As cutting-edge technologies transform our world, economies across the globe face a shortage of qualified talent. Bahrain is responding by creating a dynamic and diverse ecosystem for innovation, growth and equality.
The global talent shortage is vast. One report estimates it will reach 85 million unfilled jobs by 2030, translating to around $8.5 trillion in unrealised annual revenues. And as rapid technological advancements outpace workforce skills, surging industries like AI, data science as well as cybersecurity are facing rising demand but struggling to find qualified candidates.
Bahrain is proactively addressing this challenge by taking a three-pronged strategic approach to drive sustainable growth for its economy.
- Creating an innovation-friendly ecosystem
To attract and nurture top talent in a competitive market, Bahrain has established a business-friendly environment that supports entrepreneurship and digital progression. The Kingdom has become a hub for startups and skilled professionals by developing accelerators, incubators, and a regulatory sandbox that drives innovation. By channelling these resources into business growth, the country has been able to boost talent retention and economic development.
Bahrain FinTech Bay is a prime example. As a leading regional fintech hub that attracts both startups and multinational firms, it has provided the opportunity for entrepreneurs to develop cutting-edge fintech solutions, fostering collaboration between the public and private sectors. This has positioned Bahrain as a leader in financial-services innovation. Since Bahrain Fintech Bay was launched, more fintech hubs have emerged in the GCC and in the wider MENA region.
The Bahrain Economic Development Board (Bahrain EDB) has aided these initiatives with its ‘Golden License’ programme – which aims to streamline business operations and reduce obstacles for large-scale international companies looking to set up in the Kingdom, so far attracting investment worth $2.4 billion. Bahrain’s forward-thinking regulations, including its Cloud-First Policy, have also encouraged global tech giants such as Amazon Web Services to establish operations in the country, further strengthening its digital economy.
- Upskilling and developing local talent
Recognising that a skilled workforce is key to economic resilience, Bahrain has made significant investments in training and career development. The national Labour Fund, Tamkeen, plays a central role in future-proofing Bahrainis by equipping them with the skills that will facilitate their career progression, while looking to meet changing future and global market demands.
In 2023 alone, Tamkeen supported 23,000 Bahrainis through individual development programmes. Of these, more than 12,000 Bahrainis received employment support specifically, with 92% of the recipients being new-market entrants. Additionally, nearly 10,700 individuals received training, while over 5,100 institutions benefited from Tamkeen’s funding to accelerate their business growth. Some of the emerging fields covered in this training include cybersecurity, cloud computing and software development.
Beyond the numbers, Bahrain’s ambitious investment in skills-building is reflected in its partnerships with top global firms. Initiatives such as KPMG’s Low-Code Centre of Excellence, PwC’s Service Delivery Centre, Citi’s Global Technology Hub, and the AWS Cloud Innovation Centres provide specialised training and hands-on experience in high-demand fields. Similarly, General Assembly’s specialised technology training programmes in Bahrain are preparing professionals for careers in software engineering, data science, and digital marketing. JP Morgan Payments plans to hire Bahraini software engineers and other technologists will similarly boost the growth of technology talent in the country.
In addition to its partnerships with global companies, Bahrain has established several national initiatives to deepen the alignment between training and market needs. Skills Bahrain, launched by Tamkeen, works to establish professional standards for vocations and professions. It focuses on identifying skills gaps and provides actionable insights, sector data, and practical tools to guide programs, informing decision making, and ensuring training and education aligns with labour market demands
In addition, the World Economic Forum (WEF)’s Bahrain Skills and Gender Parity Accelerator – a collaborative platform aimed at advancing skills development – is helping to align efforts to enhance employability, particularly in high-growth sectors.
A critical tool supporting this strategy is the Employability Skills Portal (ESP), which acts as a national skills intelligence platform. By providing insights into labor market trends, in-demand skills, and employment pathways, the ESP helps employers, jobseekers, students, and policymakers make informed decisions. This data-driven approach ensures that training initiatives and upskilling efforts are not just widespread, but also relevant and tailored to what truly matters.
This resonates with global findings: according to the WEF 2023 Future of Jobs Report, analytical thinking, AI and big data, and leadership are among the most in-demand skills globally. Bahrain’s targeted skilling programmes target these needs, ensuring its workforce is not just employed—but future-ready.
With nearly two-thirds of Bahrain’s population under the age of 35, and a third starting their career journey between 15 and 35 years old, these initiatives are equipping the young people of the Kingdom for the jobs of tomorrow.
- Enhancing women’s economic empowerment
Bahrain has become a regional leader in female inclusion, actively working to close the talent gap by promoting women’s participation in the workforce.
This reflects a robust foundation for equal opportunity in early and advanced education, supporting long-term workforce participation for women. And the launch of the WEF Bahrain Skills and Gender Parity Accelerator will build on this by closing gender gaps in economic participation.
According to the WEF Global Gender Gap Report 2024, a global Index that charts the evolution of gender parity, Bahrain ranks first globally in gender parity for enrolment in both primary and tertiary education. Women make up 83% of tertiary school enrolments and 42% of those who enrol in STEM (science, technology, engineering, maths) degrees, significantly outperforming countries such as the United States. Bahrain also ranked first globally in female digital skills training and STEM education, according to a Meta-commissioned study.
With a strong foundation in education and career development, Bahraini women have been integral to the country’s economic transformation.
The public sector has seen remarkable progress. Women comprise 56% of government employees – up from 38% in 2010 – and 33% of diplomatic positions. Women also hold 48% of public-sector executive roles.
Female talent is also increasingly present in the Kingdom’s private sector, making up 35% of that workforce. Bahraini women are making their mark in corporate leadership, too, holding 35% of managerial positions, which exceeds global averages. Within the information, communications and technology (ICT) sector there has also been a surge in female participation: 41% of Bahrain’s ICT workforce are women, which is 9 percentage points greater than the global mean.
That will likely continue to trend upwards, as women comprise 75% of the IT technical development programme trainees. And Citi Bahrain’s Global Technology Hub has actively supported female career empowerment, with women making up 22% of the programme’s coding workforce – higher than at other Citi tech hubs worldwide.
Shaping the talent of the future
Bahrain’s holistic approach to talent development – through fostering innovation, investing in skills, and promoting workforce inclusivity – is positioning the nation as a key player in addressing the global talent shortage.
By prioritising talent and innovation, developing skills and competencies, Bahrain is securing long-term economic resilience and creating opportunities for the next generation of digital trailblazers. The Kingdom remains committed to building a future-ready workforce, ensuring that its people and businesses are well-equipped to thrive in the digital era.
