Bahrain

Bahrain, officially the Kingdom of Bahrain (Mamlakat al-Bahrayn), is a small archipelagic nation in the Persian Gulf, lying east of Saudi Arabia and north of Qatar. Consisting of around 33 natural islands, the country’s main island of Bahrain accounts for the majority of its land area and population. Despite covering only 760 square kilometres, Bahrain has long been a strategic and commercial hub, noted for its role in regional finance, maritime trade, and energy production. The capital, Manama, functions as the political, economic, and cultural centre of the kingdom.

Historical Background

Bahrain’s history dates back over 5,000 years, with the ancient civilisation of Dilmun—a key intermediary in trade between Mesopotamia and the Indus Valley—flourishing on the islands. Over time, Bahrain came under the influence of Persian, Arab, and Portuguese powers before becoming a British protectorate in the nineteenth century.
The modern Bahraini state was founded in 1783, when the Al-Khalifa family, of Sunni Arab origin, took control from Persian rulers and established a hereditary monarchy. During the nineteenth century, a series of treaties with Britain secured maritime protection in exchange for British oversight of foreign policy, making Bahrain a de facto British protectorate while preserving domestic autonomy.
Bahrain declared independence in 1971, joining both the United Nations and the Arab League. Oil revenues in the mid-twentieth century financed rapid modernisation and infrastructure growth, though declining production in the 1970s prompted economic diversification into petroleum refining, aluminium smelting, ship repair, and financial services.
Social tensions have occasionally erupted between the Sunni ruling elite and the Shia majority population, rooted in political exclusion and economic inequality. During the 2011 Arab Spring, widespread protests calling for democratic reforms were suppressed with the intervention of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) forces, led by Saudi Arabia.
In the 2020s, Bahrain has pursued an assertive foreign policy. It normalised relations with Israel through the Abraham Accords (2020) and strengthened its partnership with the United States, culminating in the Comprehensive Security Integration and Prosperity Agreement (2023). The United States designated Bahrain a major non-NATO ally in 2022, underscoring its regional strategic value.

Geography and Environment

Located in the Arabian Gulf between 26°N and 50°E, Bahrain covers 760 square kilometres, roughly 3.5 times the size of Washington, D.C., with a 161 km coastline. The terrain consists primarily of flat desert plains punctuated by a central limestone escarpment; its highest elevation, Jabal ad Dukhan, rises only 135 metres.
Bahrain’s climate is arid, characterised by extremely hot, humid summers and mild winters. The country possesses no permanent freshwater sources, relying heavily on desalination and groundwater extraction. Key natural resources include oil, natural gas, and fisheries, while historically, Bahrain was renowned for its pearling industry.
Environmental challenges stem from desertification, coastal pollution, and saline intrusion from excessive groundwater use. The kingdom is a signatory to major environmental accords such as the Paris Climate Agreement and the Convention on Biological Diversity.
Despite its small size, Bahrain’s location—adjacent to the Gulf’s major shipping lanes and oil fields—confers outsized geopolitical significance as both a trading post and military outpost.

People and Society

As of 2024, Bahrain’s population stands at 1.57 million, with 89.9% residing in urban areas. Manama, the capital, is home to around 709,000 people. The demographic profile is highly cosmopolitan, shaped by large numbers of foreign workers, mainly from South and Southeast Asia.

• Ethnic composition: Bahraini 47.4%, Asian 43.4%, other Arab 4.9%, African 1.4%, others 2.9%
• Languages: Arabic (official), English, Farsi, Urdu
• Religion: Muslim 74.2% (majority Shia), others 25.8% (Christian, Hindu, Baha’i, and others)

The population is heavily male-skewed due to labour migration. Life expectancy averages 80.4 years, among the highest in the Middle East, while literacy is nearly universal at 98%. Education and healthcare are well developed, but issues such as gender equality, labour rights, and citizenship access for expatriates remain under policy debate.

Government and Politics

Bahrain is a constitutional monarchy ruled by the Al-Khalifa family, combining monarchical authority with limited parliamentary representation.

• King: Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa (since 1999)
• Prime Minister: Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifa (since 2020)
• Government type: Constitutional monarchy with a bicameral legislature

The National Assembly (Al-Majlis al-Watani) comprises two chambers:

• Council of Representatives (Majlis al-Nuwab): 40 members elected for four years
• Shura Council (Majlis al-Shura): 40 members appointed by the king

Political parties are banned, though political societies operate as quasi-parties. The judicial system integrates Islamic (Sharia), English common law, and Egyptian civil law traditions. The 2002 Constitution introduced limited electoral reforms but preserved extensive executive powers for the monarch.
Bahrain’s foreign policy aligns closely with Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, driven by shared concerns over Iranian influence and regional stability. The kingdom plays an active role in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and hosts major Western military installations.

Economy

Bahrain maintains a high-income, diversified economy, balancing hydrocarbons with finance, manufacturing, and services.

• GDP (PPP): US$93.9 billion (2024)
• GDP per capita (PPP): US$59,100 (2024)
• Growth: 3.0% (2024 est.)
• Inflation: 0.9% (2024 est.)
• Unemployment: 1.2%

Although oil revenues underpin public finances, petroleum refining, aluminium production, and Islamic banking form key pillars of the economy. Manama’s Bahrain Financial Harbour ranks among the Gulf’s leading banking hubs.
Key trade partners (2023):

• Exports: UAE (16%), Saudi Arabia (15%), South Africa (8%), USA (6%), India (4%)
• Imports: China (13%), Saudi Arabia (12%), UAE (11%), Brazil (8%), Australia (7%)

Exports: refined petroleum, aluminium, and jewellery.Imports: iron ore, aluminium oxide, ships, and vehicles.
While hydrocarbon reserves are modest—186 million barrels of oil and 81 billion cubic metres of gas—Bahrain maximises returns through refining and downstream processing. Fiscal pressures remain high, with public debt exceeding 100% of GDP, necessitating subsidy reforms and diversification initiatives under Vision 2030.

Energy and Infrastructure

Bahrain’s energy system is almost entirely fossil fuel-based.

• Oil production: 190,000 barrels/day (2023)
• Natural gas production: 19.55 billion cubic metres (2023)
• Electricity access: 100% of the population
• Generation mix: 99.7% fossil fuels; 0.2% solar

Renewable energy development is in its infancy, though solar projects in the Southern Governorate and energy efficiency programmes are expanding. Bahrain’s per capita energy consumption ranks among the world’s highest, reflecting its industrial intensity.
Infrastructure investment continues in logistics, aviation, and connectivity, including the Bahrain–Qatar Friendship Bridge and the expansion of Khalifa Bin Salman Port and Bahrain International Airport.

Defence and Security

The Bahrain Defence Force (BDF) was established in 1968 and comprises the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Royal Guard, supported by the National Guard and Special Security Forces Command under the Ministry of Interior.

• Active personnel: ~10,000 (BDF); ~3,000 (National Guard)
• Military expenditure: 3% of GDP (2024 est.)

Bahrain’s principal security concern is Iran, which it accuses of sponsoring militant groups such as the al-Ashtar Brigades. The kingdom hosts the US Fifth Fleet and Naval Forces Central Command, as well as a UK naval base, reinforcing its position as a Western strategic outpost in the Gulf.
As a founding member of the GCC, Bahrain participates in the Peninsula Shield Force, the council’s joint military framework.

Culture and Heritage

Bahraini culture reflects a synthesis of Arab, Persian, and South Asian influences. Historically celebrated for its pearling tradition, Bahrain’s UNESCO-listed Pearling Path preserves the legacy of this once-central industry. Other notable heritage sites include the Dilmun Burial Mounds and Qal’at al-Bahrain, the ancient capital of the Dilmun civilisation.
Modern Bahrain fosters a vibrant cultural scene encompassing contemporary art, architecture, and sport, exemplified by the Bahrain International Circuit, host of the Formula One Grand Prix.
National symbols:

• National day: 16 December (marking independence and royal accession)
• Flag: Red with a white serrated band of five points symbolising the pillars of Islam
• Anthem: “Bahrainona” (“Our Bahrain”)

Contemporary Significance

Bahrain today stands as a regional financial hub and strategic ally within the Gulf and Western security frameworks. Its forward-looking policies emphasise economic diversification, digital innovation, and sustainable development, balanced against domestic calls for political inclusion and social equity.