Bahrain has secured a strong position in the 2025 United Nations Human Development Report, ranking third among Arab countries and 38th worldwide, with an HDI score of 0.899

Regional and Global Comparisons

  • Among Arab nations, Bahrain trails only the United Arab Emirates (15th globally, HDI 0.940) and Saudi Arabia (37th globally, HDI 0.900)

  • Also noteworthy: Qatar (4th regionally) is 43rd globally with an HDI of 0.886; Oman is 50th at 0.858; Kuwait is 52nd at 0.852

On the world stage, Bahrain’s position at 38th places it among the top performers globally, in the “very high human development” category. Top-ranking countries include Iceland (HDI 0.972), Switzerland (0.970), and Norway (0.970)

Bahrain’s Human Development Snapshot

  • HDI Score: 0.899 (2025 report, based on 2023 data)

  • This reflects progress across health, education, and income per capita.

Why It Matters

Hitting 38th globally and 3rd regionally highlights Bahrain’s strong investment in public wellbeing. Its high ranking reflects:

  • Effective healthcare coverage

  • Robust education systems

  • Strong economic indicators

Relative to global peers, Bahrain performs admirably and signals steady advancement in quality of life outcomes.