Full History Of Bahrain In Timeline From 1903

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1903: Hermann Burchardt Visits Bahrain

In 1903, German explorer Hermann Burchardt visited Bahrain and photographed historical sites, including the old Qaṣr es-Sheikh.

1911: Bahraini Merchants Demand Restrictions on British Influence

In 1911, a group of Bahraini merchants demanded restrictions on the British influence in the country, leading to the arrest and exile of the group's leaders to India.

1919: Opening of Al-Hidaya Al-Khalifia School

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

1919: Establishment of the First Modern School

In 1919, the country's first modern school was established in Bahrain.

1923: British Introduce Administrative Reforms

In 1923, the British introduced administrative reforms and replaced Sheikh Issa bin Ali with his son.

1926: Opening of the Second Government School for Boys

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

1927: Rezā Shāh Demands Sovereignty Over Bahrain

In 1927, Rezā Shāh of Iran demanded sovereignty over Bahrain, prompting Belgrave to take measures to limit Iranian influence.

1928: Opening of the First Government School for Girls

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

1929: Bridge Connection

In 1929, a bridge connected Manama to Muharraq.

1932: Oil Discovered in Bahrain

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

1932: Operation of First Oil Well

The First Oil Well, Bahrain, situated below Jabal al Dukhan, has operated since 1932, and was operated by Bahrain Petroleum Company.

1932: Increase in Transits after Airport Construction

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

1937: Abolition of Slavery

In 1937, slavery was abolished in Bahrain.

September 1939: Bahrain Joins World War II on Allied Side

In September 1939, Bahrain joined World War II on the Allied side.

October 1940: Italian Bombers Attack Bahrain

In October 1940, four Italian SM.82s bombers bombed Bahrain, attacking Allied-operated oil refineries.

1941: New Causeway Construction

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

1948: Beginning of American naval presence

An American naval presence in Bahrain has existed since 1948.

1948: Jewish Community Flees Bahrain

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

1957: Charles Belgrave Rule Ends

In 1957, the de facto rule of Charles Belgrave, who had been an adviser to the ruler, came to an end.

1957: Opening of Salmaniya Medical Complex

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

1960: Bahrain's Universal Healthcare System

In 1960, Bahrain established a universal health care system, providing free government-provided healthcare to Bahraini citizens and heavily subsidized care for non-Bahrainis.

1965: Uprising at Bahrain Petroleum Company

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

August 1971: Bahrain Declares Independence

In August 1971, Bahrain declared independence after the Shah of Iran accepted a United Nations referendum, and subsequently signed a friendship treaty with Britain.

1971: Bahrain Declares Independence

In 1971, Bahrain declared its independence from the United Kingdom following successive treaties.

1973: First parliamentary elections

In 1973, Bahrain held its first parliamentary elections.

1975: Start of the State Security Law Era

The period between 1975 and 1999, known as the "State Security Law Era", saw wide range of human rights violations.

1976: Legalization of Homosexuality

In 1976, Bahrain legalized homosexuality, but many homosexuals have since been arrested for violating laws against public immorality and public indecency.

1981: Failed coup blamed on Iran

In 1981, Bahrain blamed Iran for a failed coup attempt.

1981: Failed Coup Attempt by Bahraini Shia Population

In 1981, following the 1979 revolution in Iran, the Bahraini Shia population orchestrated a failed coup attempt under the auspices of the Islamic Front for the Liberation of Bahrain.

1981: Establishment of Batelco and Telephones in Use

The telecommunications sector in Bahrain officially started in 1981 with the establishment of Bahrain's first telecommunications company, Batelco. In 1981, there were more than 45,000 telephones in use in the country.

December 1986: Completion of King Fahd Causeway

The King Fahd Causeway, measuring 24 km, linking Bahrain with the Saudi Arabian mainland, was completed in December 1986.

1986: Establishment of the University of Bahrain

In 1986, the University of Bahrain was established as a main hub of activity in science, technology, and innovation.

1990: Forest Cover

In 1990 forest cover in Bahrain was around 220 hectares (ha).

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 during an international marathon.

1994: Popular Uprising

From 1994 to 2000, a popular uprising occurred, resulting in approximately forty deaths.

1995: Internet Connection

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

1999: Mobile Contracts

By 1999, Batelco had more than 100,000 mobile contracts.

1999: Reforms introduced by Emir Hamad Al Khalifa

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

1999: Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa Becomes Emir

In 1999, Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa became the Emir of Bahrain, instituting elections for parliament, granting women the right to vote, and releasing all political prisoners.

2000: Internet Users

In 2000, the number of Bahraini internet users was 40,000.

2000: Popular Uprising

The popular uprising that started in 1994 ended in 2000 after Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa became the Emir of Bahrain in 1999.

February 2001: Referendum Supports National Action Charter

In February 2001, a referendum massively supported the National Action Charter.

October 2001: Bahrain Participates in Military Action Against Taliban

In October 2001, Bahrain participated in military action against the Taliban by deploying a frigate in the Arabian Sea.

2001: Religious Demographics of Bahrain

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

2001: Designation as major non-NATO ally by America

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

2001: Merchant fleet size

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

2001: National Action Charter and Formation of International Universities

The 2001 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 February 14, 2002, Bahrain formally changed its name from the State of Bahrain to the Kingdom of Bahrain, as part of the adoption of the National Action Charter.

2002: Bahrain Declared a Semi-Constitutional Monarchy

In 2002, Bahrain transitioned from an emirate to a semi-constitutional monarchy, with sharia law established as a principal source of legislation.

2002: Parliamentary elections boycotted by the opposition

In 2002, the first of three parliamentary elections was held, which was boycotted by the opposition group, 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 acquired voting rights and the right to stand in national elections

In 2002, women in Bahrain acquired voting rights and the right to stand in national elections, but none were elected that year.

2002: Roadways

There were 3,164 km of roadways in Bahrain in 2002, of which 2,433 km were paved.

2003: Ban on Capturing Marine Species

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

2003: Bahrain Opposed the 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 4 April 2004, Bahrain hosted the inaugural Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix, the first in an Arab country.

2004: Bahrain-US Free Trade Agreement

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

2004: Introduction of "King Hamad Schools of Future" project

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

2004: Nada Haffadh became the country's first female cabinet minister

In 2004, Nada Haffadh became the country's first female cabinet minister, appointed as Minister of Health.

2004: Zain Operations

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: Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland Sets Up Medical University

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

2005: Bahrain Grand Prix

In 2005, Bahrain hosted the Bahrain Grand Prix.

2005: Scientific Output

In 2005, Bahraini scientists published 93 articles.

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

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

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.

2005: Government called off the Shia branch of the Family law

In 2005, the government called off the Shia branch of the "Family law" after over 100,000 Shia took to the streets in protest. Muslim fundamentalists opposed the law, while women activists supported it.

June 2006: Parliamentary session discussing international rights convention

In June 2006, at a parliamentary session, Sheikh Adel Mouwda objected to ratifying the United Nations' International Convention on Civil and Political Rights, claiming it was tailored by Bahrain's enemies.

2006: Appointment of Haya bint Rashid Al Khalifa as President of the United Nations General Assembly

In 2006 Bahrain appointed Haya bint Rashid Al Khalifa President of the United Nations General Assembly, only the third woman in history to head the world body.

2006: Al Wefaq won a majority in parliamentary elections

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

2006: Bahrain hosts inaugural Australian V8 Supercar event

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

2006: Lateefa Al Gaood became the first female MP

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

2006: Bahrain hosts opening Grand Prix of the season

On 12 March 2006, Bahrain hosted the opening Grand Prix of the season.

2007: Decline in Human Rights Conditions

Human rights conditions started to decline by 2007 when torture began to be employed again.

2007: Institution of unemployment benefits

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 One Million Mark

In 2007, Bahrain's population crossed the one million mark with 1.05 million residents.

August 2008: Number of Islands Increases

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

October 2008: Introduction of 'Vision 2030'

In October 2008, the Bahraini government introduced a long-term economic vision for Bahrain known as 'Vision 2030', which aims to transform Bahrain into a diversified and sustainable economy.

November 2008: Agreement to Establish 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.

2008: Jewish Community

As of 2008, 37 Jews remained in Bahrain.

2008: Collaboration among Bahraini Scientists

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

2008: 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.

2008: Jobless Rate

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

2008: Houda Nonoo was appointed ambassador to the United States

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

2008: Education Investment in Qatar

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

2008: Indian Nationals in Bahrain

In 2008, approximately 290,000 Indian nationals lived in Bahrain, making them the single largest expatriate community.

2008: Causeway Passengers

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

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

Since 2008, Field Marshal Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Khalifa has served as the Commander-in-Chief of the Bahrain Defence Force (BDF).

2008: Publication of Bahraini Economic Vision 2030

The Bahraini Economic Vision 2030 published in 2008 does not indicate how the stated goal of shifting from an economy built on oil wealth to a productive, globally competitive economy will be attained.

2008: Increase in Internet Users

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

2009: Investment in Research and Development

In 2009, investment in research and development in Bahrain reportedly amounted to 0.04% of GDP.

2009: Internet Penetration in Bahrain

In 2009, just half of Bahrainis 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 undertake research focused on strategic security and energy issues to influence policymaking.

2010: Non-Muslim Residents in Bahrain

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

2010: Al Wefaq won a majority in parliamentary elections

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

2010: Diabetes Prevalence in Bahrain

In 2010, Bahrain had one of the highest prevalence of diabetes in the world, at 5th place, with more than 15% of the population affected.

2010: Population Density of Bahrain

In 2010, Bahrain was the fourth most densely populated sovereign state in the world with a population density of 1,646 people per square kilometer.

2010: Bahrain's Population

In 2010, Bahrain's population was 1.2 million, with 568,399 Bahraini and 666,172 non-national residents.

2010: VIVA Mobile Services

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

2010: Al Khalifa Family in the Cabinet

In 2010, about half of Bahrain's cabinet was composed of the Al Khalifa family.

2010: Last V8 Supercar event held in Bahrain until present

In 2010, the V8 Supercars returned to the Sakhir circuit for the last time until the present day.

2010: Religious Demographics of Bahrain

The 2010 census records that the Muslim proportion of Bahrain's population had fallen to 70.2%.

2011: Ali Al Shargawi described as literary icon

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

2011: Alice Samaan was appointed ambassador to Britain

In 2011, Alice Samaan, a Christian woman, was appointed ambassador to Britain.

2011: Bahrain Experiences Protests Inspired by the Arab Spring

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

2011: Participation in Saudi Arabian-led intervention in Yemen

In 2011, Bahrain participated in the Saudi Arabian-led intervention in Yemen.

2011: Criticism for crackdown on Arab Spring uprising

In 2011, Bahrain was criticised for its crackdown on the Arab spring uprising. A government-appointed commission confirmed reports of grave human rights violations, including systematic torture.

2011: GDP Growth Rate Decrease

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

2011: Targeting of Journalists During Protests

In 2011, Bahraini journalists were targeted by officials during anti-government protests. Three editors from the now-banned opposition daily Al-Wasat were sacked and later fined for publishing "false" news, and several foreign correspondents were expelled.

2011: Description of Human Rights Situation as "Dismal"

In 2011, Human Rights Watch described the country's human rights situation as "dismal".

2011: By-election held after Al Wefaq members resigned

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

2011: Protests and Detentions

In 2011, bloggers and other netizens were among those detained during protests in Bahrain.

2011: Bahraini Uprising

In 2011, most of the protestors in the Bahraini uprising were Shia.

2011: Bahrain Grand Prix cancelled

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

2011: Students Studying in Government Schools

In 2011, there were 126,981 students studying in government schools in Bahrain.

2011: Protests Inspired by Arab Spring

In early 2011, Bahrain's Shia population initiated large protests against its Sunni rulers, inspired by the regional Arab Spring.

2011: Pro-democracy protests of 2011

Mohammed Ramadhan and Husain Moosa were leading figures in the pro-democracy protests of 2011.

March 2012: High-Level Workshops on ICTs and Education

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

April 2012: Reports of ongoing human rights violations

In April 2012, reports by human rights organisations Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch indicated that human rights violations were still happening in Bahrain.

2012: Bahrain maintains diplomatic network

As of 2012, Bahrain maintained a network of 25 embassies, three consulates and four permanent missions.

2012: Obesity Rates in Bahrain

In 2012, Bahrain had an obesity epidemic, with 28.9% of all males and 38.2% of all females classified as obese.

2012: Bahrain Grand Prix held amidst controversy

In 2012, the Bahrain Grand Prix occurred despite concerns about safety and ongoing protests, leading to widespread controversy.

2012: Government Investment in Education

In 2012, the government of Bahrain devoted 2.6% of GDP to education, one of the lowest ratios in the Arab world.

2012: Revocation of citizenships

In January 2018, Amnesty International reported that the Bahraini government expelled four of its citizens after having revoked their nationality in 2012, turning them into stateless people.

2012: Manama Arab Capital of Culture

Manama was named the Arab Capital of Culture for 2012 by the Arab League.

August 2013: Internet Service Providers

As of August 2013, the TRA had licensed 22 Internet service providers.

2013: Bahrain Topped Arab World for Internet Penetration

In 2013, Bahrain topped the Arab world for internet penetration, with 90% of the population having access.

2013: Data for Researchers

In 2013, data for researchers only cover the higher education sector.

2013: Investment in Research and Development

In 2013, investment in research and development in Bahrain reportedly amounted to 0.04% of GDP.

2013: Launch of the Bahrain Science Centre

In 2013, the Bahrain Science Centre was launched as an interactive educational facility targeting 6- to 18-year-olds, with exhibitions on junior engineering, human health, the five senses, Earth sciences, and biodiversity.

2013: Global Average of Articles per Million Inhabitants

In 2013, the global average for scientific publications was 176 articles per million inhabitants.

2013: Researchers in the Higher Education Sector

In 2013, the number of researchers in Bahrain's higher education sector was equivalent to 50 per million inhabitants.

2013: Capital of Arab Tourism

Manama was named Capital of Arab Tourism for 2013 by the Arab League.

March 2014: Casualties from Protests and Clashes

As of March 2014, over 80 civilians and 13 policemen have been killed in almost daily clashes between protesters and security forces in Bahrain.

April 2014: Launch of Bahrain's National Space Science Agency

In April 2014, Bahrain launched its National Space Science Agency to ratify international space agreements and establish infrastructure for space and Earth observation.

October 2014: Rating as 'Not Free' by Freedom House

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

2014: Collaboration among Bahraini Scientists

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

2014: Female University Graduates in Science and Engineering

In 2014, Bahrain was one of 11 Arab states with a majority of female university graduates in science and engineering, with women accounting for 66% of natural sciences graduates, 28% of engineering graduates, and 77% of health and welfare graduates.

2014: Scientific Publications

In 2014, Bahraini scientists published 155 articles in internationally cataloged journals.

2014: University of Bahrain Statistics

In 2014, the University of Bahrain had over 20,000 students, with 65% being women, and spent about US$11 million on research conducted by 172 men and 128 women.

2014: Asian Tourism

Manama was awarded Asian Tourism for 2014

2014: Arrest of pro-democracy campaigners

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

2015: Amnesty International report on suppression of dissent

Amnesty International's 2015 report on Bahrain pointed to the continued suppression of dissent, restricted freedom of expression, unjust imprisonment, and frequent torture and other ill-treatment of its citizens.

2015: Forest Area

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

July 2016: European Parliament resolution condemning human rights abuses

On 7 July 2016, the European Parliament adopted a resolution condemning human rights abuses performed by Bahraini authorities.

2016: Biocapacity per person

In 2016, Bahrain had 0.52 global hectares of biocapacity per person within its territory, 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 for their ecological footprint of consumption, resulting in a biocapacity deficit.

2016: Severing of diplomatic relations with Iran

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

2016: Gulf Capital of Tourism

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

August 2017: American Secretary of State spoke against discrimination of Shias

In August 2017, American Secretary of State Rex Tillerson spoke against the discrimination of Shias in Bahrain.

September 2017: Approval of arms sales packages from America

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: Bahrain Victorius participated in the 2017 Tour de France

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

2017: Bahrain hosts International Mixed Martial Arts Federation World Championships

In 2017, Bahrain became the first nation other than America to host the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation World Championships of Amateur MMA, in partnership with Brave Combat Federation. The nation also saw an influx of global athletes for Mixed Martial Arts training.

2017: Bahrain to host Amateur World Championships

In 2017, Bahrain was set to host the Amateur World Championships in association with the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation, becoming the first Asian and Arab country to host the amateur MMA championship.

January 2018: Amnesty International reported Bahrain expelled citizens

In January 2018, Amnesty International reported that the Bahraini government expelled four of its citizens after having revoked their nationality in 2012, turning them into stateless people.

February 2018: Sentencing of human rights activist Nabeel Rajab

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

April 2018: Official opening of British Royal Navy base at Mina Salman

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

2018: Cricket introduced in Bahrain

In 2018, Cricket was introduced in Bahrain under the initiative of KHK Sports and Exelon with the Bahrain Premier League 2018.

2018: Religious Freedom in Bahrain

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

January 2019: Announcement of Underwater Theme Park Opening

In January 2019, the Bahrain News Agency announced the summer 2019 opening of an underwater theme park with a sunken Boeing 747. The project is a partnership between the Supreme Council for Environment, Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority (BTEA), and private investors.

January 2019: Introduction of Value Added Tax

The Kingdom of Bahrain introduced the Value Added Tax with effect from 1 January 2019. The maximum rate of VAT was 5%.

October 2019: Opening of The Avenues shopping mall

In October 2019, The Avenues, a waterfront facing shopping mall, was opened in Bahrain.

2019: Tourist Arrivals

In 2019, Bahrain received over eleven million visitors, primarily from surrounding Arab states, with increasing numbers from outside the region due to growing awareness of its heritage and the Bahrain Grand Prix.

2019: Bahrain's national football team wins two cups

In 2019, Bahrain's national football team won the West Asian Football Federation cup and the Arabian Gulf Cup under the management of Helio Sousa.

2019: Establishment of the American University of Bahrain

In 2019, the American University of Bahrain was established.

2019: Bahrain International Airport Passengers and Flights

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

July 2020: Upholding of death sentences for pro-democracy campaigners

On 13 July 2020, the highest Court in Bahrain overruled the previous judgment and upheld the death sentences for Mohammed Ramadhan and Husain Moosa.

August 2020: Transfer of HMS Clyde to Bahrain

In August 2020, the UK's HMS Clyde was transferred to the Royal Bahrain Naval Force, with the ship renamed as RBNS Al-Zubara.

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

On 3 August 2020, the Kingdom of Bahrain bought a minority stake in the Paris F.C., a team that plays in France's second tier.

2020: Establishment of bilateral relations with Israel

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

2020: Public Debt

In 2020, Bahrain's public debt was $44.5 billion, or 130% of GDP.

2020: Unimproved human rights situation

The 761-page World Report 2021 published by the Human Rights Watch in January 2021 revealed that the situation of human rights did not improve in Bahrain in 2020.

January 2021: Release of Human Rights Watch World Report

In January 2021, the Human Rights Watch's World Report 2021 revealed that the situation of human rights did not improve in Bahrain in 2020, highlighting increased repression, unfair trials, and denial of medical treatment to opposition figures.

January 2021: Opening of New Airport Terminal

On 28 January 2021, Bahrain opened its new airport terminal, capable of handling 14 million passengers.

March 2021: Allegations of abuse of children detained in protest-related cases

In March 2021, Human Rights Watch (HRW) and the Bahrain Institute for Rights and Democracy claimed that 13 children were beaten and threatened after being detained in protest-related cases.

2021: Freedom House continues to label Bahrain as "not free"

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

January 2022: VAT Rate Increase

With effect from 1 January 2022, the Value Added Tax rate increased to 10%.

2023: Natural Gas Production and Reserves

As of 2023, Bahrain produced 16.7 billion cubic metres (bcm) of natural gas per year and had reserves of 68 bcm.

2023: Employment Levels

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

2023: High Greenhouse Gas Emitter

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

2023: Bahrain's 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.

January 2024: Bahraini Navy receives second Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigate

In January 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 10 June 2024, the Bahrain Olympic Academy received the Athena honorary distinction for its role in aiding and supporting advancement of sports in its region.

2024: Bahrain's Ranking in the Global Peace Index

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

2024: Bahrain Population

As of 2024, Bahrain's population is 1,588,670, with 739,736 Bahraini nationals (46.6%) and 848,934 expatriates (53.4%).

2024: Bahrain's Global Innovation Index Ranking

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

2024: Royal Bahraini Air Force expected to receive modernised F-16 Block 70 variant

In 2024, the Royal Bahraini Air Force is expected to receive 16 aircraft of the modernised F-16 Block 70 variant, in addition to its current fighters.

2025: Metro System Operation

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

2025: Bahrain's Global Innovation Index Ranking

In 2025, Bahrain jumped to the 62nd rank according to 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.

February 2026: Joint Airstrikes on Iran, War ensues

On 28 February 2026, the United States and Israel launched joint airstrikes on Iran, leading to war and missile/drone strikes against US allies including Bahrain, causing casualties.

2026: Estimated Public Debt Increase

According to IMF estimates, Bahrain's public debt is expected to rise to 155 per cent of GDP in 2026.

2030: Economic Vision 2030

Bahrain opened its new airport terminal on 28 January 2021 as part of its economic vision 2030.

2030: Vision 2030 Aim

Bahrain's 'Vision 2030' aims to transform Bahrain into a diversified and sustainable economy by 2030.

2030: Bahraini Economic Vision

The Bahraini Economic Vision 2030 published in 2008 aims to shift Bahrain from an economy built on oil wealth to a productive, globally competitive economy.