Bahrain
Asia
Key facts
- Capital
- Manama
- Population
- 1,600,366
- 2025
- Area
- 800 km²
- Official language
- Arabic
- Currency
- Bahraini Dinar
- BHD
- GDP per capita
- US$30,597
- 2025
- Dual citizenship
- Allowed with conditions
- Bahrain requires the Interior Minister's prior permission before a citizen takes another nationality; naturalised citizens risk withdrawal if they regain their original nationality without permission.
Bahrain (Asia) has data on 11/14 Prosperous Intelligence indices. Strongest relative position: Tax Freedom Index — #4/145 (98.2/100). Lowest relative position: Healthcare Index — #83/192 (59.5/100). The passport ranks #62/198 and reaches 92 destinations without a consular visa in advance. Global Citizenship Score 69.2/100 (#59/199). On the entry side, 188/197 passports can enter Bahrain without a consular visa in advance. The dataset records 2 active citizenship and residence programmes in Bahrain.
Scores on 11 indices
- Health & Longevity59.5
- Safety & Stability79.2
- Economy & Income89.9
- Education71.2
- Environment & Clean Water29.2
- Infrastructure93.4
- Digital Connectivity72.8
- Equality76.0
- Learning Quality62.3
- Educational Attainment92.5
- Expected Years of Schooling69.7
- Education Spending52.9
- Basic Access79.0
- Violent Crime100.0
- Stability & Absence of Terrorism53.1
- Law Enforcement & Order56.0
- Road Safety90.0
- Absence of Armed Conflict100.0
- Health Outcomes92.4
- Coverage & Access90.6
- Health Workforce & Facilities16.0
- Spending & Investment14.5
- Financial Protection62.7
- Personal Income Tax100.0
- Capital Gains & Dividends100.0
- System & Incentives90.0
- Net Wealth Tax100.0
- Inheritance & Gift Tax100.0
- Corporate & Social Security98.4
- Rule of Law & Property Rights54.0
- Political Stability53.1
- Institutions & Regulation71.3
- Monetary Stability100.0
- Freedom of Capital Movement95.0
- Education71.2
- Healthcare59.5
- Safety79.2
- Quality of Life69.7
- Cost of living80.2
- Passport37.8
- Passport37.8
- Quality of Life69.7
- Safety79.2
- Healthcare59.5
- Purchasing power & price stability91.8
- Education71.2
- Wealth Protection70.6
- Tax98.2
- Cost of living80.2
- Healthcare59.5
- Safety79.2
- Quality of Life69.7
- Tax98.2
- Wealth Protection70.6
- Affordable Prices71.7
- Price Stability100.0
- Purchasing power89.8
At a glance
Entering Bahrain
- Visa-free: 5 passports
- Visa on arrival: 183 passports
- eTA: 0 passports
- e-Visa: 7 passports
- Consular visa required: 2 passports
Regional position and data sources
- First in Asia on 1/11 indices: Tax Freedom Index
- Above the regional median on 11/11 indices
- Each index lists its source and data date on the Data sources page
Citizenship and residence programmes in the dataset
- Self-Sponsorship Residence Permit (Foreign Investor)
- Bahrain Golden Residency Visa
Frequently asked questions about Bahrain
What is the capital of Bahrain?
The capital of Bahrain is Manama.
What is the population of Bahrain?
According to the World Bank, Bahrain had a population of 1,600,366 in 2025.
What is the official language of Bahrain?
The official language of Bahrain is Arabic.
What currency does Bahrain use?
Bahrain uses the Bahraini Dinar (BHD).
Does Bahrain allow dual citizenship?
Bahrain requires the Interior Minister's prior permission before a citizen takes another nationality; naturalised citizens risk withdrawal if they regain their original nationality without permission.
How strong is the Bahrain passport?
The Bahrain passport ranks #62 of 198 on Prosperous Intelligence’s Passport Index and reaches 92 destinations without applying for a consular visa in advance (visa-free, visa on arrival or eTA).
How many destinations require a visa for Bahrain passport holders?
Holders of the Bahrain passport must apply for a consular visa before travelling to 108 destinations and need an e-Visa for 47. Full list: Bahrain passport page.
How many passports can enter Bahrain without applying for a visa in advance?
188 of 197 passports can enter Bahrain without applying for a consular visa in advance: 5 visa-free and 183 with a visa on arrival. 7 need an e-Visa and 2 must apply for a consular visa.
What citizenship and residency programmes does Bahrain offer?
The Prosperous Intelligence dataset records 2 active citizenship and residency programmes in Bahrain: Self-Sponsorship Residence Permit (Foreign Investor) and Bahrain Golden Residency Visa. Details: Opportunity Map.
What is the minimum investment for residency or citizenship in Bahrain?
In Bahrain, Self-Sponsorship Residence Permit (Foreign Investor) requires a minimum investment of US$265,000 and Bahrain Golden Residency Visa requires starting from US$345,000 (reference USD conversion).
Can family members join programmes in Bahrain?
All 2 programmes can include spouse.
Where is Bahrain strongest and weakest in Prosperous Intelligence’s indices?
Relative to other countries, Bahrain is strongest on the Tax Freedom Index (#4 of 145) and weakest on the Healthcare Index (#83 of 192).
How does Bahrain rank for quality of life?
Bahrain scores 69.7/100 on Prosperous Intelligence’s Quality of Life Index, ranking #81 of 211.
Is Bahrain expensive to live in?
Bahrain scores 80.2/100 on Prosperous Intelligence’s Cost of Living Index, ranking #37 of 200. This is the affordability-of-living-costs score: a higher score means lower prices.
How safe is Bahrain?
Bahrain scores 79.2/100 on Prosperous Intelligence’s Global Safety Index, ranking #71 of 203.
How does Bahrain rank for healthcare?
Bahrain scores 59.5/100 on Prosperous Intelligence’s Healthcare Index, ranking #83 of 192.
How does Bahrain rank for education?
Bahrain scores 71.2/100 on Prosperous Intelligence’s Education Index, ranking #58 of 191.
How does Bahrain rank on taxes?
Bahrain scores 98.2/100 on Prosperous Intelligence’s Tax Freedom Index, ranking #4 of 145. Detailed tax rates: Tax Freedom Index.
How does Bahrain rank for wealth protection?
Bahrain scores 70.6/100 on Prosperous Intelligence’s Wealth Protection Index, ranking #58 of 205.
Is Bahrain a good place to relocate with a family?
Bahrain scores 68.4/100 on Prosperous Intelligence’s Family Relocation Score, ranking #68 of 198.
What the profile contains
- Key facts from government and international sources
- Scores and global ranks on 11 Prosperous Intelligence indices
- Entry rules, passport strength and residency programmes
Why the profile matters
- Compare one country across many criteria on a single page
- Not a substitute for legal, tax or investment advice
Method
- How each index is scored and weighted
- The limits of the data and how to check official sources
