2018 High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development: Bahrain

In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

Bahrain’s decades-long development trajectory accelerated with the comprehensive development plan of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, and the launch of "Economic Vision 2030" - underpinned by the principles of sustainability, competitiveness and fairness - which aims to double the income Bahraini households - in real terms - by 2030.

The Government, under the leadership of His Royal Highness Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, Prime Minister, and with the support of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander, First Deputy Prime Minister, are focused on achieving economic diversification and sustainable and comprehensive development. This led to the successful delivery of the Millennium Development Goals, and setting the foundation for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Progress

• -   Percentage of the population living in extreme poverty is zero.
• -   Average economic growth in the past decade stands at 37.4% and average GDP per capita is USD 22,000.
• -   Public expenditure on health, education, and social protection exceeds 35% of the budget.
• -   Basic education is free and compulsory. Net enrollment ratio for primary and secondary levels is 100% and 86.4% respectively, thus eliminating illiteracy. While KG2 enrollments is 82%.
• -   Healthcare is free and universal. Maternal mortality and that of children under five dropped to 28.6 deaths per 100,000 live births and 9 deaths per 1,000 live births respectively, compared with 226 deaths per 100,000 live births and 44 deaths per 1,000 live births worldwide.
• -   The Constitution guarantees gender equality. There are two committees instituted by the Supreme Council for Women to ensure equal opportunities and gender-responsive budgeting. Women hold 55% of the supervisory positions, with 53% and 33% participation in the public and private sector respectively.
• -   The private sector is a key development partner. It provides equal high paying employment opportunities contributing to lowering total unemployment to 4%.
• -   65% of the population benefited from public housing services with five new sustainable cities being developed.
• -   The coverage of safe water, sanitation and clean energy networks reached 100%.
• -   The Labor Fund (Tamkeen) provides vast support to SMEs. More than 47,000 SMEs and 120,000 individuals including women, youth, and persons with disabilities benefited from its financial and training support.