As of 2024, the top 1% in Bahrain earned 25.59% of total national income, while the bottom 50% received just 10.38%. Bahrain’s income inequality has increased since 1980, when the top 1% share was 22.21%.
Key Income Distribution Metrics for Bahrain in 2024
In 2024, income in Bahrain was distributed as follows: the wealthiest 1% of the population captured 25.59% of total national income, which is significantly higher than the global average of 16.17%. Meanwhile, the bottom half of earners received 10.38% of income, notably lower than the global average of 14.97%.
| Metric | Bahrain | Global Average |
|---|---|---|
| Top 1% Income Share | 25.59% | 16.17% |
| Top 10% Income Share | 57.75% | 45.21% |
| Bottom 50% Income Share | 10.38% | 14.97% |
How Has Income Inequality Changed in Bahrain?
Top 1% Income Share Trend (1980-2024)
The share of income going to Bahrain’s top 1% has increased over the past 44 years. In 1980, the top 1% captured 22.21% of national income. By 2024, this figure had risen by 3.38 percentage points to 25.59%.
Top 10% vs Bottom 50% Income Gap Over Time
The income gap between the top 10% and bottom 50% in Bahrain has widened over this period. In 1980, the top 10% earned 56.52% while the bottom 50% received 10.89%. By 2024, these figures shifted to 57.75% and 10.38% respectively.
| Year | Top 1% | Top 10% | Bottom 50% | Gap (Top 10 – Bottom 50) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | 22.21% | 56.52% | 10.89% | 45.63 pp |
| 1986 | 22.21% | 56.52% | 10.89% | 45.63 pp |
| 1992 | 22.21% | 56.52% | 10.89% | 45.63 pp |
| 1998 | 22.78% | 57.42% | 10.46% | 46.96 pp |
| 2004 | 24.01% | 59.36% | 9.54% | 49.82 pp |
| 2010 | 17.12% | 50.81% | 12.95% | 37.86 pp |
| 2016 | 25.59% | 57.75% | 10.38% | 47.37 pp |
| 2022 | 25.59% | 57.75% | 10.38% | 47.37 pp |
How Bahrain Compares Globally
Bahrain vs Middle East Average
Compared to other countries in Middle East, Bahrain’s top 1% income share of 25.59% is slightly higher than the regional average of 21.66%. The bottom 50% in Bahrain receives 10.38% of income, compared to the Middle East average of 11.98%.
Where Bahrain Ranks Among All Countries
- Top 1% income concentration: Bahrain ranks 6th out of 184 countries (higher rank = more concentrated wealth at the top)
- Bottom 50% income share: Bahrain ranks 151st out of 184 countries (higher rank = larger share for the bottom half)
Countries with similar income inequality levels to Bahrain include Mexico's wealth gap, Angola, income distribution in Yemen.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the income share of the top 1% in Bahrain?
As of 2024, the top 1% in Bahrain earned 25.59% of total national income. This level of concentration is considered very high by international standards.
Is income inequality increasing or decreasing in Bahrain?
Income inequality in Bahrain has increased since 1980. The top 1% income share moved from 22.21% in 1980 to 25.59% in 2024.
What percentage of income goes to the bottom 50% in Bahrain?
In 2024, the bottom 50% of earners in Bahrain received 10.38% of total national income. This compares with the top 10% who captured 57.75%.
Last updated: April 8, 2026
Data source: World Inequality Database (WID). This dataset covers income distribution metrics for 199 countries from 1980 to 2024.