Bahrain's Private Sector Workforce: Majority Aged 30-39 as Employment and Wage Growth Trends Continue

TDT | Manama

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A recent statistical report has revealed that the majority of employees in Bahrain's private sector are aged between 30 and 39 years, with approximately 216,000 individuals falling within this age group. This figure represents a significant portion of the total workforce, which exceeds 560,000 workers.

According to data published on the "Employment Skills" platform, there are over 3,000 employees under the age of 20 in the private sector, alongside more than 9,700 workers in their sixties.

The breakdown of employees by age is as follows: among those under 20, there are 2,712 males and 337 females. For the 20-29 age bracket, the numbers rise to 109,617 males and 24,272 females. The 30-39 age group constitutes the largest segment, with 182,329 male employees and 33,603 female employees.

Additionally, the report indicates that there are 126,920 male employees aged 40-49 and 16,566 females in the same age range. For the 50-59 age group, there are 48,574 males and 5,561 females. Notably, among those over 60 years, there are 8,875 male employees and 924 female employees.

According to a report by "Tamkeen," Bahrain's private sector experienced a 2% annual growth in the total number of employees in the third quarter of 2023, bringing the total to 567,411.

This marks a continuous upward trend since the second quarter of 2020. Additionally, the representation of women in the private sector has increased by 2.5%, compared to a 1.5% increase for men.

For the first time, the total number of registered Bahraini workers in the private sector has surpassed 100,000, reaching 101,321 in the third quarter of 2023. The average wages for Bahrainis in the private sector also rose by 4% year-on-year during this period. The manufacturing sector recorded the highest wage growth, followed by the mining and quarrying sectors, and then the accommodation and food services sector.

The financial and insurance activities sector plays a crucial role in Bahrain's economy, contributing 18% to the real GDP, while the manufacturing sector accounts for 14% in the third quarter of 2023. These sectors are characterized by high productivity levels and the highest average wages for Bahraini workers.

This comprehensive demographic analysis of Bahrain's private sector workforce underscores the ongoing trends in employment, wage growth, and the increasing participation of women, reflecting a dynamic labour market that continues to evolve.