Bahrain's Hdi Success: Top-Ranked Development Factors

Bahrain is a small island country in Western Asia with a population of around 1.5 million people. It is one of the most densely populated countries in the world, with an urban population making up 90% of residents. In terms of the Human Development Index (HDI), Bahrain has consistently ranked highly, placing 35th out of 191 countries in 2021. The HDI measures a country's average achievement in three basic dimensions: a long and healthy life, education, and a decent standard of living. Bahrain's HDI score of 0.875 in 2021 placed it in the very high human development category, reflecting its strong performance in areas such as education and healthcare.

Bahrain's HDI ranking

Bahrain's HDI score of 0.875 in 2021 (and 0.888 in 2024) reflects progress, with the country performing strongly in education. The expected years of schooling in Bahrain is 16.3, and the mean years of schooling is 11 years, placing the country first in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) in terms of academic achievement, with girls outperforming boys. Bahrain's health expenditure as a percentage of GDP is 4.9%, which is on par with the Arab states' average.

In terms of income, Bahrain is considered a high-income country, with an average annual income of $28,280. The country is also referred to as a tax haven. Bahrain's carbon dioxide emissions per capita are 20.8, higher than the Arab average of 4.4. The country has depleted 69.52% of its natural resources between 1990 and 2017, while the population increased by 220% during the same period.

Life expectancy

Bahrain's life expectancy has been steadily increasing over the years, with the current life expectancy for 2024 at 77.86 years, a 0.16% increase from 2023. This is a notable improvement from 1990, when the life expectancy at birth in the country was 72.4 years. The average life expectancy in Bahrain is 75.8 years, according to the latest WHO data published in 2020, with males having a life expectancy of 75.0 and females a higher life expectancy of 77.0. Other sources give a higher life expectancy for both males (78.2) and females (80.5).

Bahrain's life expectancy is comparable to or higher than that of other countries in the region. For example, the life expectancy at birth in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) increased to 81.2 years between 1990 and 2018, while in Saudi Arabia, it rose to 75.0 years during the same period. Bahrain's Human Development Report (HDR) ranking places it 45th out of 189 countries and territories, indicating that it has very high human development. The report also highlights that Bahrain outperforms at least two-thirds of countries in quality of health, quality of education, and quality of living standards.

Education

The Bahraini education system adheres to a three-phase model: 6 years of primary school, 3 years of intermediate school, and 3 years of secondary school. In primary school, students follow a general academic curriculum alongside a religious instruction program that continues for 9 years. The intermediate school years complete the standardised academic program that all students are required to follow. At the secondary school level, students can choose between general, commercial, or industrial programs. Despite education being free, only about 40% of primary school pupils continue to secondary school, with girls being disproportionately affected.

Bahrain has a literacy rate of 94.6% according to the 2010 census. The expected years of schooling in Bahrain increased by 1.9 years to 15.3 years between 1990 and 2018, surpassing the Arab states' average of 71.9 years.

The government is committed to providing adult education and has established over 50 adult education centres offering a wide range of skills training. The two leading tertiary institutions in Bahrain are the Bahrain Polytechnic, which promotes a modern and inclusive culture blending Islam and Science, and the University of Bahrain.

Income

Bahrain has consistently maintained its rankings on the HDI, placing 45th out of 189 countries and territories in 2019. In the 2021-22 report, Bahrain advanced to 35th position globally and 2nd in the Arab world. This ranking places Bahrain in the category of nations with "very high human development", which includes countries like Norway, Switzerland, and Ireland.

Bahrain's income levels are a significant factor in its HDI ranking. With an average annual income of $28,280, Bahrain is considered a high-income country. The country's Gross National Income (GNI) per capita has also increased significantly over the years. Between 1990 and 2018, Bahrain's GNI per capita (in 2011 PPP$) increased by 35.34% to 40,399, contributing to its high ranking in the HDI.

In addition to income, Bahrain has also made notable progress in other areas of human development. For instance, between 1990 and 2018, life expectancy at birth in Bahrain increased by 4.8 years, and the expected years of schooling increased by 1.9 years. This demonstrates that Bahrain's high ranking on the HDI is not solely due to its income levels but also because of improvements in other aspects of human development.

Furthermore, Bahrain's income levels have had a positive impact on its overall economy and development. The country is sometimes referred to as a tax haven, and it is among the 30 richest countries in the world, even when considering purchasing power parity. This indicates that Bahrain's high income levels have contributed to its overall economic growth and development, which is reflected in its HDI ranking.

Living standards

Bahrain is a small island country in Western Asia, situated in the Persian Gulf. It is one of the smallest countries in the world, with a population of around 1.5 million people and a land area of 785 square kilometres. Bahrain is a high-income country, with an average annual income of $28,280, and it is recognised by the World Bank as a high-income economy. In terms of living standards, Bahrain has made significant progress in recent years and is considered to have very high human development.

The United Nations Development Programme's (UNDP) Human Development Index (HDI) ranks Bahrain at 35th out of 191 countries in 2021, placing it in the "very high human development" category. The HDI measures a country's average achievement in three basic dimensions: a long and healthy life, education, and a decent standard of living. Bahrain's HDI score of 0.875 reflects its strong performance in these areas.

Bahrain has a high life expectancy, with an average of 77.2 years for males and 80.5 years for females. The country has a universal healthcare system, providing free healthcare to Bahraini citizens and subsidised care for non-citizens. Additionally, Bahrain has made significant improvements in education. The expected years of schooling is 16.3, and the mean years of schooling is 11 years, with girls outperforming boys.

In terms of living standards, Bahrain has a strong economy, with a focus on banking and tourism. It is considered a tax haven and has attracted many multinational financial institutions. Bahrain's Gross National Income (GNI) per capita is substantial, and it is one of the richest countries in the world in terms of purchasing power parity. The country has a low unemployment rate of 4%, and it was the first Arab country to introduce unemployment benefits.

However, there are some challenges to living standards in Bahrain. The country has a high obesity rate, with approximately 29% of the population classified as obese. Additionally, Bahrain has a high prevalence of diabetes, with about 15% of the population affected. The country also faces environmental issues, such as desertification and coastal degradation, and it has a high carbon dioxide emission rate per person.

Overall, Bahrain has high living standards, as reflected by its HDI ranking and strong performance in key indicators such as health, education, and income. The country has made notable progress in recent years and continues to work towards improving the well-being of its citizens.

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