GCC Scenarios - Kingdom of Bahrain

The World Economic Forum's scenario study, The Kingdom of Bahrain and the World: Scenarios to 2025, develops three scenarios for the future of Bahrain. They are intended to aid both the public and private sectors in developing strategy, facilitating open dialogue and offering insight into the key issues affecting the Kingdom of Bahrain over the next 18 years.

Building on the Forum’s previous regional scenario work, The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Countries and the World: Scenarios to 2025, the Bahrain scenarios draw on a series of workshops hosted by the Economic Development Board of Bahrain. These involved senior government representatives, CEOs, leading academics and civil society, along with the input of over 300 local, regional and international experts.

The research team led by the World Economic Forum asked two key questions concerning the future of Bahrain:
1. Will the Kingdom of Bahrain be able to implement the necessary economic and political reforms and enforce the rule of law, both in public and private governance?
2. Will the complex and uncertain regional situation affect the Kingdom of Bahrain’s internal order and stability?

The scenarios tackle a range of critical issues for the future of the country, including:
- Unemployment and skill levels
- Political reform and regional relationships
- Potential impact of conflict between the US and Iran on Bahrain’s economy and social stability

The scenarios emphasize the importance of Bahrain continuing to make strategic investments in innovation-focused ventures while enhancing the country’s human capital. The scenarios also suggest that the Kingdom’s continued and enhanced engagement in regional diplomacy could contribute significantly to stability in the broader Middle East.

The World Economic Forum was supported in producing these scenarios by the Ithmaar Bank and the Economic Development Board of Bahrain.