GeoRealityMatch
A modern marina with yachts, bridge, and waterfront city skyline reflecting on calm waters.Stunning night view of Bahrain World Trade Center with clear water reflections and modern skyline.

Bahrain

Asia · Western Asia

Medium safetyAffordable cost of livingVery high development

People live long. The air is polluted.

vs United Arab Emiratesvs Saudi Arabiavs Qatar
Safety

107th most peaceful of 161

Global Peace Index
2.131lower is more peacefulMedium safety
#107 of 161
IEP GPI · 2026
Homicides
0.2per 100,000 people a yearVery lowUNODC / World Bank · 2022
Safety index
77.7Numbeo's safety index, higher is saferVery highNumbeo · 2026
Money

Incomes above the median country

GNI per person
$28,790national income per person, US dollarsHigh
World Bank · 2025
Rent index
21.4New York = 100ExpensiveNumbeo · 2026
Property price to income
5.2years of median income to buy a median flatVery affordableNumbeo · 2026

Income and inflation over time

Income per person rose 59% in current dollars from 2006 to 2025, and rose 15% after inflation.

GDP per person, current US$At purchasing power parityInflation

$0$40K$80K$70,997 PPP$30,597Inflation, % a year4%0200620102015202020252006, $19,267 a person, $48,009 at PPP, inflation 2%2007, $20,908 a person, $49,347 at PPP, inflation 3.3%2008, $23,299 a person, $50,330 at PPP, inflation 3.5%2009, $19,465 a person, $48,626 at PPP, inflation 2.8%2010, $21,819 a person, $49,255 at PPP, inflation 2%2011, $25,033 a person, $52,677 at PPP, inflation -0.4%2012, $26,439 a person, $56,713 at PPP, inflation 2.8%2013, $26,990 a person, $56,310 at PPP, inflation 3.3%2014, $26,452 a person, $54,299 at PPP, inflation 2.6%2015, $23,734 a person, $48,034 at PPP, inflation 1.8%2016, $23,800 a person, $47,429 at PPP, inflation 2.8%2017, $24,785 a person, $50,185 at PPP, inflation 1.4%2018, $26,324 a person, $51,993 at PPP, inflation 2.1%2019, $27,260 a person, $56,600 at PPP, inflation 1%2020, $24,343 a person, $53,436 at PPP, inflation -2.3%2021, $27,148 a person, $54,955 at PPP, inflation -0.6%2022, $30,471 a person, $61,668 at PPP, inflation 3.6%2023, $29,290 a person, $64,224 at PPP2024, $29,717 a person, $67,230 at PPP, inflation 0.9%2025, $30,597 a person, $70,997 at PPP, inflation -0.1%$0$40K$80KInflation, % a year4%0200620102015202020252006, $19,267 a person, $48,009 at PPP, inflation 2%2007, $20,908 a person, $49,347 at PPP, inflation 3.3%2008, $23,299 a person, $50,330 at PPP, inflation 3.5%2009, $19,465 a person, $48,626 at PPP, inflation 2.8%2010, $21,819 a person, $49,255 at PPP, inflation 2%2011, $25,033 a person, $52,677 at PPP, inflation -0.4%2012, $26,439 a person, $56,713 at PPP, inflation 2.8%2013, $26,990 a person, $56,310 at PPP, inflation 3.3%2014, $26,452 a person, $54,299 at PPP, inflation 2.6%2015, $23,734 a person, $48,034 at PPP, inflation 1.8%2016, $23,800 a person, $47,429 at PPP, inflation 2.8%2017, $24,785 a person, $50,185 at PPP, inflation 1.4%2018, $26,324 a person, $51,993 at PPP, inflation 2.1%2019, $27,260 a person, $56,600 at PPP, inflation 1%2020, $24,343 a person, $53,436 at PPP, inflation -2.3%2021, $27,148 a person, $54,955 at PPP, inflation -0.6%2022, $30,471 a person, $61,668 at PPP, inflation 3.6%2023, $29,290 a person, $64,224 at PPP2024, $29,717 a person, $67,230 at PPP, inflation 0.9%2025, $30,597 a person, $70,997 at PPP, inflation -0.1%

World Bank: GDP per person in current US dollars and at PPP, real GDP per person, consumer price inflation. Observed years only.

Health

Among the longest-lived countries

Life expectancy
81.4years, at birthVery high
#34 of 195
World Bank · 2024
Health coverage
78WHO universal health coverage index, 0 to 100HighWHO · 2023
Air pollution
46.1PM2.5, micrograms per cubic metre, national averageVery highWHO · 2023
Work and internet

Very fast home internet

Unemployment rate
1.1%share of the labour force without a jobWorld Bank · 2025
Home internet
146 Mbpsmedian download speedVery fastOokla Speedtest · 2025

Internet speeds

Home internet146 MbpsVery fast
Mobile315 MbpsVery fast

Ookla Speedtest Global Index, median download speed, ranked among the countries Ookla lists.

Stunning night view of Bahrain World Trade Center with clear water reflections and modern skyline.
How it changed

Bahrain's Human Development Index

0.899Very high human development

38th of 193 in UNDP's 2023 ranking, 7th of 43 in Asia.

UNDP builds the index from three dimensions: a long and healthy life, being knowledgeable, and a decent standard of living. They are measured by life expectancy at birth, mean and expected years of schooling, and gross national income per capita. UNDP Human Development Report 2025.

Nearest countries by HDI

  1. #36Estonia0.905
  2. #37Saudi Arabia0.900
  3. #38Bahrain0.899
  4. #39Lithuania0.895
  5. #40Portugal0.890
Full HDI ranking, all 193 countries

HDI since 1990

Year by year

Human development rose from 0.734 in 1990 to 0.899 in 2023.

0.700.820.950.89919902000201020231990: 0.7341991: 0.7281992: 0.7281993: 0.7321994: 0.7321995: 0.7371996: 0.7411997: 0.7461998: 0.7541999: 0.7612000: 0.7752001: 0.7852002: 0.7912003: 0.7992004: 0.7952005: 0.7912006: 0.7952007: 0.8002008: 0.8042009: 0.8042010: 0.8102011: 0.8172012: 0.8332013: 0.8462014: 0.8472015: 0.8682016: 0.8712017: 0.8742018: 0.8862019: 0.8942020: 0.8852021: 0.8852022: 0.9022023: 0.8990.700.820.9519902000201020231990: 0.7341991: 0.7281992: 0.7281993: 0.7321994: 0.7321995: 0.7371996: 0.7411997: 0.7461998: 0.7541999: 0.7612000: 0.7752001: 0.7852002: 0.7912003: 0.7992004: 0.7952005: 0.7912006: 0.7952007: 0.8002008: 0.8042009: 0.8042010: 0.8102011: 0.8172012: 0.8332013: 0.8462014: 0.8472015: 0.8682016: 0.8712017: 0.8742018: 0.8862019: 0.8942020: 0.8852021: 0.8852022: 0.9022023: 0.899

UNDP Human Development Report, 2025 edition. 34 annual values, none interpolated.

Twenty years here

Year by yearThe world report
Life expectancy at birth
81.4 years2024at birthUp 5.3 years from 76.1 years in 2005
Internet users
100%2024of people onlineUp 72 points from 28% in 2006
Urban population
100%2025of people in towns and citiesUp 7 points from 93% in 2006
Births per woman
1.812024births per womanDown 0.86 from 2.67 in 2005
Renewable share of energy
0%2021of energy usedLevel with 2004
Access to electricity
100%2024of people with electricityLevel with 2005
Infant mortality
72024deaths before age one, per 1,000 birthsDown 2 from 9 in 2005
CO2 emissions per person
23.9 t2024of CO2 per person a yearDown 2.4 t from 26.3 t in 2005
Forest area
1%2023of land under forestLevel with 2004

World Bank, from the first to the last observed year of each indicator; each has its own window.

Our take

Tax-free and connected to Saudi Arabia; smaller and more relaxed than Dubai. The case for living here is long lives. The case against is polluted air.

About Bahrain

Bahrain is a small island nation in the Arabian Gulf with a surprisingly long history as a trading and pearl-diving civilisation, and a contemporary culture that blends Gulf Arab traditions with a more open and cosmopolitan atmosphere than many of its neighbours. The old souqs, ancient burial mounds, and Formula One circuit make for an eclectic mix. It suits those curious about the Gulf region who want a more accessible entry point.

Practical facts

  • CapitalManama
  • LanguagesArabic
  • CurrencyBahraini dinar (BHD)
  • Area800 km²
  • Plug typeType G
  • Drives on theright
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Quick answers

What is Bahrain's Human Development Index?

Bahrain's Human Development Index is 0.899 for 2023 (UNDP Human Development Report 2025), ranked #38 of 193 by UNDP.

Is Bahrain safe?

Bahrain scores 2.13 on the Global Peace Index (lower is more peaceful), ranked #107 of 161 countries by the Institute for Economics & Peace. That measures national-level peace, not street crime; both are covered below.

How expensive is Bahrain?

Numbeo's cost-of-living index puts Bahrain at 47.6 (New York = 100); that is #91 cheapest of 143 countries with data.

What is life expectancy in Bahrain?

Life expectancy at birth in Bahrain is 81.4 yrs (World Bank), ranked #34 of 195 countries.