Languages spoken in Bahrain
Manama
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The main language spoken in Bahrain is:
Arabic - the sole official language, spoken by the native Bahraini population.
English is widely spoken, particularly in business and among the large expatriate community.
Farsi (Persian) and Urdu are also spoken, reflecting Bahrain''s sizable South Asian and Iranian-descended communities.
Arabic is the sole official language of Bahrain.
| Geography |
Location: Middle East, an archipelago in the Persian Gulf, east of Saudi Arabia
Map references: Middle East
Area:
total: 760-786.8 sq km
| People |
Population: 1,566,888-1,675,173 (2024-2026 est.); one of the most densely populated countries in the world
Age structure:
0-14 years: 18.1-20.13%
15-64 years: 76.71-77.7%
65 years and over: 3.16-4.3%
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 79.9-80.4 years
male: 77.63-78.1 years
female: 82.24-82.7 years
Nationality:
noun/adjective: Bahraini(s)
Ethnic groups: Bahraini 46-47.4%, Asian 43.4%, other Arab 4.9%, African 1.4%, European 0.8% (2020 est.); immigrants make up roughly 45% of the population
Religions: predominantly Muslim (Shia majority population governed by a Sunni royal family)
Languages: Arabic (official), English, Farsi, Urdu
Population distribution: urbanization exceeds 90%; the largest settlement concentration is on the far northern end of the island in and around Manama and Al Muharraq
| Government |
Country name:
conventional long form: Kingdom of Bahrain
conventional short form: Bahrain
Data code: BA
Government type: constitutional monarchy
National capital: Manama
Background: Bahrain''s small size, central location among Gulf countries, economic dependence on Saudi Arabia, and proximity to Iran require a delicate balancing act in foreign affairs; the ruling Sunni royal family has long managed relations with its Shia-majority population, including significant unrest during the 2011 Arab uprisings; the US designated Bahrain a major non-NATO ally in 2022
| Economy |
Economy - overview: high-income, developing economy; a steady decline in oil production and reserves since 1970 prompted diversification into petroleum processing/refining, aluminum production, hospitality, and retail; has become a leading regional banking center, particularly for Islamic finance
GDP (purchasing power parity): $112.22-118.06 billion (2025-2026 est.)
GDP - real growth rate: 2.9% (2025e)
GDP - per capita: $69,270-71,460 PPP (2025-2026 est.)
Inflation rate: 0.3-0.9% (2025)
Unemployment rate: 1.1% (2024-2025)
Currency: Bahraini dinar (BHD)
| Military |
Military branches: Bahrain Defense Force (BDF): Royal Bahraini Army (includes Royal Guard), Royal Bahraini Navy, Royal Bahraini Air Force; Ministry of Interior: National Guard, Special Security Forces Command, Coast Guard (2025)