Net migration (UNICEF) in Bahrain
Bahrain: Net migration was 18,128 in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2025)
18,128
Change on year
down 20.1%
World rank
22nd
of 74 countries
All-time high
47,674
in 2008
All-time low
-31,967
in 2019
Years of data
66
1960–2025
Net migration in Bahrain, 1960–2025
Source: UNICEF.
Analysis
The most recent figure for net migration in Bahrain is 18,128, measured in 2025.
The figure is down 20.1% on the previous year and down 50.8% over ten years.
Over the whole period, net migration in Bahrain peaked at 47,674 in 2008 and was at its lowest, -31,967, in 2019.
Bahrain ranks 22nd of 74 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Net migration in Bahrain, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1960 | 1,266 | — |
| 1961 | 1,076 | -15.0% |
| 1962 | 810 | -24.7% |
| 1963 | 714 | -11.9% |
| 1964 | 491 | -31.2% |
| 1965 | -415 | -184.5% |
| 1966 | -718 | +73.0% |
| 1967 | -829 | +15.5% |
| 1968 | -3,952 | +376.7% |
| 1969 | -4,638 | +17.4% |
| 1970 | -4,939 | +6.5% |
| 1971 | 3,159 | -164.0% |
| 1972 | 6,190 | +95.9% |
| 1973 | 6,450 | +4.2% |
| 1974 | 6,711 | +4.0% |
| 1975 | 6,900 | +2.8% |
| 1976 | 6,993 | +1.3% |
| 1977 | 7,017 | +0.3% |
| 1978 | 6,974 | -0.6% |
| 1979 | 6,908 | -0.9% |
| 1980 | 6,741 | -2.4% |
| 1981 | 4,523 | -32.9% |
| 1982 | 3,980 | -12.0% |
| 1983 | 4,252 | +6.8% |
| 1984 | 4,557 | +7.2% |
| 1985 | 4,657 | +2.2% |
| 1986 | 4,822 | +3.5% |
| 1987 | 5,152 | +6.8% |
| 1988 | 5,294 | +2.8% |
| 1989 | 5,220 | -1.4% |
| 1990 | 5,090 | -2.5% |
| 1991 | 4,562 | -10.4% |
| 1992 | 2,768 | -39.3% |
| 1993 | 2,850 | +3.0% |
| 1994 | 3,387 | +18.8% |
| 1995 | 3,842 | +13.4% |
| 1996 | 4,162 | +8.3% |
| 1997 | 4,036 | -3.0% |
| 1998 | 3,733 | -7.5% |
| 1999 | 3,130 | -16.2% |
| 2000 | 2,886 | -7.8% |
| 2001 | 34,371 | +1091.0% |
| 2002 | 45,952 | +33.7% |
| 2003 | 45,571 | -0.8% |
| 2004 | 45,413 | -0.3% |
| 2005 | 45,682 | +0.6% |
| 2006 | 46,615 | +2.0% |
| 2007 | 47,500 | +1.9% |
| 2008 | 47,674 | +0.4% |
| 2009 | 46,467 | -2.5% |
| 2010 | -19,329 | -141.6% |
| 2011 | -26,107 | +35.1% |
| 2012 | 12,801 | -149.0% |
| 2013 | 35,574 | +177.9% |
| 2014 | 40,815 | +14.7% |
| 2015 | 36,809 | -9.8% |
| 2016 | 46,833 | +27.2% |
| 2017 | 21,958 | -53.1% |
| 2018 | -25,978 | -218.3% |
| 2019 | -31,967 | +23.1% |
| 2020 | -5,048 | -84.2% |
| 2021 | 11,882 | -335.4% |
| 2022 | 18,975 | +59.7% |
| 2023 | 20,002 | +5.4% |
| 2024 | 22,699 | +13.5% |
| 2025 | 18,128 | -20.1% |
Bahrain compared with similar countries
- Bahrain's 18,128 is above the median for high income countries, which is 9,502, 1.9× the median. (42 countries reporting)
- Bahrain's 18,128 is above the median for Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, which is -376.5. (20 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Net migration in Bahrain changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | +1091.0% | 2,886 | 34,371 |
| 1968 | -376.7% | -829 | -3,952 |
| 2021 | +335.4% | -5,048 | 11,882 |
| 2018 | -218.3% | 21,958 | -25,978 |
| 1965 | -184.5% | 491 | -415 |
| 2013 | +177.9% | 12,801 | 35,574 |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | -619.5 | -4,638 | 1,266 | 10 |
| 1970s | 5,236 | -4,939 | 7,017 | 10 |
| 1980s | 4,920 | 3,980 | 6,741 | 10 |
| 1990s | 3,756 | 2,768 | 5,090 | 10 |
| 2000s | 40,813 | 2,886 | 47,674 | 10 |
| 2010s | 9,141 | -31,967 | 46,833 | 10 |
| 2020s | 14,440 | -5,048 | 22,699 | 6 |
Countries ranked near Bahrain
More population data for Bahrain
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 05 - Demographic estimates 1,809 Persons (2050)
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate 0.21 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population long run with projections, annual growth rate 0.6429 % change on previous year (2100)
- Urban and rural population 2050, annual growth rate -100 % change on previous year (2037)
- Population regions with projections, annual growth rate 0.6429 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population growth rate, by level of development 0.6% (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 176,724 people (2100)
- Population density 3,912 people per km² (2100)
- World population growth 0.6% (2100)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate 0.7307 % change on previous year (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is net migration in Bahrain?
- Net migration in Bahrain was 18,128 in 2025, according to UNICEF.
- What is the highest net migration recorded in Bahrain?
- The highest recorded value was 47,674 in 2008.
- What is the lowest net migration recorded in Bahrain?
- The lowest recorded value was -31,967 in 2019.
- How does Bahrain rank for net migration?
- Bahrain ranks 22nd out of 74 countries with data for 2025.
- Is net migration rising or falling in Bahrain?
- Over the last ten years it is down 50.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Bahrain data come from?
- The figures come from UNICEF, published as part of Net migration. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
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