Bahrain

Bahrain

Introduction

Background

In 1783, the Sunni Al-Khalifa family captured Bahrain from the Persians. In order to secure these holdings, it entered into a series of treaties with the UK during the 19th century that made Bahrain a British protectorate. The archipelago attained its independence in 1971. Facing declining oil reserves, Bahrain has turned to petroleum processing and refining and has transformed itself into an international banking center. Bahrain’s small size and central location among Persian Gulf countries require it to play a delicate balancing act in foreign affairs among its larger neighbors. In addition, the Sunni-led government has struggled to manage relations with its approximately 70% Shia-majority population. During the mid-to-late 1990s, Shia activists mounted a low-intensity uprising to demand that the Sunni-led government stop systemic economic, social, and political discrimination against Shia Bahrainis. King HAMAD bin Isa Al-Khalifa, after succeeding his late father in 1999, pushed economic and political reforms in part to improve relations with the Shia community. After boycotting the country’s first round of democratic elections under the newly-promulgated constitution in 2002, Shia political societies participated in 2006 and 2010 in legislative and municipal elections and Wifaq, the largest Shia political society, won the largest bloc of seats in the elected lower-house of the legislature both times. Nevertheless, Shia discontent persisted, often manifesting itself in street demonstrations and occasional low-level violence.
In early 2011, Bahrain’s fractious opposition sought to ride a rising tide of popular Arab protests to petition for the redress of popular grievances. In mid-February, a vanguard of hardline activists – who reject the legitimacy of the Al Khalifa regime and have sometimes instigated low-level violence – organized demonstrations in Shia neighborhoods demanding a new constitution, release of hundreds of Shia prisoners, and an end to discriminations in all sectors of society. Cycles of protestor deaths, funerals, and clashes with security forces ensued, escalating domestic tensions. The government’s offers of modest political and economic concessions went nowhere as did the king’s “national dialogue” with the opposition. In mid-March 2011, with the backing of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) capitals – especially Riyadh and Abu Dhabi – King HAMAD put an end to the mass public gatherings and increasingly disruptive demonstrations by declaring a state of emergency and authorizing the military to take all measures to “protect the safety of the country and its citizens.” Manama also welcomed a contingent of mostly Saudi and Emirati forces as part of a GCC deployment intended to help Bahraini security forces maintain order. By mid-April security forces had largely relegated demonstrations to outlying Shia neighborhoods and villages, and negotiations between the government and opposition reached a stalemate. Manama exacted retribution against opposition groups and their supporters through mass firings, arrests, and sectarian incitement. In March, the Gulf Cooperation Council pledged $20 billion in financial aid to Bahrain and Oman over a 10-year period to assist the two nations in their struggle with Arab protests. In June, in an effort to salvage Bahrain’s image and economy, King HAMAD lifted the state of emergency, offered to renew talks with opposition leaders, and formed an independent commission of experts from the legal community to investigate abuses during the February and March protests. The government held a byelection in September 2011 to fill 18 seats that were vacated earlier in the year when Wifaq withdrew from the National Assembly.

Geography

Location

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

Geographic coordinates

26 00 N, 50 33 E

Map references

Middle East

Area

total: 760 sq km
country comparison to the world: 188 land:760 sq km
water:0 sq km

Area – comparative

3.5 times the size of Washington, DC

Land boundaries

0 km

Coastline

161 km

Maritime claims

territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone:24 nm
continental shelf:extending to boundaries to be determined

Climate

arid

mild, pleasant winters

very hot, humid summers

Terrain

mostly low desert plain rising gently to low central escarpment

Elevation extremes

lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m
highest point:Jabal ad Dukhan 122 m

Natural resources

oil, associated and nonassociated natural gas, fish, pearls

Land use

arable land: 2.82%
permanent crops:5.63%
other:91.55% (2005)

Irrigated land

40 sq km (2008)

Total renewable water resources

0.1 cu km (1997)

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

total: 0.3cu km/yr (40%/3%/57%)
per capita:411cu m/yr (2000)

Natural hazards

periodic droughts

dust storms

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, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified:none of the selected agreements

Geography – note

close to primary Middle Eastern petroleum sources

strategic location in Persian Gulf, through which much of the Western world’s petroleum must transit to reach open ocean

People and Society

Nationality

noun: Bahraini(s)
adjective:Bahraini

Ethnic groups

Bahraini 62.4%, non-Bahraini 37.6% (2001 census)

Languages

Arabic (official), English, Farsi, Urdu

Religions

Muslim (Shia and Sunni) 81.2%, Christian 9%, other 9.8% (2001 census)

Population

1,214,705
country comparison to the world: 157 note:includes 235,108 non-nationals (July 2011 est.)

Age structure

0-14 years: 20.5% (male 126,313/female 122,359)
15-64 years:77% (male 595,244/female 339,635)
65 years and over:2.6% (male 14,791/female 16,363) (2011 est.)

Median age

total: 30.9 years
male:32.2 years
female:28.1 years (2011 est.)

Population growth rate

2.814% (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 15

Birth rate

14.64 births/1,000 population (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 136

Death rate

2.61 deaths/1,000 population (July 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 220

Net migration rate

16.1 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 4

Urbanization

urban population: 89% of total population (2010)
rate of urbanization:1.8% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

Major cities – population

MANAMA (capital) 163,000 (2009)

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.028 male(s)/female
under 15 years:1.02 male(s)/female
15-64 years:1.33 male(s)/female
65 years and over:1.13 male(s)/female
total population:1.24 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

Maternal mortality rate

19 deaths/100,000 live births (2008)
country comparison to the world: 127

Infant mortality rate

total: 10.43 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 146 male:11.68 deaths/1,000 live births
female:9.14 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 78.15 years
country comparison to the world: 52 male:76.03 years
female:80.33 years (2011 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.88 children born/woman (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 143

Health expenditures

4.5% of GDP (2009)
country comparison to the world: 149

Physicians density

1.442 physicians/1,000 population (2008)
country comparison to the world: 83

Hospital bed density

1.9 beds/1,000 population (2008)
country comparison to the world: 105

Sanitation facility access

improved:
urban: 100% of population
rural: 100% of population
total: 100% of population (2008)

HIV/AIDS – adult prevalence rate

0.2% (2001 est.)
country comparison to the world: 93

HIV/AIDS – people living with HIV/AIDS

fewer than 600 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 148

HIV/AIDS – deaths

fewer than 200 (2003 est.)
country comparison to the world: 107

Education expenditures

2.9% of GDP (2008)
country comparison to the world: 135

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population:86.5%
male:88.6%
female:83.6% (2001 census)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

total: 14 years
male:13 years
female:14 years (2006)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

total: 20.1%
country comparison to the world: 55 male:17.2%
female:27% (2001)

Government

Country name

conventional long form: Kingdom of Bahrain
conventional short form:Bahrain
local long form:Mamlakat al Bahrayn
local short form:Al Bahrayn
former:Dilmun, State of Bahrain

Government type

constitutional monarchy

Capital

name: Manama
geographic coordinates:26 14 N, 50 34 E
time difference:UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Administrative divisions

5 governorates

Asamah, Janubiyah, Muharraq, Shamaliyah, Wasat
note:each governorate administered by an appointed governor

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

Constitution

adopted 14 February 2002

Legal system

mixed legal system of Islamic law and English common law

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration

non-party state to the ICCt

Suffrage

20 years of age

universal

note – Bahraini Cabinet in May 2011 endorsed a draft law lowering eligibility to 18 years

Executive branch

chief of state: King HAMAD bin Isa Al-Khalifa (since 6 March 1999)

Heir Apparent Crown Prince SALMAN bin Hamad Al-Khalifa (son of the monarch, born 21 October 1969)
head of government:Prime Minister KHALIFA bin Salman Al-Khalifa (since 1971)

Deputy Prime Ministers ALI bin Khalifa bin Salman Al-Khalifa, MUHAMMAD bin Mubarak Al-Khalifa, Jawad bin Salim al-ARAIDH
cabinet:Cabinet appointed by the monarch
(For more information visit the World Leaders website ) elections:the monarchy is hereditary

prime minister appointed by the monarch

Legislative branch

bicameral legislature consists of the Consultative Council (40 members appointed by the King) and the Council of Representatives or Chamber of Deputies (40 seats

members directly elected to serve four-year terms)
elections:Council of Representatives – last held in two rounds on 23 and 30 October 2010 (next election to be held in 2014)
election results:Council of Representatives – percent of vote by society – NA

seats by society – Wifaq (Shia) 18, Asala (Sunni Salafi) 3, Minbar (Sunni Muslim Brotherhood) 2, independents 17

Judicial branch

High Civil Appeals Court

Political parties and leaders

political parties prohibited but political societies were legalized per a July 2005 law

Political pressure groups and leaders

Shia activists

Sunni Islamist legislators
other:several small leftist and other groups are active

International organization participation

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

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Huda Azra Ibrahim NUNU
chancery:3502 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone:[1] (202) 342-1111
FAX:[1] (202) 362-2192
consulate(s) general:New York

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant)

Charge d’Affaires Stephanie WILLIAMS
embassy:Building #979, Road 3119 (next to Al-Ahli Sports Club), Block 331, Zinj District, Manama
mailing address:PSC 451, Box 660, FPO AE 09834-5100

international mail: American Embassy, Box 26431, Manama
telephone:[973] 1724-2700
FAX:[973] 1727-0547

Flag description

red, the traditional color for flags of Persian Gulf states, with a white serrated band (five white points) on the hoist side

the five points represent the five pillars of Islam
note:until 2002 the flag had eight white points, but this was reduced to five to avoid confusion with the Qatari flag

National anthem

name: “Bahrainona” (Our Bahrain)
lyrics/music:unknown
note:adopted 1971

although Mohamed Sudqi AYYASH wrote the original lyrics, they were changed in 2002 following the transformation of Bahrain from an emirate to a kingdom

Economy

Economy – overview

Bahrain is one of the most diversified economies in the Persian Gulf. Highly developed communication and transport facilities make Bahrain home to numerous multinational firms with business in the Gulf. 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. Bahrain’s economy, however, continues to depend heavily on oil. Petroleum production and refining account for more than 60% of Bahrain’s export receipts, 70% of government revenues, and 11% of GDP (exclusive of allied industries). Other major economic activities are production of aluminum – Bahrain’s second biggest export after oil – finance, and construction. Bahrain competes with Malaysia as a worldwide center for Islamic banking and continues to seek new natural gas supplies as feedstock to support its expanding petrochemical and aluminum industries. Unemployment, especially among the young, is a long-term economic problem Bahrain struggles to address. In 2009, to help lower unemployment among Bahraini nationals, Bahrain reduced sponsorship for expatriate workers, increasing the costs of employing foreign labor. The global financial crisis caused funding for many non-oil projects to dry up and resulted in slower economic growth for Bahrain. Other challenges facing Bahrain include the slow growth of government debt as a result of a large subsidy program, the financing of large government projects, and debt restructuring, such as the bailout of state-owned Gulf Air.

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$29.71 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 109 $28.55 billion (2009 est.)
$27.69 billion (2008 est.)
note:data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP (official exchange rate)

$22.66 billion (2010 est.)

GDP – real growth rate

4.1% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 94 3.1% (2009 est.)
6.3% (2008 est.)

GDP – per capita (PPP)

$40,300 (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 21 $39,200 (2009 est.)
$38,500 (2008 est.)
note:data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP – composition by sector

agriculture: 0.5%
industry:58%
services:41.5% (2010 est.)

Labor force

654,900
country comparison to the world: 151 note:44% of the population in the 15-64 age group is non-national (2010 est.)

Labor force – by occupation

agriculture: 1%
industry:79%
services:20% (1997 est.)

Unemployment rate

15% (2005 est.)
country comparison to the world: 147

Population below poverty line

NA%

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%:NA%

Investment (gross fixed)

23.9% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 69

Budget

revenues: $5.786 billion
expenditures:$7.009 billion (2010 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

25.5% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 123

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-5.4% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 152

Public debt

60.1% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 34 42.4% of GDP (2009 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

2% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 63 2.8% (2009 est.)

Central bank discount rate

0.5% (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 135 0.5% (31 December 2009 est.)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

7.25% (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 129 7.9% (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$6.127 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 85 $5.74 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of broad money

$20.92 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 82 $18.93 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$17.26 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 85 $16.34 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$20.43 billion (31 December 2010)
country comparison to the world: 62 $16.93 billion (31 December 2009)
$21.18 billion (31 December 2008)

Agriculture – products

fruit, vegetables

poultry, dairy products

shrimp, fish

Industries

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

Industrial production growth rate

1.5% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 142

Electricity – production

11.22 billion kWh (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 88

Electricity – consumption

10.48 billion kWh (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 86

Electricity – exports

0 kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity – imports

0 kWh (2009 est.)

Oil – production

46,430 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 64

Oil – consumption

47,000 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 101

Oil – exports

239,900 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 50

Oil – imports

213,000 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 46

Oil – proved reserves

124.6 million bbl (1 January 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 66

Natural gas – production

12.58 billion cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 36

Natural gas – consumption

12.58 billion cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 41

Natural gas – exports

0 cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 54

Natural gas – imports

0 cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 82

Natural gas – proved reserves

92.03 billion cu m (1 January 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 55

Current account balance

$239.5 million (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 58 $559.9 million (2009 est.)

Exports

$13.83 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 77 $12.05 billion (2009 est.)

Exports – commodities

petroleum and petroleum products, aluminum, textiles

Exports – partners

Saudi Arabia 2.9%, Japan 2%, UAE 1.9%, India 1.9% (2010)

Imports

$11.19 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 87 $9.613 billion (2009 est.)

Imports – commodities

crude oil, machinery, chemicals

Imports – partners

Saudi Arabia 24.7%, US 12.2%, China 7.8%, Brazil 6%, Japan 5.8%, France 5% (2010)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$4.789 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 86 $3.54 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Debt – external

$14.58 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 81 $10.55 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment – at home

$15.15 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 74 $15 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment – abroad

$7.883 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 52 $7.549 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Exchange rates

Bahraini dinars (BHD) per US dollar -
0.376 (2010)
0.376 (2009)
0.376 (2008)
0.376 (2007)
0.376 (2006)

Transportation

Airports

4 (2010)
country comparison to the world:184

Airports – with paved runways

total: 4
over 3,047 m:3
2,438 to 3,047 m:1 (2010)

Heliports

1 (2010)

Pipelines

gas 20 km

oil 29 km (2010)

Roadways

total: 3,851 km
country comparison to the world: 158 paved:3,121 km
unpaved:730 km (2007)

Merchant marine

total: 7
country comparison to the world: 125 by type:bulk carrier 2, container 4, petroleum tanker 1
foreign-owned:5 (Kuwait 5)
registered in other countries:6 (Honduras 5, Saint Kitts and Nevis 1) (2010)

Ports and terminals

Mina’ Salman, Sitrah

Military

Military branches

Bahrain Defense Forces (BDF): Ground Force, Royal Bahraini Navy (RBN), Royal Bahraini Air Force (RBAF), Royal Bahraini Air Defense Force (RBADF) (2011)

Military service age and obligation

17 years of age for voluntary military service

15 years of age for NCOs, technicians, and cadets

no conscription (2010)

Manpower available for military service

males age 16-49: 508,863
females age 16-49:290,801 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service

males age 16-49: 423,757
females age 16-49:245,302 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

male: 8,988
female:8,117 (2010 est.)

Military expenditures

4.5% of GDP (2006)
country comparison to the world: 20

Transnational Issues

Disputes – international

none