History of Bahrain in Timeline

Bahrain, officially the Kingdom of Bahrain, is an island country in West Asia located in the Persian Gulf. It consists of an archipelago of 33 natural islands and 50 artificial islands, with Bahrain Island comprising the majority of its landmass. Situated between Qatar and Saudi Arabia, it's connected to the latter by the King Fahd Causeway. As of 2024, its population is approximately 1.59 million, including both Bahraini nationals and expatriates. Bahrain spans roughly 760 square kilometers, making it the third-smallest nation in Asia. Its capital and largest city is Manama.

1903: Hermann Burchardt Visits Bahrain

In 1903, German explorer Hermann Burchardt visited Bahrain and photographed historical sites, including the old Qaṣr es-Sheikh. These photos are now stored at the Ethnological Museum of Berlin.

1911: Bahraini Merchants Demand Restrictions on British Influence

In 1911, a group of Bahraini merchants demanded restrictions on British influence in Bahrain. The leaders of this group were subsequently arrested and exiled to India.

1919: Establishment of the First Modern School

In 1919, as part of administrative reforms introduced by the British, the first modern school in Bahrain was established.

1919: Opening of Al-Hidaya Al-Khalifia School for boys

In 1919, modern government school system began in Bahrain when the Al-Hidaya Al-Khalifia School for boys opened in Muharraq.

1923: British Introduce Administrative Reforms

In 1923, the British introduced administrative reforms in Bahrain and replaced Sheikh Issa bin Ali with his son. Some opponents were exiled to Saudi Arabia.

1926: Opening of the second government school for boys

In 1926, the Education Committee opened the second government school for boys in Manama.

1927: Iran Demands Sovereignty Over Bahrain

In 1927, Rezā Shāh of Iran demanded sovereignty over Bahrain in a letter to the League of Nations. This prompted Belgrave to take measures to limit Iranian influence, including suggesting to rename the Persian Gulf.

1928: Opening of the first government school for girls

In 1928, the first government school for girls was opened in Muharraq.

1929: Manama-Muharraq Bridge

In 1929, a bridge connected Manama to Muharraq.

1932: Oil Discovered by Bapco

In 1932, the Bahrain Petroleum Company (Bapco), a subsidiary of the Standard Oil Company of California (Socal), discovered oil in Bahrain.

1932: Operation of The First Oil Well

In 1932, the First Oil Well, Bahrain situated below Jabal al Dukhan has operated since 1932. It was operated by Bahrain Petroleum Company.

1932: Construction of Bahrain International Airport

Transits between the two islands peaked after the construction of the Bahrain International Airport in 1932.

1937: Abolition of Slavery

In 1937, slavery was abolished in Bahrain as part of reforms brought by Charles Belgrave.

September 1939: Bahrain Joins World War II on the Allied Side

In September 1939, specifically on 10 September 1939, Bahrain officially joined the Allied side in the Second World War.

October 1940: Italian Bombers Attack Bahrain

On 19 October 1940, four Italian SM.82s bombers attacked Bahrain, targeting Allied-operated oil refineries. This attack led to increased Allied defenses in Bahrain.

1941: New Causeway

In 1941, a new causeway was built, replacing the old wooden bridge.

1948: Jewish Community Flees Bahrain

In 1948, following rising hostilities and looting, most members of Bahrain's Jewish community abandoned their properties and fled to Bombay.

1948: American Naval Presence in Bahrain

In 1948, the American navy established a presence in Bahrain. Later, in the early 1990s, a cooperative agreement was signed with the American military, providing America a base in Juffair.

1957: Charles Belgrave's De Facto Rule Ends

In 1957, the de facto rule of Charles Belgrave, who operated as an advisor to the ruler, came to an end. Belgrave had introduced several reforms during his tenure.

1957: Opening of Salmaniya Medical Complex

In 1957, the first public hospital, the Salmaniya Medical Complex, opened in the Salmaniya district of Manama.

1960: Universal health care system

Bahrain implemented a universal health care system in 1960, providing free government-provided health care to Bahraini citizens.

1965: Uprising After Layoffs at Bahrain Petroleum Company

In 1965, a month-long uprising broke out in Bahrain after hundreds of workers at the Bahrain Petroleum Company were laid off.

August 1971: Bahrain Declares Independence and Signs Treaty with Britain

In August 1971, Bahrain declared its independence and signed a new treaty of friendship with Britain. The Shah of Iran accepted a referendum held by the United Nations regarding Bahrain's sovereignty. Bahrain subsequently joined the United Nations and the Arab League later that year.

1971: Bahrain Declares Independence

In 1971, Bahrain declared its independence from the United Kingdom after being a British protectorate since the late 19th century.

1973: First Parliamentary Elections

In 1973, Bahrain held its first parliamentary elections.

1975: Start of the "State Security Law Era"

1975 marked the beginning of the "State Security Law Era" in Bahrain, a period characterized by widespread human rights violations.

1976: Legalization of homosexuality

Homosexuality was legalized in Bahrain in 1976, although many homosexuals have since been arrested for violating laws against public immorality.

1979: Iranian Revolution

In 1979, the revolution in Iran occurred.

1981: Failed Coup blamed on Iran

In 1981, Bahrain experienced a failed coup, which it blamed on Iran, leading to tense relations between the two countries.

1981: Failed Coup Attempt by Bahraini Shia

In 1981, the Bahraini Shia population orchestrated a failed coup attempt under the Islamic Front for the Liberation of Bahrain, aiming to install a Shia cleric as supreme leader.

1981: Establishment of Batelco

In 1981, the telecommunications sector in Bahrain officially started with the establishment of Bahrain's first telecommunications company, Batelco.

December 1986: Completion of King Fahd Causeway

In December 1986, the King Fahd Causeway, linking Bahrain with the Saudi Arabian mainland, was completed and financed by Saudi Arabia.

1986: Establishment of the University of Bahrain

In 1986, the University of Bahrain was established as one of the main centers for science, technology, and innovation in Bahrain.

1990: Forest Cover in Bahrain

In 1990, forest cover in Bahrain was around 220 hectares.

December 1994: Civil Unrest After Marathon Incident

In December 1994, civil unrest erupted after a clash with police following an incident where youths threw stones at female runners for running bare-legged during an international marathon.

1994: Popular Uprising Begins

In 1994, a popular uprising began in Bahrain, involving leftists, liberals, and fundamentalists.

1994: Lowest GDP Growth Rate before 2011

Prior to the economic challenges of 2011, the lowest GDP growth rate experienced by Bahrain was in 1994.

1995: Internet Connection

Bahrain has been connected to the internet since 1995 with the country's domain suffix being '.bh'.

1999: Batelco Mobile Contracts

By 1999, Batelco had more than 100,000 mobile contracts, indicating significant growth in mobile telecommunications.

1999: Succession of Emir Hamad Al Khalifa and Introduction of Reforms

In 1999, Emir (later King) Hamad Al Khalifa succeeded his father, Isa Al Khalifa, and introduced significant reforms, leading to improvements in human rights conditions.

1999: Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa Becomes Emir

In 1999, Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa became the Emir of Bahrain.

2000: Uprising Ends

In 2000, the popular uprising that began in 1994 came to an end.

2000: Number of Internet Users

The number of Bahraini internet users has risen from 40,000 in 2000.

February 2001: Referendum Massively Supports National Action Charter

On 14–15 February 2001, a referendum showed massive support for the National Action Charter in Bahrain.

October 2001: Bahrain Participates in Military Action Against the Taliban

In October 2001, Bahrain participated in military action against the Taliban by deploying a frigate in the Arabian Sea for rescue and humanitarian operations. As a result, in November of that year, American president George W. Bush's administration designated Bahrain as a "major non-NATO ally".

2001: Religious distribution

According to the 2001 census, 81.2% of Bahrain's population was Muslim, 10% Christian, and 9.8% practiced Hinduism or other religions.

2001: America Designates Bahrain a Major Non-NATO Ally

In 2001, America designated Bahrain a major non-NATO ally.

2001: Bahrain Merchant Fleet

In 2001, Bahrain had a merchant fleet of eight ships of 1,000 GT or over, totalling 270,784 GT.

2001: Formation of international universities

In 2001, the National Action Charter paved the way for the formation of international universities such as the Ahlia University in Manama and University College of Bahrain in Saar.

February 2002: Bahrain Changes Name to Kingdom of Bahrain

On 14 February 2002, Bahrain changed its formal name from the State of Bahrain to the Kingdom of Bahrain, as part of the adoption of the National Action Charter. The title of the Head of State also changed from Emir to King.

2002: Roadways in Bahrain

In 2002, Bahrain had 3,164 km of roadways, of which 2,433 km were paved.

2002: Bahrain Declared a Semi-Constitutional Monarchy

In 2002, Bahrain was declared a semi-constitutional monarchy, and Article 2 of the constitution established sharia as a principal source for legislation.

2002: Parliamentary Elections

In 2002, parliamentary elections were held in Bahrain but were boycotted by the opposition, Al Wefaq.

2002: Implementation of Telecommunications Law

In 2002, under pressure from international bodies, Bahrain implemented its telecommunications law, which included the establishment of an independent Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA).

2002: Women Acquire Voting Rights

In 2002, women in Bahrain gained the right to vote and stand in national elections; however, no women were elected in that year's polls.

2003: Ban on Capturing Marine Animals

In 2003, Bahrain banned the capture of sea cows, marine turtles, and dolphins within its territorial waters.

2003: Bahrain Opposes Invasion of Iraq

In 2003, Bahrain opposed the American-led invasion of Iraq and offered Saddam Hussein asylum.

April 2004: Inaugural Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix

On April 4, 2004, Bahrain hosted the inaugural Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix, marking the first Formula One race in an Arab country.

2004: Bahrain–US Free Trade Agreement

In 2004, Bahrain signed the Bahrain–US Free Trade Agreement, which aimed to reduce certain trade barriers between the two nations.

2004: "King Hamad Schools of Future" project introduced

In 2004, King Hamad ibn Isa Al Khalifa introduced the "King Hamad Schools of Future" project that uses Information Communication Technology to support K–12 education in Bahrain, with the objective to connect all schools within the kingdom with the Internet.

2004: Appointment of First Female Cabinet Minister

In 2004, Nada Haffadh was appointed as Bahrain's first female cabinet minister, serving as the Minister of Health.

2004: Zain Operations Started

In 2004, Zain (a rebranded version of MTC Vodafone) started operations in Bahrain.

2004: Free Trade Agreement with America

In 2004, following political liberalisation, Bahrain negotiated a free trade agreement with America.

2004: The Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland

In 2004, the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) set up a constituent medical university in the country.

2005: Bahrain Grand Prix

In 2005, Bahrain hosted the Bahrain Grand Prix.

2005: Inauguration of Spring of Culture festival

In 2005, Bahrain inaugurated Spring of Culture festival.

2005: Scientific Articles Published

In 2005, Bahraini scientists published 93 articles in internationally cataloged journals.

2005: Qal'at al-Bahrain Inscribed as UNESCO World Heritage Site

In 2005, Qal'at al-Bahrain, a fort and archaeological complex, was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

2005: Government Calls Off Shia Family Law

In 2005, the Bahraini government called off the Shia branch of the "Family law" after over 100,000 Shia citizens protested in the streets. This event highlighted the growing influence of clerics within the political system and sparked debate over the authority to change religious laws.

2005: Establishment of the Royal University for Women

In 2005, the Royal University for Women (RUW) was established as the first purpose-built, international university in Bahrain dedicated solely to educating women.

June 2006: Parliamentary Session on International Convention on Civil and Political Rights

In June 2006, during a parliamentary session discussing the ratification of the United Nations' International Convention on Civil and Political Rights, Sheikh Adel Mouwda voiced objections from his party, Asalah, stating that the convention was tailored by enemies to serve their interests.

2006: Al Wefaq Wins Majority in Parliamentary Elections

In 2006, Al Wefaq won a majority in the parliamentary elections.

2006: Inaugural Australian V8 Supercar event

In 2006, Bahrain hosted its inaugural Australian V8 Supercar event, known as the "Desert 400".

2006: First Female MP Elected

In 2006, Lateefa Al Gaood became the first female MP in Bahrain after winning by default.

2006: Opening Grand Prix of the season

On March 12, 2006, Bahrain hosted the opening Grand Prix of the season, won by Fernando Alonso of Renault.

2006: Bahrain Heads United Nations General Assembly

When Bahrain was elected to head the United Nations General Assembly in 2006, it appointed lawyer and women's rights activist Haya bint Rashid Al Khalifa as President of the United Nations General Assembly.

2007: Decline in Human Rights Conditions

Around 2007, human rights conditions in Bahrain began to decline as torture was employed again.

2007: Unemployment Benefits Instituted

In 2007, Bahrain became the first Arab country to institute unemployment benefits as part of a series of labour reforms instigated under Minister of Labour, Majeed Al Alawi.

2007: Bahrain's population crossed the one million mark

In 2007, Bahrain's population reached 1.05 million, including 517,368 non-nationals.

August 2008: Number of Islands Increases to 84

By August 2008, the number of islands and island groups in Bahrain had increased to 84 due to extensive land reclamation projects.

October 2008: Introduction of 'Vision 2030'

In October 2008, the Bahraini government introduced 'Vision 2030', a long-term economic plan aimed at transforming Bahrain into a diversified and sustainable economy.

November 2008: Agreement to establish a Regional Centre for Information and Communication Technology

In November 2008, an agreement was signed to establish a Regional Centre for Information and Communication Technology in Manama under UNESCO, aiming to be a knowledge hub for Gulf Cooperation Council states.

2008: Remaining Jewish Population

As of 2008, only 37 Jews remained in Bahrain.

2008: Bahraini scientists collaboration

Between 2008 and 2014, Bahraini scientists collaborated most with peers from Saudi Arabia (137 articles).

2008: Bahrain Named World's Fastest-Growing Financial Centre

In 2008, Bahrain was named the world's fastest-growing financial centre by the City of London's Global Financial Centres Index, demonstrating its rising prominence in the global financial landscape.

2008: Appointment of Commander-in-Chief of the BDF

In 2008, Field Marshal Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Khalifa was appointed as the Commander-in-Chief of the Bahrain Defence Force (BDF).

2008: Appointment of Jewish Ambassador to the United States

In 2008, Houda Nonoo was appointed as Bahrain's ambassador to the United States, making her the first Jewish ambassador of any Arab country.

2008: Qatar education investment

In 2008, Qatar invested 2.4% of its GDP in education.

2008: Jobless Figure

In 2008, the jobless figure in Bahrain was at 4%, with women overrepresented at 85% of the total.

2008: Causeway Passengers Transiting

In 2008, there were 17,743,495 passengers transiting through the King Fahd Causeway.

2008: Indian nationals in Bahrain

In 2008, there were approximately 290,000 Indian nationals living in Bahrain, making them the largest expatriate community.

2008: Publication of Bahrain Economic Vision 2030

The Bahraini Economic Vision 2030 was published in 2008.

2008: Internet Users Growth

The number of Bahraini internet users has risen to 250,000 in 2008.

2009: Bahrain R&D investment

In 2009, Bahrain's investment in research and development was reported to be 0.04% of GDP, with incomplete data covering only higher education.

2009: Bahrain Internet Access

In 2009, about half of Bahrain's population (53%) had access to the internet.

2009: Foundation of the Bahrain Centre for Strategic, International, and Energy Studies

In 2009, the Bahrain Centre for Strategic, International, and Energy Studies was founded to conduct research focused on strategic security and energy issues to influence policymaking.

2010: Al Wefaq Wins Majority in Parliamentary Elections

In 2010, Al Wefaq won a majority in the parliamentary elections.

2010: Bahrain's population

In 2010, Bahrain's population grew to 1.2 million, with 568,399 Bahraini and 666,172 non-nationals, and a population density of 1,646 people per square kilometer.

2010: VIVA Mobile Services

In 2010, VIVA (owned by STC Group) became the third company to provide mobile services in Bahrain.

2010: Composition of Cabinet

In 2010, about half of the Bahraini cabinet was composed of the Al Khalifa family.

2010: V8 Supercars returned to Sakhir circuit

In 2010, the V8 Supercars returned to the Sakhir circuit for the last time, marking the second event of the series.

2010: Non-Muslim residents

Per the 2010 census, non-Muslim Bahraini residents numbered 367,683, most of whom are Christians.

2010: Religious distribution

The 2010 census records that the Muslim proportion in Bahrain had fallen to 70.2%.

2011: Students in government schools

As of 2011, there are 126,981 students studying in government schools in Bahrain.

2011: Protests and Detentions

During the protests in 2011, bloggers and other netizens were among those detained, highlighting the government's monitoring and targeting of political and human rights content online.

2011: Ali Al Shargawi literary icon

In 2011, Ali Al Shargawi, a decorated longtime poet, was described as the literary icon of Bahrain.

2011: Appointment of Christian Ambassador to Britain

In 2011, Alice Samaan, a Christian woman, was appointed as Bahrain's ambassador to Britain.

2011: Protests Inspired by Arab Spring

In 2011, Bahrain experienced protests inspired by the regional Arab Spring, leading to criticism of the ruling Al Khalifa family for human rights violations.

2011: Criticism for Crackdown on Arab Spring Uprising

In 2011, Bahrain faced criticism for its crackdown on the Arab Spring uprising, and a government-appointed commission confirmed reports of grave human rights violations.

2011: Bahrain's Participation in the Intervention in Yemen

In 2011, Bahrain participated in the Saudi Arabian-led intervention in Yemen against the Houthis and forces loyal to former President Ali Abdullah Saleh.

2011: GDP Growth Decline

In 2011, Bahrain's GDP growth rate decreased to 1.3% due to the combination of the Great Recession and the 2011 Bahraini uprising, marking the lowest growth rate since 1994.

2011: Human Rights Watch Describes "Dismal" Human Rights Situation

In 2011, Human Rights Watch described the human rights situation in Bahrain as "dismal", leading to a decline in the country's international rankings.

2011: Pro-Democracy Protests

In 2011, Mohammed Ramadhan and Husain Moosa led pro-democracy protests in Bahrain.

2011: By-Election After Al Wefaq Resignations

In 2011, a by-election was held to replace 18 members of Al Wefaq who resigned in protest against the government crackdown.

2011: Crackdown on Journalists during Protests

In 2011, during anti-government protests, journalists in Bahrain were targeted by officials. Three editors from the Al-Wasat opposition daily were sacked and later fined for publishing "false" news, and several foreign correspondents were expelled, indicating a suppression of media freedom.

2011: Bahraini Uprising

In 2011, most of the protesters in the Bahraini uprising were Shia, complaining of political and economic discrimination.

2011: Bahrain Grand Prix cancelled

In 2011, the Bahrain Grand Prix was cancelled due to ongoing anti-government protests.

2011: Bahrain's Shia Population Protests Against Sunni Rulers

In early 2011, inspired by the Arab Spring, Bahrain's Shia population started large protests against its Sunni rulers. The government initially allowed protests but later requested security assistance from Saudi Arabia and declared a three-month state of emergency before launching a crackdown on the opposition.

March 2012: High-level workshops on ICTs and education

In March 2012, the Regional Centre for Information and Communication Technology hosted two high-level workshops on ICTs and education.

April 2012: Reports of Ongoing Human Rights Violations

In April 2012, reports by human rights organizations Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch indicated that human rights violations reported during the 2011 crackdown were still occurring.

June 2012: Internet Users in Bahrain

In June 2012, Bahrain had 961,000 internet users, marking a significant level of internet penetration in the country.

2012: Bahrain's Diplomatic Network

As of 2012, Bahrain maintained a network of 25 embassies, three consulates, and four permanent missions to the Arab League, United Nations, and European Union.

2012: Manama Arab Capital of Culture

In 2012, Manama was named the Arab Capital of Culture by the Arab League, recognizing its cultural significance.

2012: Bahrain Grand Prix occurred despite concerns

In 2012, the Bahrain Grand Prix proceeded despite concerns regarding the safety of teams and ongoing protests, a decision deemed "controversial".

2012: Government spending on education

In 2012, the Bahraini government allocated 2.6% of its GDP to education, which was one of the lowest ratios in the Arab world.

2012: Revocation of Citizens Nationality

In 2012, the Bahraini government revoked the nationality of some of its citizens.

August 2013: Internet Service Providers

As of August 2013, the TRA has licensed 22 Internet service providers in Bahrain.

2013: Bahrain tops Arab world for internet penetration

In 2013, Bahrain had the highest internet penetration in the Arab world with 90% of the population online.

2013: Bahrain R&D investment

In 2013, Bahrain's investment in research and development was reported to be 0.04% of GDP, with incomplete data covering only higher education.

2013: Manama Capital of Arab Tourism

In 2013, Manama was named the Capital of Arab Tourism by the Arab League, highlighting its appeal as a tourist destination.

2013: Global scientific articles published

In 2013, The global average for scientific articles published was 176 articles per million inhabitants.

2013: Data on women contribution to research

In 2013, data on women's contribution to research only covered the higher education sector.

2013: Launch of the Bahrain Science Centre

In 2013, the Bahrain Science Centre was launched as an interactive educational facility aimed at 6- to 18-year-olds, covering topics like junior engineering, human health, the five senses, Earth sciences and biodiversity.

2013: Researchers in higher education sector

In 2013, the higher education sector in Bahrain had 50 researchers per million inhabitants.

2013: Investment in research and development

Investment in research and development remained very low in 2013.

March 2014: Casualties from Protests and Clashes

As of March 2014, more than 80 civilians and 13 policemen had been killed in Bahrain due to ongoing protests and clashes. 34 of these deaths were related to government usage of tear gas originally manufactured by America-based Federal Laboratories.

April 2014: Launch of the National Space Science Agency

In April 2014, Bahrain launched its National Space Science Agency. The agency began working to ratify international space-related agreements and planned to establish infrastructure for space and Earth observation.

October 2014: Bahrain Ruled by an "Authoritarian Regime"

As of October 2014, Bahrain was described as being ruled by an "authoritarian regime" and was rated as "Not Free" by Freedom House.

2014: Bahraini scientists collaboration

Between 2008 and 2014, Bahraini scientists collaborated most with peers from Saudi Arabia (137 articles), followed by Egypt (101), the Britain (93), the America (89) and Tunisia (75).

2014: Female University Graduates in Science and Engineering

In 2014, Bahrain was among the Arab states with a majority of female university graduates in science and engineering, with women accounting for 66% of graduates in natural sciences, 28% in engineering, and 77% in health and welfare.

2014: Scientific articles published

In 2014, Bahraini scientists published 155 articles in internationally cataloged journals, which translates to 15 articles per million inhabitants.

2014: Manama Asian Tourism Capital

In 2014, Manama was named the Asian Tourism Capital.

2014: Arrest of Mohammed Ramadhan and Husain Moosa

In 2014, Mohammed Ramadhan and Husain Moosa were arrested in Bahrain and accused of killing a police officer.

2014: University of Bahrain Statistics

In 2014, the University of Bahrain had over 20,000 students (65% women) and around 900 faculty members (40% women). The university spent approximately US$11 million on research, with women making up 43% of researchers.

2015: Amnesty International Report on Suppression of Dissent

Amnesty International's 2015 report on Bahrain highlighted the continued suppression of dissent, restricted freedom of expression, unjust imprisonment, and torture of citizens.

2015: Forest Area Under Public Ownership

In 2015, 100% of the forest area in Bahrain was reported to be under public ownership.

July 2016: European Parliament Condemns Human Rights Abuses

On July 7, 2016, the European Parliament adopted a resolution, with a large majority, condemning human rights abuses by Bahraini authorities and called for an end to repression against human rights defenders, political opposition, and civil society.

2016: Biocapacity per Person

In 2016, Bahrain had 0.52 global hectares of biocapacity per person within its territory, which is much less than the world average of 1.6 global hectares per person.

2016: Ecological Footprint of Consumption

In 2016, Bahrain used 8.6 global hectares of biocapacity per person, meaning their ecological footprint of consumption was 16.5 times as much as the biocapacity contained within Bahrain, resulting in a biocapacity deficit.

2016: Manama Gulf Capital of Tourism

In 2016, Manama was named the Gulf Capital of Tourism by The Gulf Cooperation Council.

2016: Bahrain cuts diplomatic ties with Iran

In 2016, following the storming of the Saudi embassy in Tehran, Bahrain, along with Saudi Arabia, severed diplomatic relations with Iran.

August 2017: Rex Tillerson Speaks Against Discrimination of Shias in Bahrain

In August 2017, American Secretary of State Rex Tillerson spoke against the discrimination of Shias in Bahrain, citing ongoing issues in government employment, education, and the justice system.

September 2017: American State Department Approves Arms Sales to Bahrain

In September 2017, the American State Department approved arms sales packages worth more than $3.8 billion to Bahrain including F-16 jets, upgrades, missiles and patrol boats.

2017: Influx in global athletes visiting Bahrain for MMA training

In 2017, Bahrain experienced a significant increase in the number of global athletes visiting the nation for Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) training. Also, Bahrain hosted Amateur World Championships 2017 in association with International Mixed Martial Arts Federation, becoming the first Asian and Arab country to host the amateur MMA championship.

2017: Bahrain Victorius participated in the 2017 Tour de France

In 2017, the government of Bahrain sponsored Bahrain Victorius, a UCI WorldTeam cycling team, which then participated in the Tour de France that year.

January 2018: Bahrain Expels Citizens after Revoking Nationality

On January 31, 2018, Amnesty International reported that the Bahraini government expelled four of its citizens after having revoked their nationality in 2012, rendering them stateless.

February 2018: Nabeel Rajab Sentenced to Further Jail Time

On February 21, 2018, human rights activist Nabeel Rajab was sentenced to an additional five years in jail for tweets and documentation of human rights violations.

April 2018: Official Opening of HMS Jufair

In April 2018, the permanent British Royal Navy base at Mina Salman, HMS Jufair, was officially opened.

2018: Introduction of Cricket in Bahrain

In 2018, Cricket was introduced in Bahrain under the initiative of KHK Sports and Exelon, resulting in the Bahrain Premier League 2018. This league comprised six franchise squads of 13 resident cricketers competing in the T20 format, with teams like SRam MRam Falcons and Kalaam Knight-Riders.

2018: Religious demographics

In 2018, the US Department of State estimated that Shia Muslims constituted approximately 55% of Bahrain's citizen population.

January 2019: Implementation of Value Added Tax

In January 2019, the Kingdom of Bahrain introduced the Value Added Tax (VAT), a multipoint tax on the sale of goods and services, initially set at 5%.

January 2019: Announcement of Underwater Theme Park

In January 2019, the state-run Bahrain News Agency announced the summer 2019 opening of an underwater theme park covering about 100,000 square metres with a sunken Boeing 747 as the site's centrepiece.

October 2019: Opening of The Avenues Mall

In October 2019, The Avenues, a waterfront shopping mall, opened in Bahrain as part of efforts to boost tourism and improve the country's image.

2019: Tourism in Bahrain

As a tourist destination, Bahrain received over eleven million visitors in 2019, primarily from surrounding Arab states.

2019: Passenger traffic at Bahrain International Airport

In 2019, Bahrain International Airport (BAH) handled almost 100,000 flights and more than 9.5 million passengers.

2019: Bahrain's national football team wins two cups

In 2019, Bahrain's national football team achieved victory in both the West Asian Football Federation cup and the Arabian Gulf Cup, marking a successful period under the management of Helio Sousa.

2019: Establishment of the American University of Bahrain

The American University of Bahrain was established in 2019.

July 2020: Upholding of Death Sentences for Pro-Democracy Campaigners

On July 13, 2020, the highest Court in Bahrain upheld the death sentences for Mohammed Ramadhan and Husain Moosa, who were leading figures in the pro-democracy protests of 2011. These campaigners were initially arrested in 2014.

August 2020: Bahrain buys a stake in Paris F.C.

On August 3, 2020, the Kingdom of Bahrain acquired a minority stake in Paris F.C., a team competing in France's second tier, sparking criticism regarding potential whitewashing of human rights records.

August 2020: Transfer of HMS Clyde to the Royal Bahrain Naval Force

On August 7, 2020, HMS Clyde was transferred to the Royal Bahrain Naval Force at a ceremony held at the HMNB Portsmouth Naval Base in Britain, with the ship renamed as RBNS Al-Zubara.

2020: Bahrain-Israel Normalization Agreement

In 2020, Bahrain and Israel established bilateral relations under the Bahrain–Israel normalisation agreement.

2020: Forest cover in Bahrain

In 2020, forest cover in Bahrain was around 700 hectares, up from 220 hectares in 1990.

2020: Unimproved Human Rights Situation

In 2020, the Human Rights Watch World Report 2021 found that the human rights situation in Bahrain remained unimproved.

2020: Public Debt in 2020

In 2020, the country's public debt reached $44.5 billion, equivalent to 130% of its GDP.

January 2021: Opening of New Airport Terminal

On 28 January 2021, Bahrain opened its new airport terminal as part of its economic vision 2030, capable of handling 14 million passengers.

January 2021: Human Rights Watch World Report 2021 on Bahrain

The Human Rights Watch's 761-page World Report 2021, published in January 2021, revealed that the human rights situation in Bahrain had not improved in 2020. It highlighted increased repression, unfair trials, and prosecution of critics.

March 2021: Allegations of Abuse of Detained Children

In March 2021, Human Rights Watch (HRW) and the Bahrain Institute for Rights and Democracy claimed that 13 children, aged between 11 and 17, were subjected to beatings and threats of rape and electric shocks after being detained in protest-related cases.

2021: Freedom House Labels Bahrain as "Not Free"

In its 2021 report, Freedom House continued to label Bahrain as "not free".

January 2022: VAT Rate Increase

Effective from 1 January 2022, the VAT rate in Bahrain increased from 5% to 10%.

2023: Natural Gas Production

As of 2023, Bahrain was said to produce 16.7 billion cubic metres (bcm) of natural gas per year.

2023: Total Employment in Bahrain

As of Q2 2023, total employment in Bahrain stood at 770,129 workers, including both Bahraini and Non-Bahraini workers, representing a full recovery of employment since the downturn caused by the COVID pandemic.

2023: Second Highest Greenhouse Gas Emitter Per Capita

In 2023, Bahrain was the second highest greenhouse gas emitter per capita, at approximately 42 tonnes per person.

2023: Bahrain's Electoral Democracy Ranking

In 2023, according to the V-Dem Democracy indices, Bahrain was ranked as the 4th least electoral democratic country in the Middle East.

2023: Petroleum Production Rate

In 2023, the petroleum production of Bahrain was rated at about 189,000 barrels per day.

January 2024: Bahraini Navy Receives Second Oliver Hazard Perry-Class Frigate

On January 18, 2024, the Bahraini Navy received a second Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigate, the former USS Robert G. Bradley, which was renamed RBNS Khalid bin Ali.

April 2024: Widespread Flooding

In April 2024, Bahrain experienced widespread flooding after heavy rainfall affected the Gulf region.

June 2024: Bahrain Olympic Academy receives Athena honorary distinction

On June 10, 2024, the Bahrain Olympic Academy was awarded the Athena honorary distinction for its contributions to the advancement of sports in the region.

2024: Bahrain's Ranking on the Global Peace Index

According to the 2024 Global Peace Index, Bahrain is ranked as the 81st most peaceful country in the world.

2024: Bahrain Global Innovation Index ranking

In 2024, Bahrain was ranked 72nd in the Global Innovation Index.

2024: Bahrain Population and Location

In 2024, Bahrain's population is 1,588,670, with 46.6% being Bahraini nationals and 53.4% expatriates. Bahrain is an island country situated in the Persian Gulf, between Qatar and Saudi Arabia. It comprises a small archipelago of 33 natural islands and 50 artificial islands.

2025: Metro System Operational

A nationwide metro system in Bahrain is currently under construction and is due to be operational by 2025.

2025: Bahrain Global Innovation Index ranking

In 2025, Bahrain was ranked 62nd in the Global Innovation Index.

2025: Economic Freedom Ranking

In 2025, Bahrain's economy is ranked as the 55th freest in the Index of Economic Freedom and 4th out of 14 countries in the Middle East/North Africa region.