Bahrain: housing

How many homes are there in Bahrain?

Bahrain had 387,126 housing units at the 2020 census, of which 244,799 were occupied and 142,327 (36.8%) vacant, according to census housing data on the Bahrain Open Data Portal. Flats made up 213,451 units and villas 126,921.

Vacant units include homes under construction, between tenants or kept empty, so the vacancy count is not the same as homes available to rent. Flats had the most vacancies, 91,403. The census is taken every ten years, so these are the latest full counts.

Official sources: Bahrain Open Data Portal: housing units by type and occupancy, census 2020

How many households are there in Bahrain?

Bahrain had 228,972 private households and 17,011 collective households at the 2020 census, according to census household data from the Information & eGovernment Authority on the Bahrain Open Data Portal. The Capital governorate had the most, with 86,360 private and 8,673 collective households.

Collective households are group living quarters such as labour accommodation, rather than family homes. The Northern governorate had 59,967 private households, Muharraq 43,156 and the Southern governorate 39,489. The census is taken every ten years.

Official sources: Bahrain Open Data Portal: households by governorate and type, census 2020

What is Bahrain's urbanisation rate?

100.0%: that is the share of people living in urban areas in Bahrain for 2025, according to the UN Population Division. No year since 2005 has been higher. It is 1st highest of 22 in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, where the median is 78.4%. Worldwide: 1st of 193.

How common are informal settlements in Bahrain?

According to UN-Habitat, the share of city dwellers living in slums in Bahrain was 0.0% in 2018. It is 17th highest of 19 in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, where the median is 10.9%. Of 161 countries with 2018 data, 146th highest.

What is the electricity access rate in Bahrain?

The World Bank puts the share of people with access to electricity in Bahrain at 100.0% in 2024. It has not changed since 2005. Across Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan the middle value was 100.0%, and Bahrain placed 1st highest of 22. World rank, highest first: 1st of 193.

What share of people in Bahrain have safe drinking water?

The latest figure from WHO and UNICEF, for 2024, is 98.9%. Its high point since 2005 was 2007, at 98.9%; its low point was 2005, at 98.9%. Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan median: 89.0%; Bahrain is 4th highest of 17. Of 134 countries with 2024 data, 27th highest.

How many people in Bahrain have a safe toilet?

According to WHO and UNICEF, the share of people using safely managed sanitation in Bahrain was 93.4% in 2024. That is the highest since at least 2005. Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan median: 79.8%; Bahrain is 6th highest of 17. World rank, highest first: 27th of 134.

What is access to clean cooking in Bahrain?

In 2024, the share of people using clean cooking fuels in Bahrain was 100.0%, according to the WHO. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. It is 1st highest of 22 in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, where the median is 99.5%. World rank, highest first: 1st of 192.