Bahrain Population
Middle East & North Africa · 152nd most populous · High income
Population right now (estimate)
1,637,506
The population of Bahrain is about 1,637,506 as of 22 October 2026 (estimate), and 1.6 million for 2026 as a whole — 0.02% of the world's people.
Bahrain is ranked 152nd of 217 by population. The population is still growing, by about 1.85% a year. By 2050 it is projected to reach about 2.1 million. That is 9.9 times its 1960 population of 165 thousand. With 2,038 people per square kilometre, it is one of the most densely populated places in the world. 100% of people live in cities (2025).
Population 2026
1.6 million
Yearly change
+1.85%
World rank
152nd
Share of world
0.02%
Density
2,038/km²
Land area
800 km²
Life expectancy
81.4 yrs
Births per woman
1.81
GDP per capita
$30,597
GDP
$49.0B
Population of Bahrain, 1960–2050
Bahrain population by year
| Year | Population | Yearly change | Density (per km²) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | 165,477 | — | 207 |
| 1970 | 224,809 | +1.05% | 281 |
| 1980 | 358,978 | +4.52% | 449 |
| 1990 | 514,797 | +3.51% | 643 |
| 2000 | 637,582 | +2.67% | 797 |
| 2010 | 1,228,543 | +4.25% | 1,536 |
| 2020 | 1,472,204 | −0.78% | 1,840 |
| 2024 | 1,588,670 | +0.74% | 1,986 |
| 2026proj. | 1,630,023 | +1.85% | 2,038 |
| 2030proj. | 1,710,659 | +1.02% | 2,138 |
| 2040proj. | 1,890,380 | +0.98% | 2,363 |
| 2050proj. | 2,072,986 | +0.88% | 2,591 |
Bahrain vs Bangladesh
Bangladesh (178 million) has 109 times as many people as Bahrain. Bangladesh is 1.5 times less densely populated.
Bahrain population: questions and answers
What is the population of Bahrain in 2026?
About 1,630,023 (1.6 million), based on World Bank projections.
Is Bahrain's population growing?
Yes, by about 1.85% a year (2026).
What is the population density of Bahrain?
About 2,038 people per km², with a land area of 800 km².
What will the population of Bahrain be in 2050?
About 2.1 million on World Bank projections.
What is the capital of Bahrain?
Manama.
What is the life expectancy in Bahrain?
81.4 years at birth (2024).
Sources: World Bank Open Data — World Development Indicators and Population Estimates and Projections (CC BY 4.0); Wikidata (CC0). Data retrieved 2026-10-22. Live figures are mathematical estimates interpolated between the World Bank's mid-year values, not real-time counts.