Bahrain
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Geography
Area 691 sq.km. A group of one larger and 34 smaller barren islands in the Arabian Gulf between the Qatar peninsula and Saudi Arabian mainland — linked to the latter by a causeway.
| Year | Population | Ann. Gr. | Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 617,217 | +2.05% | 893 per sq. km. |
| 2010 | 713,145 | +1.35% | 1,032 per sq.km. |
| 2025 | 858,368 | +1.11% | 1,242 per sq.km. |
Capital Manama 376,456. Urbanites 90%.
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Peoples
Arab 65.4%. Bahraini 380,000;Other Arab (Saudi, Palestinian, Egyptian, etc.) 25,000.
Iranian 12% Farsi, Kurds, etc..
South Asian 13%. Indian (Malayali, Tamil, Telugu, etc.) Pakistani 30,000.
Other Asian 6.4%. Filipino, Korean, etc.
European 2%. UK 7,000; USA 3,500.
Other 1.2%.
Literacy 85%. Official language Arabic.
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Economy
Diversification from oil production to oil refining, aluminium (the world’s largest smelter) manufacturing and banking. Nearly half the labour force is foreign. HDI 0.832; 37th/174. Public debt 62% of GNP. Income/person $8,330 (27% of USA).
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Politics
British Protectorate until 1971. Absolute monarchy between 1975 and 2001. The Amir ruled with the help of an appointed Cabinet and Consultative Council. Every attempt at political expression by the disenfranchised Shi’a majority was vigorously repressed. In 2001 the new Amir committed the country to a constitutional monarchy and democratic government to be instituted in 2003.
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Religion
Islam is the official religion, and all Bahrainis are considered Muslim. No evangelism among them is permitted. The ruling elite are Sunni Muslims, but 61% of the population are Shi’a. Expatriate Christians are free to worship together.
| Religions | Population % | Adherents |
|---|---|---|
| Muslim | 82.31 | 508,031 |
| Christian | 10.36 | 63,944 |
| Hindu | 6.25 | 38,576 |
| non-Religious/other | 0.69 | 4,259 |
| Baha’i | 0.22 | 1,358 |
| Jewish | 0.10 | 617 |
| Buddhist | 0.07 | 432 |
| Christians | Denom. | Affil. % | ,000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Protestant | 5 | 0.82 | 5 |
| Independent | 20 | 2.29 | 14 |
| Anglican | 1 | 0.49 | 3 |
| Catholic | 2 | 4.05 | 25 |
| Orthodox | 2 | 0.36 | 2 |
| Marginal | 1 | 0.01 | 0 |
| Unaffiliated | 2.34 | 15 |
| Churches | Cong. | Members | Affiliates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Catholic | 11 | 5,750 | 23,000 |
| Anglican | 10 | 1,796 | 3,000 |
| Coptic Orthodox | 1 | 800 | 2,000 |
| National Evang | 21 | 1,138 | 1,900 |
| Pentecostal groups[6] | 9 | 450 | 900 |
| Other denoms [21] | 59 | 7,105 | 18,679 |
| Total Christians [31] | 111 | 17,039 | 49,479 |
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Internet Links
- CIA World Factbook (http://www.cia.gov/cia/) - Country profile, with only very brief information on religion or society. Brief, largely statistical information on geography, people, government, economy, and more.
- Gulf Daily News - The Voice of Bahrain (http://www.Gdn.com.bh)