Central government revenues as a share of GDP in Bahrain
Bahrain: Central government revenues as a share of GDP was 15.5% in 2020. ▼ Falling
Central government revenues as a share of GDP in Bahrain, 1990–2020
Source: International Monetary Fund (IMF) Government Finance Statistics, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in % of GDP.
Analysis
The most recent figure for central government revenues as a share of gdp in Bahrain is 15.5%, measured in 2020.
The figure is down 19.0% on the previous year and down 27.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, central government revenues as a share of gdp in Bahrain peaked at 28.9% in 2000 and was at its lowest, 14.7%, in 2016.
That places Bahrain 127th out of 157 countries with data for 2020, putting it in the bottom quarter.
The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 31 years of available data.
Central government revenues as a share of GDP in Bahrain, year by year
| Year | % of GDP | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 23.8% | — |
| 1991 | 21.7% | -8.8% |
| 1992 | 21.0% | -3.2% |
| 1993 | 22.4% | +6.4% |
| 1994 | 18.0% | -19.3% |
| 1995 | 18.5% | +2.4% |
| 1996 | 21.1% | +14.2% |
| 1997 | 22.1% | +4.7% |
| 1998 | 16.8% | -24.0% |
| 1999 | 20.3% | +21.1% |
| 2000 | 28.9% | +42.1% |
| 2001 | 26.4% | -8.5% |
| 2002 | 25.9% | -2.0% |
| 2003 | 25.7% | -0.7% |
| 2004 | 25.5% | -0.8% |
| 2005 | 27.2% | +6.5% |
| 2006 | 26.0% | -4.2% |
| 2007 | 24.5% | -5.9% |
| 2008 | 27.4% | +11.9% |
| 2009 | 19.5% | -28.9% |
| 2010 | 21.3% | +9.4% |
| 2011 | 24.2% | +13.5% |
| 2012 | 24.8% | +2.4% |
| 2013 | 23.1% | -6.6% |
| 2014 | 23.4% | +1.2% |
| 2015 | 16.5% | -29.7% |
| 2016 | 14.7% | -10.9% |
| 2017 | 15.5% | +5.9% |
| 2018 | 18.7% | +20.1% |
| 2019 | 19.1% | +2.3% |
| 2020 | 15.5% | -19.0% |
Bahrain compared with similar countries
- Bahrain's 15.5% is below the median for high income countries, which is 33.0%, 47% of the median. (57 countries reporting)
- Bahrain's 15.5% is below the median for Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, which is 25.8%, 60% of the median. (14 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 20.6% | 16.8% | 23.8% | 10 |
| 2000s | 25.7% | 19.5% | 28.9% | 10 |
| 2010s | 20.1% | 14.7% | 24.8% | 10 |
| 2020s | 15.5% | 15.5% | 15.5% | 1 |
Countries ranked near Bahrain
More economy & growth data for Bahrain
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 04 - Annual real GDP 1.99 Percent per annum (2029)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 02 - Annual real GDP 2.81 Percent per annum (2029)
- Foreign direct investment, net outflows (BoP, current US$), gaps 275.00 million BoP, current US$ (2024)
- Foreign direct investment, net outflows (BoP, current US$), per unit 0.0058 BoP, current US$ per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Foreign direct investment, net outflows (BoP, current US$), per capita 173.1 BoP, current US$ per person (2024)
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (BoP, current US$), gaps filled 2.70 billion BoP, current US$ (2024)
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (BoP, current US$), annual -62.6 % change on previous year (2024)
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (BoP, current US$), per unit 0.0572 BoP, current US$ per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (BoP, current US$), per capita 1,701 BoP, current US$ per person (2024)
- Total reserves (includes gold, current US$), annual growth rate 6.49 % change on previous year (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is central government revenues as a share of gdp in Bahrain?
- Central government revenues as a share of gdp in Bahrain was 15.5% in 2020, according to International Monetary Fund (IMF) Government Finance Statistics, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest central government revenues as a share of gdp recorded in Bahrain?
- The highest recorded value was 28.9% in 2000.
- What is the lowest central government revenues as a share of gdp recorded in Bahrain?
- The lowest recorded value was 14.7% in 2016.
- How does Bahrain rank for central government revenues as a share of gdp?
- Bahrain ranks 127th out of 157 countries with data for 2020.
- Is central government revenues as a share of gdp rising or falling in Bahrain?
- Over the last ten years it is down 27.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Bahrain data come from?
- The figures come from International Monetary Fund (IMF) Government Finance Statistics, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Central government revenues as a share of GDP. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Taxes, social contributions, and other revenues such as fines, fees, rent, and income from property or sales included. Grants excluded.