Bahrain's Higher Education Sector Sees Significant Growth in Faculty Numbers

TDT | Manama

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The Information & eGovernment Authority (iGA) has revealed a significant increase in the number of faculty members in Bahrain's higher education institutions, reaching 2,137 academics in 2024. This marks the highest number recorded since 2019, according to iGA statistics.

The data shows that 65% of faculty members are employed in public higher education institutions, totaling 1,405 individuals. The private sector accounts for 34.2% of the total, with 732 faculty members.

A notable trend is the increasing proportion of female faculty members. In 2024, women comprise 46.8% of the total faculty, representing 1,002 academics. Male faculty members account for 53.1%, totaling 1,135.

The statistics show a near-equal distribution of male faculty members in both public and private sectors. Public institutions have 52.5% male faculty (738 individuals), while the private sector has 54.2% (397 individuals).

Female faculty representation is slightly higher in public institutions (47.4%, 667 individuals) compared to the private sector (45.76%, 335 individuals).

The overall growth in faculty numbers has been significant. Between 2023 and 2024, the increase was 8.5%. Compared to 2019, the growth is even more substantial, reaching 16.2%.

The iGA data reveals a steady increase in faculty numbers over the past five years: 1,839 in 2019, 1,922 in 2020, 1,899 in 2021, 2,013 in 2022, and 1,969 in 2023.

The public sector saw a 6.4% increase in faculty members between 2019 and 2024. The private sector witnessed a more substantial growth of 41% during the same period.

This surge in faculty numbers reflects the growing demand for higher education in Bahrain and the ongoing expansion of the country's higher education landscape. The increasing representation of female faculty members is also a positive indicator of progress towards gender equality in the academic field.