Bahrain
Last updated April 1, 2026
Composite GEFRI Score
Emerging readiness
Bahrain demonstrates early-stage readiness (64th percentile worldwide). Investments are generating initial gains, yet substantial gaps persist in several dimensions. Higher scores indicate a system that is better prepared to anticipate and shape the future of learning.
- Global percentile
- 64th
- Global rank
- #64
- Regional rank
- #8
- Viewing data for
Country profile
Bahrain shows strong future-readiness momentum, with clear strengths in Infrastructure (78, 96th percentile).
Uneven scores across dimensions highlight areas that need targeted coordination. High internet adoption enables broad participation in digital learning and innovation.
Sparse R&D investment and a small research workforce slow experimentation and delay new ideas from reaching learners. High regulatory quality supports coherent, forward-looking education reforms. Girls outperform boys in secondary pathways, adding pressure to address male dropout risks.
Innovation presents a near-term leapfrog opportunity: performance is just below the global average, backed by enough observed data to support forward planning. Regionally, Bahrain leads most clearly in School Access and Gender Parity, sitting well above the peer average.
Areas with room to grow: School Access and Gender Parity (69, 67th percentile), Governance (52, 66th percentile), Human Capital (51, 54th percentile), and Innovation (36, 40th percentile). These dimensions sit close to global norms and could accelerate quickly with targeted investment.
Note: Several indicators use imputed values. Policymakers and planners should validate results further before committing to major initiatives.
Key insights
- Sits above the global median at the 64th percentile.
- Places 64th worldwide.
- Holds a regional position of 8th within Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan.
- Scores range from Infrastructure (78.3) to Innovation (35.9), reflecting variation across dimensions.
- Leads regional peers most clearly in Access & Parity.
Regional peers: Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan
Composite GEFRI score
| Global rank | Regional rank | Country | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 13 | 1 | Israel | 73.92 |
| 26 | 2 | United Arab Emirates | 70.36 |
| 39 | 3 | Saudi Arabia | 65.52 |
| 40 | 4 | Malta | 64.28 |
| 57 | 5 | Kuwait | 59.77 |
| 59 | 6 | Qatar | 58.36 |
| 60 | 7 | Jordan | 58.06 |
| 64 | 8 | Bahrain | 57.37 |
| 76 | 9 | Oman | 54.61 |
| 78 | 10 | Morocco | 53.83 |
| 92 | 11 | Iran, Islamic Rep. | 50.45 |
| 95 | 12 | Egypt, Arab Rep. | 49.67 |
| 97 | 13 | Tunisia | 49.07 |
| 99 | 14 | West Bank and GazaFCS | 47.12 |
| 114 | 15 | Algeria | 38.86 |
| 122 | 16 | Djibouti | 36.23 |
| 124 | 17 | LebanonFCS | 35.78 |
| 128 | 18 | IraqFCS | 34.68 |
| 129 | 19 | LibyaFCS | 34.45 |
| 141 | 20 | Pakistan | 29.51 |
| 149 | 21 | Syrian Arab RepublicFCS | 27.28 |
| 158 | 22 | Yemen, Rep.FCS | 23.14 |
| 170 | 23 | AfghanistanFCS | 18.18 |