PEOPLE
Bahrain
is one of the most densely populated countries in the Middle East;
about 89% of the population lives in the two principal cities
of Manama and Al Muharraq. Approximately 66% of the indigenous
population is originally from the Arabian Peninsula and Iran.
Bahrain currently has a sizeable foreign labor force (about 38%
of the total population). The government’s policies on naturalization
remain controversial. In June 2002, the King issued a decree allowing
citizens of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) to take up dual
Bahraini nationality. Opposition political groups charge that
the government is granting citizenship to foreign nationals who
have served in the Bahraini armed forces and security services
to alter the demographic balance of the country, which is primarily
Shi’a. According to passport officials, about 40,000 individuals
have been naturalized over the past 50 years (about 10% of the
total population).
The indigenous
population is 98% Muslim. Although more than two-thirds of the
indigenous population is Shi’a Muslim, the ruling family
and the majority of government, military, and corporate leaders
are Sunni Muslims. The small indigenous Christian and Jewish communities
make up the remaining 2% of the population. Roughly half of foreign
resident community are non-Muslim, and include Christians, Hindus,
Baha’is, Buddhists and Sikhs.
Bahrain
has invested its oil revenues in developing an advanced educational
system. The first public schools for girls and boys were opened
in the 1920s. The government continues to pay for all schooling
costs. Although school attendance is not compulsory, primary and
secondary attendance rates are high, and literacy rates are currently
among the highest in the region. Higher education is available
for secondary school graduates at the Bahrain University, Arabian
Gulf University and specialized institutes including the College
of Health Sciences -- operating under the direction of the Ministry
of Health -- which trains physicians, nurses, pharmacists, and
paramedics. The government has identified providing educational
services to the Gulf Cooperation Council as a potential economic
growth area, and is actively working to establish Bahrain as a
regional center for higher education.
Nationality: Noun and adjective--Bahraini(s).
Population (July 2007 est.): 708,535, including about 235,108 non-nationals.
Annual growth rate (2007 est.): 1.39%.
Ethnic groups: Bahraini 63%, Asian 19%, other Arab 10%, Iranian 8%.
Religions: 98% Muslim (approximately Shi'a 70%, Sunni 30%), with small Christian, Jewish and Hindu communities.
Languages: Arabic (official), English, Farsi, and Urdu are also widely spoken.
Education: Education is not compulsory, but is provided free to Bahrainis and non-nationals at all levels, including higher education. Estimated net primary school attendance (1991-2001)--84%. Adult literacy, age 15 and over (2003 est.)--89.1% for the overall population (male 91.9%, female 85%).
Health: Infant mortality rate (2007 est.)--16.18 deaths/1,000 live births. Life expectancy--72 yrs. males, 77 yrs. females.
Work force (2006 est.): 352,000 of which 44% are foreigners.
