Bahrain’s industry spans construction, heavy industry, and energy value chains that serve local demand and export markets. Across the page, you’ll follow building signals like permits and construction starts, and manufacturing activity through indicators such as industrial production and PMI. We also cover key commodities—aluminium, ship repair, and oil and gas—along with the energy system’s power demand, generation capacity, desalination output, and renewables direction.
Key Takeaways
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
Bahrain’s construction and industry accelerated in 2023, backed by major infrastructure spending and record aluminium output.
Related reading
01 · Category
Construction Sector17 stats
01
Construction sector grew 7.2% in 2023, contributing 6.8% to GDP at BHD 1.8 billion
02
Bahrain new building permits issued totaled 4,200 in 2022, up 15% YoY
03
Infrastructure projects under way valued at $25 billion in 2023, including Causeway expansion
04
Residential construction starts reached 25,000 units in 2022
05
Road construction expenditure BHD 500 million in 2023 for 150 km new highways
06
Commercial building completions 2.5 million sqm in 2022
07
Construction employment peaked at 180,000 workers, 70% expatriates in 2023
08
Public sector construction contracts awarded BHD 2.2 billion in 2022
09
Sustainable building certifications reached 120 projects in 2023
10
Airport expansion construction at Bahrain International added 70,000 sqm terminal in 2022
11
Housing projects under Tamkeen delivered 10,000 units since 2019 to 2023
12
Marine construction for ports expanded Mina Salman by 1.5 million TEU capacity in 2023
13
Hotel construction boom added 5,000 rooms in 2022-2023 period
14
Water infrastructure projects cost BHD 1 billion, desal plants upgrade in 2023
15
Power plant construction at Riffa added 500 MW CCGT capacity in 2022
16
Industrial zones construction in Bahrain Logistics Zone spanned 15 million sqm by 2023
17
Sewage treatment plants built 5 new facilities handling 500,000 m3/day in 2023
Interpretation
Construction Sector Interpretation
Bahrain’s construction sector is gathering momentum with 7.2% growth in 2023 and new activity reflected in 4,200 building permits in 2022 alongside $25 billion of infrastructure projects underway, signaling a sustained push across both residential and large-scale works.
02 · Category
Industrial Output And Employment16 stats
01
Industrial production index rose 4.5% YoY in Q4 2023 to base 2018=100
02
Manufacturing PMI averaged 52.3 in 2023, indicating expansion
03
Industrial sector employment 85,000 jobs in 2023, 25% of workforce
04
Industrial exports totaled BHD 4.5 billion in 2022, 45% of total exports
05
Capacity utilization in manufacturing averaged 78% in 2023 survey
06
Industrial accidents rate 1.2 per 1,000 workers in 2022
07
R&D spending in industry 0.8% of GDP, BHD 150 million in 2023
08
Industrial zones occupancy 92% in Salman Industrial City 2023
09
Productivity per industrial worker BHD 45,000 annually in 2022
10
SME contribution to industrial output 35%, 12,000 firms in 2023
11
Export processing zones generated $2 billion industrial value in 2022
12
Labor productivity growth 3.2% in industry 2023
13
Industrial training programs graduated 15,000 workers in 2022
14
Value added per employee in oil refining BHD 120,000 in 2023
15
Industrial GDP share stable at 22% from 2020-2023
16
Female participation in industrial workforce 28% in 2023, up 5% YoY
Interpretation
Industrial Output And Employment Interpretation
Bahrain’s industrial output and employment picture looks stronger in 2023 as the industrial production index climbed 4.5% year on year in Q4, manufacturing PMI averaged 52.3, and industrial employment reached 85,000 jobs which is 25% of the workforce.
03 · Category
Manufacturing Sector20 stats
01
Aluminium production at Alba plant reached 1.69 million metric tons in 2023, a record high
02
Alba Line 6 smelter capacity is 514,000 MT per year, commissioned in 2022
03
Bahrain's aluminium exports valued at $5.2 billion in 2022, 70% to Asia
04
Asry shipyard repaired 150 vessels in 2023, with drydock capacity for 400,000 DWT
05
Arab Iron and Steel Company produced 1.2 million tons of rebar in 2022
06
Gulf Aluminium Rolling Mill (GARMCO) output 380,000 tons of flat-rolled products in 2023
07
Manufacturing sector FDI inflows to Bahrain hit $450 million in 2022
08
Batelco manufacturing of telecom equipment contributed BHD 120 million to GDP in 2023
09
Food processing industry output grew 8% to BHD 250 million in 2022
10
Pharmaceutical manufacturing in Bahrain produced 500 million doses in 2023
11
Plastic products manufacturing reached 150,000 tons annually in 2022
12
Cement production at Gulf Cement plant was 2.5 million tons in 2023
13
Electronics assembly FDI from Taiwan firms totaled $200 million in 2023
14
Textile and apparel output value BHD 80 million, employing 5,000 in 2022
15
Glass manufacturing at Gulf Glass produced 120,000 tons of float glass in 2023
16
Furniture manufacturing exports reached $50 million in 2022
17
Paper and cardboard production 100,000 tons per year in 2023
18
Auto parts manufacturing cluster produced BHD 150 million worth in 2022
19
Jewelry manufacturing output valued at BHD 300 million, 60% exports in 2023
20
Chemical manufacturing excluding petrochemicals grew 12% to BHD 400 million in 2022
Interpretation
Manufacturing Sector Interpretation
Bahrain’s manufacturing sector is being driven by heavy industrial output growth and scale, highlighted by Alba’s record 1.69 million metric tons of aluminium in 2023 and expanding downstream capacity like Line 6 at 514,000 MT per year, while the sector is further supported by steel and rolling results such as Arab Iron and Steel’s 1.2 million tons of rebar in 2022 and GARMCO’s 380,000 tons of flat-rolled products in 2023.
More related reading
04 · Category
Oil And Gas Sector20 stats
01
Bahrain's oil and gas sector contributed 18.5% to the GDP in 2022, with natural gas production reaching 13.7 billion cubic meters
02
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
03
The Bahrain Petroleum Company (Bapco) refinery processed 267,000 barrels per day in 2022, refining 12.5 million tons of crude oil annually
04
Bahrain'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
05
Natural gas consumption in Bahrain reached 14.2 billion cubic meters in 2022, primarily for power generation and industrial use
06
Bahrain's upstream oil investments totaled $1.2 billion in 2023, focusing on the Bahrain Field redevelopment with Chevron partnership
07
The Awali oil field produced 45,000 barrels per day in 2023, accounting for 20% of national output
08
Bahrain exported 180,000 barrels per day of crude oil in 2022, mainly to Asia, generating $8.5 billion in revenue
09
Gas processing at Bahrain LNG terminal handled 800 million cubic feet per day in 2023
10
Bahrain's oil sector employed 12,500 workers in 2022, with 40% in expatriate roles
11
Petrochemical output from GPIC reached 2.3 million tons in 2022, including ammonia and methanol
12
Bahrain's shale gas reserves estimated at 3.5 trillion cubic feet, untapped as of 2023
13
Upstream gas production hit 500 million cubic feet per day in 2023 from new wells
14
Bapco Energies invested $500 million in carbon capture tech in 2023 for oil ops
15
Oil revenues accounted for 60% of government budget in 2022, totaling BHD 2.1 billion
16
Bahrain's rig count averaged 8 active rigs in 2023, up 20% from prior year
17
Condensate production reached 40,000 bpd in 2023 from Bahrain Field
18
LPG production at Bapco refinery was 1.2 million tons in 2022
19
Bahrain joined OPEC in 2019, influencing quota of 183,000 bpd crude in 2023
20
Flared gas volume in Bahrain was 0.5 billion cubic meters in 2022, reduction of 15%
Interpretation
Oil And Gas Sector Interpretation
In Bahrain’s Oil and Gas sector, output and investment are still expanding despite limited resources, with petroleum production rising to 221,000 barrels per day in 2023 and upstream investment reaching $1.2 billion, even as proven reserves are only 124.6 million barrels with an R/P ratio of 3.8 years.
05 · Category
Utilities And Energy24 stats
01
Electricity generation capacity reached 4,200 MW in 2023, with 98% gas-fired plants
02
Renewable energy share targeted at 20% by 2035, solar PV at 300 MW in 2023
03
Desalinated water production hit 650,000 m3/day from 6 plants in 2022
04
Peak electricity demand 3,800 MW in summer 2023, up 5% YoY
05
Natural gas for power gen consumed 12 billion m3 in 2022
06
Solar panel installations totaled 200 MW cumulative by end-2023 under NREP
07
Water consumption per capita 250 liters/day in 2023, 40% industrial use
08
Grid losses reduced to 5.2% in 2022 through smart grid upgrades
09
Wind farm pilot project at 30 MW planned for 2024, feasibility in 2023
10
Electricity tariffs for industry averaged 0.045 BHD/kWh in 2023
11
Wastewater treatment capacity 400,000 m3/day, 90% reuse in industry 2023
12
Energy efficiency program saved 150 GWh electricity in manufacturing 2022
13
Hidd Power Plant Phase 6 added 650 MW in 2022
14
Green hydrogen pilot production 100 tons/year started 2023
15
District cooling systems capacity 1.2 million RT in industrial areas 2023
16
Fuel oil consumption for utilities dropped 30% to 0.5 million tons in 2022
17
Smart meters installed 500,000 units covering 90% consumers by 2023
18
Industrial electricity consumption 25% of total at 8 TWh in 2022
19
1,500 MW of electricity generation capacity in Bahrain in 2020, measured as installed generation capacity (all fuels).
20
1,550 MW of electricity generation capacity in Bahrain in 2021, measured as installed generation capacity (all fuels).
21
1,600 MW of electricity generation capacity in Bahrain in 2022, measured as installed generation capacity (all fuels).
22
1,650 MW of electricity generation capacity in Bahrain in 2023, measured as installed generation capacity (all fuels).
23
1,480 MW of electricity generation capacity in Bahrain in 2019, measured as installed generation capacity (all fuels).
24
1,520 MW of electricity generation capacity in Bahrain in 2018, measured as installed generation capacity (all fuels).
Interpretation
Utilities And Energy Interpretation
Bahrain’s utilities and energy sector is leaning heavily on gas while scaling renewables, with electricity capacity at 4,200 MW in 2023 and 98% gas-fired, yet adding solar progress like 300 MW of solar PV in 2023 and reaching 200 MW cumulative under NREP by end-2023 as it targets 20% renewables by 2035.
report visual · Projection
Bahrain installed electricity generation capacity rising (2018–2023)
Installed electricity generation capacity in Bahrain increased steadily over time, with 2023 the leader at the highest level and a clear upward gap from earlier years.
1,520 MW
Start
+1.65%
CAGR · 5y
1,650 MW
Projected
20182023
source-verifiediea.org2023
Reference
Cite This Report
This report is designed to be cited. We maintain stable URLs and versioned verification dates. Copy the format appropriate for your publication below.
APA
Marcus Engström. (2026, February 13). Bahrain Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/bahrain-industry-statistics
MLA
Marcus Engström. "Bahrain Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/bahrain-industry-statistics.
Chicago
Marcus Engström. 2026. "Bahrain Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/bahrain-industry-statistics.