Bahrain: jobs and pay

What is the unemployment rate in Bahrain?

The unemployment rate among Bahraini citizens was 5.6% in 2025, down from 6.2% in 2024, according to Ministry of Labour figures on the Bahrain Open Data Portal. It was 2.7% for men and 8.9% for women, and 15,433 Bahrainis were unemployed.

The rate covers Bahraini nationals aged 15 and over and is compiled by the Ministry of Labour. Foreign workers are not included. Monthly figures are also published; the rate was 5.6% in December 2025.

Official sources: Bahrain Open Data: Unemployment (yearly) · Bahrain Open Data: Unemployment (monthly)

How many foreign workers are there in Bahrain?

There were 654,672 active work permits for foreign workers in Bahrain at the end of 2025, up from 648,468 at the end of the first quarter, according to the Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA).

Work permits are issued by the LMRA to employers for named workers. The count is of permits in force, which is close to but not the same as the number of foreign workers. The LMRA also publishes new permits and renewals.

Official sources: Bahrain Open Data: LMRA active work permits for expatriates

How much do private sector workers in Bahrain earn?

21.5% of Bahraini private sector workers covered by social insurance earned BD 1,000 or more a month in 2023, while 20.2% earned BD 300 to 349, according to Social Insurance Organization wage data on the Bahrain Open Data Portal. For non-Bahraini workers, 38.3% earned less than BD 100 a month.

The figures cover 101,522 Bahraini and 458,768 non-Bahraini insured private sector workers. They are wages registered with the social insurance system, and public sector employees are not included. 2023 is the latest year published.

Official sources: Bahrain Open Data Portal: workers covered by social insurance by monthly wage

How many Bahraini women work?

42.8% of Bahraini women aged 15 and over were in the labour force at the 2020 census, compared with 59.6% of Bahraini men, according to census labour force data on the Bahrain Open Data Portal. 95,528 Bahraini women were employed and 9,253 unemployed, while 78,127 were recorded as housewives.

These shares are calculated from the census counts. Among those in the labour force, unemployment was 8.8% for Bahraini women and 2.2% for men in 2020. The ILO's modelled estimate puts female labour force participation for all residents at 42.3% in 2025.

Official sources: Bahrain Open Data Portal: population by labour force participation, census 2020 · World Bank: female labour force participation, Bahrain

How many new work permits does Bahrain issue?

The Labour Market Regulatory Authority issued 129,149 new work permits in 2025, down from 145,845 in 2024, according to LMRA data on the Bahrain Open Data Portal. It also renewed 502,808 permits in 2025.

New permits measure the flow of hiring of foreign workers, not the size of the workforce. The stock of active permits was 654,672 at the end of 2025.

Official sources: Bahrain Open Data Portal: LMRA new and renewed work permits · Bahrain Open Data Portal: LMRA active work permits

What is the minimum wage in Bahrain?

In 2024, the statutory minimum wage in Bahrain was 300 BHD a month (about $798), according to the ILO. The figure has been the same every year since 2018.

What is the average monthly salary in Bahrain?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2020, is $939 a month. Since 2015 it has ranged from $877 a month (2019) to $2,269 a month (2018). Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan median: $696 a month; Bahrain is 4th highest of 8. Worldwide: 42nd of 93.

How high is unemployment in Bahrain?

According to the ILO, the unemployment rate in Bahrain was 1.1% in 2025. The peak was 1.8% in 2020 and the low 1.0% in 2007. It is 20th highest of 21 in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, where the median is 8.3%. Worldwide: 168th of 174.

What is youth unemployment in Bahrain?

According to the ILO, unemployment among 15 to 24 year olds in Bahrain was 5.4% in 2025. Since 2005 it has ranged from 3.8% (2005) to 6.4% (2020). It is 20th highest of 21 in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, where the median is 18.3%. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 145th highest.

How many people in Bahrain are working or looking for work?

In 2025, the labour force participation rate in Bahrain was 70.4%, according to the ILO. Its high point since 2005 was 2017, at 72.4%; its low point was 2005, at 65.7%. Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan median: 45.2%; Bahrain is 4th highest of 21. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 25th highest.

What is female labour force participation in Bahrain?

In 2025, the labour force participation rate for women in Bahrain was 42.3%, according to the ILO. The peak was 43.6% in 2010 and the low 37.6% in 2005. It is 6th highest of 21 in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, where the median is 24.0%. Worldwide: 135th of 174.

What share of adults in Bahrain have a job?

According to the ILO, the employment to population ratio in Bahrain was 69.7% in 2025. The peak was 71.5% in 2017 and the low 65.0% in 2005. Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan median: 40.0%; Bahrain is 4th highest of 21. World rank, highest first: 21st of 174.

How common is self-employment in Bahrain?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2025, is 0.7%. That is the lowest since at least 2005. Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan median: 21.6%; Bahrain is 20th highest of 21. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 173rd highest.

What share of jobs in Bahrain are salaried?

97.6%: that is the share of workers who are paid employees in Bahrain for 2025, according to the ILO. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. Across Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan the middle value was 74.1%, and Bahrain placed 2nd highest of 21. World rank, highest first: 2nd of 174.