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SATURDAY, MAY 9, 2026
02

6 million and growing Hormuz tensions

dominate Bahrain-

Somalia talks

New data shows men make up 61.7% of Bahrain’s population

Mohammed Darwish followed by the Northern Gov-
TDT | Manama ernorate at 431,075, the South-
ern Governorate at 322,290,
ahrain’s population has and Muharraq at 297,211.
crossed the 1.6 million Across the population as a
Bmark, reflecting the whole, the largest age group
Kingdom’s growing economy, was residents aged 35 to 39
expanding workforce and con- with 209,034 people, followed
tinued appeal as a regional hub by those aged 40 to 44, 30 to 34,
for talent and opportunity. and 25 to 29, highlighting Bah-
New figures released by the rain’s predominantly work-
Information & eGovernment ing-age demographic.
Authority show Bahrain’s pop-
ulation reached 1,603,260 by TDT | Manama forts aimed at strengthening
mid-2025, including 857,163 security and stability, particu-
non-Bahrainis and 746,097 s tensions surrounding larly maritime security.
Bahraini citizens. Athe Strait of Hormuz con- The two sides discussed the
Men accounted for nearly tinue to raise global concerns, implications of Iran’s con-
two-thirds of residents, total- the foreign ministers of Bah- tinued closure of the Strait
ling 990,492 compared with KNOW WHAT rain and Somalia yesterday of Hormuz on international
612,768 women. discussed ways to safeguard trade, the global economy, and
The expatriate population freedom of navigation through food and humanitarian supply
remains heavily concentrated The Gulf Cooperation Council the strategic waterway during chains.
in working-age groups, par- region is home to tens of millions a telephone conversation. They also reviewed ways
ticularly between 20 and 49 of expatriates, making it one Bahrain’s Minister of For- to enhance bilateral coopera-
years old, underlining Bah - most evenly split between age of 20. of the world’s largest hubs for eign Affairs, Dr Abdullatif bin tion and coordination through
rain’s strong labour market and genders, with 377,836 men migrant workers across sectors Rashid Al Zayani, spoke with their membership in the Unit-
business environment. Among and 368,261 women. Younger Capital Population ranging from construction and Somalia’s Minister of State ed Nations Security Council in
non-Bahrainis, men numbered age groups also formed a sig- By geography, the Capital hospitality to finance, healthcare for Foreign Affairs and Inter- support of activating UN reso-
612,656 while women totalled nificant share of the national Governorate remained the and technology. national Cooperation, Abdul lutions related to safeguarding
244,507. population, with more than Kingdom’s most populated Salam Abdi Ali, on the latest freedom of navigation in the
Bahraini citizens were al- 273,000 Bahrainis under the area with 552,684 residents, regional developments and ef- Strait of Hormuz.

Bahrain raises alarm over Strait of Hormuz threats

TDT | Manama
senior Malaysian parliamentari- ply chains, fuel and food prices, strengthening cooperation be-
ahrain’s Ambassador to Ma- ans, Dr Al Manea said recent Ira- and shipping insurance costs. tween the GCC, Malaysia and the
Blaysia, Dr Waleed Khalifa Al nian attacks targeting Bahrain The meeting was held as part Association of Southeast Asian
Manea, has condemned what he and other GCC states represent- of Bahrain’s presidency of the Nations across areas including
described as Iran’s destabilising ed a clear violation of national 46th session of the Gulf Coop- energy security, maritime safe-
actions in the region, warning sovereignty, international law eration Council. ty, supply chain resilience, food
that threats to the Strait of Hor- and the United Nations Charter. The GCC delegation met Wong security, investment and Islamic
muz could have serious conse- He stressed that developments Chen, Chair of the Special Select finance.
quences for global trade, energy affecting the Strait of Hormuz Committee on International Re- Both sides also underlined the
markets and maritime security. were not limited to regional lations and International Trade, importance of diplomatic efforts
Speaking during a meeting security concerns, but carried his deputy Wee Jeck Seng, and aimed at reducing tensions and
with Gulf Cooperation Council global implications for maritime several committee members. promoting regional and interna-
ambassadors in Malaysia and navigation, energy stability, sup- Discussions also focused on tional stability.

Youth empowerment key to Bahrain’s Safety lapses

development model: Minister Tawfeeqi
alleged in deadly

• Remarks came

during the opening Adliya fall case
of the supplementary
Gulf forum for the
“Gulf Aware Leaders
– Wellbeing and Rehab Mohammad
TDT | Manama
Leadership” programme
• Tawfeeqi said the A ing charges of workplace
Bahraini defendant is fac-
forum reflects ongoing negligence after a construction
efforts to strengthen worker plunged to his death
from a building under con -
youth leadership skills struction in Adliya.
The case stems from the
TDT | Manama death of 49-year-old Bangla-
deshi worker Anwar Hussain Picture for representation only
awan bint Najeeb Tawfeeqi Golzar, who fell from a height
Remphasised that the sup- at a construction site near a lice Station received an emer-
port provided to young people Participants during the virtual forum held yesterday restaurant in the area on 28 gency report at 11.30am on the
by His Majesty King Hamad The Minister of Youth Affairs opening of the supplementary skills, promote wellbeing, and March 2025. day of the incident. Patrols
bin Isa Al Khalifa and the di - also highlighted the role of His Gulf forum for the “Gulf Aware support positive engagement Prosecutors allege the de- rushed to the scene, where
rectives of His Royal Highness Highness Shaikh Nasser bin Leaders – Wellbeing and Lead- with challenges and develop- fendant failed to enforce key the worker was pronounced
Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Hamad Al Khalifa, Representa- ership” programme, held vir- ments. workplace safety measures dead. Officials from the rele-
Khalifa, the Crown Prince and tive of His Majesty the King for tually with the participation of The forum featured special- at the site, including prop - vant authorities and the Pub-
Prime Minister, has contributed Humanitarian Work and Youth representatives from the GCC ised sessions on mental well- er worker training, hazard lic Prosecution later launched
to strengthening a development Affairs, in advancing initiatives General Secretariat and youth being and leadership, as well as awareness and safe access ar- investigations and completed
model centred on investing in aimed at preparing young lead- leaders from GCC countries. discussions on youth initiatives rangements during ongoing legal procedures.
people and empowering youth ers capable of contributing to Tawfeeqi said the forum and ways to further develop the construction work. The court has adjourned the
as a key driver of development Bahrain’s development process. reflects ongoing efforts to programme and expand its im- Police said the Operations case for judgment on 24 May
and prosperity. Her remarks came during the strengthen youth leadership pact across GCC countries. Room at Umm Al Hassam Po- 2026.