Quick facts
Bahrain population overview
Bahrain is the 45th most populous of 52 countries and territories in Asia. The United Nations put the population at 1,661,182 on 1 January 2026; with an annual growth rate of +1.8% the live estimate on this page rises by roughly 83 people per day.
Over a full year that means about 19,768 births (11.9 per 1,000 people) and 3,655 deaths (2.2 per 1,000), plus net immigration of roughly 14,120 people. The infant mortality rate is 4.9 per 1,000 live births.
World Bank data show the population grew from 165,477 in 1960 to 1,600,366 in 2025 — a change of +867.1%, or +3.6% per year on average. The population is at its all-time high today.
Demographically, the median age is 33.4 years; life expectancy at birth is 81.7 years; women have on average 1.8 children (2024, below the 2.1 replacement level); 18.4% of residents are under 15 and 4% are 65 or older (2025); 100% of people live in urban areas (2025).
The capital is Manama. Bahrain covers 800 km², giving a population density of about 2,107 people per km². GDP was $48.97B in 2025 — about $30,597 per person (World Bank classification: high income).
Bahrain population statistics (2026)
| Population (live, October 2026) | 1,685,292 |
|---|---|
| UN estimate, 1 Jan 2026 | 1,661,182 |
| World rank | #154 of 238 |
| Rank in Asia | #45 of 52 |
| Share of world population | 0.020% |
| Annual growth rate | +1.8% |
| Births per year est. | 19,768 |
| Deaths per year est. | 3,655 |
| Net migration per year est. | +14,120 |
| Birth rate | 11.9 per 1,000 |
| Death rate | 2.2 per 1,000 |
| Infant mortality | 4.9 per 1,000 births |
| Sex ratio | 163.2 males per 100 females |
| Median age | 33.4 years |
| Life expectancy | 81.7 years |
| Fertility rate 2024 | 1.8 births per woman |
| Urban population 2025 | 100% |
| Surface area 2023 | 800 km² |
| Population density | 2,107 per km² |
| Capital | Manama |
| GDP (current US$) 2025 | $48.97B |
| GDP per capita 2025 | $30,597 |
| Income group World Bank | High income |
Bahrain population by year
| Year | Population | Change | Annual growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 (live, UN-based) | 1,685,292 | – | – |
| 2025 | 1,600,366 | +11,696 | +0.7% |
| 2024 | 1,588,670 | +11,611 | +0.7% |
| 2023 | 1,577,059 | +52,366 | +3.4% |
| 2022 | 1,524,693 | +20,328 | +1.4% |
| 2021 | 1,504,365 | +32,161 | +2.2% |
| 2020 | 1,472,204 | +101,882 | +1.4% |
| 2015 | 1,370,322 | +141,779 | +2.2% |
| 2010 | 1,228,543 | +339,721 | +6.7% |
| 2005 | 888,822 | +251,240 | +6.9% |
| 2000 | 637,582 | +78,703 | +2.7% |
| 1995 | 558,879 | +44,082 | +1.7% |
| 1990 | 514,797 | +84,439 | +3.6% |
| 1985 | 430,358 | +71,380 | +3.7% |
| 1980 | 358,978 | +75,735 | +4.9% |
| 1975 | 283,243 | +58,434 | +4.7% |
| 1970 | 224,809 | +23,943 | +2.3% |
| 1965 | 200,866 | +35,389 | +4% |
| 1960 | 165,477 | – | – |
Change and annual growth are measured against the previous row; growth is annualized where rows are five years apart. The live row extrapolates the UN estimate and is not directly comparable with the World Bank series.
About Bahrain
Population over time
- From 165,477 in 1960 to 1,685,292 today — up 918.4%.
- The population is at its all-time high right now.
- Average change over the last 10 years of data: +1.6% per year.
Life expectancy & fertility
- Life expectancy at birth: 81.4 years (2024), up 30.8 years since 1960.
- Fertility: 1.8 births per woman (2024) — below the ~2.1 replacement level.
Birth & death rates
- Latest: 12 births vs 2.2 deaths per 1,000 people (2024).
- Natural increase of 9.8 per 1,000 a year, before migration.
Age structure
- 18.4% of the population is under 15 and 4% is 65 or older (2025).
- The 65+ share has grown from 2.6% in 1960 — the population is aging.
CO₂ emissions
- Latest total: 37.97 Mt CO₂ (2024).
- Emissions peaked at 38.83 Mt in 2022 — down 2.2% since.
- Per person: 23.9 t in 2024, vs 14.32 t in 1970.
Energy use & renewables
- Energy use: 10,512 kg of oil equivalent per person (2023), down 0.6% since 1990.
- Renewables supplied 0% of final energy in 2021 (+0 points since 1990).
Forest area (% of land)
- Forest covers 1% of land area (2023).
- Net afforestation: cover grew from 0.3% to 1% since 1990 — roughly 5 km² of forest gained.
Urban population (% of total)
- 100% of people live in urban areas (2025), vs 82.3% in 1960 (+17.7 points).
- Majority-urban for the whole period covered.
Water resources & stress
- Water stress: critical — freshwater withdrawals are 3,877.5% of renewable internal resources (2022, SDG 6.4.2-style bands).
- Renewable freshwater per person: 3 m³ in 2022, down 88.7% since 1961.
Economy
- GDP: $48.97B in 2025.
- Nominal GDP is up 50.6% since 2015.
- That works out to $30,597 per person.
Unemployment & inflation
- Unemployment: 1.1% of the labor force (2025, ILO estimate).
- Consumer-price inflation: -0.1% in 2025.
Internet & mobile
- 100% of people used the internet in 2024.
- Mobile subscriptions: 159.5 per 100 people (2024) — more subscriptions than people.
Bahrain in the news
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of Bahrain in 2026?
As of October 2026, Bahrain has an estimated population of 1,685,292. The United Nations estimated 1,661,182 residents on 1 January 2026; the live figure on this page extrapolates that estimate using the +1.8% annual growth rate.
Is the population of Bahrain growing or shrinking?
It is growing at +1.8% per year — roughly 83 more people every day. Each year there are about 19,768 births and 3,655 deaths, with net migration of +14,120.
What is the population density of Bahrain?
About 2,107 people per square kilometre: 1,685,292 people living on 800 km² of surface area (World Bank, 2023).
What is the median age in Bahrain?
The median age is 33.4 years, and life expectancy at birth is 81.7 years. 18.4% of the population is under 15 and 4% is 65 or older (2025).
How does Bahrain rank by population?
Bahrain is the 154th most populous of 238 countries and territories worldwide and the 45th in Asia, with 0.020% of the global population.
How has the population of Bahrain changed over time?
In 1960 the population was 165,477; by 2025 it had grown to 1,600,366 (+867.1%). The year-by-year table above lists the full World Bank series.
Explore more
India
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Trinidad and Tobago
North Macedonia
LatviaSources & method: the live population is a linear extrapolation of the UN World Population Prospects estimate for 1 January 2026 using the annual growth rate (+1.8%); births, deaths and migration counters apply the UN crude rates to the live figure. Historical series, area, GDP and other indicators are from World Bank Open Data; the encyclopedic summary is from Wikipedia. Figures are statistical estimates, not census counts. Page generated 2026-10-19. More about our data.