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Communications

Internet country code [time series]

.bh

Internet users (Internet hosts) [time series]

2,165 (2006)

Internet users [time series]

152,700 (2005)

Broadcast media (Radio broadcast stations) [time series]

AM 2, FM 3, shortwave 0 (1998)

Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]

general assessment: modern system domestic: modern fiber-optic integrated services; digital network with rapidly growing use of mobile cellular telephones international: country code - 973; tropospheric scatter to Qatar and UAE; microwave radio relay to Saudi Arabia; submarine cable to Qatar, UAE, and Saudi Arabia; satellite earth stations - 1 (1997)

Telephones - fixed lines (Telephones - main lines in use) [time series]

196,500 (2005)

Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]

748,700 (2005)

Broadcast media (Television broadcast stations) [time series]

4 (1997)

Economy

Agricultural products (Agriculture - products) [time series]

fruit, vegetables; poultry, dairy products; shrimp, fish

Budget [time series]

revenues: $4.662 billion expenditures: $3.447 billion; including capital expenditures of $700 million (2005 est.)

Exchange rates (Currency (code)) [time series]

Bahraini dinar (BHD)

Current account balance [time series]

$1.531 billion (2005 est.)

Debt - external [time series]

$6.814 billion (2005 est.)

Economic aid (Economic aid - recipient) [time series]

$150 million; note - $50 million annually since 1992 from the UAE and Kuwait (2002)

Economic overview (Economy - overview) [time series]

Petroleum production and refining account for about 60% of Bahrain's 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. 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. In 2005 Bahrain and the US ratified a Free Trade Agreement (FTA), the first FTA between the US and a Gulf state.

Electricity - consumption [time series]

6.83 billion kWh (2003)

Electricity - exports [time series]

0 kWh (2003)

Electricity - imports [time series]

0 kWh (2003)

Electricity - production [time series]

7.345 billion kWh (2003)

Exchange rates [time series]

Bahraini dinars per US dollar - 0.376 (2005), 0.376 (2004), 0.376 (2003), 0.376 (2002), 0.376 (2001)

Exports [time series]

$11.17 billion (2005 est.)

Exports - commodities [time series]

petroleum and petroleum products, aluminum, textiles

Exports - partners [time series]

Saudi Arabia 3.3%, US 2.6%, UAE 2.3% (2005)

Fiscal year [time series]

calendar year

GDP (official exchange rate) [time series]

$11.01 billion (2005 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) (GDP (purchasing power parity)) [time series]

$15.9 billion (2005 est.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin (GDP - composition by sector) [time series]

agriculture: 0.5% industry: 38.7% services: 60.8% (2005 est.)

Real GDP per capita (GDP - per capita (PPP)) [time series]

$23,100 (2005 est.)

Real GDP growth rate (GDP - real growth rate) [time series]

5.9% (2005 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%

Imports [time series]

$7.83 billion (2005 est.)

Imports - commodities [time series]

crude oil, machinery, chemicals

Imports - partners [time series]

Saudi Arabia 36.4%, Japan 6.6%, Germany 6.4%, US 5.4%, UK 5%, UAE 4.1% (2005)

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

2% (2000 est.)

Industries [time series]

petroleum processing and refining, aluminum smelting, iron pelletization, fertilizers, offshore banking, ship repairing, tourism

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

2.7% (2005 est.)

Investment (gross fixed) [time series]

19.5% of GDP (2005 est.)

Labor force [time series]

380,000 note: 44% of the population in the 15-64 age group is non-national (2005 est.)

Labor force - by occupation [time series]

agriculture: 1% industry: 79% services: 20% (1997 est.)

Natural gas - consumption [time series]

9.65 billion cu m (2003 est.)

Natural gas - exports [time series]

0 cu m (2002 est.)

Natural gas - imports [time series]

0 cu m (2002 est.)

Natural gas - production [time series]

9.65 billion cu m (2003 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves [time series]

92.03 billion cu m (2005)

Oil - consumption [time series]

26,000 bbl/day (2003 est.)

Oil - exports [time series]

NA bbl/day

Oil - imports [time series]

NA bbl/day

Oil - production [time series]

188,300 bbl/day (2005 est.)

Oil - proved reserves [time series]

124 million bbl (2005 est.)

Population below poverty line [time series]

NA%

Public debt [time series]

33.5% of GDP (2005 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold [time series]

$2.432 billion (2005 est.)

Unemployment rate [time series]

15% (2005 est.)

Geography

Area [time series]

total: 665 sq km land: 665 sq km water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative [time series]

3.5 times the size of Washington, DC

Climate [time series]

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

Coastline [time series]

161 km

Elevation (Elevation extremes) [time series]

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

Environment - current issues [time series]

desertification resulting from the degradation of limited arable land, periods of drought, and dust storms; coastal degradation (damage to coastlines, coral reefs, and sea vegetation) resulting from oil spills and other discharges from large tankers, oil refineries, and distribution stations; lack of freshwater resources, groundwater and seawater are the only sources for all water needs

International environmental agreements (Environment - international agreements) [time series]

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geographic coordinates [time series]

26 00 N, 50 33 E

Geography - note [time series]

close to primary Middle Eastern petroleum sources; strategic location in Persian Gulf, through which much of the Western world's petroleum must transit to reach open ocean

Irrigated land [time series]

40 sq km (2003)

Land boundaries [time series]

0 km

Land use [time series]

arable land: 2.82% permanent crops: 5.63% other: 91.55% (2005)

Location [time series]

Middle East, archipelago in the Persian Gulf, east of Saudi Arabia

Map references [time series]

Middle East

Maritime claims [time series]

territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm continental shelf: extending to boundaries to be determined

Natural hazards [time series]

periodic droughts; dust storms

Natural resources [time series]

oil, associated and nonassociated natural gas, fish, pearls

Terrain [time series]

mostly low desert plain rising gently to low central escarpment

Government

Administrative divisions [time series]

5 governorates; Asamah, Janubiyah, Muharraq, Shamaliyah, Wasat note: each governorate administered by an appointed governor

Capital [time series]

name: Manama geographic coordinates: 26 13 N, 50 35 E time difference: UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Constitution [time series]

new constitution 14 February 2002

Country name [time series]

conventional long form: Kingdom of Bahrain conventional short form: Bahrain local long form: Mamlakat al Bahrayn local short form: Al Bahrayn former: Dilmun

Diplomatic representation from the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador William T. MONROE embassy: Building #979, Road 3119 (next to Al-Ahli Sports Club), Block 331, Zinj District, Manama mailing address: American Embassy Manama, PSC 451, FPO AE 09834-5100; international mail: American Embassy, Box 26431, Manama telephone: [973] 1724-2700 FAX: [973] 1727-0547

Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Nasir bin Muhammad al-BALUSHI chancery: 3502 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 342-1111 FAX: [1] (202) 362-2192 consulate(s) general: New York

Executive branch [time series]

chief of state: King HAMAD bin Isa al-Khalifa (since 6 March 1999); Heir Apparent Crown Prince SALMAN bin Hamad (son of the monarch, born 21 October 1969) head of government: Prime Minister KHALIFA bin Salman al-Khalifa (since 1971); Deputy Prime Ministers ALI bin Khalifa bin Salman al-Khalifa, MUHAMMAD bin Mubarak al-Khalifa, Jawad al-ARAIDH cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the monarch elections: none; the monarchy is hereditary; prime minister appointed by the monarch

Flag (Flag description) [time series]

red, the traditional color for flags of Persian Gulf states, with a white serrated band (five white points) on the hoist side; the five points represent the five pillars of Islam

Government type [time series]

constitutional hereditary monarchy

Independence [time series]

15 August 1971 (from UK)

International organization participation [time series]

ABEDA, AFESD, AMF, FAO, G-77, GCC, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IDB, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ISO, ITU, LAS, MIGA, NAM, OAPEC, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO

Judicial branch [time series]

High Civil Appeals Court

Legal system [time series]

based on Islamic law and English common law

Legislative branch [time series]

bicameral Parliament consists of Shura Council (40 members appointed by the King) and House of Deputies (40 members directly elected to serve four-year terms) elections: House of Deputies - last held 31 October 2002 (next election to be held in September 2006) election results: House of Deputies - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Sunni Islamists 12, Shia grouping 7, other groupings and independents 21 note: first elections since 7 December 1973; unicameral National Assembly dissolved 26 August 1975; National Action Charter created bicameral legislature on 23 December 2000; approved by referendum 14 February 2001; first legislative session of Parliament held on 25 December 2002

National holiday [time series]

National Day, 16 December (1971); note - 15 August 1971 is the date of independence from the UK, 16 December 1971 is the date of independence from British protection

Political parties (Political parties and leaders) [time series]

political parties prohibited but political societies were legalized per a July 2005 law

Political parties (Political pressure groups and leaders) [time series]

Shi'a activists fomented unrest sporadically in 1994-97 and have recently engaged in protests and marches, demanding that more power be vested in the elected Council of Representatives and that the government do more to decrease unemployment; several small, clandestine leftist and Islamic fundamentalist groups are active

Suffrage [time series]

18 years of age; universal

Introduction

Background [time series]

In 1782, the Al Khalifa family captured Bahrain from the Persians. 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. Bahrain's small size and central location among Persian Gulf countries require it to play a delicate balancing act in foreign affairs among its larger neighbors. Facing declining oil reserves, Bahrain has turned to petroleum processing and refining and has transformed itself into an international banking center. Sheikh HAMAD bin Isa Al Khalifa, who came to power in 1999, has pushed economic and political reforms and has worked to improve relations with the Shia community. In February 2001, Bahraini voters approved a referendum on the National Action Charter - the centerpiece of Sheikh HAMAD's political liberalization program. In February 2002, Sheikh HAMAD pronounced Bahrain a constitutional monarchy and changed his status from amir to king. In October 2002, Bahrainis elected members of the lower house of Bahrain's reconstituted bicameral legislature, the National Assembly.

Military

Manpower available for military service [time series]

males age 18-49: 202,126 females age 18-49: 151,734 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service [time series]

males age 18-49: 161,372 females age 18-49: 125,488 (2005 est.)

Manpower reaching military service age annually [time series]

males age 18-49: 6,013 females age 18-49: 5,852 (2005 est.)

Military and security forces (Military branches) [time series]

Bahrain Defense Forces (BDF): Ground Force (includes Air Defense), Navy, Air Force, National Guard

Military expenditures (Military expenditures - percent of GDP) [time series]

4.9% (2005 est.)

Military service age and obligation [time series]

18 years of age for voluntary military service (2001)

People

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 27.4% (male 96,567/female 94,650) 15-64 years: 69.1% (male 280,272/female 202,451) 65 years and over: 3.5% (male 12,753/female 11,892) (2006 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

17.8 births/1,000 population (2006 est.)

Death rate [time series]

4.14 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.)

Ethnic groups [time series]

Bahraini 62.4%, non-Bahraini 37.6% (2001 census)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate [time series]

0.2% (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths [time series]

less than 200 (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS [time series]

less than 600 (2003 est.)

Infant mortality rate [time series]

total: 16.8 deaths/1,000 live births male: 19.65 deaths/1,000 live births female: 13.87 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.)

Languages [time series]

Arabic, English, Farsi, Urdu

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 74.45 years male: 71.97 years female: 77 years (2006 est.)

Literacy [time series]

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 89.1% male: 91.9% female: 85% (2003 est.)

Median age [time series]

total: 29.4 years male: 32.4 years female: 25.8 years (2006 est.)

Nationality [time series]

noun: Bahraini(s) adjective: Bahraini

Net migration rate [time series]

0.82 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)

Population [time series]

698,585 note: includes 235,108 non-nationals (July 2006 est.)

Population growth rate [time series]

1.45% (2006 est.)

Religions [time series]

Muslim (Shi'a and Sunni) 81.2%, Christian 9%, other 9.8% (2001 census)

Sex ratio [time series]

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.38 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.07 male(s)/female total population: 1.26 male(s)/female (2006 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

2.6 children born/woman (2006 est.)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international [time series]

none

Trafficking in persons [time series]

current situation: Bahrain is a destination country for men and women from South and Southeast Asia who migrate willingly to work as laborers or domestic servants, but may be subjected to conditions of involuntary servitude when faced with exorbitant recruitment and transportation fees, withholding of their passports, restrictions on their movement, non-payment of wages, and physical or sexual abuse; Eastern European women are also believed to be trafficked to Bahrain for the purpose of commercial sexual exploitation or forced labor tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - Bahrain's efforts to address trafficking in persons are based largely on pledges of future efforts; the government did not enact a comprehensive anti-trafficking law extending labor protection to domestic workers

Transportation

Airports [time series]

3 (2006)

Airports - with paved runways [time series]

total: 3 over 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2006)

Heliports [time series]

1 (2006)

Merchant marine [time series]

total: 8 ships (1000 GRT or over) 235,449 GRT/339,728 DWT by type: bulk carrier 4, cargo 1, container 2, petroleum tanker 1 foreign-owned: 3 (Kuwait 3) (2006)

Pipelines [time series]

gas 20 km; oil 52 km (2006)

Ports (Ports and terminals) [time series]

Mina' Salman, Sitrah

Roadways [time series]

total: 3,498 km paved: 2,768 km unpaved: 730 km (2003)