Bahrain
Bahrain is a small island nation located in the Persian Gulf, situated east of Saudi Arabia and north of Qatar. As an archipelago consisting of approximately 33 islands, with Bahrain Island being the largest, the country covers a relatively compact a...
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With a safety index of 77/100, Bahrain offers good safety conditions for expats and their families.
All visitors to Bahrain require an entry visa except GCC nationals (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman). Citizens of over 60 countries, including the US, UK, Canada, and Australia, are eligible for a visa on arrival at Bahrain International Airport or borders, typically valid for 14 days (extendable). Alternatively, an eVisa can be obtained online via www.evisa.gov.bh for single-entry (14 days) or multiple-entry (30 days per visit) options, with processing in 1-5 days and fees around BHD 25-40 (~USD 66-106).[1][2][5]...
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Near EU average
19% above EU avg
8% above EU avg
90% above EU avg
Baselines based on EU averages. Source: Numbeo indices.
Capital
Manama
Timezone
UTC+03:00
Area
765 km²
Population
1,701,583
Bahrain shows a purchasing power index of 133/100, indicating excellent economic conditions for expats.
GDP
$44.39B
HDI
0.9
Quality of Life
73/100
+30 vs NYC
Purchasing Power
55/100
+13 vs NYC
Understanding the economic landscape is essential for evaluating living costs and opportunities in Bahrain. This comprehensive overview covers key financial indicators including cost of living, housing markets, income levels, and fiscal policies that shape daily life and long-term financial planning.
Cost of Living Index
Very affordable with CPI of 47.4 (NYC=100). Groceries index 44.8 and restaurant prices 46.7 are significantly lower than major Western cities, making daily expenses economical.
Housing Market
Highly affordable with property-to-income ratio of 5.1 years. Rental index of 21.1 is exceptionally low, offering excellent value for both renters and buyers seeking housing investments.
Average Income Levels
Excellent purchasing power with index of 126.2, significantly above the global baseline of 100. Strong economic fundamentals with GDP per capita of $29,654 and projected 3.3% growth in 2026.
Tax System
No personal income tax for residents, making Bahrain highly attractive for expats. Corporate tax applies to non-oil sectors. VAT-free status on most goods provides additional financial advantages for residents.
Business Environment
Strong regional financial hub with developed banking and Islamic finance sectors. Non-oil sectors growing at 3.8% (2024), supported by tourism, aluminum, and financial services diversification efforts.
Social Security
Comprehensive social programs including healthcare, pension system, and unemployment benefits. Government provides public services and infrastructure. Coverage varies for expats; employer-sponsored benefits common in private sector.
Bahrain features a hot desert climate (Köppen BWh), characterized by extreme summer heat, mild winters, and very low rainfall throughout the year. Daytime temperatures soar to 40°C in July and August, while winter months like January and February see comfortable highs around 20-22°C and lows of 14-15°C.
2 distinct climate regions — see full guide for details
Read full guideLife Expectancy
76.9
Population
1,701,583
Religions
Ethnic Composition
Research in Progress
We're currently analyzing expat perspectives for Bahrain. Check back soon for insights from real experiences!
We're gradually rolling out this feature and continuously improving the insights. The data is based on real expat discussions and will become more comprehensive over time.
Bahrain is a constitutional monarchy where the king holds extensive executive, legislative, and judicial powers despite the 2002 constitution's provisions for separation of powers. The bicameral National Assembly consists of an appointed upper house and an elected lower house with limited authority, while the Sunni-led monarchy dominates state institutions and maintains tight control over political participation. The country faces ongoing sectarian tensions between the Shia majority population and the Sunni ruling family, with restrictions on political freedoms and civil rights.
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Population
1,701,583
Currency
BHD
Timezone
UTC+03:00
Calling Code
+973
Week starts on
Monday
Gini Coefficient
N/A
Traffic side
right side
Data Source: Safety, crime, and quality metrics are sourced from Numbeo, a crowd-sourced global database of reported data.
All scores are relative comparisons on a 0-100 scale, where 50 = global average. Higher scores mean better than average, lower scores mean worse than average.