently toward negative territory by mid-century due to aging expatriate cohorts and policy constraints on settlement.[15] Key influencing factors include high levels of labor migration, which account for the majority of population increments, as Bahrain's economy relies on foreign workers comprising over 50% of residents, predominantly from South Asia and other Arab states.[16] Net migration contributed 22,699 persons in 2024 alone, offsetting modest natural growth amid expatriate family formations and short-term contracts with high turnover.[15] Fertility rates, particularly among Bahraini nationals, have fallen to around 1.9 children per woman by the early 2020s, influenced by delayed marriages, rising living costs, and increased female education and workforce participation, contributing to a total fertility rate decline across Gulf Cooperation Council states of up to 50% since 1980.[17] Expatriate fertility remains variable and lower on average due to temporary residency status, further limiting endogenous growth. Mortality rates exert minimal influence, with life expectancy at birth exceeding 79 years and infant mortality below 10 per 1,000 live births, supported by advanced healthcare but not significantly altering projections.[18] Government policies, including restrictive naturalization criteria to preserve native demographic majorities, cap permanent settlement and sustain expatriate proportions near 55%, potentially moderating future growth if economic diversification under Bahrain's Economic Vision 2030 reduces low-skilled labor demands.[3] External variables such as oil price volatility, regional conflicts, and global labor market shifts could amplify or constrain inflows, with historical data showing migration responsiveness to hydrocarbon revenues and infrastructure projects.[19] These dynamics underscore a demographic trajectory where total population expansion hinges less on vital rates than on managed international mobility, amid efforts to balance economic needs with national identity preservation.Vital Statistics
Birth and Fertility Trends
The total fertility rate (TFR) in Bahrain, defined as the average number of children born to a woman over her lifetime, stood at 1.824 births per woman in 2023, below the replacement level of 2.1 required for population stability absent migration.[20] [21] This represents a continued decline from prior decades, with the TFR dropping from approximately 7.3 in 1960 to the current sub-replacement figure, driven by socioeconomic modernization, increased female education and labor participation, and urbanization.[22] Bahrain's crude birth rate, measuring live births per 1,000 population, was 12.46 in 2023, down from 13.28 in 2022 and reflecting a broader downward trajectory from 49.6 per 1,000 in 1960.[23] [24] Official data from Bahrain's government distinguish trends by nationality, showing persistently higher fertility among Bahraini nationals compared to non-nationals (predominantly expatriate workers). For instance, the TFR for Bahrainis was 2.853 in 2014, versus 1.840 for non-Bahrainis in 2013, a disparity attributable to cultural preferences for larger families among nationals, government incentives like housing and financial subsidies for childbearing, and the transient nature of expatriate populations with lower birth rates from high-fertility origin countries but constrained by temporary residency.[25]| Year | Overall TFR (births per woman) | Crude Birth Rate (per 1,000) |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 2.19 | 16.80 |
| 2015 | 2.02 | 14.20 |
| 2020 | 1.90 | 13.50 |
| 2023 | 1.82 | 12.46 |
Mortality and Life Expectancy
Life expectancy at birth in Bahrain stood at 81.3 years in 2023, up from 70 years in 2000, reflecting improvements in healthcare access, nutrition, and public health measures.[27] Females exhibited a life expectancy of 82.0 years, compared to 80.7 years for males, a gender gap attributable to differences in lifestyle factors such as smoking prevalence and occupational risks among men.[28] These figures, derived from United Nations and World Bank estimates, position Bahrain above the global average but below some Gulf peers like the UAE, influenced by its expatriate-heavy, youthful demographic skewing overall averages upward.[29] The crude death rate remained low at 2.09 deaths per 1,000 population in 2023, stable from 2.10 in 2019 and indicative of a population structure dominated by working-age expatriates rather than advanced medical interventions alone.[30] Infant mortality has declined sharply to 7.2 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2023 from 160.0 in 1960, driven by expanded neonatal care, vaccination programs, and reduced perinatal complications, though rates remain higher than in high-income OECD countries.[31] Under-5 mortality followed a similar trajectory, falling to approximately 8 per 1,000 live births by 2023, with ongoing challenges from congenital anomalies and preterm births in expatriate communities.[32] Non-communicable diseases accounted for 86% of total deaths in 2019, the most recent year with detailed cause attribution, underscoring a epidemiological shift from infectious diseases amid urbanization and dietary changes.[33] Cardiovascular diseases led as the primary cause, comprising around 32% of fatalities, followed by cancers and respiratory conditions, patterns consistent with WHO data showing 74% of 2021 deaths from noncommunicable origins despite Bahrain's oil-funded healthcare investments.[14] Adult mortality rates stood at 55.3 per 1,000 for males and 47.2 for females in 2023, elevated for males due to higher incidences of ischemic heart disease and road traffic injuries.[34][35]Health and Migration-Adjusted Metrics
Bahrain's life expectancy at birth reached 80.1 years in 2023 estimates, with males at 77.9 years and females at 82.5 years, reflecting improvements in healthcare access and living standards.[36] However, healthy life expectancy at birth, which adjusts for years lived with disability or illness, stood at 64.2 years in 2021, indicating a substantial portion of life—approximately 16 years—burdened by non-communicable diseases such as cardiovascular conditions and diabetes, prevalent due to lifestyle factors and an aging expatriate-influenced population.[14][14] Infant mortality rate, a key health metric influencing demographic structure, was estimated at 10 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2023, with higher rates for males (10.7) than females (8.4); this equates to about 150-200 annual infant deaths in a population of roughly 1.6 million.[36] World Bank data reports a lower figure of 7.2 per 1,000 for the same year, potentially reflecting underreporting or methodological differences in expatriate-inclusive versus national-only counts.[37] Under-five mortality aligns closely, at around 12-15 per 1,000, underscoring effective public health interventions like vaccination programs but persistent vulnerabilities from migrant worker living conditions and genetic disorders in the native population. Maternal mortality ratio remains low at under 20 deaths per 100,000 live births, adjusted for migration-driven birth patterns among expatriates.[38][36] Migration significantly adjusts Bahrain's demographic metrics, with a net migration rate of -1 migrant per 1,000 population in 2023 estimates, suggesting modest net outflow amid high expatriate turnover; however, absolute net inflows reached 22,699 persons in 2024, driven by labor demands in oil, construction, and finance sectors.[36][39] This adjusts the natural population increase—derived from a crude birth rate of about 12-14 per 1,000 minus a death rate of 2.8 per 1,000, yielding roughly 0.9-1.1%—to a total growth rate of approximately 2.07% annually, heavily reliant on transient male migrants who skew the sex ratio and lower dependency ratios but introduce health strains from occupational hazards and remittances-driven family separations.[36][19] When adjusted for migration, Bahrain's effective fertility and mortality rates among nationals rise, as expatriates (53% of residents) exhibit higher birth rates but temporary status excludes long-term demographic integration.[10]| Metric | Value (Latest Estimate) | Adjustment Notes | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Life Expectancy at Birth | 80.1 years (2023) | Total; unadjusted for health loss | [36] |
| Healthy Life Expectancy | 64.2 years (2021) | Adjusted for disability/illness | [14] |
| Infant Mortality Rate | 10 per 1,000 live births (2023) | Includes expatriate births; higher in migrant cohorts | [36] |
| Net Migration Rate | -1 per 1,000 (2023) | Adjusts natural growth downward; contrasts absolute +22,699 inflows (2024) | [36] [39] |
| Population Growth Rate | 2.07% (current) | Natural increase + net migration | [19] |
Demographic Composition
Nationality and Expatriate Ratios
Bahrain's resident population in 2024 stood at 1,588,670 individuals, with Bahraini nationals accounting for 739,736 (46.6%) and non-Bahrainis, primarily expatriate workers and their dependents, comprising 848,934 (53.4%).[10] This ratio marks a shift from earlier decades, where nationals formed a slim majority; for instance, in 2010, Bahrainis represented approximately 54% of the population amid rapid expatriate inflows driven by economic diversification beyond oil.[40] Expatriates, who hold temporary residency tied to employment sponsorship under the kafala system, dominate low- and semi-skilled sectors such as construction, hospitality, and domestic service, contributing to Bahrain's GDP growth while lacking pathways to citizenship.[36] The composition of non-Bahrainis skews heavily toward South and Southeast Asians, with Indians forming the largest group at roughly 350,000 residents—about 22% of the total population—followed by Bangladeshis (over 100,000 workers in 2022), Pakistanis (around 60,000 workers), and Filipinos (over 27,000 workers).[41][42] Other notable expatriate nationalities include Egyptians, Nepalis, and Sri Lankans, reflecting recruitment patterns from labor-exporting nations with bilateral agreements facilitating workforce mobility.[42]| Major Expatriate Nationalities (Approximate Shares of Total Population, 2022-2024 Estimates) |
|---|
| Indian: ~22% |
| Bangladeshi: ~7-8% |
| Pakistani: ~4-5% |
| Filipino: ~2% |
| Others (e.g., Egyptian, Nepali, Sri Lankan): ~18-20% |