Most Expat Private-Sector Workers in Bahrain Earn Below BD200 a Month

Most expatriate workers in Bahrain’s private sector earn low monthly wages, with the majority receiving less than BD200, according to newly released figures from the Social Insurance Organisation (SIO).

The data show that around 336,746 expatriate workers earn under BD200 per month, while the average monthly wage for expats in the private sector stands at approximately BD267. The total number of expatriate employees in the private sector reached 473,323.

Men accounted for the vast majority of expatriate workers, numbering 423,413, or 89.3 per cent, while 49,910 women made up 11.7 per cent of the workforce.

In addition to those earning below BD200, about 64,036 expatriate workers, or 14 per cent, were paid monthly wages ranging between BD200 and BD399, highlighting the concentration of expat labour in lower income brackets.

The same SIO release also provided insights into Bahraini employment and wages across both the public and private sectors. The average monthly wage for Bahraini employees was recorded at around BD919, with an average age of 36.

Total Bahraini employment across both sectors stood at approximately 157,213 workers, with the private sector employing the majority at 105,503 employees, or 67 per cent. The public sector accounted for 51,710 employees, representing 33 per cent.

Average wages varied by sector, with Bahraini public-sector employees earning about BD973 per month, compared with BD892 in the private sector.

Over the past five years, the number of Bahrainis in employment has steadily increased, rising from about 145,849 in 2021 to 145,894 by the end of 2024, before reaching nearly 157,000 by the third quarter of 2025. A 2 per cent year-on-year increase was recorded between the third quarters of 2024 and 2025.

By gender, Bahraini men made up 90,444 employees, or 57.5 per cent, while 66,769 women accounted for 42.5 per cent of the workforce across both sectors.

Women continued to dominate public-sector employment, representing about 55 per cent in the third quarter of 2025. This included 28,431 women and 23,279 men working in ministries and government bodies.

In contrast, Bahraini men remained the majority in the private sector, with 67,165 employees, or 64 per cent, compared with 38,338 women, who made up 36 per cent of private-sector employment.