Middle East
Living in Bahrain
Photo: Manama skyline across the water from Muharraq · Zairon, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
A small island country in the Gulf with a banking sector, a large expatriate community and very hot, humid summers. Editorial
The numbers
Main city climate18° to 35°CColdest and warmest month averages, Manama · 2020
Average temperature27.1°CManama (whole country 27.6°C) · 2020
Price level49%Of US prices for everyday goods and services · 2025
Average spending$1,952Per person per month (international $, PPP) · 2024
Income per person$71,000GDP per person a year (international $, PPP) · 2025
Unemployment1.1%Of the labour force · 2025
Homicides0.2Per 100,000 people a year · 2022
Life expectancy81.4 yearsAt birth · 2024
Clean air57 µg/m³Average fine-particle pollution (WHO guideline: 5) · 2023
Forest5%Of the land area · 2024
City dwellers100%Of people live in cities and towns · 2025
Tax revenue2.8%Of GDP · 2020
Language and getting around Editorial
- Languages: Arabic. English is widely spoken.
- Public transport: Limited: daily life mostly needs a car or taxis.
- Geography: Has a coastline, mostly flat. Capital: Manama.
Moving to Bahrain
Visa and residence rules depend on your nationality, job, studies and family, and they change often. Start with the government's own website: www.evisa.gov.bh.
Sources
| Indicator | Value | Year | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| GDP per person (PPP) | 70,996.78 international $ | 2025 | World Bank WDI |
| Unemployment | 1.1 % of labour force | 2025 | World Bank WDI (ILO estimate) |
| Intentional homicides | 0.2 per 100,000 people | 2022 | World Bank WDI (UNODC) |
| Political stability and absence of violence | -0.33 score, -2.5 to 2.5 | 2025 | Worldwide Governance Indicators |
| Government effectiveness (public services) | 0.42 score, -2.5 to 2.5 | 2025 | Worldwide Governance Indicators |
| Life expectancy at birth | 81.42 years | 2024 | World Bank WDI |
| Health spending per person | 1,175.82 US$ per person | 2023 | World Bank WDI (WHO) |
| Tax revenue | 2.82 % of GDP | 2020 | World Bank WDI (IMF) |
| People living in cities and towns | 100 % of population | 2025 | World Bank WDI (UN) |
| Forest area | 4.86 % of land | 2024 | World Bank WDI (FAO) |
| Fine-particle air pollution (PM2.5) | 56.57 µg/m³, annual mean | 2023 | World Bank WDI |
| Price level of household goods and services | 0.49 ratio, United States = 1 | 2025 | Calculated: PPP conversion factor (private consumption) / official exchange rate, World Bank WDI |
| Average household spending per person | 1,952.3 international $ per person per month | 2024 | Calculated: household consumption (PPP) / population / 12, World Bank WDI |
| Average temperature, whole country 1991-2020 | 27.6 °C | 2020 | World Bank Climate Change Knowledge Portal (CRU TS 4.08, 1991-2020) |
| Average temperature, main city | 27.1 °C | 2020 | NASA POWER climatology, main city |
| Coldest month average, main city | 17.9 °C | 2020 | NASA POWER climatology, main city |
| Warmest month average, main city | 35 °C | 2020 | NASA POWER climatology, main city |
| Rainfall, main city | 40 mm per year | 2020 | NASA POWER climatology, main city |
Data checked 2 November 2026. National averages hide differences between cities and regions. Climate figures for Manama are 2001–2020 averages.
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