Demographics of Bahrain, Data of FAO, year 2005 ; Number of inhabitants in thousands.
Most of the population of Bahrain is concentrated in the two principal cities, Manama and Al Muharraq. The indigenous people—66 percent of the population—are from the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. The most numerous minorities are Europeans and South and East Asians.
Note 1: Includes 235,108 non-nationals (July 2006 est.)
Note 2: According to statistics from the Bahrain Central Informatics Organisation, the population of Bahrain is supposed to have jumped from 742,561 in 2006 to 1,046,814 in 2007 (Source: Central Bank of Bahrain, Dec. 2007 Economic Indicators, page 4). Though given as official, these data appear suspect [1] and have yet to be explained.
Sex ratio
At birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
Under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.38 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 1.07 male(s)/female
Total population: 1.26 male(s)/female (2006 est.)
Infant mortality and life expectancy
Infant mortality is 16.8 deaths/1,000 live births (19.65/1,000 for boys and 13.87/1,000 for girls) (2006 est.). Life expectancy is 74.45 years (71.97 years for men and 77 years for women) (2006 est.).
HIV/AIDS
Adult prevalence rate: 0.2% (2001 est.)
People living with HIV/AIDS: Less than 600 (2003 est.)
Deaths: Less than 200 (2003 est.)
Ethnic groups
Bahraini 62.4%, non-Bahraini 37.6 (2001 census)
Religions
Muslim (Shi'a and Sunni) 81.2%, Christian 9%, other 9.8% (2001 census)
Islam is the official religion. Sunni Islam is the prevailing belief held by those in the government, military, and corporate sectors. Roman Catholic and Protestant churches, as well as a tiny indigenous Jewish community, also exist in Bahrain.
Bahrain has traditionally boasted an advanced educational system. Schooling and related costs are entirely paid for by the government, and, although not compulsory, primary and secondary attendance rates are high. Bahrain also encourages institutions of higher learning, drawing on expatriate talent and the increasing pool of Bahrainis returning from abroad with advanced degrees. Bahrain University has been established for standard undergraduate and graduate study, and the College of Health Sciences--operating under the direction of the Ministry of Health--trains physicians, nurses, pharmacists, and paramedics.
Overall literacy is 89.1% (91.9% for men and 85% for women) (2003 est.).
References
This article contains material from the CIA World Factbook (2006 edition) which, as a US government publication, is in the public domain.and the 2003 U.S. Department of State website.
^ Annuaire démographique des Nations-Unies 1983, Département des affaires économiques et sociales internationales, New York, 1985
