People and Society of Bahrain

Nationality

Bahraini(s)

Ethnic Groups

Bahraini 63%, Asian 19%, other Arab 10%, Iranian 8%

Population

1,508,108

Population in Major Urban Areas

MANAMA (capital) 262,000

Basic modern medical care and medicines are available in several hospitals and health centers in Bahrain. Two government hospitals, several private hospitals, and numerous private clinics located throughout the country offer a wide range of medical services. Cardiac care, general surgery, internal medicine, obstetrics, gynecology, pediatrics, orthopedics, and dentistry services are readily available, as are x-rays, CT-scan, and MRI testing. The government hospitals house both trauma and ICU units. Pharmacies are common throughout Bahrain and carry a wide range of medications. Prescriptions are normally required. Payment at all medical facilities is due at the time of service. Some hospitals have limited direct billing capability for certain insurance carriers. Billing and insurance practices vary among the medical facilities.

Life Expectancy at Birth

Life expectancy at birth in Bahrain stands among the highest in the Arab world and reflects the country's significant investments in healthcare infrastructure and public health services. As of recent estimates, the average life expectancy at birth is approximately 79 years overall, with women living to around 80–81 years and men to approximately 77–78 years. This relatively high figure is the result of several interconnected factors. Bahrain has developed a well-funded public healthcare system that provides subsidized or free medical services to its citizens, with a network of government hospitals, health centers, and specialized clinics distributed across the archipelago. The country has also made considerable progress in reducing infant and child mortality rates, which directly contributes to improved overall life expectancy statistics. Chronic non-communicable diseases, particularly cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and obesity, remain the leading health challenges in Bahrain. The prevalence of type 2 diabetes is notably high, affecting a significant portion of the adult population, and the government has introduced national programs aimed at promoting healthier diets, physical activity, and early disease screening to address these trends. Bahrain's life expectancy has climbed steadily over recent decades. In the 1970s, life expectancy at birth was estimated to be in the low 60s. This dramatic improvement over roughly 50 years reflects advances in sanitation, maternal health, vaccination coverage, and access to modern medical treatments. The country's relatively small and manageable geographic size has allowed healthcare services to be delivered efficiently across the population. Bahrain also benefits from a higher-than-average per capita income in the Gulf region, enabling greater household spending on nutrition and private healthcare options alongside government provisions. Looking ahead, the government continues to invest in healthcare modernization as part of its Vision 2030 economic and social development framework, which includes goals for expanding preventive care, strengthening mental health services, and improving population health outcomes over the long term.

Infant Mortality Rate

Bahrain has achieved remarkable progress in reducing infant mortality over recent decades, reflecting the country's significant investment in healthcare infrastructure and public health programs. The infant mortality rate in Bahrain stands at approximately 6 to 7 deaths per 1,000 live births, placing it among the lower-mortality nations in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region and positioning it favorably in comparison to global averages. This achievement is largely the result of sustained government commitment to expanding access to maternal and child health services. Bahrain operates an extensive network of public health centers and hospitals that provide prenatal care, skilled birth attendance, and postnatal follow-up for both mothers and newborns. The vast majority of births in Bahrain take place in medical facilities under the supervision of trained healthcare professionals, which significantly reduces the risk of complications that can contribute to infant deaths. Vaccination programs have also played a critical role. Bahrain maintains high immunization coverage rates for diseases such as diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, measles, and polio, helping to protect newborns and infants from potentially fatal illnesses during their most vulnerable period of life. The country's relatively high per capita income, strong literacy rates, and well-educated population further contribute to favorable health outcomes for infants. Parents in Bahrain generally have access to nutritional guidance, clean water, and sanitation facilities — all factors closely linked to infant survival rates. Despite these achievements, health authorities continue to monitor neonatal mortality — deaths occurring within the first 28 days of life — as it accounts for a significant proportion of overall infant deaths. Premature birth and congenital conditions remain among the leading causes of infant mortality in Bahrain, as they are in many high-income countries. Ongoing improvements in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) and specialist pediatric services are central to the country's efforts to further reduce these figures. Bahrain's infant mortality trends reflect a broader regional shift toward improved health outcomes driven by economic development, modernized healthcare systems, and strategic public health planning.

Literacy Definition

Age 15 and over can read and write

• Shia Muslim69.0%
• Sunni Muslim29.0%
• Other2.0%

Arabic, English, Farsi, Urdu

• Arabic
• Farsi
• Urdu

Crime Information

The crime rate in Bahrain is low and violent crime is rare. However, burglary, petty theft, and robberies do occur. Take the same security precautions in Bahrain that you would practice in the United States. Women should be cautious while traveling alone. If you are followed, do not lead the person back to your home. Find a populated area and locate a police or security officer. Try to seem purposeful when you move about. Even if you are lost, act as if you know where you are going. Try to ask for directions only from individuals in authority. When driving always ensure that your vehicle doors are locked. Hotel room doors should be locked when visitors are in their rooms, and travelers are encouraged to store valuables in hotel room safes when they are available. Women are encouraged to keep their purses firmly under their arms, and men should avoid keeping their wallets in their hip pockets while in the old market area. Embassy Manama recommends that travelers using local taxis insist on the use of a meter to avoid being overcharged. Bahrain has a professional police force; contact the police if you encounter problems. Do not buy counterfeit and pirated goods, even if they are widely available. Not only are the bootlegs illegal in the United States, but if you purchase them you may be breaking local law.

Criminal Penalties

While you are traveling in Bahrain, you are subject to its laws even if you are a U.S. citizen. Foreign laws and legal systems can be vastly different from our own. In some places, you may be taken in for questioning if you don’t have your passport with you. In some places, it is illegal to take pictures of certain buildings. In some places driving under the influence could land you immediately in jail. These criminal penalties will vary from country to country. There are also some things that might be legal in the country you visit, but still illegal in the United States, and you can be prosecuted under U.S. law if you buy pirated goods. Engaging in sexual conduct with children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime prosecutable in the United States. If you break local laws in Bahrain, your U.S. passport will not help you avoid arrest or prosecution. Persons violating Bahrain’s laws, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned. Penalties for possessing, using, or trafficking illegal drugs in Bahrain are severe, and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines. The use of vulgar language or hand gestures can result in heavy fines or criminal charges. Although alcohol is available, public drunkenness and disorderly behavior can result in arrest and one drink may be sufficient grounds for a drunken-driving arrest. While some countries will automatically notify the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate if a U.S. citizen is detained or arrested in a foreign country, that might not always be the case. To ensure that the United States is aware of your circumstances, request that the police and prison officials notify the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate as soon as you are arrested or detained overseas.