Bahrain (Kingdom of Bahrain)

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

By Vexen Crabtree 2013

Bahrain Kingdom of Bahrain
Status	Independent State
Social and Moral Index	99th best
Capital	Manama
Land Area	760km²₁
Location	Asia, The Middle East
Groupings	Small Islands
Population	1.6m₂
Life Expectancy	78.76yrs (2017)₃
GNI	$39 497 (2017)₄
ISO3166-1 Codes	BH, BHR, 48₅
Internet Domain	.bh₆
Currency	Dinar (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

“This 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
1	Switzerland	0.962
2	Norway	0.961
3	Iceland	0.959
	...
32	Czechia	0.889
33	Greece	0.887
34	Poland	0.876
35=	Bahrain	0.875
35=	Lithuania	0.875
35=	Saudi Arabia	0.875
38	Portugal	0.866
39	Latvia	0.863
	Asia Avg	0.75
	World Avg	0.72
q=191.

Gross National Income Per-Capita (2021)₁₁
Pos.		Higher is better PPP $₁₁
1	Liechtenstein	$146 830
2	Singapore	$90 919
3	Qatar	$87 134
	...
31	Japan	$42 274
32	Israel	$41 524
33	Slovenia	$39 746
34	Bahrain	$39 497
35	Malta	$38 884
36	Czechia	$38 745
37	Spain	$38 354
38	Cyprus	$38 188
	Asia Avg	$22 215
	World Avg	$20 136
q=193.

Social & Moral Development Index₁₂
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank₁₂
1	Denmark	27.4
2	Norway	27.6
3	Sweden	30.4
	...
96	St Lucia	88.0
97	Philippines	88.1
98	Kazakhstan	88.5
99	Bahrain	89.1
100	Morocco	89.2
101	Kyrgyzstan	89.2
102	Cape Verde	89.2
103	Maldives	89.4
	Asia Avg	92.0
	World Avg	89.7
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
1	China	1.4b
2	India	1.4b
3	USA	327.1m
	...
147	Slovenia	2.1m
148	Latvia	1.9m
149	Guinea-Bissau	1.9m
150	Bahrain	1.6m
151	Trinidad & Tobago	1.4m
152	Estonia	1.3m
153	Equatorial Guinea	1.3m
154	Timor-Leste (E. Timor)	1.3m
	World Avg	39.0m
q=195.

Life Expectancy Higher is better₁₁
Pos.		2021 Years₁₁
1	Monaco	85.9
2	Hong Kong	85.5
3	Japan	84.8
	...
34	Maldives	79.9
35	Qatar	79.3
36	Chile	78.9
37	Bahrain	78.8
38	Thailand	78.7
39	UAE	78.7
40	Kuwait	78.7
41	Antigua & Barbuda	78.5
	World Avg	71.28
q=195.

Fertility Rate 2.0 is best₁₄
Pos.		2022₁₄
1	US Virgin Islands	2.00
2	Ecuador	2.00
3	Nepal	2.01
	...
26	Mexico	1.80
27=	Montenegro	1.80
27=	Moldova	1.80
29	Bahrain	1.80
30	France	1.79
31	N. Korea	1.79
32	Malaysia	1.79
33	El Salvador	1.79
	World Avg	2.47
q=208.

Old-Age Dependency Ratio Lower is better₁₅
Pos.		2016 Per 100₁₅
1	Uganda	04.3
2	Mali	04.5
3=	Chad	04.7
	...
56	Belize	08.3
57	Gabon	08.5
58	Pakistan	08.6
59	Bahrain	08.7
60	Syria	09.0
61=	Djibouti	09.1
61=	Tajikistan	09.1
63	Equatorial Guinea	09.4
	World Avg	18.3
q=185.

Migration:

Immigrants₁₆
Pos.		2017 %₁₆
1	UAE	88.4%
2	Kuwait	75.5%
3	Qatar	65.2%
4	Liechtenstein	65.1%
5	Monaco	54.9%
6	Andorra	53.3%
7	Bahrain	48.4%
8	Singapore	46.0%
9	Luxembourg	45.3%
10	Oman	44.7%
11	Hong Kong	39.1%
12	Saudi Arabia	37.0%
	World Avg	9.4%
q=195.

Emigrants₁₇
Pos.		2010 %₁₇
1	Dominica	104.8%
2	Palestine	68.4%
3	Samoa	67.3%
	...
125	Burundi	4.2%
126	Panama	4.0%
127	Norway	3.8%
128	Bahrain	3.7%
129	Gambia	3.7%
130	Chile	3.7%
131	Peru	3.7%
132	Czechia	3.6%
	World Avg	11.5%
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
1	Sweden	8.5
2	Denmark	13.5
3	Norway	13.5
	...
153	Uzbekistan	116.7
154	Egypt	117.2
155	Guinea-Bissau	117.7
156	Bahrain	117.8
157	Guinea	118.8
158	Libya	119.4
	Asia Avg	103.0
	World Avg	87.8
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:

Human Rights and Freedom in Bahrain

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
1	Maldives	41.7
2	Sri Lanka	43.1
3	Malaysia	53.1
	...
14	Oman	65.5
15	Japan	65.9
16	India	66.9
17	Bahrain	68.1
18	S. Korea	69.8
19	Myanmar (Burma)	73.1
20	China	73.5
21=	Thailand	76.3
22	Iran	76.4
	Asia Avg	80.9
q=50.

Health (2020)₂₉
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank₂₉
1	Monaco	13.0
2	Maldives	41.7
3	Sri Lanka	43.1
	...
19	India	66.9
20	St Martin	67.5
21	Morocco	67.9
22	Bahrain	68.1
23	S. Korea	69.8
24	Finland	73.1
25	Myanmar (Burma)	73.1
26	China	73.5
	World Avg	95.1
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:

"Countries With the Healthiest Cultures and Health Policies" by Vexen Crabtree (2020).

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 better₁₁
Pos.		2021 Years₁₁
1	Monaco	85.9
2	Hong Kong	85.5
3	Japan	84.8
	...
34	Maldives	79.9
35	Qatar	79.3
36	Chile	78.9
37	Bahrain	78.8
38	Thailand	78.7
39	UAE	78.7
40	Kuwait	78.7
41	Antigua & Barbuda	78.5
	Asia Avg	73.48
	World Avg	71.28
q=195.

Alcohol Consumption Lower is better₃₃
Pos.		2016 Per Capita₃₃
1	Bangladesh	0.0
2	Kuwait	0.0
3	Libya	0.0
	...
38	Tuvalu	1.7
39=	Madagascar	1.9
39=	Tunisia	1.9
39=	Bahrain	1.9
42	Qatar	2.0
43=	Nepal	2.0
43=	Singapore	2.0
43=	Turkey	2.0
	Asia Avg	3.9
	World Avg	6.2
q=189.

Fertility Rate 2.0 is best₁₄
Pos.		2022₁₄
1	US Virgin Islands	2.00
2	Ecuador	2.00
3	Nepal	2.01
	...
26	Mexico	1.80
27=	Montenegro	1.80
27=	Moldova	1.80
29	Bahrain	1.80
30	France	1.79
31	N. Korea	1.79
32	Malaysia	1.79
33	El Salvador	1.79
	Asia Avg	2.17
	World Avg	2.47
q=208.

Smoking Rates Lower is better₃₅
Pos.		2014₃₅
1	Guinea	15
2	Solomon Islands	26
3	Kiribati	28
	...
117	Ireland	954
118	Australia	956
119	Mongolia	957
120	Bahrain	969
121	France	993
122	Brunei	1 023
123	Algeria	1 024
124	Latvia	1 041
	Asia Avg	1 035
	World Avg	819
q=182.

Suicide Rate₃₂
Pos.		2013 Per 100k₃₂
1	Haiti	0
2	Grenada	0
3	Egypt	0.1
	...
20=	Guatemala	7.3
20=	Barbados	7.3
20=	Belize	7.3
23	Bahrain	7.5
24	Albania	8
25=	Mexico	8.5
25=	Israel	8.5
27	Georgia	8.8
	Asia Avg	19.50
	World Avg	20.93
q=91.

Food Aid, Health Contributions & WHO Compliance Lower is better₃₄
Pos.		2017 Rank₃₄
1	Sweden	1
2	Ireland	2
3	Denmark	3
	...
90	Uganda	90
91	Chile	91
92	Tunisia	92
93	Bahrain	93
94	Philippines	94
95	Bosnia & Herzegovina	95
96	Namibia	96
97	Guyana	97
	Asia Avg	64.4
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Overweight Adults Lower is better₃₆
Pos.		2016 %₃₆
1	Vietnam	18.3
2	India	19.7
3	Bangladesh	20.0
	...
168	Iraq	64.6
169	Mexico	64.9
170	New Zealand	65.6
171	Bahrain	65.8
172	Malta	66.4
173=	Turkey	66.8
173=	Libya	66.8
175	UAE	67.8
	Asia Avg	44.3
	World Avg	49.0
q=191.

Children's Health:

Adolescent Birth Rate Lower is better₂₀
Pos.		2015 Per 1000₂₀
1	N. Korea	0.5
2	S. Korea	1.6
3	Switzerland	2.9
	...
41	Lebanon	12.4
42	Estonia	13.1
43	Poland	13.4
44	Bahrain	13.5
45	Malaysia	13.6
46	Latvia	13.6
47	Australia	14.1
48	UK	14.6
	Asia Avg	29.9
	World Avg	47.9
q=185.

Infant Immunizations 2011-2015 Higher is better₃₁
Pos.		2015 Avg %₃₁
1=	Hungary	99.0
1=	China	99.0
3	Uzbekistan	98.9
	...
8	S. Korea	98.6
9	Sri Lanka	98.4
10	St Lucia	98.2
11	Bahrain	98.2
12	Iran	98.1
13	Finland	98.1
14	Saudi Arabia	98.0
15=	Luxembourg	98.0
	Asia Avg	90.5
	World Avg	88.3
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
1	Japan	33.2
2	Philippines	45.0
3	Sri Lanka	49.0
	...
43	UAE	114.4
44	Kuwait	115.4
45	Uzbekistan	118.5
46	Afghanistan	120.3
47	Brunei	121.5
48	Iraq	122.5
49	Tajikistan	125.0
50	Bahrain	128.0
51	Palestine	147.5
	Asia Avg	88.8
q=51.

Responsibility Towards The Environment (2023)₃₇
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank₃₇
1	Japan	33.2
2	Philippines	45.0
3	Uruguay	48.0
	...
180	Montenegro	124.3
181	Tajikistan	125.0
182	Liberia	125.8
183	Bahrain	128.0
184	Haiti	131.0
185	Libya	132.8
186	Gabon	141.7
187	Palestine	147.5
	World Avg	85.7
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 better₃₈
Pos.		Total₃₈
1	Guernsey	82.6%
2	Bahrain	75.2%
3	Iceland	64.7%
4	Burundi	44.2%
5	Uruguay	43.8%
6	Montenegro	32.1%
7	Malta	31.4%
8	Cuba	31.0%
9	Kuwait	28.9%
10	Uzbekistan	23.3%
11	Algeria	23.1%
12	China	23.0%
	Asia Avg	3.2%
	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 better₃₉
Pos.		2018₃₉
1	Switzerland	87.4
2	France	84.0
3	Denmark	81.6
	...
93	Barbados	55.8
94	Georgia	55.7
95	Kiribati	55.3
96	Bahrain	55.2
97	Nicaragua	55.0
98	Bahamas	55.0
99	Kyrgyzstan	54.9
100	Nigeria	54.8
	Asia Avg	54.5
	World Avg	56.4
q=180.

Energy to GDP Efficiency Higher is better₄₂
Pos.		2014₄₂
1	Hong Kong	26.32
2	Sri Lanka	20.00
3	Panama	17.86
	...
108=	Bosnia & Herzegovina	04.52
108=	Russia	04.52
110	S. Africa	04.48
111	Bahrain	04.10
112	Ukraine	03.28
113	Togo	02.88
114	Ethiopia	02.81
115	Mozambique	02.47
	Asia Avg	09.14
	World Avg	09.29
q=119.

Convention on Biological Diversity Earlier is better
Pos.		Total Signed
1=	China	1993 Dec 29
1=	Guinea	1993 Dec 29
1=	Cook Islands	1993 Dec 29
	...
157	S. Sudan	2014 May 18
158	Mauritania	1996 Nov 14
159	Qatar	1996 Nov 19
160	Bahrain	1996 Nov 28
161	Turkmenistan	1996 Dec 17
162	Laos	1996 Dec 19
163	Haiti	1996 Dec 24
164	Croatia	1997 Jan 05
	Asia Avg	1899 Dec 30
	World Avg	1899 Dec 30
q=197.

Rational Beliefs on the Environment Higher is better₄₀
Pos.		2011 %₄₀
1	Argentina	78.3%
2	Greece	77.6%
3	Brazil	77.1%
	...
103	Belgium	26.9%
104	Syria	26.6%
105	Qatar	26.5%
106	Bahrain	26.3%
107	S. Africa	26.2%
108	Lithuania	25.6%
109	Nigeria	25.3%
110	Armenia	25.3%
	Asia Avg	37.9%
	World Avg	39.9%
q=145.

Meat Consumption Lower is better₄₁
Pos.		2021 kg₄₁
1	Congo, DR	03.0
2	Burundi	03.5
3	Bangladesh	04.3
	...
149	Hungary	82.1
150	UK	82.3
151	Czechia	82.4
152	Bahrain	82.8
153	Qatar	83.0
154=	Iceland	83.6
154=	Lithuania	83.6
156	UAE	84.3
	Asia Avg	46.7
	World Avg	52.5
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
1	Taiwan	10.0
2	Japan	21.0
3	S. Korea	23.6
	...
21	Thailand	70.4
22	Qatar	71.4
23	India	72.4
24	Bahrain	72.6
25	Kyrgyzstan	73.1
26	Iran	74.6
27	Kuwait	76.3
28	Philippines	79.3
29	Sri Lanka	80.8
	Asia Avg	78.3
q=51.

Modernity & Learning (2020)₄₃
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank₄₃
1	Finland	7.7
2	Taiwan	10.0
3	Switzerland	14.7
	...
84	Qatar	71.4
85	Aruba	71.5
86	India	72.4
87	Bahrain	72.6
88	Kyrgyzstan	73.1
89	Tunisia	74.3
90	Andorra	74.5
91	Iran	74.6
	World Avg	82.7
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
1	S. Korea	4.29₄₅
2	Israel	4.11₄₅
3	Japan	3.58₄₅
	...
118=	Macau	0.05₄₆
119	Honduras	0.04₄₇
120=	Guatemala	0.04₄₈
120=	Bahrain	0.04₄₆
120=	Colombia	0.04₄₆
123	Iraq	0.03₄₉
124=	El Salvador	0.03₄₈
124=	China	0.03₄₆
	Asia Avg	0.75
	World Avg	0.84
q=126.

Secondary Education Higher is better₅₀
Pos.		2018₅₀
1=	Luxembourg	100.0%
1=	Estonia	100.0%
1=	Austria	100.0%
	...
91	Palestine	61.1%
92	Suriname	60.5%
93	Mexico	59.7%
94	Bahrain	59.6%
95	Brazil	59.5%
96	Bolivia	58.8%
97	Zimbabwe	58.7%
98	Gabon	57.6%
	Asia Avg	66.0%
	World Avg	63.0%
q=169.

Length of Schooling Higher is better₅₁
Pos.		2021 Years₅₁
1	Australia	21.1
2	New Zealand	20.3
3	Greece	20.0
	...
26	S. Korea	16.5
27	Switzerland	16.5
28	Canada	16.4
29	Bahrain	16.3
30	Lithuania	16.3
31	USA	16.3
32	Italy	16.2
33	Czechia	16.2
	Asia Avg	13.5
	World Avg	13.5
q=193.

Intellectual Endeavours Lower is better₃₄
Pos.		2017 Rank₃₄
1	Ukraine	1
2	Czechia	2
3	Hungary	3
	...
112	Belize	112
113	Algeria	113
114	Bahamas	114
115	Bahrain	115
116	Kazakhstan	116
117	Sri Lanka	117
118	Rwanda	118
119	Guatemala	119
	Asia Avg	97.1
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Technology and Information:

Internet Users Higher is better₅₂
Pos.		2016₅₂
1	Iceland	100%
2	Faroe Islands	99%
3	Norway	98%
	...
13	Finland	93%
14	Qatar	92%
15	UAE	92%
16	Bahrain	92%
17	Estonia	91%
18	Japan	91%
19	New Zealand	89%
20=	USA	89%
	Asia Avg	48.7%
	World Avg	48.1%
q=201.

Freedom On The Internet Lower is better₅₃
Pos.		2012₅₃
1	Estonia	10
2	USA	12
3	Germany	15
	...
35	Thailand	61
36	Pakistan	63
37	Belarus	69
38=	Bahrain	71
38=	Saudi Arabia	71
40	Vietnam	73
41=	Ethiopia	75
41=	Myanmar (Burma)	75
	Asia Avg	56.6
	World Avg	46.7
q=47.

IPv6 Uptake Higher is better₅₄
Pos.		2017 Ratio₅₄
1	Belgium	55.4
2	Germany	41.8
3	Switzerland	35.1
	...
156=	Greenland	0.0
156=	Brunei	0.0
156=	Aruba	0.0
156=	Bahrain	0.0
156=	Palau	0.0
156=	Equatorial Guinea	0.0
156=	Belize	0.0
156=	Suriname	0.0
	Asia Avg	2.11
	World Avg	3.82
q=176.

Digital Quality of Life Higher is better₅₅
Pos.		2024₅₅
1	Germany	77.9%
2	Finland	76.9%
3	France	73.9%
	...
49	Turkey	52.2%
50	Russia	52.1%
51	Thailand	51.4%
52	Bahrain	51.1%
53	Brazil	50.9%
54	Peru	49.9%
55	Colombia	49.8%
56	Oman	47.9%
	Asia Avg	46.4%
	World Avg	48.4%
q=121.

8. National Culture

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

World Giving Index Higher is better₅₆
Pos.		2022 %₅₆
1	Indonesia	68.0
2	Kenya	61.0
3	USA	59.0
	...
28=	Mongolia	46.0
28=	Denmark	46.0
28=	Uganda	46.0
31	Bahrain	45.0
32=	Malta	45.0
32=	Singapore	45.0
32=	Macedonia	45.0
32=	Venezuela	45.0
	Asia Avg	37.9
	World Avg	39.6
q=125.

Corruption Higher is better₅₇
Pos.		2022 Points₅₇
1	Denmark	90.0
2=	Finland	87.0
2=	New Zealand	87.0
	...
68	Cuba	45.0
69	Jamaica	44.0
70=	Oman	44.0
70=	Bahrain	44.0
72	Senegal	43.0
73=	S. Africa	43.0
73=	Bulgaria	43.0
73=	Benin	43.0
	Asia Avg	39.98
	World Avg	42.98
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 better₅₈
Pos.		2018 Score₅₈
1	Finland	7.6
2	Norway	7.6
3	Denmark	7.6
	...
40	El Salvador	6.2
41	Nicaragua	6.1
42	Poland	6.1
43	Bahrain	6.1
44	Uzbekistan	6.1
45	Kuwait	6.1
46	Thailand	6.1
47	Italy	6.0
	Asia Avg	5.29
	World Avg	5.38
q=156.

Creativity & Culture Lower is better₃₄
Pos.		2017 Rank₃₄
1	Belgium	1
2	Netherlands	2
3	Estonia	3
	...
102	Vietnam	102
103	Armenia	103
104	Ghana	104
105	Bahrain	105
106	Ecuador	106
107	Uganda	107
108	Lesotho	108
109	Georgia	109
	Asia Avg	99.0
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Open Trading, Aid & Development Lower is better₃₄
Pos.		2017 Rank₃₄
1	Ireland	1
2	Denmark	2
3	Sweden	3
	...
154	Paraguay	154
155	Grenada	155
156	Venezuela	156
157	Bahrain	157
158	Mauritania	158
159	Brunei	159
160	Algeria	160
161	Papua New Guinea	161
	Asia Avg	86.3
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

9. Peace Versus Instability

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

Global Peace Index Lower is better₅₉
Pos.		2023 Score₅₉
1	Iceland	1.12
2	Denmark	1.31
3	Ireland	1.31
	...
105=	Togo	2.13
106	Guyana	2.13
107	Sri Lanka	2.14
108	Bahrain	2.15
109	Swaziland	2.17
110	Benin	2.18
111	Lesotho	2.19
112	Djibouti	2.20
	Asia Avg	2.17
	World Avg	2.07
q=163.

Peacekeeping & Security Lower is better₃₄
Pos.		2017 Rank₃₄
1	Samoa	1
2	S. Africa	2
3	Tunisia	3
	...
156	Swaziland	156
157	Yemen	157
158	Iraq	158
159	Bahrain	159
160	Slovenia	160
161	Tonga	161
162	Marshall Islands	162
163	Guinea-Bissau	163
	Asia Avg	76.0
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Refugees & UN Treaties Lower is better₃₄
Pos.		2017 Rank₃₄
1	Austria	1
2	Germany	2
3	Netherlands	3
	...
74	Albania	74
75	Botswana	75
76	Lebanon	76
77	Bahrain	77
78	Sri Lanka	78
79	Algeria	79
80	Ecuador	80
81	Kuwait	81
	Asia Avg	92.2
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Impact of Terrorism Lower is better₆₀
Pos.		2019 Score₆₀
1	Togo	0.00
2	Mongolia	0.00
3	Swaziland	0.00
	...
87	Jordan	3.09
88	Italy	3.11
89	Paraguay	3.12
90	Bahrain	3.20
91	Tanzania	3.27
92	Spain	3.35
93	Bolivia	3.39
94	Algeria	3.41
	Asia Avg	3.60
	World Avg	2.78
q=150.

10. Economic Inequality and Poverty

#health #inequality #life_expectancy

Inequality in Life Expectancy Lower is better₆₁
Pos.		2019₆₁
1	Iceland	2.40
2=	Singapore	2.50
2=	Hong Kong	2.50
	...
41	Bosnia & Herzegovina	5.40
42=	Latvia	5.40
43	Lithuania	5.50
44=	Bahrain	5.50
45	Qatar	5.70
46	Kuwait	5.90
47	Maldives	6.00
48=	Malaysia	6.10
	Asia Avg	11.80
	World Avg	14.59
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:

Christian	14.5%
Muslim	70.3%
Hindu	9.8%
Buddhist	2.5%
Folk Religion	0.1%
Jewish	0.6%
Unaffiliated	1.9%

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

Links:

A List of All Religions and Belief Systems