The Human Truth Foundation

Bahrain (Kingdom of Bahrain)

https://www.humantruth.info/bahrain.html

By Vexen Crabtree 2013

#bahrain

Bahrain
Kingdom of Bahrain
Flag
StatusIndependent State
Social and Moral Index99th best
CapitalManama
Land Area 760km21
LocationAsia, The Middle East
GroupingsSmall Islands
Population1.6m2
Life Expectancy78.76yrs (2017)3
GNI$39 497 (2017)4
ISO3166-1 CodesBH, BHR, 485
Internet Domain.bh6
CurrencyDinar (BHD)7
Telephone+9738

1. Overview

#islam #UK

In 1783, the Sunni Al-Khalifa family captured Bahrain from the Persians. In order to secure these holdings, it entered into a series of treaties with the UK during the 19th century that made Bahrain a British protectorate. The archipelago attained its independence in 1971. Facing declining oil reserves, Bahrain has turned to petroleum processing and refining and has transformed itself into an international banking center. Bahrain's small size and central location among Persian Gulf countries require it to play a delicate balancing act in foreign affairs among its larger neighbors. In addition, the Sunni-led government has struggled to manage relations with its large Shia-majority population. During the mid-to-late 1990s, Shia activists mounted a low-intensity uprising to demand that the Sunni-led government stop systemic economic, social, and political discrimination against Shia Bahrainis. King HAMAD bin Isa Al-Khalifa, after succeeding his late father in 1999, pushed economic and political reforms in part to improve relations with the Shia community. After boycotting the country's first round of national elections under the newly promulgated constitution in 2002, Shia political societies participated in the 2006 and 2010 legislative and municipal elections. Wifaq, the most prominent Shia political party, won the largest bloc of seats in the elected lower house of the legislature both times. Beginning in February 2011, Bahrain's opposition sought to ride out a rising tide of popular Arab protests to petition for the redress of popular grievances. In mid-March 2011, the Bahraini Government took action to halt the momentum of the growing protest movement by declaring a state of emergency that put an end to the mass public gatherings and increasingly disruptive civil disobedience. Manama also welcomed a contingent of Gulf Cooperation Council forces under the Peninsula Shield umbrella intended to protect critical infrastructure as Bahraini security forces deployed to the protest areas. The Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry (BICI), formed in June 2011 to investigate abuses during the unrest and state of emergency, released its final report in November 2011. The King fully endorsed the report, and since then Manama has begun to implement a number of the BICI's recommendations, including improving policing procedures, reinstating dismissed workers, rebuilding some religious sites, and establishing a compensation fund for those affected by the unrest and crackdown. The opposition continues to express concern about the recommendations that have not been implemented. The summer 2011 National Dialogue between the government and political societies did not ultimately address core opposition grievances, and protests continued. Street protests have grown increasingly violent. A new round of National Dialogue was launched in February 2013 with participation by the government, both opposition and more pro-government political societies, and legislators.

CIA's The World Factbook (2013)9

Book CoverThis tiny island state is the smallest of all Arab countries, and is one of the most easygoing of the Gulf states. Like an oyster, Bahrain´s rough exterior takes some prising open, but it is worth the effort. From the excellent National Museum in Manama to the extraordinary burial mounds at Sar, there are many fine sites to visit.... Bahrain maintains its gaze not on the island´s minimal land mass, but on the shallow waters that lap its shores. The sweet-water springs that bubble offshore helped bring about 4000 years of settlement [and] encouraged lustrous pearls - the trade that helped to build the island´s early fortunes.Much of Manama´s modern wealth, illustrated in high-profile building projects, rises proudly from land `reclaimed´ from the sea. With the projected effects of climate change, however, the sea may yet have the last laugh.

"The World" by Lonely Planet (2014)10

2. Bahrain National and Social Development

#economics #human_development #wealth

UN HDI (2021)11
Pos.Higher is better
Value11
1Switzerland0.962
2Norway0.961
3Iceland0.959
...
32Czechia0.889
33Greece0.887
34Poland0.876
35=Bahrain0.875
35=Lithuania0.875
35=Saudi Arabia0.875
38Portugal0.866
39Latvia0.863
Asia Avg0.75
World Avg0.72
q=191.
Gross National Income Per-Capita (2021)11
Pos.Higher is better
PPP $11
1Liechtenstein$146 830
2Singapore$90 919
3Qatar$87 134
...
31Japan$42 274
32Israel$41 524
33Slovenia$39 746
34Bahrain$39 497
35Malta$38 884
36Czechia$38 745
37Spain$38 354
38Cyprus$38 188
Asia Avg$22 215
World Avg$20 136
q=193.
Social & Moral
Development Index
12
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank12
1Denmark27.4
2Norway27.6
3Sweden30.4
...
96St Lucia88.0
97Philippines88.1
98Kazakhstan88.5
99Bahrain89.1
100Morocco89.2
101Kyrgyzstan89.2
102Cape Verde89.2
103Maldives89.4
Asia Avg92.0
World Avg89.7
q=198.

The United Nations produces an annual Human Development Report which includes the Human Development Index. The factors taken into account include life expectancy, education and schooling and Gross National Income (GNI) amongst many others..

The Social and Moral Development Index concentrates on moral issues and human rights, violence, public health, equality, tolerance, freedom and effectiveness in climate change mitigation and environmentalism, and on some technological issues. A country scores higher for achieving well in those areas, and for sustaining that achievement in the long term. Those countries towards the top of this index can truly said to be setting good examples and leading humankind onwards into a bright, humane, and free future. See: Which are the Best Countries in the World? The Social and Moral Development Index.

3. Bahrain's Demographics and Migration

#birth_control #demographics #fertility #health #immigration #life_expectancy #longevity #migration #overpopulation #population #yemen

Population:

Bahrain's population is predicted to rise to 1.654 million by 2030. This rise is despite a low fertility rate, meaning, that this country is helping to alleviate problems with growing population in neighbouring countries by accepting immigrants, very likely as a requirement of maintaining an active workforce. This country has a fertility rate of 1.80. The fertility rate is, in simple terms, the average amount of children that each woman has. The higher the figure, the quicker the population will grow, although, to calculate the rate you also need to take into account morbidity - the rate at which people die. If people live healthy and long lives and morbidity is low, then, 2.0 approximates to the replacement rate (two new children for each set of parents who die), which would keep the population stable. If all countries had such a fertility rate, population growth would end. The actual replacement rate in most developed countries is around 2.1. The highest fertility rate ever detected in a single year was in Yemen in 1985, at 8.86.13

Population2
Pos.2018
Population2
1China1.4b
2India1.4b
3USA327.1m
...
147Slovenia2.1m
148Latvia1.9m
149Guinea-Bissau1.9m
150Bahrain1.6m
151Trinidad & Tobago1.4m
152Estonia1.3m
153Equatorial Guinea1.3m
154Timor-Leste (E. Timor)1.3m
World Avg39.0m
q=195.
Life Expectancy
Higher is better
11
Pos.2021
Years11
1Monaco85.9
2Hong Kong85.5
3Japan84.8
...
34Maldives79.9
35Qatar79.3
36Chile78.9
37Bahrain78.8
38Thailand78.7
39UAE78.7
40Kuwait78.7
41Antigua & Barbuda78.5
World Avg71.28
q=195.
Fertility Rate
2.0 is best
14
Pos.202214
1US Virgin Islands2.00
2Ecuador2.00
3Nepal2.01
...
26Mexico1.80
27=Montenegro1.80
27=Moldova1.80
29Bahrain1.80
30France1.79
31N. Korea1.79
32Malaysia1.79
33El Salvador1.79
World Avg2.47
q=208.
Old-Age Dependency Ratio
Lower is better
15
Pos.2016
Per 10015
1Uganda04.3
2Mali04.5
3=Chad04.7
...
56Belize08.3
57Gabon08.5
58Pakistan08.6
59Bahrain08.7
60Syria09.0
61=Djibouti09.1
61=Tajikistan09.1
63Equatorial Guinea09.4
World Avg18.3
q=185.

Migration:

Immigrants16
Pos.2017
%16
1UAE88.4%
2Kuwait75.5%
3Qatar65.2%
4Liechtenstein65.1%
5Monaco54.9%
6Andorra53.3%
7Bahrain48.4%
8Singapore46.0%
9Luxembourg45.3%
10Oman44.7%
11Hong Kong39.1%
12Saudi Arabia37.0%
World Avg9.4%
q=195.
Emigrants17
Pos.2010
%17
1Dominica104.8%
2Palestine68.4%
3Samoa67.3%
...
125Burundi4.2%
126Panama4.0%
127Norway3.8%
128Bahrain3.7%
129Gambia3.7%
130Chile3.7%
131Peru3.7%
132Czechia3.6%
World Avg11.5%
q=192.

4. Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance

#Bahrain #bahrain_slavery #equality #freedom #gender_equality #human_rights #morals #politics #prejudice #slavery #tolerance

Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance (2025)18
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank18
1Sweden8.5
2Denmark13.5
3Norway13.5
...
153Uzbekistan116.7
154Egypt117.2
155Guinea-Bissau117.7
156Bahrain117.8
157Guinea118.8
158Libya119.4
Asia Avg103.0
World Avg87.8
q=200.
Bahrain is very poor at ensuring human rights and freedom compared to the rest of the world, and it has cultural issues when it comes to tolerance and equality. Bahrain does better than average in terms of eliminating modern slavery19 and in opposing gender inequality20. But that's it. Bahrain has problems. It does worse than average in commentary in Human Rights Watch reports21, supporting personal, civil & economic freedoms22, LGBT equality23, its nominal commitment to Human Rights24, its average Freedom in the World rating and in freethought25. And finally, it sits amongst the bottom 20 in terms of its success in fighting anti-semitic prejudice26 (amongst the highest in Asia) and in supporting press freedom27. Things are getting worse, it seems, and in 2017 Bahrain shut down its only independent newspaper and human rights activists were silenced, imprisoned and harassed (including their relatives) and also prevented representation at the UN Human Rights Council and its associated processes28.

For tables, charts and commentary, see:

5. Bahrain's Health

#alcohol #bahrain #birth_control #demographics #health #life_expectancy #longevity #mental_health #obesity #overpopulation #parenting #population #smoking #suicide #vaccines

Compared to Asia (2020)29
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank29
1Maldives41.7
2Sri Lanka43.1
3Malaysia53.1
...
14Oman65.5
15Japan65.9
16India66.9
17Bahrain68.1
18S. Korea69.8
19Myanmar (Burma)73.1
20China73.5
21=Thailand76.3
22Iran76.4
Asia Avg80.9
q=50.
Health (2020)29
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank29
1Monaco13.0
2Maldives41.7
3Sri Lanka43.1
...
19India66.9
20St Martin67.5
21Morocco67.9
22Bahrain68.1
23S. Korea69.8
24Finland73.1
25Myanmar (Burma)73.1
26China73.5
World Avg95.1
q=198.

The countries with the best overall approach to public health, in terms of both public policy and individual lifestyle choices, are Monaco, The Maldives and Sri Lanka30. These countries are worth emulating. And, although often through no fault of the average citizen, the worst countries are S. Sudan, The Marshall Islands and Nigeria30.

The data sets used to calculate points for each country are its average life expectancy, its alcohol consumption rate, its fertility rate, its smoking rate, its suicide rate, its food aid and health contributions and WHO compliance, the prevalence of overweight adults, its adolescent birth rate and its immunizations take-up. The regions with the best average results per country are Scandinavia, Asia and The Mediterranean30, whereas the worst are Micronesia, Africa and Australasia30.

For more, see:

Health:

Public health in Bahrain is very good. Bahrain comes in the best 20 in its immunizations take-up31. It does better than average when it comes to its suicide rate32, its fertility rate14, its average life expectancy11, its alcohol consumption rate33 and in its adolescent birth rate20. But, things still need to improve in Bahrain. Bahrain does worse than average in terms of its food aid and health contributions and WHO compliance34 and in its smoking rate35. The prevalence of overweight adults has increased by 14% during the past 40 years. Life expectancy in Bahrain improved by +7.4yrs in the 30 years from 1990, on par with the global average improvement of +7.9yrs. Bahrain is amongst only 41 countries who have seen their fertility rate drop by more than 4 since the 1960s. Its peak fertility rate was 7.15 in 1960.

Life Expectancy
Higher is better
11
Pos.2021
Years11
1Monaco85.9
2Hong Kong85.5
3Japan84.8
...
34Maldives79.9
35Qatar79.3
36Chile78.9
37Bahrain78.8
38Thailand78.7
39UAE78.7
40Kuwait78.7
41Antigua & Barbuda78.5
Asia Avg73.48
World Avg71.28
q=195.
Alcohol Consumption
Lower is better
33
Pos.2016
Per Capita33
1Bangladesh0.0
2Kuwait0.0
3Libya0.0
...
38Tuvalu1.7
39=Madagascar1.9
39=Tunisia1.9
39=Bahrain1.9
42Qatar2.0
43=Nepal2.0
43=Singapore2.0
43=Turkey2.0
Asia Avg3.9
World Avg6.2
q=189.
Fertility Rate
2.0 is best
14
Pos.202214
1US Virgin Islands2.00
2Ecuador2.00
3Nepal2.01
...
26Mexico1.80
27=Montenegro1.80
27=Moldova1.80
29Bahrain1.80
30France1.79
31N. Korea1.79
32Malaysia1.79
33El Salvador1.79
Asia Avg2.17
World Avg2.47
q=208.
Smoking Rates
Lower is better
35
Pos.201435
1Guinea 15
2Solomon Islands 26
3Kiribati 28
...
117Ireland 954
118Australia 956
119Mongolia 957
120Bahrain 969
121France 993
122Brunei1 023
123Algeria1 024
124Latvia1 041
Asia Avg1 035
World Avg 819
q=182.
Suicide Rate32
Pos.2013
Per 100k32
1Haiti0
2Grenada0
3Egypt0.1
...
20=Guatemala7.3
20=Barbados7.3
20=Belize7.3
23Bahrain7.5
24Albania8
25=Mexico8.5
25=Israel8.5
27Georgia8.8
Asia Avg19.50
World Avg20.93
q=91.
Food Aid, Health Contributions & WHO Compliance
Lower is better
34
Pos.2017
Rank34
1Sweden1
2Ireland2
3Denmark3
...
90Uganda90
91Chile91
92Tunisia92
93Bahrain93
94Philippines94
95Bosnia & Herzegovina95
96Namibia96
97Guyana97
Asia Avg64.4
World Avg82.0
q=163.
Overweight Adults
Lower is better
36
Pos.2016
%36
1Vietnam18.3
2India19.7
3Bangladesh20.0
...
168Iraq64.6
169Mexico64.9
170New Zealand65.6
171Bahrain65.8
172Malta66.4
173=Turkey66.8
173=Libya66.8
175UAE67.8
Asia Avg44.3
World Avg49.0
q=191.

Children's Health:

Adolescent Birth Rate
Lower is better
20
Pos.2015
Per 100020
1N. Korea0.5
2S. Korea1.6
3Switzerland2.9
...
41Lebanon12.4
42Estonia13.1
43Poland13.4
44Bahrain13.5
45Malaysia13.6
46Latvia13.6
47Australia14.1
48UK14.6
Asia Avg29.9
World Avg47.9
q=185.
Infant Immunizations 2011-2015
Higher is better
31
Pos.2015
Avg %31
1=Hungary99.0
1=China99.0
3Uzbekistan98.9
...
8S. Korea98.6
9Sri Lanka98.4
10St Lucia98.2
11Bahrain98.2
12Iran98.1
13Finland98.1
14Saudi Arabia98.0
15=Luxembourg98.0
Asia Avg90.5
World Avg88.3
q=194.

6. Bahrain's Responsibility Towards The Environment

#bahrain #biodiversity #climate_change #deforestation #food #meat #over-exploitation #the_environment #veganism #vegetarianism

Compared to Asia (2023)37
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank37
1Japan33.2
2Philippines45.0
3Sri Lanka49.0
...
43UAE114.4
44Kuwait115.4
45Uzbekistan118.5
46Afghanistan120.3
47Brunei121.5
48Iraq122.5
49Tajikistan125.0
50Bahrain128.0
51Palestine147.5
Asia Avg88.8
q=51.
Responsibility Towards The Environment (2023)37
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank37
1Japan33.2
2Philippines45.0
3Uruguay48.0
...
180Montenegro124.3
181Tajikistan125.0
182Liberia125.8
183Bahrain128.0
184Haiti131.0
185Libya132.8
186Gabon141.7
187Palestine147.5
World Avg85.7
q=188.
Bahrain comes 6th-worst in the world regarding its responsibility towards the environment. This rank is derived from 6 data sets. Bahrain does the second-best in its forested percent change 2000-202038. However Bahrain performs less well in most areas. It does worse than average in terms of its environmental performance39, the rate of rational beliefs on the environment in the population40, reducing annual meat consumption per person41 and in how quickly it ratified the 1993 Convention on Biological Diversity. And finally, it falls into the worst 20 in energy to GDP efficiency42 (the lowest in Asia).

Forest Area Change 2000-2020
Higher is better
38
Pos.Total38
1Guernsey82.6%
2Bahrain75.2%
3Iceland64.7%
4Burundi44.2%
5Uruguay43.8%
6Montenegro32.1%
7Malta31.4%
8Cuba31.0%
9Kuwait28.9%
10Uzbekistan23.3%
11Algeria23.1%
12China23.0%
Asia Avg3.2%
World Avg-0.1%
q=234.

From 2000 to 2010, Bahrain increased its forest cover by 41%, although in absolute terms this was just from 370 to 520 hectares. By 2020, it added a further 35%, setting an important example for the rest of the world.

Environmental Performance
Higher is better
39
Pos.201839
1Switzerland87.4
2France84.0
3Denmark81.6
...
93Barbados55.8
94Georgia55.7
95Kiribati55.3
96Bahrain55.2
97Nicaragua55.0
98Bahamas55.0
99Kyrgyzstan54.9
100Nigeria54.8
Asia Avg54.5
World Avg56.4
q=180.
Energy to GDP Efficiency
Higher is better42
Pos.201442
1Hong Kong26.32
2Sri Lanka20.00
3Panama17.86
...
108=Bosnia & Herzegovina04.52
108=Russia04.52
110S. Africa04.48
111Bahrain04.10
112Ukraine03.28
113Togo02.88
114Ethiopia02.81
115Mozambique02.47
Asia Avg09.14
World Avg09.29
q=119.
Convention on Biological Diversity
Earlier is better
Pos.Total
Signed
1=China1993 Dec 29
1=Guinea1993 Dec 29
1=Cook Islands1993 Dec 29
...
157S. Sudan2014 May 18
158Mauritania1996 Nov 14
159Qatar1996 Nov 19
160Bahrain1996 Nov 28
161Turkmenistan1996 Dec 17
162Laos1996 Dec 19
163Haiti1996 Dec 24
164Croatia1997 Jan 05
Asia Avg1899 Dec 30
World Avg1899 Dec 30
q=197.
Rational Beliefs on the Environment
Higher is better40
Pos.2011
%40
1Argentina78.3%
2Greece77.6%
3Brazil77.1%
...
103Belgium26.9%
104Syria26.6%
105Qatar26.5%
106Bahrain26.3%
107S. Africa26.2%
108Lithuania25.6%
109Nigeria25.3%
110Armenia25.3%
Asia Avg37.9%
World Avg39.9%
q=145.
Meat Consumption
Lower is better
41
Pos.2021
kg41
1Congo, DR03.0
2Burundi03.5
3Bangladesh04.3
...
149Hungary82.1
150UK82.3
151Czechia82.4
152Bahrain82.8
153Qatar83.0
154=Iceland83.6
154=Lithuania83.6
156UAE84.3
Asia Avg46.7
World Avg52.5
q=185.

7. Bahrain's Modernity and Learning

#bahrain #education #modernity #politics #research #science #technology #the_internet

Compared to Asia (2020)43
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank43
1Taiwan10.0
2Japan21.0
3S. Korea23.6
...
21Thailand70.4
22Qatar71.4
23India72.4
24Bahrain72.6
25Kyrgyzstan73.1
26Iran74.6
27Kuwait76.3
28Philippines79.3
29Sri Lanka80.8
Asia Avg78.3
q=51.
Modernity & Learning (2020)43
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank43
1Finland7.7
2Taiwan10.0
3Switzerland14.7
...
84Qatar71.4
85Aruba71.5
86India72.4
87Bahrain72.6
88Kyrgyzstan73.1
89Tunisia74.3
90Andorra74.5
91Iran74.6
World Avg82.7
q=205.

Modernity and Education:

In the 1990s, the expected duration of education in Bahrain fell by over half a year, whereas most of the rest of the world's increased.44

Research & Development
Higher is better
Pos.2016
% RDP PPP
1S. Korea4.2945
2Israel4.1145
3Japan3.5845
...
118=Macau0.0546
119Honduras0.0447
120=Guatemala0.0448
120=Bahrain0.0446
120=Colombia0.0446
123Iraq0.0349
124=El Salvador0.0348
124=China0.0346
Asia Avg0.75
World Avg0.84
q=126.
Secondary Education
Higher is better
50
Pos.201850
1=Luxembourg100.0%
1=Estonia100.0%
1=Austria100.0%
...
91Palestine61.1%
92Suriname60.5%
93Mexico59.7%
94Bahrain59.6%
95Brazil59.5%
96Bolivia58.8%
97Zimbabwe58.7%
98Gabon57.6%
Asia Avg66.0%
World Avg63.0%
q=169.
Length of Schooling
Higher is better
51
Pos.2021
Years51
1Australia21.1
2New Zealand20.3
3Greece20.0
...
26S. Korea16.5
27Switzerland16.5
28Canada16.4
29Bahrain16.3
30Lithuania16.3
31USA16.3
32Italy16.2
33Czechia16.2
Asia Avg13.5
World Avg13.5
q=193.
Intellectual Endeavours
Lower is better
34
Pos.2017
Rank34
1Ukraine1
2Czechia2
3Hungary3
...
112Belize112
113Algeria113
114Bahamas114
115Bahrain115
116Kazakhstan116
117Sri Lanka117
118Rwanda118
119Guatemala119
Asia Avg97.1
World Avg82.0
q=163.

Technology and Information:

Internet Users
Higher is better
52
Pos.201652
1Iceland100%
2Faroe Islands99%
3Norway98%
...
13Finland93%
14Qatar92%
15UAE92%
16Bahrain92%
17Estonia91%
18Japan91%
19New Zealand89%
20=USA89%
Asia Avg48.7%
World Avg48.1%
q=201.
Freedom On The Internet
Lower is better
53
Pos.201253
1Estonia10
2USA12
3Germany15
...
35Thailand61
36Pakistan63
37Belarus69
38=Bahrain71
38=Saudi Arabia71
40Vietnam73
41=Ethiopia75
41=Myanmar (Burma)75
Asia Avg56.6
World Avg46.7
q=47.
IPv6 Uptake
Higher is better
54
Pos.2017
Ratio54
1Belgium55.4
2Germany41.8
3Switzerland35.1
...
156=Greenland0.0
156=Brunei0.0
156=Aruba0.0
156=Bahrain0.0
156=Palau0.0
156=Equatorial Guinea0.0
156=Belize0.0
156=Suriname0.0
Asia Avg2.11
World Avg3.82
q=176.
Digital Quality of Life
Higher is better
55
Pos.202455
1Germany77.9%
2Finland76.9%
3France73.9%
...
49Turkey52.2%
50Russia52.1%
51Thailand51.4%
52Bahrain51.1%
53Brazil50.9%
54Peru49.9%
55Colombia49.8%
56Oman47.9%
Asia Avg46.4%
World Avg48.4%
q=121.

8. National Culture

#bahrain #charity #corruption #happiness #morals #politics

World Giving Index
Higher is better
56
Pos.2022
%56
1Indonesia68.0
2Kenya61.0
3USA59.0
...
28=Mongolia46.0
28=Denmark46.0
28=Uganda46.0
31Bahrain45.0
32=Malta45.0
32=Singapore45.0
32=Macedonia45.0
32=Venezuela45.0
Asia Avg37.9
World Avg39.6
q=125.
Corruption
Higher is better
57
Pos.2022
Points57
1Denmark90.0
2=Finland87.0
2=New Zealand87.0
...
68Cuba45.0
69Jamaica44.0
70=Oman44.0
70=Bahrain44.0
72Senegal43.0
73=S. Africa43.0
73=Bulgaria43.0
73=Benin43.0
Asia Avg39.98
World Avg42.98
q=180.

Thoughout the 2000s and 2010s, Bahrain's score on the Corruption Perception Index declined terribly; it was amongst the 10 countries with the worse rise in perceived corruption in both of those decades.

Happiness
Higher is better
58
Pos.2018
Score58
1Finland7.6
2Norway7.6
3Denmark7.6
...
40El Salvador6.2
41Nicaragua6.1
42Poland6.1
43Bahrain6.1
44Uzbekistan6.1
45Kuwait6.1
46Thailand6.1
47Italy6.0
Asia Avg5.29
World Avg5.38
q=156.
Creativity & Culture
Lower is better
34
Pos.2017
Rank34
1Belgium1
2Netherlands2
3Estonia3
...
102Vietnam102
103Armenia103
104Ghana104
105Bahrain105
106Ecuador106
107Uganda107
108Lesotho108
109Georgia109
Asia Avg99.0
World Avg82.0
q=163.
Open Trading, Aid & Development
Lower is better
34
Pos.2017
Rank34
1Ireland1
2Denmark2
3Sweden3
...
154Paraguay154
155Grenada155
156Venezuela156
157Bahrain157
158Mauritania158
159Brunei159
160Algeria160
161Papua New Guinea161
Asia Avg86.3
World Avg82.0
q=163.

9. Peace Versus Instability

#extremism #human_development #peace #politics #religious_violence #terrorism

Global Peace Index
Lower is better
59
Pos.2023
Score59
1Iceland1.12
2Denmark1.31
3Ireland1.31
...
105=Togo2.13
106Guyana2.13
107Sri Lanka2.14
108Bahrain2.15
109Swaziland2.17
110Benin2.18
111Lesotho2.19
112Djibouti2.20
Asia Avg2.17
World Avg2.07
q=163.
Peacekeeping & Security
Lower is better
34
Pos.2017
Rank34
1Samoa1
2S. Africa2
3Tunisia3
...
156Swaziland156
157Yemen157
158Iraq158
159Bahrain159
160Slovenia160
161Tonga161
162Marshall Islands162
163Guinea-Bissau163
Asia Avg76.0
World Avg82.0
q=163.
Refugees & UN Treaties
Lower is better
34
Pos.2017
Rank34
1Austria1
2Germany2
3Netherlands3
...
74Albania74
75Botswana75
76Lebanon76
77Bahrain77
78Sri Lanka78
79Algeria79
80Ecuador80
81Kuwait81
Asia Avg92.2
World Avg82.0
q=163.
Impact of Terrorism
Lower is better
60
Pos.2019
Score60
1Togo0.00
2Mongolia0.00
3Swaziland0.00
...
87Jordan3.09
88Italy3.11
89Paraguay3.12
90Bahrain3.20
91Tanzania3.27
92Spain3.35
93Bolivia3.39
94Algeria3.41
Asia Avg3.60
World Avg2.78
q=150.

10. Economic Inequality and Poverty

#health #inequality #life_expectancy

Inequality in Life Expectancy
Lower is better61
Pos.201961
1Iceland2.40
2=Singapore2.50
2=Hong Kong2.50
...
41Bosnia & Herzegovina5.40
42=Latvia5.40
43Lithuania5.50
44=Bahrain5.50
45Qatar5.70
46Kuwait5.90
47Maldives6.00
48=Malaysia6.10
Asia Avg11.80
World Avg14.59
q=184.

11. Religion and Beliefs

#buddhism #christianity #hinduism #islam #judaism

Data from the Pew Forum, a professional polling outfit, states that in 2010 the religious makeup of this country was as follows in the table below62:

Christian14.5%
Muslim70.3%
Hindu9.8%
Buddhist2.5%
Folk Religion0.1%
Jewish0.6%
Unaffiliated1.9%

The CIA World Factbook has slightly different data, and states: Muslim (Shia and Sunni) 81.2%, Christian 9%, other 9.8% (2001 census)63.

The International Humanist and Ethical Union produced a report in 2012 entitled "Freedom of Thought" (2012)64, in which they document bias and prejudice at the national level that is based on religion, belief and/or lack of belief. Their entry for Bahrain states:

The constitution does not explicitly protect freedom of religion or belief, but it does make provision for the freedom of conscience, the inviolability of places of worship, and the freedom to perform religious rites and hold religious parades and meetings, in accordance with the customs observed in the country. The constitution stipulates that there shall be no discrimination in the rights and duties of citizens on grounds of religion. However, the constitution also states that Islam is the official religion and that Islamic law is a principal source for legislation.

By declaring Islam as the state religion and Islamic law as the source of legislation, the constitution implies that Muslims are forbidden to change their religion (since Sharia outlaws apostasy). The constitution imposes no restrictions on non-Muslims' right to choose, change, or practice their religion or belief, including the study, discussion, and promulgation of those beliefs. The constitution prohibits discrimination in the rights and duties of citizens on the basis of religion or belief; however, there are no further laws to prevent discrimination, nor procedures to file a grievance.

The civil and criminal legal systems consist of a complex mix of courts based on diverse legal sources, including both Shiite and Sunni schools of Islamic jurisprudence, tribal law, and other civil codes. Sharia governs personal status, and a person's rights can vary according to Shiite or Sunni interpretation, as determined by the individual's faith or by the courts. In May 2009, the government adopted the country's first personal status law, which regulates family matters such as inheritance, child custody, marriage, and divorce. The law is only applicable to the Sunni population as Shiite clerics and lawmakers opposed legislation that would have applied to Shiite courts.

The press and publications law prohibits anti-Islamic media, and mandates imprisonment for "exposing the state's official religion for offense and criticism." The law states that "any publication that prejudices the ruling system of the country and its official religion can be banned from publication by a ministerial order." The law allows the production and distribution of religious media and publications. Islamic studies are a part of the curriculum in government schools and mandatory for all public school students. In 2011, Bahrain experienced prolonged unrest as protestors, predominantly from the majority Shia community, demanded political reform and an end to the political hegemony of the Sunni minority. The sectarian dimension of the political uprising resulted in substantial intra-Muslim conflict, including government attacks on Shi'ite religious buildings and the violent oppression of Shi'ite protestors. Violence has diminished in 2012, but the simmering sectarian tensions remain alongside the demands for political reform.

Cases of Discrimination

In August, 2012, a Bahraini court sentenced a man to two years in prison for making insulting comments about one of the Prophet Mohammad's wives. The man reportedly insulted Aisha in comments online.

"Freedom of Thought" by IHEU (2012)65

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