Moving to Bahrain: visas, cost of living & immigrant guide

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Population

1,505,003

Population - note

Note: immigrants make up approximately 50% of the total population, according to UN data

Population Growth Rate

2.57%

Urban Population

88.700000

Population in Major Urban Areas

MANAMA (capital) 262,000

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Age Structure

19.270000

Median Age

31.400000

Birth Rate - births/1,000 population

14

Death Rate - deaths/1,000 population

2.65

Total Fertility Rate - children born/woman

1.83

Sex Ratio at Birth - male/female

1.030000

Net Migration Rate - migrant(s)/1,000 population

14.13

Ethnic Groups

Bahraini 63%, Asian 19%, other Arab 10%, Iranian 8%

Nationality Noun

Bahraini(s)

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Literacy - total population

86.5%

Literacy - male

91.9%

Literacy - female

85%

Literacy Definition

Age 15 and over can read and write

Education Expenditures - percent of GDP

2.6%

Total School Life Expectancy - (primary to tertiary)

0.000000

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Life Expectancy at Birth

78.430000

Infant Mortality Rate

9.930000

Infant Mortality Rate - total deaths/1,000 live births

9.930000

Maternal Mortality Rate - deaths/100,000 live births

20

Physicians Density - physicians/1,000 population

1.49

Hospital Bed Density - beds/1,000 population

1.8

Health Expenditures - percent of GDP

3.8%

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

32.9%

Drinking Water Source - percent of urban population improved

100.000000

Sanitation Facility Access - percent of urban population improved

99.200000

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Economic Overview

Oil and natural gas play a dominant role in Bahrain’s economy.

Despite the Government’s past efforts to diversify the economy, oil still comprises 85% of Bahraini budget revenues.

In the last few years, lower world energy prices have generated sizable budget deficits - about 10% of GDP in 2017 alone.

Bahrain has few options for covering these deficits, with low foreign assets and fewer oil resources compared to its GCC neighbors.

The three major US credit agencies downgraded Bahrain’s sovereign debt rating to "junk" status in 2016, citing persistently low oil prices and the government’s high debt levels.

Nevertheless, Bahrain was able to raise about $4 billion by issuing foreign currency-denominated debt in 2017.

Other major economic activities are the production of aluminum - Bahrain's second-biggest export after oil and gas – finance, and construction.

Bahrain continues to seek new natural gas supplies as feedstock to support its expanding petrochemical and aluminum industries.

In April 2018 Bahrain announced it had found a significant oil field off the country’s west coast, but is still assessing how much of the oil can be extracted profitably.

In addition to addressing its current fiscal woes, Bahraini authorities face the long-term challenge of boosting Bahrain’s regional competitiveness — especially regarding industry, finance, and tourism — and reconciling revenue constraints with popular pressure to maintain generous state subsidies and a large public sector.

Since 2015, the government lifted subsidies on meat, diesel, kerosene, and gasoline and has begun to phase in higher prices for electricity and water.

As part of its diversification plans, Bahrain implemented a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the US in August 2006, the first FTA between the US and a Gulf state.

It plans to introduce a Value Added Tax (VAT) by the end of 2018.

Industries

Petroleum processing and refining, aluminum smelting, iron pelletization, fertilizers, Islamic and offshore banking, insurance, ship repairing, tourism

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$50,300.00 (USD)

GDP - real growth rate

2.1%

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GDP - Gross Domestic Product (PPP)

$69,650,000,000 (USD)

GDP Per Capita

$50,300.00 (USD)

GDP - real growth rate

2.1%

GDP - official exchange rate

$31,820,000,000 (USD)

GDP - composition, by end use

• Consumption: 48.5% Government
• Consumption: 16.6% Investment in Fixed
• Capital: 18.7% Investment in
• Inventories: 1.2% Exports of Goods and
• Services: 47.1% Imports of Goods and
• Services: -32.1%

GDP by Sector- agriculture

0.3%

GDP by Sector- Industry

33.8%

GDP by Sector- services

65.9%

Industrial Growth Rate

1.6%

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Inflation Rate

3.5%

Exchange Rate per US Dollar

.376

Currency Name and Code

Bahraini dinars (BHD)

Fiscal Year

Calendar Year

Commercial Bank Prime Lending Rate

5.4%

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Labor Force

809,700

Unemployment Rate

4.1%

Unemployment - note

Official estimate; the actual rate is higher

Major Industries

Petroleum processing and refining, aluminum smelting, iron pelletization, fertilizers, Islamic and offshore banking, insurance, ship repairing, tourism

Agriculture Products

• Fruit, vegetables
• poultry, dairy products
• shrimp, fish

Child Labor - # of children ages 5-14

5,530

Child Labor - % of children ages 5-14

5%

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Labor Force By Occupation- agriculture

1%

Labor Force By Occupation- industry

32%

Labor Force By Occupation- services

67%

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Annual Budget

$4,370,000,000 (USD)

Public Debt (% of GDP)

72%

Budget Surplus or Deficit - percent of GDP

-13.9%

Taxes and other revenues - percent of GDP

13.7%

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Full Country Name

Kingdom of Bahrain

Country Name

Bahrain

Local - Long

Mamlakat al Bahrayn

Local - Short

Al Bahrayn

Former Name

Dilmun, Tylos, Awal, Mishmahig, Bahrayn, State of Bahrain

Etymology- history of name

the name means "the two seas" in Arabic and refers to the water bodies surrounding the archipelagoo

Independence

15 August 1971 (from the UK)

National Holiday

National Day, 16 December (1971) note - 15 August 1971 was the date of independence from the UK, 16 December 1971 was the date of independence from British protection

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Government Type

constitutional monarchy

Constitution

• history: adopted 14 February 2002
• amendments: proposed by the king or by at least 15 members of either chamber of the National Assembly followed by submission to an Assembly committee for review and, if approved, submitted to the government for restatement as drafts; passage requires a two-thirds majority vote by the membership of both chambers and validation by the king; constitutional articles on the state religion (Islam), state language (Arabic), and the monarchy and "inherited rule" cannot be amended; amended 2012, 2017

Legal System:

mixed legal system of Islamic (sharia) law, English common law, Egyptian civil, criminal, and commercial codes; customary law

Executive Branch:

• chief of state: King HAMAD bin Isa Al-Khalifa (since 6 March 1999); Crown Prince SALMAN bin Hamad Al-Khalifa (born 21 October 1969)
• head of government: Prime Minister Crown Prince SALMAN bin Hamad Al-Khalifa (since 11 November 2020); Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure KHALID bin Abdallah Al Khalifa (since 13 June 2022)
• cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the monarch
• elections/appointments: the monarchy is hereditary; prime minister appointed by the monarch

Legislative Branch:

• Description: bicameral National Assembly consists of: Consultative Council or Majlis al-Shura (40 seats; members appointed by the king) Council of Representatives or Majlis al-Nuwab (40 seats; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by absolute majority vote in 2 rounds if needed; members serve 4-year renewable terms)
• Elections: Consultative Council - last appointments on 30 November 2022 (next appointments in 2026) Council of Representatives - first round for 6 members held on 12 November 2022; second round for remaining 34 members held on 19 November 2022 (next to be held in November 2026)
• Election Results: Consultative Council - all members appointed; composition as of August 2023 - men 30, women 10, percent of women 25% Council of Representatives - percent of vote by society - NA; seats by society - NA; composition as of August 2023 - men 32, women 8, percent of women 20%;
• Note: total National Assembly percent of women 23%

Judicial Branch:

• office: Court of Cassation judges appointed by royal decree and serve for a specified tenure; Constitutional Court president and members appointed by the Higher Judicial Council, a body chaired by the monarch and includes judges from the Court of Cassation, sharia law courts, and Civil High Courts of Appeal; members serve 9-year terms; High Sharia Court of Appeal member appointments by royal decree for a specified tenure
• subordinate courts: Civil High Courts of Appeal; middle and lower civil courts; High Sharia Court of Appeal; Senior Sharia Court; Administrative Courts of Appeal; military courts
• note: the judiciary of Bahrain is divided into civil law courts and sharia law courts; sharia courts (involving personal status and family law) are further divided into Sunni Muslim and Shia Muslim; the Courts are supervised by the Supreme Judicial Council.

Regions or States:

4 governorates (muhafazat, singular - muhafazah) Asimah (Capital), Janubiyah (Southern), Muharraq, Shamaliyah (Northern) note: each governorate administered by an appointed governor

Political Parties and Leaders:

• note: political parties are prohibited, but political societies were legalized under a July 2005 law

Suffrage:

20 years of age; universal

Citizenship Criteria:

• birth: no citizenship by descent
• only: the father must be a citizen of Bahrain dual citizenship
• recognized: no residency requirement for
• naturalization: 25 years; 15 years for Arab nationals

Capital Name

Manama

Capital - geographic coordinate

26 14 N, 50 34 E

Capital Time Difference

UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

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International Organization Participation:

• ABEDA
• AFESD
• AMF
• CAEU
• CICA
• FAO
• G-77
• GCC
• IAEA
• IBRD
• ICAO
• ICC (national committees)
• ICRM
• IDA
• IDB
• IFC
• IFRCS
• IHO
• ILO
• IMF
• IMO
• IMSO
• Interpol
• IOC
• IOM (observer)
• IPU
• ISO
• ITSO
• ITU
• ITUC (NGOs)
• LAS
• MIGA
• NAM
• OAPEC
• OIC
• OPCW
• PCA
• UN
• UNCTAD
• UNESCO
• UNIDO
• UNOOSA
• UNWTO
• UPU
• WCO
• WFTU (NGOs)
• WHO
• WIPO
• WMO
• WTO

International Law Organization Participation:

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt

Diplomatic Representation from US:

• Chief of Mission: Ambassador Steven C. BONDY (since 9 February 2022)
• Embassy: Building 979, Road 3119 (next to Al-Ahli Sports Club), Block 331, Zinj District, P.O. Box 26431, Manama
• Mailing Address: 6210 Manama Place, Washington DC 20521-6210
• Telephone: [973] 17-242700
• FAX: [973] 17-272594
• Email: ManamaConsular@state.gov
• Website: https://bh.usembassy.gov/

Diplomatic Representation in the US:

• Chief of Mission: Ambassador Abdulla bin Rashed AL KHALIFA (since 21 July 2017)
• Chancery: 3502 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008
• Telephone: [1] (202) 342-1111
• FAX: [1] (202) 362-2192
• Email: ambsecretary@bahrainembassy.org
• Website: https://www.mofa.gov.bh/Default.aspx?language=en-US&tabid=7702
• Consulate(s) General: New York

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Geographic Location

Middle East

Geographic Coordinates

26 00 N, 50 33 E

Total Area

293 Square Miles 760 Square Kilometers

Land Area

293 Square Miles 760 Square Kilometers

Coastline

100 Miles 161 Kilometers

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Terrain

Mostly low desert plain rising gently to a low central escarpment

Highest Point

122 Meters

Highest Point Location

Jabal ad Dukhan 122 m

Lowest Point Location

Persian Gulf 0 m

Natural Resources

Oil, associated and nonassociated natural gas, fish, pearls

Irrigated Land

15 Square Miles 40 Square Kilometers

Time Zone

UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

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Climate

Bahrain, with a desert climate, is one of the world's hottest areas.

Its hottest and most humid weather is from June through September with temperatures over 110°F most days.

The weather is pleasant from November through May (55°-85°F) with infrequent rainfall.

The combination of poor soil drainage and few storm sewers can result in muddy city streets and puddles.

A narrow strip of land along the northern and northwestern coasts of Bahrain Island is cultivated with date palms, alfalfa, and vegetables.

These garden areas are rapidly disappearing due to depleted water resources and development.

A desert, punctuated by a north-south plateau, extends south of the cultivated area.

Surrounding this plateau is a rolling basin surrounded by overhanging bluffs sloping into the sea.

The ground is hard and infertile with a gravel surface until the spring when a pale, soft green covering appears in the desert following the winter rains.

It provides a welcome contrast to the summer's aridity.

The highest point in Bahrain is the Jebel Dukhan, 134 meters above sea level.

The majority of Bahrain's oil wells are in this area.

The Arabian Gulf has an average depth of only 35 meters but is much shallower in the vicinity of Bahrain.

Terrain

Mostly low desert plain rising gently to a low central escarpment

Location

The Middle East, an archipelago in the Persian Gulf, east of Saudi Arabia

Total Area

293 Square Miles 760 Square Kilometers

Environment - Current Issues

• Desertification resulting from the degradation of limited arable land, periods of drought, and dust storms
• coastal degradation (damage to coastlines, coral reefs, and sea vegetation) resulting from oil spills and other discharges from large tankers, oil refineries, and distribution stations
• lack of freshwater resources, groundwater and seawater are the only sources for all water needs

Environment - International Agreements

Party To: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

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Exports

$12,090,000,000 (USD)

Imports

$7,974,000,000 (USD)

Major Exports

Petroleum and petroleum products, aluminum, textiles

Major Imports

Crude oil, machinery, chemicals

Top Export Partners

Saudi Arabia 3.6%, UAE 2.4%, United States 2.2%

Top Import Partners

Saudi Arabia 29.1%, United States 9.5%, China 7.6%, Japan 6.6%, Australia 5.1%, India 4.9%

Export Partners

Saudi Arabia 3.6%, UAE 2.4%, United States 2.2%

Import Partners

Saudi Arabia 29.1%, United States 9.5%, China 7.6%, Japan 6.6%, Australia 5.1%, India 4.9%

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Country Description

The Kingdom of Bahrain is a hereditary monarchy and is home to both Bahrainis and a sizable expatriate community.

In 2002, the country adopted a new constitution that reinstated a parliament consisting of one elected and one appointed chamber.

Islamic ideals and beliefs provide the foundation of the country's customs, laws, and practices.

Tourist facilities are widely available.

The capital is Manama.

Bahrain continues to experience political unrest, resulting in frequent protests and sporadic violence in certain areas of the country; however, U.S. citizens have not been the target of protests.

Safety & Security

Spontaneous and at times violent anti-government demonstrations occur in some neighborhoods, particularly at night and on weekends.

These demonstrations have included blockades of major highways with burning debris and the establishment of unofficial checkpoints.

Participants have thrown rocks and Molotov cocktails and used various other homemade weapons, including improvised explosive devices and shotgun-like projectile launchers.

The Ministry of Interior maintains official checkpoints in some areas and routinely uses tear gas and stun grenades, along with birdshot and other crowd control measures, against demonstrators.

Violent clashes between security forces and demonstrators can make travel in and around Bahrain dangerous without advance warning.

There have been no direct attacks on U.S. citizens; however, Westerners and U.S. citizens have been caught in the middle of clashes.

Anti-U.S. sentiment has been expressed on the streets and in some local press, and U.S. flags have occasionally been burned during demonstrations.

U.S. citizens are urged to remain alert to local security developments and to be vigilant regarding their personal safety by knowing the locations of police and fire stations, hospitals, and the U.S.

Embassy.

The Department of State strongly urges U.S. citizens to avoid all demonstrations as even peaceful ones can quickly become unruly, and a foreigner could become a target of harassment or worse.

If you are in immediate danger, call the police at 999.

The U.S.

Embassy restricts its employees from traveling to specific areas and advises all U.S. citizens to do the same.

Please check the Updated Travel Alert Map on the Embassy’s website for the latest travel restrictions.

We continue to urge U.S. citizens to stay current with media coverage of local events and be aware of their surroundings at all times.

Please check our Demonstration Notices for information on demonstrations, security guidance, and a map outlining areas that are off-limits to Embassy U.S. citizen employees and their family members.

The Department of State remains concerned about the possibility of terrorist attacks against U.S. citizens and U.S. interests throughout the world.

U.S. citizens should maintain a low profile, vary routes and times for all required travel, and treat mail and packages from unfamiliar sources with caution.

In addition, U.S. citizens are urged to avoid contact with any suspicious objects or people and to report their presence to local authorities.

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Crime

The crime rate in Bahrain is low and violent crime is rare.

However, burglary, petty theft, and robberies do occur.

Take the same security precautions in Bahrain that you would practice in the United States.

Women should be cautious while traveling alone.

If you are followed, do not lead the person back to your home.

Find a populated area and locate a police or security officer.

Try to seem purposeful when you move about.

Even if you are lost, act as if you know where you are going.

Try to ask for directions only from individuals in authority.

When driving always ensure that your vehicle doors are locked.

Hotel room doors should be locked when visitors are in their rooms, and travelers are encouraged to store valuables in hotel room safes when they are available.

Women are encouraged to keep their purses firmly under their arms, and men should avoid keeping their wallets in their hip pockets while in the old market area.

Embassy Manama recommends that travelers using local taxis insist on the use of a meter to avoid being overcharged.

Bahrain has a professional police force; contact the police if you encounter problems.

Do not buy counterfeit and pirated goods, even if they are widely available.

Not only are the bootlegs illegal in the United States, but if you purchase them you may be breaking local law.

Criminal Penalties

While you are traveling in Bahrain, you are subject to its laws even if you are a U.S. citizen.

Foreign laws and legal systems can be vastly different from our own.

In some places, you may be taken in for questioning if you don’t have your passport with you.

In some places, it is illegal to take pictures of certain buildings.

In some places driving under the influence could land you immediately in jail.

These criminal penalties will vary from country to country.

There are also some things that might be legal in the country you visit, but still illegal in the United States, and you can be prosecuted under U.S. law if you buy pirated goods.

Engaging in sexual conduct with children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime prosecutable in the United States.

If you break local laws in Bahrain, your U.S. passport will not help you avoid arrest or prosecution.

Persons violating Bahrain’s laws, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned.

Penalties for possessing, using, or trafficking illegal drugs in Bahrain are severe, and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines.

The use of vulgar language or hand gestures can result in heavy fines or criminal charges.

Although alcohol is available, public drunkenness and disorderly behavior can result in arrest and one drink may be sufficient grounds for a drunken-driving arrest.

While some countries will automatically notify the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate if a U.S. citizen is detained or arrested in a foreign country, that might not always be the case.

To ensure that the United States is aware of your circumstances, request that the police and prison officials notify the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate as soon as you are arrested or detained overseas.

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Medical Facilities

Basic modern medical care and medicines are available in several hospitals and health centers in Bahrain.

Two government hospitals, several private hospitals, and numerous private clinics located throughout the country offer a wide range of medical services.

Cardiac care, general surgery, internal medicine, obstetrics, gynecology, pediatrics, orthopedics, and dentistry services are readily available, as are x-rays, CT-scan, and MRI testing.

The government hospitals house both trauma and ICU units.

Pharmacies are common throughout Bahrain and carry a wide range of medications.

Prescriptions are normally required.

Payment at all medical facilities is due at the time of service.

Some hospitals have limited direct billing capability for certain insurance carriers.

Billing and insurance practices vary among the medical facilities.

Traffic Safety

While in a foreign country, U.S. citizens may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States.

The information below concerning Bahrain is provided for general reference only, and may not be totally accurate in a particular location or circumstance.

Travel by road in Bahrain is generally safe although unsafe driving practices are common.

Highways and major roads in the northern third of Bahrain are four to six lanes wide and well maintained; roads in villages and older parts of Manama and Muharraq are narrow and twisting.

As in the United States, traffic in Bahrain moves on the right.

Roundabouts (traffic circles) follow the British system, with those automobiles within the traffic circle having right of way over those attempting to enter.

Although the Bahraini penal code calls for fines of up to 100 Bahraini dinars ($270.00) or imprisonment of up to six months for driving above posted speed limits, drivers frequently drive well over the posted speed limits of 50-100 km per hour.

The law allows the police to detain drivers for traffic violations until they can appear before a magistrate.

It is illegal to use a cell phone while driving and drivers are required to wear seat belts.

Under Bahraini law, any sign of having consumed alcohol may be taken as prima facie evidence of driving under the influence, which can lead to imprisonment and/or fines of up to 1,000 Bahraini dinars (about $2,700).

Except for minor accidents, drivers may not move their vehicles after an accident until a report has been filed with the traffic police.

This is true even in cases of single-car accidents.

Insurance companies may not provide coverage if the cars are moved.

However, drivers involved in minor, non-injury accidents no longer need to wait at the scene for the police.

Individuals should get their vehicles off the road to avoid further accidents.

Drivers should call the accident hotline at 199 (if there are no injuries) or 999 (when someone is injured) where they will be directed to one of five centers to file the accident report.

This report must be filed within 24 hours of the accident.

Both drivers may be prohibited from leaving the country until the matter is resolved if an accident results in legal proceedings.

The main switchboard at the traffic department is 1787-2222.

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Airports - total

4

Airports with Paved Runways

4

Heliports

1

Roadways- total

2,561 Miles 4,122 Kilometers

Roadways- paved

2,108 Miles 3,392 Kilometers

Ports and Terminals

Manama, Mina' Salman, Sitrah

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Pipelines: Gas

12 Miles 20 Kilometers

Pipelines: Oil

34 Miles 54 Kilometers

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Telephones

238,400

Cell Phones

1,116,000

Internet Users

250,000

Internet Country Code

.bh

Internet Hosts

53,944

Broadcast Media

• Note: state-run Bahrain Radio and Television Corporation (BRTC) operates 5 terrestrial TV networks and several radio stations
• satellite TV systems provide access to international broadcasts
• 1 private FM station directs broadcasts to Indian listeners
• radio and TV broadcasts from countries in the region are available

Telephone System

• Assessment: modern system
• Domestic: modern fiber-optic integrated services; digital network with a rapidly growing use of mobile cellular telephones
• International: country code - 973; landing point for the Fiber-Optic Link Around the Globe (FLAG) submarine cable network that provides links to Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and the United States; tropospheric scatter to Qatar and UAE; microwave radio relay to Saudi Arabia; satellite earth station - 1

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Electricity Consumption- Kilowatt Hours (kWh)

10,100,000,000

Electricity Production- Kilowatt Hours (kWh)

10,250,000,000

Natural Gas Consumption - Kilowatt Hours (kWh)

12,770,000,000

Natural Gas Production- Cubic Meters (cu m)

12,620,000,000

Natural Gas Reserves- Cubic Meters (cu m)

92,030,000,000

Oil Consumption- Barrels Per Day (bbl/day)

51,450

Oil Exports- Barrels Per Day (bbl/day)

152,600

Oil Imports- Barrels Per Day (bbl/day)

256,000

Oil Production- Barrels Per Day (bbl/day)

188,300

Oil Reserves- Barrels Per Day (bbl/day)

124,600,000

Anthem History

Upon independence in 1971, Bahrain adopted the anthem "Bahrainona."

Anthem Lyrics

ARABIC LYRICS Bahrainona Baladolaman Watanol kiram, Yahmi Hi maha Amirunal Homam ; Qamatala Hadyelresalate, Wal Adalati Wal Salam ! Ashat Dawlatol Bahrain.

Anthem Lyrics English

Our Bahrain, Country of security, Nation of hospitality, Protected by our courageous Amir, Founded on the principles of the Message, Justice and Peace, Long live the State of Bahrain!