Bahrain: immigration

What is the population of Bahrain?

Bahrain had an estimated 1,603,260 residents in mid-2025, of whom 746,097 were Bahraini citizens and 857,163 non-Bahrainis, according to population estimates from the Information & eGovernment Authority. Non-Bahrainis made up 53.5% of the population.

Estimates are published for June and December each year. The non-Bahraini population includes migrant workers and their families. The figures are published by nationality, sex and age group on the Bahrain Open Data Portal.

Official sources: Bahrain Open Data: Population by nationality, sex and age groups

How many work permits does Bahrain issue?

654,672 work permits for foreign workers were active in Bahrain at the end of December 2025, according to the Labour Market Regulatory Authority, up from 650,285 at the end of September.

The LMRA handles work permits, while residence permits and visas are issued by Nationality, Passports and Residence Affairs at the Ministry of Interior. Visit visas and residence permits for family members are not counted in the work permit figures.

Official sources: Bahrain Open Data: LMRA active work permits · Nationality, Passports and Residence Affairs

What share of Bahrain's population are migrants?

52.3% of Bahrain's population were international migrants in 2024, about 840,202 people, according to UN estimates published by the World Bank.

The UN counts people born abroad, or foreign citizens where birthplace is not recorded. It is close to the iGA's own figure of 53.5% non-Bahrainis in the population in mid-2025. Money sent abroad by workers in Bahrain was USD 2.55 billion in 2025, according to the World Bank.

Official sources: World Bank: international migrant stock, Bahrain · World Bank: personal remittances paid, Bahrain · Bahrain Open Data Portal: population by nationality

How many people cross Bahrain's borders each year?

Bahrain recorded 19,654,816 arrivals in 2025, of which 16,653,820 came by the King Fahd Causeway, 2,790,051 by air and 210,945 by sea, according to border data on the Bahrain Open Data Portal. Departures were 19,633,333.

These are crossings, not people: a resident who drives to Saudi Arabia and back counts each time. They include Bahraini citizens and residents as well as visitors. International arrivals excluding Bahrainis were 16,041,818 in 2025.

Official sources: Bahrain Open Data Portal: arrivals and departures by air, sea and causeway · Bahrain Open Data Portal: international arrivals excluding Bahrainis

How many foreign workers are in Bahrain's private sector?

458,768 non-Bahraini workers were covered by social insurance in Bahrain's private sector in 2023, against 101,522 Bahrainis, according to Social Insurance Organization data on the Bahrain Open Data Portal. Non-Bahrainis made up about 82% of insured private sector workers.

Insured workers are those registered by employers with the social insurance system. The count is lower than the number of active work permits (654,672 at the end of 2025) partly because it refers to a different date and counts only workers registered for social insurance.

Official sources: Bahrain Open Data Portal: workers covered by social insurance by activity · Bahrain Open Data Portal: LMRA active work permits

How many foreign-born people live in Bahrain?

The latest figure from the UN Population Division, for 2024, is 52.3%. That compares with 52.7% in 2015. Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan median: 11.5%; Bahrain is 4th highest of 22. Worldwide: 7th of 193.

How many people move to Bahrain each year?

In 2025, net migration in Bahrain was 18,128, according to the UN Population Division. Since 2005 it has ranged from -31,967 (2019) to 47,674 (2008). It is 8th highest of 22 in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, where the median is -376. Of 193 countries with 2025 data, 33rd highest.

How many refugees are in Bahrain?

240: that is the number of refugees in the country in Bahrain for 2025, according to UNHCR. Since 2005 it has ranged from 0 (2005) to 310 (2014). Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan median: 15,377; Bahrain is 21st highest of 22. World rank, highest first: 136th of 169.

How many refugees come from Bahrain?

The latest figure from UNHCR, for 2025, is 267. Its high point since 2005 was 2019, at 557; its low point was 2005, at 40. Across Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan the middle value was 7,322, and Bahrain placed 18th highest of 22. Of 189 countries with 2025 data, 129th highest.