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Economy of Bahrain vs Saudi Arabia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Bahrain has a GDP of $47.1B compared to $1.24T for Saudi Arabia, ranking 96/197 and 18/197 by economy size, respectively.

Bahrain has $62.8B in government debt (133.4% of GDP), compared to $324B (26.2% of GDP) in Saudi Arabia.

Bahrain vs Saudi Arabia GDP by year

Bahrain
Saudi Arabia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Bahrain Saudi Arabia
2024 $47,109,734,309 $1,239,804,533,333
2023 $46,192,260,638 $1,218,584,533,333
2022 $46,458,191,489 $1,239,075,200,000
2021 $40,840,212,766 $982,661,066,667
2020 $35,837,632,979 $767,951,200,000
2019 $40,446,808,511 $888,890,133,333
2018 $39,567,978,723 $886,564,800,000
2017 $37,204,813,830 $741,266,133,333
2016 $33,884,680,851 $689,279,466,667
2015 $32,523,297,872 $693,414,400,000
2014 $34,772,526,596 $787,153,066,667
2013 $33,823,324,468 $769,755,733,333
2012 $31,963,404,255 $751,921,333,333
2011 $29,914,680,851 $680,660,800,000
2010 $26,805,984,043 $528,207,466,667
2009 $22,938,218,085 $429,097,866,667
2008 $25,710,904,255 $519,796,800,000
2007 $21,730,000,000 $415,964,509,673
2006 $18,504,760,638 $376,900,133,511
2005 $15,968,723,404 $328,459,608,764
2004 $13,150,159,574 $258,742,133,333
2003 $11,074,813,830 $215,807,733,333
2002 $9,593,510,638 $189,605,866,667
2001 $8,976,196,809 $184,137,600,000
2000 $9,062,898,936 $189,514,933,333
1999 $7,528,469,149 $161,717,066,667
1998 $7,031,309,043 $146,775,466,667
1997 $7,219,407,713 $165,963,684,913
1996 $6,938,166,755 $158,662,483,311
1995 $6,651,180,851 $143,343,124,166
1994 $6,330,627,926 $135,174,899,866
1993 $5,913,001,064 $132,967,957,276
1992 $5,402,232,447 $137,087,850,467
1991 $5,248,911,170 $132,223,230,975
1990 $4,809,511,005 $117,630,173,565
1989 $4,393,093,963 $95,344,459,279
1988 $4,209,834,173 $88,256,074,766
1987 $3,856,922,694 $85,695,861,148
1986 $3,470,746,843 $86,961,922,765
1985 $4,152,376,484 $103,897,846,494
1984 $4,440,874,566 $119,624,858,116
1983 $4,247,030,468 $129,171,635,311
1982 $4,145,421,080 $153,240,313,858
1981 $3,943,109,532 $184,291,360,139
1980 $3,493,834,468 $164,539,660,725
1979 $2,710,160,739 $111,858,444,786
1978 $2,272,042,965 $80,266,516,687
1977 $1,989,060,283 $74,188,986,586
1976 $1,581,709,519 $64,005,665,722
1975 $1,099,107,601 $46,773,208,643
1974 $1,042,176,884 $45,412,957,746
1973 $761,132,545 $14,947,435,499
1972 $534,081,184 $9,664,267,087
1971 $422,181,562 $7,184,806,909
1970 $391,577,364 $5,377,333,333
1969 - $4,485,777,644
1968 - $4,187,777,711
1967 - $3,257,022,223
1966 - $2,920,555,557
1965 - $2,647,955,558
1964 - $2,371,808,713
1963 - $2,207,393,172
1962 - $2,130,606,532
1961 - $1,920,811,284
1960 - $1,748,124,064

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/bahrain/saudi-arabia | CC BY

GDP per capita in Bahrain vs Saudi Arabia by year

Bahrain
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Saudi Arabia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Bahrain Saudi Arabia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $29,654 $66,941 $35,122 $71,375
2023 $29,290 $64,171 $36,157 $71,565
2022 $30,471 $61,678 $38,510 $71,968
2021 $27,148 $54,955 $31,921 $62,690
2020 $24,343 $53,436 $24,339 $47,518
2019 $27,260 $56,600 $29,567 $59,560
2018 $26,324 $51,993 $29,360 $59,378
2017 $24,785 $50,185 $23,929 $53,120
2016 $23,800 $47,429 $22,268 $49,937
2015 $23,734 $48,034 $23,256 $53,931
2014 $26,452 $54,299 $27,805 $62,578
2013 $26,990 $56,310 $27,865 $62,203
2012 $26,439 $56,713 $28,733 $65,034
2011 $25,033 $52,677 $27,127 $64,125
2010 $21,819 $49,255 $22,028 $58,829
2009 $19,465 $48,626 $17,718 $54,787
2008 $23,299 $50,330 $22,320 $57,236
2007 $20,908 $49,347 $18,596 $55,030
2006 $19,267 $48,009 $17,564 $54,639
2005 $17,966 $47,268 $15,976 $53,548
2004 $15,964 $46,317 $13,154 $51,225
2003 $14,486 $45,427 $11,487 $48,078
2002 $13,501 $45,091 $10,586 $45,466
2001 $13,573 $46,162 $10,805 $47,381
2000 $14,214 $45,688 $11,715 $48,644
1999 $12,123 $43,561 $10,452 $47,495
1998 $11,625 $42,281 $9,836 $48,867
1997 $12,255 $40,965 $11,545 $48,796
1996 $12,092 $40,106 $11,472 $48,569
1995 $11,901 $38,839 $10,786 $48,052
1994 $11,629 $37,579 $10,602 $48,904
1993 $11,152 $37,870 $10,885 $49,503
1992 $10,460 $33,648 $11,730 $50,355
1991 $10,434 $31,657 $11,847 $49,295
1990 $9,343 $26,902 $11,055 $46,214
1989 $8,833 - $9,414 -
1988 $8,772 - $9,165 -
1987 $8,333 - $9,386 -
1986 $7,777 - $10,078 -
1985 $9,649 - $12,745 -
1984 $10,697 - $15,541 -
1983 $10,599 - $17,810 -
1982 $10,712 - $22,454 -
1981 $10,557 - $28,703 -
1980 $9,733 - $27,206 -
1979 $7,891 - $19,612 -
1978 $6,926 - $14,914 -
1977 $6,358 - $14,595 -
1976 $5,310 - $13,313 -
1975 $3,880 - $10,266 -
1974 $3,874 - $10,503 -
1973 $2,981 - $3,640 -
1972 $2,206 - $2,474 -
1971 $1,830 - $1,929 -
1970 $1,742 - $1,509 -
1969 - - $1,313 -
1968 - - $1,276 -
1967 - - $1,032 -
1966 - - $961 -
1965 - - $904 -
1964 - - $840 -
1963 - - $812 -
1962 - - $813 -
1961 - - $760 -
1960 - - $718 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/bahrain/saudi-arabia | CC BY

Bahrain's GDP per capita is $29,654, ranking 42/197, compared to $35,122 in Saudi Arabia, ranking 33/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Bahrain ranks 26th at $66,941, while Saudi Arabia ranks 24th at $71,375.

Economic indicators

Bahrain Saudi Arabia
Gross domestic product
$47.1B
2024
$1.24T
2024
GDP rank
96/197
2024
18/197
2024
GDP growth
2.6%
2023-2024
2%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$29,654
2024
$35,122
2024
GDP per capita rank
42/197
2024
33/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$66,941
2024
$71,375
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
26/197
2024
24/197
2024
Government debt
$62.8B
2024
$324B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
133.4%
2024
26.2%
2024
Government debt per person
$39,552
2024
$9,185
2024
Government debt per person rank
14/185
2024
58/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$23,253
2026
$23,076
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$20.4B
2024
$2.73T
2024
Number of millionaires n/a
351,855
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
15
2025
Government expenditure, % of GDP
29.1%
2024
29.6%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
0.92%
2023-2024
1.69%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
4.25%
2025
4.25%
2025
Unemployment rate
1.2%
2012
3.52%
2024
Population
1669503
36734925

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Bahrain
Spending

Debt
Saudi Arabia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Bahrain Saudi Arabia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 29.1% 133.4% 29.6% 26.2%
2023 29.1% 123% 28.3% 23%
2022 28.4% 111.6% 25.3% 21.3%
2021 30.6% 122.3% 28.2% 25.5%
2020 34.6% 125.7% 37.4% 29.7%
2019 31.2% 97.1% 31.8% 20.3%
2018 32.1% 90.4% 32.4% 16.8%
2017 30.7% 84% 30.9% 15.9%
2016 33.3% 77.4% 33.3% 12.2%
2015 34.8% 63.2% 38.5% 5.47%
2014 27.3% 42.6% 38.6% 1.5%
2013 32% 42.3% 34.5% 2.08%
2012 31.1% 34.8% 32.5% 2.97%
2011 30.2% 31.6% 32.4% 5.31%
2010 31.1% 28.8% 33% 8.43%
2009 24.6% 20.5% 37.1% 14%
2008 22.7% 12.1% 26.7% 12.1%
2007 22.4% 15.7% 29.5% 17.1%
2006 23.1% 19.4% 27.3% 25.8%
2005 23.9% 23.2% 28.2% 37.3%
2004 25% 28.2% 31.1% 62.9%
2003 28.1% 31.1% 33.1% 81.6%
2002 30.6% 27.2% 35.9% 96.4%
2001 26.5% 25% 36.9% 93.1%
2000 22.2% 24.7% 33.1% 86.7%
1999 27.1% 24.7% 30.3% 103%
1998 25.7% 20% 34.5% 101.5%
1997 31% 14.8% 35.6% 76.7%
1996 22.7% 13.1% 33.3% 75.2%
1995 25.1% 13.6% 32.4% 74.2%
1994 26.1% 5.62% 33.8% 67.9%
1993 26.7% 5.95% 37.7% 58.6%
1992 29.4% 6.45% 41.2% 47.8%
1991 28.5% 6.71% 34.9% 39.4%
1990 32.4% 7.24% 39.3% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/bahrain/saudi-arabia | CC BY

In 2024, Bahrain's government spending was $13.7B, accounting for 29.1% of its GDP, while Saudi Arabia spent $367B, or 29.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 133.4% in Bahrain and 26.2% in Saudi Arabia, ranking 9/185 and 163/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Bahrain

Saudi Arabia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Bahrain Saudi Arabia
2024 -10.6% -2.49%
2023 -9.67% -1.77%
2022 -6.02% 2.24%
2021 -10.6% -1.99%
2020 -17.3% -10.2%
2019 -8.57% -3.96%
2018 -11.3% -5.21%
2017 -13.4% -8.57%
2016 -16.6% -13.2%
2015 -17.5% -14.9%
2014 -3.32% -3.4%
2013 -8.55% 5.47%
2012 -5.77% 11.7%
2011 -4.9% 11.4%
2010 -9.29% 4.39%
2009 -5.36% -5.38%
2008 4.08% 29.8%
2007 1.52% 11.8%
2006 2.24% 20.8%
2005 2.8% 18%
2004 0.24% 9.72%
2003 -1.7% 1.2%
2002 -3.27% -5.91%
2001 0.7% -3.91%
2000 7.33% 3.18%
1999 -4.85% -5.99%
1998 -5.49% -8.88%
1997 -6.39% -2.51%
1996 0.24% -3.25%
1995 -3.99% -5.12%
1994 -5.18% -8.31%
1993 -2.77% -9.33%
1992 -5.41% -8.12%
1991 -3.47% -3.28%
1990 -6.79% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/bahrain/saudi-arabia | CC BY

In 2024, Bahrain's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $5B, equivalent to 10.6% of GDP. This compares to Saudi Arabia's deficit of $30.9B, or 2.49% of GDP.

Over the past 34 years, Bahrain recorded a fiscal deficit in 26 of those years, while Saudi Arabia ran a deficit in 22 years. On average, Bahrain posted an annual deficit equal to 5.35% of GDP, compared to deficit of 0.18% of GDP for Saudi Arabia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Bahrain

Saudi Arabia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Bahrain Saudi Arabia
2024 0.92% 1.69%
2023 0.07% 2.33%
2022 3.63% 2.47%
2021 -0.61% 3.06%
2020 -2.32% 3.37%
2019 1.01% -1.19%
2018 2.09% 2.47%
2017 1.39% -0.83%
2016 2.79% 2.05%
2015 1.85% 1.22%
2014 2.65% 2.24%
2013 3.3% 3.51%
2012 2.76% 2.87%
2011 -0.4% 5.83%
2010 1.96% 5.34%
2009 2.8% 5.06%
2008 3.53% 9.87%
2007 3.26% 4.17%
2006 2.01% 2.21%
2005 2.59% 0.48%
2004 2.35% 0.52%
2003 1.59% 0.61%
2002 -0.5% 0.25%
2001 -1.21% -1.12%
2000 -0.7% -1.12%
1999 -1.29% -1.33%
1998 -0.37% -0.37%
1997 2.43% 0.06%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/bahrain/saudi-arabia | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Bahrain has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 1.34%, compared with 1.99% in Saudi Arabia. In 2024, inflation was 0.92% in Bahrain and 1.69% in Saudi Arabia.

Top exports between countries

Bahrain
Export category Export value
Metals $1.24B
Raw materials & minerals $558M
Machinery & equipment $352M
Animal & marine products $242M
Chemicals & pharma $177M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $168M
Textiles & consumer goods $84.9M
Wood & paper products $42.5M
Precious metals & jewellery $17.6M
Raw agricultural goods $14.6M
Saudi Arabia
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $6.79B
Machinery & equipment $2.14B
Chemicals & pharma $184M
Animal & marine products $180M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $158M
Metals $139M
Textiles & consumer goods $93.8M
Precious metals & jewellery $93.8M
Raw agricultural goods $47.5M
Wood & paper products $37.3M

Balance of trade

Bahrain Saudi Arabia
Current account balance
$2.28B
2024
-$16.3B
2024
Current account balance ranking
44/190
2024
180/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+4.84%
2024
-1.31%
2024
Goods imports
$20.7B
2024
$214B
2024
Goods exports
$24.3B
2024
$306B
2024
Service imports
$12.4B
2024
$125B
2024
Service exports
$17B
2024
$62.8B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
70.1%
2024
25.6%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
87.7%
2024
29.1%
2024

Economic freedom indices

The indices of economic freedom below are issued by the Heritage Foundation. Higher scores indicate stronger economic health.

Bahrain Saudi Arabia
Economic freedom 65.7 65.4
Economic freedom ranking 63/197 65/197
Property rights 60.9 51.4
Government integrity 45.9 52.7
Judicial effectiveness 30 38.2
Tax burden 99.9 99.2
Government spending 75 77
Fiscal health 0 97.9
Business freedom 75.9 71.2
Labor freedom 55.5 41.8
Monetary freedom 88.8 81.2
Trade freedom 86.8 73.8
Investment freedom 90 50
Financial freedom 80 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Bahrain
Saudi Arabia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Bahrain Saudi Arabia
2026 65.7 65.4
2025 65.6 64.4
2024 63.4 61.9
2023 62.5 58.3
2022 62 55.5
2021 69.9 66
2020 66.3 62.4
2019 66.4 60.7
2018 67.7 59.6
2017 68.5 64.4
2016 74.3 62.1
2015 73.4 62.1
2014 75.1 62.2
2013 75.5 60.6
2012 75.2 62.5
2011 77.7 66.2
2010 76.3 64.1
2009 74.8 64.3
2008 72.2 62.5
2007 71.2 60.9
2006 71.6 63
2005 71.2 63
2004 75.1 60.4
2003 76.3 63.2
2002 75.6 65.3
2001 75.9 62.2
2000 75.7 66.5
1999 75.2 65.5
1998 75.6 69.3
1997 76.1 68.7
1996 76.4 68.3
1995 76.2 -

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

GeoRank.org/economy/bahrain/saudi-arabia | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Bahrain is 65.7, ranking 63/197, compared to 65.4 for Saudi Arabia, ranking 65/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Bahrain Saudi Arabia
Services, % of GDP
53.2%
2024
47.1%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
42.3%
2024
44.9%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
0.25%
2024
2.54%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$44.6B
2024
$1.26T
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$62,230
2024
$71,730
2024
Total reserves including gold
$4.95B
2024
$464B
2024
Total reserves ranking
102/177
2024
7/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$2.43B
2024
$6.27B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$2.7B
2024
$21.3B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$275M
2024
$27.6B
2024
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
28.4%
2024
30.2%
2024

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/bahrain/saudi-arabia | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. TradeMap (2023–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)

Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) — you’re free to copy, share, remix, adapt, and use even commercially as long as you give appropriate credit and clearly indicate if you made changes. Other sources may be subject to different license terms.

The current account balance is the sum of net trade in goods and services, net earnings from cross-border investments, and net transfer payments. It reflects a country's economic transactions with the rest of the world and is a fundamental component of the balance of payments. A surplus indicates that a country exports more than it imports, while a deficit shows the opposite.

Gross National Income (GNI) measures a country's total income. It encompasses income earned by residents, businesses, and foreign sources, defined as employee compensation and investment profits. GNI adds product taxes not included elsewhere and subtracts subsidies. It accounts for income from residents working abroad but excludes earnings from foreigners within the country.

A negative value for Net Foreign Direct Investment indicates a country is a net receiver of investments, as foreign inflows exceed outflows after Balance of Payments adjustments. A positive value indicates a net provider, with outflows exceeding inflows. Inflows are credits (increasing foreign claims on domestic assets), while outflows are debits (increasing domestic assets abroad).

Foreign direct investment (FDI, net inflows) shows how much capital foreign investors bring into a country after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of overseas companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in the reporting country. A positive number means more capital entered the country than was withdrawn, while a negative number means foreign investors pulled out more than they invested.

Foreign direct investment (FDI, net outflows) shows how much capital residents of a country invest abroad after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of domestic companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in other countries. A positive number means more capital was invested abroad than withdrawn, while a negative number means residents pulled back more than they invested.

Formerly gross domestic investment, gross capital formation measures the share of a country’s economic output invested in fixed assets, including buildings, machinery, and infrastructure. It indicates how much of the economy is devoted to building productive capacity.