Economy Overview
In 2011, Bahrain experienced economic setbacks as a result of domestic unrest driven by the majority Shia population; however, the economy recovered in 2012-15, partly as a result of improved tourism. In addition to addressing its current fiscal woes, Bahraini authorities face the long-term challenge of boosting Bahrain’s regional competitiveness — especially regarding industry, finance, and tourism — and reconciling revenue constraints with popular pressure to maintain generous state subsidies and a large public sector. Over the past year, the government lifted subsidies on meat, diesel, kerosene, and gasoline and announced new higher prices for electricity and water, although it plans to roll these increases out more gradually than previous subsidy cuts.
Agriculture Products
fruit, vegetables; poultry, dairy products; shrimp, fish
Industries
petroleum processing and refining, aluminum smelting, iron pelletization, fertilizers, Islamic and offshore banking, insurance, ship repairing, tourism
Industrial Production Growth Rate
2.8% (2016 est.)
Labor Force by Occupation
Agriculture: 1%
Industry: 32%
Services: 67% (2004 est.)
Unemployment Rate
4.3% (2013 est.)
Population Below Poverty Line
NA%
Household Income or Consumption by Percentage Share
Lowest 10%: NA%
Highest 10%: NA%
Budget
Revenues: $5.047 billion
Expenditures: $9.394 billion (2016 est.)
Public Debt
60.3% of GDP (2015 est.)
Commercial Bank Prime Lending Rate
Stock of Narrow Money
$9.105 billion (31 December 2015 est.)
Stock of Broad Money
$27.02 billion (31 December 2015 est.)
Stock of Domestic Credit
$28.29 billion (31 December 2015 est.)
Market Value of Publicly Traded Shares
$18.57 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
Reserves of Foreign Exchange and Gold
$3.387 billion (31 December 2015 est.)
Debt External
$40.07 billion (31 December 2015 est.)
Stock of Direct Foreign Investment at Home
$21.28 billion (31 December 2015 est.)
Stock of Direct Foreign Investment Abroad
$10.33 billion (31 December 2015 est.)
Exchange Rates
0.376 (2012 est.)
