Kingdom of Bahrain Portal for Sustainable Development Goals

Goal One: End poverty in all its forms everywhere

Poverty is more than the lack of income and resources to ensure a sustainable livelihood. Its manifestations include hunger and malnutrition, limited access to education and other basic services, social discrimination and exclusion as well as the lack of participation in decision-making. Economic growth must be inclusive to provide sustainable jobs and promote equality.

Overview of some indicators

Proportion of population living below the national poverty line

Proportion of the population living in households with access to basic services

100%

Proportion of total government spending on essential services (education, health and social protection)

29.1%

Indicators

Target 1.1: By 2030, eradicate extreme poverty for all people everywhere, currently measured as people living on less than $1.25 a day
- Indicator 1.1.1: Proportion of population below the international poverty line disaggregated by sex, age group, employment status, and geographical location (urban/rural) (Excel, 0.01MB, 1 Sheet)
Target 1.2: By 2030, reduce at least by half the proportion of men, women and children of all ages living in poverty in all its dimensions according to national definitions
- Indicator 1.2.1: Proportion of population living below the national poverty line, disaggregated by sex and age group (Excel, 0.01MB, 1 Sheet)
- Indicator 1.2.2: Proportion of men, women and children of all ages living in poverty in all its dimensions according to national definitions
Target 1.3: Implement nationally appropriate social protection systems and measures for all, including floors, and by 2030 achieve substantial coverage of the poor and the vulnerable
- Indicator 1.3.1: Proportion of population covered by social protection floors/systems, by sex, distinguishing children, unemployed persons, older persons, persons with disabilities, pregnant women, newborns, work-injury victims and the poor and the vulnerable (Excel, 0.02MB, 1 Sheet)
Target 1.4: By 2030, ensure that all men and women, in particular the poor and the vulnerable, have equal rights to economic resources, as well as access to basic services, ownership and control over land and other forms of property, inheritance, natural resources, appropriate new technology and financial services, including microfinance
- Indicator 1.4.1: Proportion of the population living in households with access to basic services. (Excel, 0.02MB, 1 Sheet)
- Indicator 1.4.2: Proportion of people with secure tenure rights to land (out of total adult population), with legally recognized documentation and who perceive their rights to land as secure, by sex and by type of tenure
Target 1.5: By 2030, build the resilience of the poor and those in vulnerable situations and reduce their exposure and vulnerability to climate-related extreme events and other economic, social and environmental shocks and disasters
- Indicator 1.5.1: Number of deaths, missing and persons affected by disaster per 100,000 people (Excel, 0.01MB, 1 Sheet)
- Indicator 1.5.2: Direct disaster economic loss in relation to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) (Excel, 0.01MB, 1 Sheet)
- Indicator 1.5.3: Number of countries that adopt and implement national disaster risk reduction strategies in line with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030 (Excel, 0.02MB, 1 Sheet)
- Indicator 1.5.4: Proportion of local governments that adopt and implement local disaster risk reduction strategies in line with national disaster risk reduction strategies (Excel, 0.02MB, 1 Sheet)
Target 1.a: Ensure significant mobilization of resources from a variety of sources, including through enhanced development cooperation, in order to provide adequate and predictable means for developing countries, in particular least developed countries, to implement programmes and policies to end poverty in all its dimensions
- Indicator 1.a.1: Proportion of domestically generated resources allocated by the government directly to poverty reduction programmes (Excel, 0.01MB, 1 Sheet)
- indicator 1.a.2 Proportion of total government spending on essential services (education, health and social protection) (Excel, 0.11MB, 1 Sheet)
Target 1.b: Create sound policy frameworks at the national, regional and international levels, based on pro-poor and gender-sensitive development strategies, to support accelerated investment in poverty eradication actions
- Indicator 1.b.1: Proportion of government recurrent and capital spending going to sectors that disproportionately benefit women, poor and vulnerable groups

Policies & initiatives support the goal

Social Support Programs

Bahrain offers a range of subsidies for citizens, including electricity and water services, gasoline, and flour, with the latter two available to all residents and visitors. The Government implements direct cash subsidies to eligible individuals, ensuring targeted financial support. This includes providing social security to individuals and families under 11 categories, including those unable to work, widows, the elderly, and families in need. Furthermore, the government provides a cost-of-living allowance to all Bahraini retirees, a disability allowance for eligible citizens, a rental allowance for families that have been waiting for more than five years after submitting a housing application, means-tested financial support for low-income persons, and a compensation subsidy on meat to all registered families.

Better Living through Employment

Under the National Employment Program, launched in 2019, the amount of unemployment compensation offered to first time Bahraini job seekers was increased, as was the compensation period for unfair dismissal, from six to nine months. The Ministry of Labour, which reviews unemployment cases, also provides training for the unemployed and assists in finding suitable job opportunities.

Entrepreneurship and Economic Empowerment

In 2021, the Kingdom launched the ‘Khatwa’ program for home-based businesses; a free-of-charge alternative to families, registered with the Ministry of Social Development, to start and register their projects if they are not able to obtain a commercial registration. The program is open for various activities including photography, handcrafts, and online advertising, and aims to regulate the market, provide support and financing to beneficiaries, and protect consumer rights. The Family Microfinance House provides microfinance loans for low-income groups, without bank guarantees, assisting them to establish income generating projects. Her Royal Highness Princess Sabeeka’s Award for Productive Families is an annual opportunity to showcase the work of productive families and encourage their role in advancing social and economic development.

Goal One: End poverty in all its forms everywhere

Indicators

Policies & initiatives support the goal

Stakeholders

eServices & Systems

References