Bahrain: public finances

What is Bahrain's budget deficit?

Bahrain's state budget recorded a deficit of BD 1,766.2 million in 2025, larger than the BD 1,476.2 million approved in the budget and up from BD 1,026.2 million in 2024, according to the Ministry of Finance and National Economy's consolidated final accounts. Revenue was BD 2,688.2 million and spending BD 4,454.4 million.

Oil and gas revenue fell to BD 1,301.4 million from BD 1,819.9 million in 2024. The National Audit Office audits the government's accounts.

Official sources: Ministry of Finance and National Economy: Budget final accounts

What is in Bahrain's 2026 budget?

Bahrain's approved budget for 2026 plans revenue of BD 3,459.3 million and spending of BD 4,537.0 million, an overall deficit of BD 1,077.6 million, according to the state budget tables for 2025 and 2026 published by the Ministry of Finance and National Economy. Oil and gas revenue is budgeted at BD 1,648.9 million and non-oil revenue at BD 1,829.0 million.

Interest on government debt is budgeted at BD 1,155.0 million, and the primary balance, excluding interest, shows a BD 77.4 million surplus. Bahrain approves its budget for two years at a time.

Official sources: Ministry of Finance and National Economy: State budget

How much of Bahrain's government revenue comes from oil?

Oil brought in BD 1,819.9 million, or 60.1% of the Bahrain government's actual revenue of BD 3,026.1 million in 2024, according to Ministry of Finance and National Economy revenue data on the Bahrain Open Data Portal. Taxes and fees raised BD 943.0 million (31.2%) and government investments and property BD 166.2 million.

Oil revenue fell from BD 2,034.7 million in 2023, while non-oil taxes and fees rose from BD 920.8 million. Oil revenue moves with world oil prices and production, so the share changes from year to year.

Official sources: Bahrain Open Data Portal: government revenues

How much does the Bahrain government spend?

Bahrain's actual government spending was BD 4,052.3 million in 2024, against actual revenue of BD 3,026.1 million, leaving a deficit of BD 1,026.2 million, according to Ministry of Finance and National Economy revenue and expenditure data on the Bahrain Open Data Portal. Recurrent spending was BD 3,761.3 million and project spending BD 291.0 million.

The budget had planned spending of BD 3,685.5 million and a deficit of BD 216.1 million, so outturn spending was higher and revenue lower than planned. Recurrent spending covers salaries, running costs, subsidies and interest on debt.

Official sources: Bahrain Open Data Portal: government revenue and expenditure

What is Bahrain's national debt?

144.3% of GDP: that is general government gross debt in Bahrain for 2025, according to the IMF. That is the highest since at least 2005. Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan median: 52.5% of GDP; Bahrain is 2nd highest of 20. Of 185 countries with 2025 data, 6th highest.

What is Bahrain's fiscal deficit?

According to the IMF, general government net lending or borrowing in Bahrain was -13.2% of GDP in 2025, which is a deficit. The peak was 4.1% of GDP in 2008 and the low -17.5% of GDP in 2015. Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan median: -5.2% of GDP; Bahrain is 20th highest of 21. Of 188 countries with 2025 data, 183rd highest.

What is Bahrain's government revenue?

According to the IMF, general government revenue in Bahrain was 15.0% of GDP in 2025. That is the lowest since at least 2005. Across Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan the middle value was 26.3% of GDP, and Bahrain placed 19th highest of 21. Of 187 countries with 2025 data, 165th highest.

How big is Bahrain's government spending as a share of GDP?

The latest figure from the IMF, for 2025, is 28.2% of GDP. Since 2005 it has ranged from 22.4% of GDP (2007) to 34.8% of GDP (2015). Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan median: 28.7% of GDP; Bahrain is 12th highest of 21. Of 186 countries with 2025 data, 105th highest.

What is tax revenue in Bahrain?

2.8% of GDP: that is central government tax revenue in Bahrain for 2020, according to the IMF. Its high point since 2005 was 2019, at 2.9% of GDP; its low point was 2014, at 0.8% of GDP. Across Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan the middle value was 11.7% of GDP, and Bahrain placed 7th highest of 8. Worldwide: 134th of 136.

What is Bahrain's military budget as a share of GDP?

SIPRI puts military spending in Bahrain at 3.1% of GDP in 2025. Its high point since 2005 was 2016, at 4.7% of GDP; its low point was 2008, at 2.8% of GDP. Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan median: 3.1% of GDP; Bahrain is 8th highest of 15. Of 149 countries with 2025 data, 25th highest.