Bahrain vs Saudi Arabia
A data-driven side-by-side: investment score, economy, business climate, political stability, and tax, to help you decide where to invest, incorporate, or relocate.
Overall: Bahrain ranks higher
Bahrain scores 68/100 on our composite investment index, ahead of Saudi Arabia at 63/100. This blends economic strength, political stability, business climate, financial maturity, and growth outlook. Read the breakdown below to see where each country actually leads.
Category breakdown
68
Economic strength
68
55
Political stability
Bahrain leads
50
72
Business climate
72
72
Financial maturity
Saudi Arabia leads
75
65
Growth outlook
65
Macro snapshot
44
GDP (USD bn)
-1024.8 bn
1,069
3.0%
GDP growth (%)
-0.1 pp
3.1%
$28,780
GDP per capita (USD)
-1220.0
$30,000
1.5%
Inflation (%)
-0.8 pp
2.3%
3.5%
FDI (% of GDP)
+2.0 pp
1.5%
118%
Public debt (% of GDP)
+94.2 pp
24%
1.5
Population (M)
-35.5M
37
Bahrain: strong sectors
- Financial Services17.0% of GDP75
- Tourism5.0% of GDP68
- Oil Refining12.0% of GDP62
- Aluminum5.0% of GDP60
Saudi Arabia: strong sectors
- Energy40.0% of GDP85
- Construction6.0% of GDP78
- Tourism4.0% of GDP72
- Technology3.0% of GDP68
Frequently asked
Which is better for investment: Bahrain or Saudi Arabia?
Our composite investment index gives Bahrain a score of 68/100 and Saudi Arabia a score of 63/100. Bahrain ranks higher overall, but the right answer depends on your sector and risk tolerance. See the category breakdown above.
Is Bahrain a safer market than Saudi Arabia?
Risk classification puts Bahrain as moderate (Growing economy with manageable risks - suitable for diversified portfolios) and Saudi Arabia as moderate (Growing economy with manageable risks - suitable for diversified portfolios).
Which has higher GDP growth: Bahrain or Saudi Arabia?
Bahrain is currently growing at 3.0% per year, vs 3.1% for Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia has the faster headline growth rate today.