Bahrain: Visió econòmica i política
Bahrain's market constitutes one of the most diversified economies in the region. The country is very open to foreign trade, which accounts for around 158% of the GDP (World Bank, latest data available). Bahrain has a strong steel and aluminium industry: unwrought aluminium alloys emerged as the leading exports in 2023, totalling BHD 1.059 billion (27%), trailed by agglomerated iron ores and concentrates alloyed at BHD 689 million (18%), and non-alloyed aluminium wire ranking third with BHD 223 million (6%). As per imports, non-agglomerated iron ores and concentrates alloyed emerged as the top product imported to Bahrain, with a total value of BHD 602 million (10%). Following closely, other aluminium oxide ranked second at BHD 448 million (8%), while gold ingots secured the third position with BHD 221 million (4% - data Information & eGovernment Authority).
Overall, the country has a structural trade surplus. In 2023, China held the top position for imports to Bahrain, reaching BHD 808 million (14%), followed by the United Arab Emirates in second place with BHD 547 million (9.5%), and Brazil ranking third with BHD 523 million (9%). On the other hand, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia secured the top rank among countries for the exports of products with national origin, totalling BHD 937 million (24%). Following closely, the United Arab Emirates ranked second with BHD 444 million (11%), while the United States of America held the third position with BHD 371 million (9% - data Information & eGovernment Authority).
As per governmental data, the value of imports has decreased by 1%, reaching BHD 5.778 billion during 2023, compared to BHD 5.842 billion in 2022. Conversely, the value of exports of products with national origin marked a decrease by 21% to BHD 3.909 billion during 2023, compared to BHD 4.967 billion in 2022.
Preliminary data from iGA indicate that the value of imports rose by 2% in 2024, reaching BD 5,872 million, up from BD 5,778 million in 2023. Meanwhile, exports of nationally-originated products declined by 1%, totalling BD 3,864 million in 2024. Re-exports saw an 8% increase, rising to BD 819 million compared to BD 756 million in 2023.
Foreign Trade Values | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
Imports of Goods (million USD) | 13,256 | 12,683 | 14,188 | 15,537 | 15,367 |
Exports of Goods (million USD) | 18,120 | 14,066 | 22,369 | 30,194 | 25,235 |
Imports of Services (million USD) | 8,083 | 9,263 | 10,289 | 8,582 | n/a |
Exports of Services (million USD) | 11,765 | 11,497 | 13,225 | 11,571 | n/a |
Source: World Trade Organisation (WTO) ; Latest available data
Foreign Trade Indicators | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
Foreign Trade (in % of GDP) | 135.4 | 135.5 | 153.8 | 166.3 | 157.8 |
Trade Balance (million USD) | 856 | -127 | 4,905 | 8,245 | 4,503 |
Trade Balance (Including Service) (million USD) | 4,356 | 1,952 | 7,657 | 11,513 | 7,970 |
Imports of Goods and Services (Annual % Change) | -5.6 | -0.7 | 15.2 | 11.9 | 2.6 |
Exports of Goods and Services (Annual % Change) | 0.4 | -2.5 | 29.5 | 9.2 | -9.1 |
Imports of Goods and Services (in % of GDP) | 62.3 | 65.0 | 67.5 | 70.8 | 70.3 |
Exports of Goods and Services (in % of GDP) | 73.1 | 70.5 | 86.3 | 95.5 | 87.6 |
Source: World Bank ; Latest available data
Foreign Trade Forecasts | 2024 | 2025 (e) | 2026 (e) | 2027 (e) | 2028 (e) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Volume of exports of goods and services (Annual % change) | 1.7 | 2.5 | 1.5 | 1.5 | 1.2 |
Volume of imports of goods and services (Annual % change) | 1.1 | 1.7 | 0.8 | 0.9 | 0.9 |
Source: IMF, World Economic Outlook ; Latest available data
Note: (e) Estimated Data
Member of Arab League.
The country is also part of the Greater Arab Free Trade Area (GAFTA), a pact of the Arab League entered into force in January 2005 which aims to form an Arabic free trade area.
Main Customers (% of Exports) |
2023 |
Saudi Arabia | 23.5% |
United Arab Emirates | 14.3% |
United States | 8.4% |
Netherlands | 4.4% |
Egypt | 3.7% |
India | 3.1% |
Oman | 3.1% |
Türkiye | 3.0% |
Kuwait | 2.5% |
Algeria | 2.4% |
Italy | 2.1% |
South Korea | 1.9% |
Spain | 1.7% |
Morocco | 1.5% |
Malaysia | 1.5% |
Singapore | 1.3% |
Libya | 1.2% |
Germany | 1.2% |
Brazil | 1.1% |
Japan | 1.1% |
See More Countries | 45.8% |
Main Suppliers (% of Imports) |
2023 |
China | 14.0% |
United Arab Emirates | 9.4% |
Brazil | 9.1% |
Australia | 8.2% |
Saudi Arabia | 6.4% |
United States | 6.3% |
India | 4.8% |
Japan | 4.5% |
Germany | 3.4% |
Italy | 2.6% |
France | 2.6% |
United Kingdom | 2.5% |
Switzerland | 2.3% |
Canada | 1.5% |
Türkiye | 1.4% |
Spain | 1.3% |
Thailand | 1.3% |
Kuwait | 1.2% |
South Korea | 1.0% |
Chile | 1.0% |
See More Countries | 53.0% |
Source: Comtrade, 2025. Because of rounding, the sum of the percentages may be smaller/greater than 100%.
Source: Comtrade, 2025. Because of rounding, the sum of the percentages may be smaller/greater than 100%.
To go further, check out our service Import-Export Flows.
15.3 bn USD of services exported in 2023 | |
32.68% | |
30.30% | |
Personal travelPersonal travel | 30.30% |
OtherOther | 57.59% |
14.47% | |
12.12% | |
8.73% | |
1.66% | |
0.05% |
12.1 bn USD of services imported in 2023 | |
35.39% | |
33.75% | |
16.67% | |
9.48% | |
Personal travelPersonal travel | 9.48% |
OtherOther | 56.77% |
4.70% |
Source: United Nations Statistics Division, 2024. Because of rounding, the sum of the percentages may be smaller/greater than 100%.
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Actualitzacions: May 2025
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