Bahrain to Increase Cost of Living Allowance in 2026 to Aid Low-Income Families

The Kingdom of Bahrain has announced plans to increase the Cost of Living Allowance for its citizens, effective January 2026. This initiative is aimed at providing financial support to low-income families and comes in response to directives from King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, with oversight from Crown Prince and Prime Minister Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa.

The Crown Prince has instructed the Ministry of Social Development to implement the necessary procedures for the timely distribution of the new allowances, as reported by the Bahrain News Agency (BNA).

The new allowance rates are as follows:

• 130 Bahraini Dinars per month for families with a head of household earning less than 300 Dinars.

• 97 Bahraini Dinars per month for families with a head of household earning between 301 and 700 Dinars.

• 75 Bahraini Dinars per month for families with a head of household earning between 701 and 1000 Dinars.

This decision reflects the Bahraini leadership's commitment to enhancing social protection and supporting low-income groups, ultimately aiming to improve the quality of life for all citizens.