BD23m Allocated for 2026 Social Assistance Budget

TDT | Manama

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Bahrain has allocated BD22 million for social assistance in 2025 and BD23 million in 2026, covering about 17,710 beneficiaries under the Social Insurance Law, Social Development Minister Osama Al Alawi told MPs during Tuesday’s sitting.

Replying to a question from Second Deputy Ahmed Qarata, Al Alawi cited Law No. (11) of 2025 approving the state’s 2025–2026 budget.

He said the February 2026 figure is counted by individuals rather than households, and covers the categories listed in law.

Al Alawi said the compound annual growth rate in beneficiary numbers over recent years was below 1 per cent, which he described as normal.

A breakdown for February 2026 shows 5,656 beneficiary families receiving social insurance, with financial support and the cost-of-living allowance paid automatically. Another 5,281 elderly people received social insurance along with the cost-of-living allowance.

The figures also include 4,297 divorced women, 721 unmarried daughters, 694 widows, 424 children, 269 people unable to work, 133 people with disabilities, 129 orphans, 57 abandoned families and 49 families of prisoners.

Al Alawi said all social insurance beneficiaries also receive financial support, while some groups receive other allowances at the same time. He cited people with disabilities and those unable to work, saying they also receive a disability allowance in addition to social insurance and the cost-of-living allowance.

He said social assistance amounts are reviewed regularly. He added that decisions were taken last December on the cost-of-living allowance, after earlier reviews in January 2022, to match changes in living costs.