Bahrain has experienced significant population growth over the past few decades, transforming from a small island nation with a modest population to a bustling urban center in the Gulf region. In the early 1970s, Bahrain’s population was under 350,000, but by 2023, it had grown to over 1.5 million people. This rapid increase is attributed to both natural growth and a substantial influx of expatriate workers drawn by the country’s expanding economy, particularly in sectors like finance, construction, and services. The population growth has led to urbanization, with the majority of residents now living in and around the capital, Manama. While this growth has fueled economic development, it has also presented challenges related to housing, infrastructure, and resource management.
| Year | Population | Population Density Per Square KM |
|---|---|---|
| 1950 | 114,840 | 151.1 |
| 1955 | 130,253 | 171.4 |
| 1960 | 156,648 | 206.1 |
| 1965 | 191,378 | 251.8 |
| 1970 | 219,543 | 288.9 |
| 1975 | 258,789 | 340.5 |
| 1980 | 347,568 | 457.3 |
| 1985 | 423,224 | 556.9 |
| 1990 | 505,672 | 665.4 |
| 1995 | 582,068 | 765.9 |
| 2000 | 654,862 | 861.7 |
| 2005 | 915,968 | 1,205.2 |
| 2010 | 1,180,087 | 1,552.7 |
| 2015 | 1,346,509 | 1,771.7 |
| 2020 | 1,504,665 | 1,979.8 |
| 2022 | 1,540,558 | 2,027 |
| 2023 | 1,553,886 | 2,044.6 |
| 2024 | 1,566,888 | 2,061.7 |
| 2025 | 1,579,544 | 2,078.3 |
| 2030 | 1,638,583 | 2,156 |
| 2035 | 1,700,439 | 2,237.4 |
| 2040 | 1,758,250 | 2,313.5 |
| 2045 | 1,805,489 | 2,375.6 |
| 2050 | 1,847,256 | 2,430.6 |
| 2055 | 1,883,505 | 2,478.3 |
| 2060 | 1,912,262 | 2,516.1 |
| 2065 | 1,933,987 | 2,544.7 |
| 2070 | 1,948,892 | 2,564.3 |
| 2075 | 1,956,843 | 2,574.8 |
| 2080 | 1,957,732 | 2,576 |
| 2085 | 1,952,099 | 2,568.6 |
| 2090 | 1,941,305 | 2,554.3 |
| 2095 | 1,927,435 | 2,536.1 |
| 2100 | 1,912,964 | 2,517.1 |
Data from US Census International Database