EXPATRIATE workers made up the overwhelming majority of contributors to the Social Insurance Organisation (SIO) in 2025, with more than 477,000 foreigners registered in Bahrain’s private sector by year‑end.
According to the SIO Statistical Report – Quarter Four, a total of 636,303 employees were registered with the organisation last year. Most contributors – 583,958 individuals – were employed in the private sector, while 52,345 worked in the public sector.
Out of the total contributors, 158,645 were Bahrainis with 106,300 (around 67 per cent) working in the private sector and 477,658 being expatriates.
In total, the number of Bahrainis registered has also seen a 2pc growth rate since 2024.
By the end of 2025, the SIO had 86,337 registered pensioners, with 58pc from the private sector and 42pc from the public sector.
Additionally, 25,679 beneficiaries, including children, widows and other dependents, were recorded, with 13,582 in the private sector and 12,097 in the public sector.
The report also reveals that the average monthly salary of Bahrainis registered with SIO stood at BD914, with an average age of 36.
Meanwhile, the average pensioner was 58 years old and received a monthly pension of BD857. In the past five years, the number of insured Bahrainis in the public and private sectors has gradually increased by 9pc. There were a total of 145,849 Bahrainis registered in both sectors in 2021. Last year, there were 154,894, marking an increase of about 3pc from 2024 to 2025.
In the public sector, the gender gap favoured women, with 28,815 Bahraini females employed compared with 23,530 Bahraini males. In contrast, the private sector workforce was predominantly male, recording 67,448 Bahraini men versus 38,852 Bahraini women.
Both sectors recorded an increase in the number of Bahrainis last year compared with 2024, including a 3pc increase (from 50,908 to 52,345) in the public sector and 2pc increase (from 103,986 to 106,300) in the private sector.
In comparison, the number of non-Bahrainis also increased from 467,267 in 2024 to 477,658 last year, constituting a 2pc rise. An overwhelming majority – 426,524 – are males compared to 51,134 women.
In terms of salaries, 33pc of the Bahraini public sector workforce last year – 17,283 – earn more than BD1,000. Around 2,178 individuals (4pc) earn between BD200 and BD399, 10,975 (21pc) between BD400 and BD599, 8,979 (17pc) took home amounts ranging from BD800 to BD999, and the remaining 25pc (12,930) earn between BD600 and BD799.
In contrast, in the private sector, only 22pc of Bahrainis earn BD1,000 or more (23,899 workers). The majority of Bahrainis (34,061 or 32pc) earn between BD200 and BD399.
Meanwhile, 2,196 (2pc) citizens earn less than BD200, 26,594 (about 25pc) between BD400 and BD599, 11,828 (11pc) took home amounts ranging from BD600 to BD799 and 7,722 earn between BD800 and BD999. Among expatriates, more than 71pc (341,456 employees) earn less than BD200 per month, 64,098 (13pc) earn between BD200 and BD399, while 35,983 (8pc) earn BD400 to BD599.
Around 9,598 expatriates (2pc) earn between BD600 and BD799, 5,241 (1pc) between BD800 and BD999, and 21,282 (4pc) earn BD1,000 or more.
nader@gdnmedia.bh
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