Exploring Bahrain: Understanding Its Population Size And Dynamics

The population of Bahrain is estimated to be around 1.6 million people as of 2024, with a median age of 33.2 years. The country is an island nation in West Asia, situated in the Persian Gulf, and comprises a small archipelago of 50 natural islands and 33 artificial islands. Bahrain is a small country, with a total land area of 760 square kilometres (290 square miles), and is the third-smallest nation in Asia. The population is expected to remain fairly stable over the next few decades, with a projected steady annual growth rate of 1%.

Population growth rate

The population of Bahrain is expected to remain stable over the next few decades, with a steady annual growth rate of 1%. The current population of Bahrain is approximately 1.6 million people, with a population density of 2115 per square kilometre. This makes Bahrain the fourth most densely populated sovereign state in the world.

Bahrain's population growth rate can be attributed to a combination of factors, including birth rates, death rates, and immigration. According to the United Nations data, Bahrain has a net increase of one person every 13.72 minutes, with one birth every 27.17 minutes, one death every 144 minutes, and one immigrant every 23.23 minutes.

The population of Bahrain is predominantly urban, with 89% of the population living in urban areas. The capital and largest city, Manama, has a population of about 157,000 people and a metropolitan population of 330,000. The northern region of Bahrain, including Manama, is highly urbanised and is often considered a single large metropolitan area.

The population of Bahrain is ethnically and religiously diverse. The majority of Bahrainis are Shia Muslims, with Sunni Muslims being the second largest group. There are also Christian, Jewish, and Hindu communities in Bahrain. The country's official language is Arabic, but other languages such as English, Persian, and Urdu are also spoken.

Population density

The Kingdom of Bahrain is a small island country in West Asia, located in the Persian Gulf. It is made up of a small archipelago of 50 natural islands and 33 artificial islands, with Bahrain Island contributing to around 83% of the country's landmass. The country's total land area is 760 square kilometres (290 square miles), and as of 2024, the population is approximately 1.6 million people.

Bahrain is the fourth most densely populated sovereign state in the world, with a population density of 2,115 people per square kilometre (5,477 people per square mile). This density is even more pronounced in the northern region of the country, which is highly urbanised and often considered a single large metropolitan area. The capital and largest city, Manama, has a population of about 157,000 people and a metropolitan population of 330,000.

The population of Bahrain is expected to remain relatively stable in the coming decades, continuing its steady 1% annual growth rate. The country's population is diverse, with a mix of Middle Eastern and South Asian ethnicities. The majority of the population is urban, with an urbanization rate of 89%.

The high population density in Bahrain, particularly in the northern region and cities like Manama, has led to a highly urbanised landscape with a significant proportion of the population living in metropolitan areas.

Population by age

The population of Bahrain is made up of a variety of ethnic and religious groups. The median age in Bahrain is 33.2 years.

Bahrain's population of 1.2 million in 2010 was composed of 568,000 Bahrainis and 666,000 non-nationals. The majority of the population is Middle Eastern, with a significant number of South Asians also living in the country. The largest expatriate community is from India, with approximately 290,000 people.

Shia Bahrainis are the majority, with two main ethnic groups: Ajam and Baharna. The Ajam are ethnic Persian Shias, with large communities in Muharraq and the capital, Manama. The Baharna are Arab, and make up the majority of Shia Bahrainis in the country.

Sunni Bahrainis are mostly urban Arabs (Al Arab) or Huwala. Urban Arabs are mostly descended from Sunni Arabs from Arabia and are the most influential ethnic group in the country, holding most government positions. The Huwala are descendants of Sunni Iranians, Sunni Persians, and Sunni Arabs.

Arabic is the predominant language in Bahrain, but English is widely spoken, and it is taught as a compulsory second language in schools. Other languages spoken include Persian and Urdu, as well as a number of other languages among expatriates, such as Hindi and Tagalog.

In terms of religious affiliation, 70% of Bahrain's population is Islamic, mostly Shia Muslim, with the remaining 30% adhering to other faiths. Native Christianity exists in Bahrain, mainly through the Greek Orthodox Church.

Population by religion

The state religion of Bahrain is Islam, and the country's constitution states that Shari'a (Islamic law) is a principal source for legislation. The country's citizens are predominantly Muslim, with the last official census in 1941 showing that 52% of the Muslim population were Shia and 48% were Sunni. However, unofficial sources from the 1980s, such as the Library of Congress Country Studies and The New York Times, estimated that Sunnis were 45% of the population, while Shias were 55%.

The most recent official data from 2011 revealed a shift in these proportions, with Sunnis making up 51% of the citizen population and Shias 49%. It's important to note that the census data does not differentiate between other religions in Bahrain. However, there are about 1,000 Christian citizens and fewer than 40 Jewish citizens.

Foreigners, mostly from South Asia and other Arab countries, constituted 54% of the population in 2010. Of these foreigners, 45% are Muslim, while 55% follow other religions, including Christianity, Hinduism, Baháʼí, Buddhism, and Sikhism.

The Bahraini government has been criticized for discriminating against the Shia majority, who have often complained of being politically repressed and economically marginalized. This religious tension led to widespread protests in 2011, which were violently suppressed by the Sunni-led government.

Population by nationality

Bahrain is a small island country in West Asia, situated in the Persian Gulf. The population of Bahrain as of May 14, 2023, was 1,501,635, of which 712,362 were Bahraini nationals. Non-nationals make up more than half of the population, with immigrants constituting about 52.6% of the total population, according to UN data from 2019.

Ethnic Groups in Bahrain

Bahrain is a diverse country, with a range of ethnic and religious groups. Here is a breakdown of the different ethnic communities in Bahrain:

• Descendants of Africans, primarily from East Africa, and mostly Sunni.
• Lurs, Achomis, and other groups of Shia faith. A minority are from the Baháʼí Faith, and some Achomis and Baluchs are Sunni.
• The indigenous inhabitants of Bahrain, the majority of whom are Shia.
• Indians who traded with Bahrain and settled before the oil industry. Known formerly as the Hunood or Banyan, they are mostly Hindu.
• Jews, who have inhabited Bahrain for centuries. Most native Bahraini Jews are of Mesopotamian and Persian descent.
• Sunni Arabs from Persia.
• Bahraini Sunni Arabs.
• Urbanized Sunni Bahrainis of Bedouin ancestry, such as the Utoob and Dawasir.

Language and Religion

Arabic is the official language of Bahrain, but English, Farsi, and Urdu are also widely spoken. Islam is the official religion, with Muslims comprising 73.7% of the population. Christians make up 9.3%, Jews 0.1%, and other religions 16.9% (2017 est.).

Population Distribution

The population of Bahrain is concentrated in two principal cities: Manama and Al Muharraq. The urbanization rate exceeds 90%, with the largest settlement concentration found in the far northern end of the island, in and around Manama and Al Muharraq.

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