From powering its economy with a historic surge in oil and gas production to forging a dynamic future through massive investments in aluminium, manufacturing, and cutting-edge construction, Bahrain's industrial landscape is a compelling story of energy, innovation, and strategic diversification.
Key Takeaways
- Bahrain's oil and gas sector contributed 18.5% to the GDP in 2022, with natural gas production reaching 13.7 billion cubic meters
- Bahrain produced 221,000 barrels per day of petroleum and other liquids in 2023, marking a 2.5% increase from 2022 due to enhanced recovery techniques
- The Bahrain Petroleum Company (Bapco) refinery processed 267,000 barrels per day in 2022, refining 12.5 million tons of crude oil annually
- Aluminium production at Alba plant reached 1.69 million metric tons in 2023, a record high
- Alba Line 6 smelter capacity is 514,000 MT per year, commissioned in 2022
- Bahrain's aluminium exports valued at $5.2 billion in 2022, 70% to Asia
- Construction sector grew 7.2% in 2023, contributing 6.8% to GDP at BHD 1.8 billion
- Bahrain new building permits issued totaled 4,200 in 2022, up 15% YoY
- Infrastructure projects under way valued at $25 billion in 2023, including Causeway expansion
- Electricity generation capacity reached 4,200 MW in 2023, with 98% gas-fired plants
- Renewable energy share targeted at 20% by 2035, solar PV at 300 MW in 2023
- Desalinated water production hit 650,000 m3/day from 6 plants in 2022
- Industrial production index rose 4.5% YoY in Q4 2023 to base 2018=100
- Manufacturing PMI averaged 52.3 in 2023, indicating expansion
- Industrial sector employment 85,000 jobs in 2023, 25% of workforce
Bahrain's industrial backbone in 2026 continues to be powered by its dynamic energy sector, world-class aluminium production, and a robust construction industry driving urban development.
Construction Sector
1Construction sector grew 7.2% in 2023, contributing 6.8% to GDP at BHD 1.8 billion
Verified2Bahrain new building permits issued totaled 4,200 in 2022, up 15% YoY
Verified3Infrastructure projects under way valued at $25 billion in 2023, including Causeway expansion
Verified4Residential construction starts reached 25,000 units in 2022
Directional5Road construction expenditure BHD 500 million in 2023 for 150 km new highways
Single source6Commercial building completions 2.5 million sqm in 2022
Verified7Construction employment peaked at 180,000 workers, 70% expatriates in 2023
Verified8Public sector construction contracts awarded BHD 2.2 billion in 2022
Verified9Sustainable building certifications reached 120 projects in 2023
Directional10Airport expansion construction at Bahrain International added 70,000 sqm terminal in 2022
Single source11Housing projects under Tamkeen delivered 10,000 units since 2019 to 2023
Verified12Marine construction for ports expanded Mina Salman by 1.5 million TEU capacity in 2023
Verified13Hotel construction boom added 5,000 rooms in 2022-2023 period
Verified14Water infrastructure projects cost BHD 1 billion, desal plants upgrade in 2023
Directional15Power plant construction at Riffa added 500 MW CCGT capacity in 2022
Single source16Industrial zones construction in Bahrain Logistics Zone spanned 15 million sqm by 2023
Verified17Sewage treatment plants built 5 new facilities handling 500,000 m3/day in 2023
VerifiedConstruction Sector Interpretation
Bahrain’s construction sector is quite literally laying a new foundation for the economy, building everything from highways and houses to ports and power plants with an urgency that suggests the national hobby is now competitive cement mixing.
Industrial Output and Employment
1Industrial production index rose 4.5% YoY in Q4 2023 to base 2018=100
Verified2Manufacturing PMI averaged 52.3 in 2023, indicating expansion
Verified3Industrial sector employment 85,000 jobs in 2023, 25% of workforce
Verified4Industrial exports totaled BHD 4.5 billion in 2022, 45% of total exports
Directional5Capacity utilization in manufacturing averaged 78% in 2023 survey
Single source6Industrial accidents rate 1.2 per 1,000 workers in 2022
Verified7R&D spending in industry 0.8% of GDP, BHD 150 million in 2023
Verified8Industrial zones occupancy 92% in Salman Industrial City 2023
Verified9Productivity per industrial worker BHD 45,000 annually in 2022
Directional10SME contribution to industrial output 35%, 12,000 firms in 2023
Single source11Export processing zones generated $2 billion industrial value in 2022
Verified12Labor productivity growth 3.2% in industry 2023
Verified13Industrial training programs graduated 15,000 workers in 2022
Verified14Value added per employee in oil refining BHD 120,000 in 2023
Directional15Industrial GDP share stable at 22% from 2020-2023
Single source16Female participation in industrial workforce 28% in 2023, up 5% YoY
VerifiedIndustrial Output and Employment Interpretation
Bahrain’s industrial sector is humming along with a productive swagger—its PMI is smiling, its factories are nearly full, and its exports are carrying a hefty load—yet it still has room to grow by tapping its women power, boosting R&D ambition, and keeping an eye on safety so that all this forward motion doesn't come at the cost of its workers.
Manufacturing Sector
1Aluminium production at Alba plant reached 1.69 million metric tons in 2023, a record high
Verified2Alba Line 6 smelter capacity is 514,000 MT per year, commissioned in 2022
Verified3Bahrain's aluminium exports valued at $5.2 billion in 2022, 70% to Asia
Verified4Asry shipyard repaired 150 vessels in 2023, with drydock capacity for 400,000 DWT
Directional5Arab Iron and Steel Company produced 1.2 million tons of rebar in 2022
Single source6Gulf Aluminium Rolling Mill (GARMCO) output 380,000 tons of flat-rolled products in 2023
Verified7Manufacturing sector FDI inflows to Bahrain hit $450 million in 2022
Verified8Batelco manufacturing of telecom equipment contributed BHD 120 million to GDP in 2023
Verified9Food processing industry output grew 8% to BHD 250 million in 2022
Directional10Pharmaceutical manufacturing in Bahrain produced 500 million doses in 2023
Single source11Plastic products manufacturing reached 150,000 tons annually in 2022
Verified12Cement production at Gulf Cement plant was 2.5 million tons in 2023
Verified13Electronics assembly FDI from Taiwan firms totaled $200 million in 2023
Verified14Textile and apparel output value BHD 80 million, employing 5,000 in 2022
Directional15Glass manufacturing at Gulf Glass produced 120,000 tons of float glass in 2023
Single source16Furniture manufacturing exports reached $50 million in 2022
Verified17Paper and cardboard production 100,000 tons per year in 2023
Verified18Auto parts manufacturing cluster produced BHD 150 million worth in 2022
Verified19Jewelry manufacturing output valued at BHD 300 million, 60% exports in 2023
Directional20Chemical manufacturing excluding petrochemicals grew 12% to BHD 400 million in 2022
Single sourceManufacturing Sector Interpretation
Bahrain's factories are humming with such industrious might that its GDP could probably be forged from aluminium, bolted with steel, wired for sound, polished with glass, and shipped out on freshly repaired tankers, all while wearing locally made jewelry and taking its vitamins.
Oil and Gas Sector
1Bahrain's oil and gas sector contributed 18.5% to the GDP in 2022, with natural gas production reaching 13.7 billion cubic meters
Verified2Bahrain produced 221,000 barrels per day of petroleum and other liquids in 2023, marking a 2.5% increase from 2022 due to enhanced recovery techniques
Verified3The Bahrain Petroleum Company (Bapco) refinery processed 267,000 barrels per day in 2022, refining 12.5 million tons of crude oil annually
Verified4Bahrain's proven oil reserves stood at 124.6 million barrels as of 2023, with an R/P ratio of 3.8 years based on current production rates
Directional5Natural gas consumption in Bahrain reached 14.2 billion cubic meters in 2022, primarily for power generation and industrial use
Single source6Bahrain's upstream oil investments totaled $1.2 billion in 2023, focusing on the Bahrain Field redevelopment with Chevron partnership
Verified7The Awali oil field produced 45,000 barrels per day in 2023, accounting for 20% of national output
Verified8Bahrain exported 180,000 barrels per day of crude oil in 2022, mainly to Asia, generating $8.5 billion in revenue
Verified9Gas processing at Bahrain LNG terminal handled 800 million cubic feet per day in 2023
Directional10Bahrain's oil sector employed 12,500 workers in 2022, with 40% in expatriate roles
Single source11Petrochemical output from GPIC reached 2.3 million tons in 2022, including ammonia and methanol
Verified12Bahrain's shale gas reserves estimated at 3.5 trillion cubic feet, untapped as of 2023
Verified13Upstream gas production hit 500 million cubic feet per day in 2023 from new wells
Verified14Bapco Energies invested $500 million in carbon capture tech in 2023 for oil ops
Directional15Oil revenues accounted for 60% of government budget in 2022, totaling BHD 2.1 billion
Single source16Bahrain's rig count averaged 8 active rigs in 2023, up 20% from prior year
Verified17Condensate production reached 40,000 bpd in 2023 from Bahrain Field
Verified18LPG production at Bapco refinery was 1.2 million tons in 2022
Verified19Bahrain joined OPEC in 2019, influencing quota of 183,000 bpd crude in 2023
Directional20Flared gas volume in Bahrain was 0.5 billion cubic meters in 2022, reduction of 15%
Single sourceOil and Gas Sector Interpretation
Bahrain is expertly squeezing its aging fields for every last drop, with clever tech and deep pockets keeping the nation's economic engine—and its international obligations—humming for now.
Utilities and Energy
1Electricity generation capacity reached 4,200 MW in 2023, with 98% gas-fired plants
Verified2Renewable energy share targeted at 20% by 2035, solar PV at 300 MW in 2023
Verified3Desalinated water production hit 650,000 m3/day from 6 plants in 2022
Verified4Peak electricity demand 3,800 MW in summer 2023, up 5% YoY
Directional5Natural gas for power gen consumed 12 billion m3 in 2022
Single source6Solar panel installations totaled 200 MW cumulative by end-2023 under NREP
Verified7Water consumption per capita 250 liters/day in 2023, 40% industrial use
Verified8Grid losses reduced to 5.2% in 2022 through smart grid upgrades
Verified9Wind farm pilot project at 30 MW planned for 2024, feasibility in 2023
Directional10Electricity tariffs for industry averaged 0.045 BHD/kWh in 2023
Single source11Wastewater treatment capacity 400,000 m3/day, 90% reuse in industry 2023
Verified12Energy efficiency program saved 150 GWh electricity in manufacturing 2022
Verified13Hidd Power Plant Phase 6 added 650 MW in 2022
Verified14Green hydrogen pilot production 100 tons/year started 2023
Directional15District cooling systems capacity 1.2 million RT in industrial areas 2023
Single source16Fuel oil consumption for utilities dropped 30% to 0.5 million tons in 2022
Verified17Smart meters installed 500,000 units covering 90% consumers by 2023
Verified18Industrial electricity consumption 25% of total at 8 TWh in 2022
VerifiedUtilities and Energy Interpretation
Bahrain's energy landscape shows a nation diligently fattening its grid with natural gas while cautiously courting renewables, like someone trying to balance a lavish banquet with a diet that starts tomorrow, all while smartly squeezing waste from its water and power systems to quench its industrial thirst.
Sources & References
- Reference 1EIAeia.govVisit source
- Reference 2BPbp.comVisit source
- Reference 3BAPCObapco.netVisit source
- Reference 4OPECopec.orgVisit source
- Reference 5NOGAHOLDINGnogaholding.comVisit source
- Reference 6OECoec.worldVisit source
- Reference 7BAHRAINLNGbahrainlng.comVisit source
- Reference 8MOEmoe.gov.bhVisit source
- Reference 9GPICBAHgpicbah.comVisit source
- Reference 10BAPCOENERGIESbapcoenergies.comVisit source
- Reference 11MOFNEmofne.gov.bhVisit source
- Reference 12BAKERHUGHESbakerhughes.comVisit source
- Reference 13GLOBALFLARINGDATAglobalflaringdata.comVisit source
- Reference 14ALBASMELTERalbasmelter.comVisit source
- Reference 15ASRYasry.netVisit source
- Reference 16ARABIRONSTEELarabironsteel.comVisit source
- Reference 17GARMCOgarmco.comVisit source
- Reference 18BAHRAINEDBbahrainedb.comVisit source
- Reference 19BATELCObatelco.comVisit source
- Reference 20INDUSTRYindustry.gov.bhVisit source
- Reference 21CIAcia.govVisit source
- Reference 22GULFCEMENTgulfcement.comVisit source
- Reference 23MOTmot.gov.bhVisit source
- Reference 24GULFGLASSgulfglass.netVisit source
- Reference 25GULF-DAILY-NEWSgulf-daily-news.comVisit source
- Reference 26TRADINGECONOMICStradingeconomics.comVisit source
- Reference 27CENTRALBANKBAHcentralbankbah.comVisit source
- Reference 28MOTCmotc.gov.bhVisit source
- Reference 29CBBcbb.gov.bhVisit source
- Reference 30MOIWmoiw.gov.bhVisit source
- Reference 31SDAsda.gov.bhVisit source
- Reference 32LMRAlmra.gov.bhVisit source
- Reference 33TENDERStenders.gov.bhVisit source
- Reference 34BESTbest.gov.bhVisit source
- Reference 35BAHRAINAIRPORTbahrainairport.bhVisit source
- Reference 36PMpm.gov.bhVisit source
- Reference 37PGApga.gov.bhVisit source
- Reference 38BAHRAINTOURISMbahraintourism.comVisit source
- Reference 39EWOSewos.com.bhVisit source
- Reference 40EWECewec.bhVisit source
- Reference 41BLZblz.bhVisit source
- Reference 42BWEAbwea.gov.bhVisit source
- Reference 43SUSTAINABLEENERGYsustainableenergy.gov.bhVisit source
- Reference 44NREPnrep.gov.bhVisit source
- Reference 45MEWmew.gov.bhVisit source
- Reference 46SEDAseda.bhVisit source
- Reference 47ENERGYenergy.gov.bhVisit source
- Reference 48EDCedc.bhVisit source
- Reference 49MARKITECONOMICSmarkiteconomics.comVisit source
- Reference 50MOLmol.gov.bhVisit source
- Reference 51SICsic.bhVisit source
- Reference 52TAMKEENtamkeen.bhVisit source
- Reference 53DATAdata.worldbank.orgVisit source