Bahrain: economy

What is the GDP growth rate of Bahrain?

Bahrain's real GDP fell 3.8% in the first quarter of 2026 compared with a year earlier, according to national accounts data from the Information & eGovernment Authority. The Ministry of Finance and National Economy's quarterly economic report says non-oil activity grew 2.2% to BD 3,227.3 million, while oil activity fell 37.2% to BD 355.8 million.

The ministry attributes the fall in oil output to restrictions on shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and scheduled maintenance at the Abu Sa'fa field. GDP grew 4.6% year on year in the fourth quarter of 2025. Figures are at constant prices and are preliminary.

Official sources: Bahrain Open Data: Quarterly GDP growth at constant prices · Ministry of Finance and National Economy: Quarterly economic report, Q1 2026 (PDF, Arabic)

What is the inflation rate in Bahrain?

Consumer prices in Bahrain were 3.0% higher in August 2026 than a year earlier, the same rate as in July, according to the Information & eGovernment Authority. Food and non-alcoholic drink prices rose 8.1% and transport 7.8%, while clothing and footwear fell 9.4% and housing, water and electricity 1.1%.

Annual inflation was 2.3% in June 2026. The consumer price index is published monthly on the Bahrain Open Data Portal, with figures for each spending division and group.

Official sources: Bahrain Open Data: CPI percentage change from same month of previous year

What is the interest rate in Bahrain?

The Central Bank of Bahrain's overnight deposit rate is 4.50%, its one-week deposit rate 4.75% and its overnight repo rate 5.50%, according to the CBB facilities and interest rates page. The rates were last changed on 16 September 2026, when they rose by 0.25 percentage points from 4.25% for the overnight deposit rate.

The Bahraini dinar is fixed at BD 1 = USD 2.659 by Decree No. 48 of 2001. Rates on bank loans and deposits are set by each bank and published by the CBB separately.

Official sources: Central Bank of Bahrain: Facilities and interest rates

What is the GDP per capita of Bahrain?

Bahrain's GDP per person was about USD 30,597 in 2025, up from USD 29,717 in 2024, according to the World Bank. GDP at current prices was BD 4,309.2 million in the first quarter of 2026, according to the Ministry of Finance and National Economy.

GDP per capita divides output by the whole resident population, more than half of whom are not Bahraini citizens. It is not a measure of household income. National GDP data are compiled by the Information & eGovernment Authority.

Official sources: World Bank: GDP per capita, Bahrain · Ministry of Finance and National Economy: Quarterly economic report, Q1 2026 (PDF)

How many tourists visit Bahrain?

Bahrain received 15,180,774 inbound visitors in 2025, up from 14,881,606 in 2024, according to inbound visitor data on the Bahrain Open Data Portal. 7,342,476 stayed overnight and 7,838,298 were same-day visitors. Visitors spent BD 2.03 billion in 2025, against BD 1.90 billion in 2024, according to the annual visitor expenditure dataset.

Most visitors live in Saudi Arabia: the visitors by country of residence table puts residents of Saudi Arabia at about 13.1 million of the 2025 total. Same-day trips count as visits, so the totals are much larger than hotel guest numbers.

Official sources: Bahrain Open Data Portal: inbound visitors by type of trip · Bahrain Open Data Portal: annual visitor expenditure · Bahrain Open Data Portal: inbound visitors by country of residence

What does Bahrain export?

Bahrain's total exports were BD 9,329.9 million in 2023, of which oil exports were BD 4,664.9 million, according to the annual foreign trade statistics on the Bahrain Open Data Portal. Non-oil national exports were BD 3,909.2 million and re-exports BD 755.8 million. Total imports were BD 8,214.6 million.

For 2026, the monthly exports dataset records BD 2.21 billion of exports by commodity from January to July; unwrought aluminium alloys were the largest item at about BD 454 million, and Saudi Arabia (33%) and the UAE (18%) were the main destinations. That dataset lists exports by commodity and destination, so it is not directly comparable with the annual oil and non-oil totals.

Official sources: Bahrain Open Data Portal: annual foreign trade statistics · Bahrain Open Data Portal: total exports 2026

How much foreign investment is there in Bahrain?

The stock of total inward foreign investment in Bahrain was BD 42,955.5 million at the end of 2024, slightly down from BD 43,393.9 million in 2023, according to foreign investment data on the Bahrain Open Data Portal.

Total inward investment includes direct investment, portfolio investment and other investment such as loans and deposits. A stock is the accumulated value at a point in time, not the new investment made during the year. Separate tables on the portal break it down by country and industry.

Official sources: Bahrain Open Data Portal: total inward foreign investments

How many passengers use Bahrain International Airport?

Bahrain International Airport handled 9,739,928 passengers in 2025, up from 9,350,580 in 2024 and 8,711,018 in 2023, according to Civil Aviation Affairs data on the Bahrain Open Data Portal. Of these, 4,899,301 arrived and 4,819,874 departed in 2025.

The total also counts transfer passengers, 4,709,208 in 2025, who change planes in Bahrain. Air arrivals are a small part of all border crossings: most travellers enter by the King Fahd Causeway, which recorded 16.65 million arrivals in 2025.

Official sources: Bahrain Open Data Portal: monthly passenger movement at Bahrain International Airport · Bahrain Open Data Portal: arrivals and departures by air, sea and causeway

Is Bahrain's economy growing?

According to the World Bank, real GDP growth in Bahrain was 3.5% in 2025. The peak was 8.3% in 2007 and the low -5.9% in 2020. Across Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan the middle value was 3.5%, and Bahrain placed 9th highest of 17. World rank, highest first: 86th of 180.

What is GDP per capita in Bahrain?

The World Bank puts GDP per person in Bahrain at $30,597 in 2025. No year since 2005 has been higher. Across Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan the middle value was $6,051, and Bahrain placed 6th highest of 17. Worldwide: 38th of 180.

What is Bahrain's GDP per person adjusted for prices?

In 2025, GDP per person at purchasing power parity in Bahrain was $70,997 in international dollars, according to the World Bank. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan median: $19,699 in international dollars; Bahrain is 4th highest of 17. Worldwide: 21st of 179.

How much does Bahrain export?

87.5% of GDP: that is exports of goods and services in Bahrain for 2024, according to the World Bank. Its high point since 2005 was 2013, at 100.8% of GDP; its low point was 2010, at 66.7% of GDP. Across Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan the middle value was 39.8% of GDP, and Bahrain placed 3rd highest of 17. World rank, highest first: 8th of 162.

Does Bahrain earn more abroad than it spends?

5.8% of GDP: that is the current account balance in Bahrain for 2025, according to the IMF. Since 2005 it has ranged from -9.1% of GDP (2020) to 14.7% of GDP (2022). Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan median: -0.6% of GDP; Bahrain is 3rd highest of 12. Of 132 countries with 2025 data, 20th highest.

How much foreign direct investment goes into Bahrain?

1.7% of GDP: that is net inflows of foreign direct investment in Bahrain for 2025, according to the IMF. Its high point since 2005 was 2006, at 15.8% of GDP; its low point was 2015, at 0.2% of GDP. It is 11th highest of 17 in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, where the median is 1.8% of GDP. Of 179 countries with 2025 data, 104th highest.

What are bank lending rates in Bahrain?

The IMF puts the average bank lending rate in Bahrain at 5.2% in 2015. That is the lowest since at least 2005. Across Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan the middle value was 8.0%, and Bahrain placed 9th highest of 13. Of 130 countries with 2015 data, 103rd highest.