Bahrain's Demographics: Who Lives In This Country?

The population of Bahrain is ethnically, culturally, and religiously diverse. The country is predominantly Muslim, with Shia Muslims forming the majority, and the official language is Arabic. Bahrain has a population growth rate of 7.4% and a median age of 33.2 years. The population is projected to increase by 1% annually and reach 2.128 million by 2030. The country's population density is high, with most people living in two principal cities, Manama and Al Muharraq. Bahrain is known for its tolerance and peaceful coexistence among different cultures, religions, and sects, with a long history of trade and cultural exchange.

Population density

Bahrain is a small country with a total land area of 710 square kilometres (km2) according to the United Nations Statistics Division. However, its population density is high compared to other countries. As of September 2024, the population density of Bahrain was 2,524.3 people per square kilometre (6,537.8 people per square mile), though other sources give a slightly lower figure of 1,921.43 people per square kilometre. This is a 0.89% increase from 2023, when the population density was 1,904.5 people per square kilometre. The population density of Bahrain has been steadily increasing over the years, with a slight decline of 0.96% between 2020 and 2021.

The population of Bahrain is heavily urban, with 100% of the population living in urban areas as of 2024. The majority of the population is concentrated in the two principal cities, Manama and Al Muharraq. The country's total resident population has been increasing over time, with 1,234,571 residents in 2010, 1.316 million in 2014, and an expected population of 1.592 million in 2020 and 2.128 million in 2030.

The population of Bahrain is expected to continue growing, and with a limited amount of land, the population density will likely increase further in the coming years. The country's population growth rate is 7.4% on average, and in 2024, the population is projected to increase by 31,507 people, with a positive natural increase and external migration contributing to this growth.

The high population density of Bahrain can be attributed to its small size and the concentration of people in urban areas, particularly in the two main cities. The country's cultural, ethnic, and religious diversity also contribute to its dense population, with non-nationals making up more than half of the population.

Ethnicity

Bahrain is a culturally, ethnically, and religiously diverse country. The population is made up of both Bahrainis and non-nationals, with immigrants making up about 52.6% of the overall population. The majority of the population is Middle Eastern, with a significant number of people from South and Southeast Asia. The largest expatriate community is Indians, who number about 290,000 to 350,000. Other significant immigrant groups include Bangladeshis (150,000), Pakistanis (110,000), Filipinos (40,000), Indonesians (8,000), and Britons (4,000-8,000).

Bahrain is predominantly Muslim, with Islam forming 70% to 74% of the population. Within the Muslim population, there are two main branches: Shia and Sunni. Shia Bahrainis are the majority and include two main ethnic groups, the Ajam and the Baharna. The Ajam are ethnic Persian Shias with large communities in Muharraq and the capital, Manama. The Baharna are the majority of Shia Bahrainis in the country. Sunni Bahrainis, on the other hand, are mostly urban Arabs (al Arab) or Huwala. The urban Arabs are descended from Sunni Arabs from Arabia and constitute the most influential ethnic group in the country. The Huwala are descended from Sunni Iranians, Persians, and Arabs.

In addition to the Muslim population, there are also Christians, Jews, Hindus, Baha'is, Buddhists, and Sikhs in Bahrain. Christians make up about 10.2% of the population, while Jews are a small minority at 0.21%. The percentage of local Bahraini Christians, Jews, Hindus, and Baha'is collectively is 0.2%.

Bahrain is known for its cultural and religious tolerance, striving to ensure the rights of citizens and respect for human dignity. It has hosted several initiatives and dialogues to promote peaceful coexistence, including conferences on Islamic-Christian dialogue, the convergence between Islamic sects, and the dialogue among civilizations and cultures.

Religion

Bahrain is a religiously diverse country, with Islam being the official religion and comprising 70-74% of the population. Within Islam, there are two main branches followed in Bahrain: Shia and Sunni. The Shia branch makes up the majority of Muslims in Bahrain, with estimates ranging from 51% to 67% of the Muslim population. The last official census in 1941 reported 52% Shia and 48% Sunni of the Muslim population. However, more recent unofficial estimates place the Shia population at 45%-55% and the Sunni population at 45%-51%.

The Shia Bahrainis consist of two main ethnic groups: the Ajam and the Baharna. The Ajam are ethnic Persian Shias with large communities in Muharraq and the capital, Manama. On the other hand, the Baharna are the majority of Shia Bahrainis and are indigenous to the country.

The Sunni Bahrainis are mostly urban Arabs (al Arab) or Huwala. The urban Arabs are descended from Sunni Arabs from Arabia and constitute the most influential ethnic group in the country, holding many positions in the government. The Huwala, on the other hand, are descended from Sunni Iranians, Persians, and Arabs.

While Islam is the predominant religion, Bahrain is also home to other religious minorities. Approximately 10% of the population is Christian, with native Christianity existing mainly through the Greek Orthodox Church. Additionally, there is a small Jewish community of about 40 citizens, and they have inhabited Bahrain for centuries, with most native Bahraini Jews being of Mesopotamian and Persian descent. Other religious groups in Bahrain include Hindus, Baháʼís, Buddhists, and Sikhs, who mostly belong to the foreign-born population from South Asia and other Arab countries.

Age and gender

The population of Bahrain is fairly evenly split between males and females, with males making up 62.6% and females 37.4% of the population as of September 2024. This equates to 1,134,934 men and 678,561 women.

The median age in Bahrain is 33.2 years. The population is distributed as follows: 25.9% are under 19 years old, 71.1% are between 20 and 64 years old, and 2.1% are over 65 years old.

In absolute figures, as of the beginning of 2024, Bahrain had a population of 366,903 young people under 15 years old (186,373 males and 180,530 females), 1,379,345 people between 15 and 64 years old (878,241 males and 501,104 females), and 45,970 people over 64 years old (21,829 males and 24,141 females).

The population of Bahrain is expected to increase by 1% annually and reach 1.592 million in 2020 and 2.128 million in 2030.

Immigration

Immigrants make up about half of Bahrain's population, with non-nationals accounting for 52.6% of the overall population as of 2020. The vast majority of immigrants come from South and Southeast Asia, with significant populations from India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, the Philippines, Indonesia, and the United Kingdom. According to estimates from 2005 to 2012, there were roughly 350,000 Indians, 150,000 Bangladeshis, 110,000 Pakistanis, 40,000 Filipinos, 8,000 Indonesians, and 4,000-8,000 people from the UK living in Bahrain. The country has a positive net migration rate, with more people moving into the country than leaving it.

The population of Bahrain is expected to continue growing due to both natural increase and immigration. Between 2023 and 2024, the population increased by 1.76%, with a net migration of 7,996 people. The annual population growth rate is estimated to be 7.4% on average, with a more recent estimate of 1% annually. By 2030, the population is projected to reach 2.128 million.

Bahrain is known for its cultural, ethnic, and religious diversity, with a long history of tolerance and peaceful coexistence among different groups. The country has a diverse range of immigrant communities, including Indians, Bangladeshis, Pakistanis, Filipinos, Indonesians, and expatriates from Western countries such as the UK and the US. Arabic is the official language of Bahrain, but English is also widely spoken, and other languages like Persian, Urdu, Hindi, and Tagalog are common among expatriates.

The largest city and capital of Bahrain is Manama, with a population of about 157,000 and a metro population of 330,000. Manama is an important centre of trade and business in the Persian Gulf and is known for its cosmopolitan atmosphere. The country's high population density and urbanization rate contribute to the concentration of people in its principal cities, with 89% of the population urbanized as of 2024.

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