Open Government Data

Embracing the transformative power of data in the era of the 4th industrial revolution, the Kingdom of Bahrain envisions data as the catalyst that propels innovation, fuels economic prosperity, and shapes the future of society. How can data revolutionize citizen engagement and government transparency? Bahrain's Open Data Platform initiative is transforming the way citizens, residents, and businesses interact with the government. This initiative revolves around making government data freely and easily accessible to everyone without any technical, financial, or legal barriers. It's not just about openness; the Open Data Policy (PDF, 463KB, 17 pages) in Bahrain allows individuals and organizations to use, reuse, and republish this data for both commercial and non-commercial purposes under the guidelines of open data licensing. Moreover, the Bahrain Government Open Data License (PDF, 104KB, 3 pages) outlines the terms and conditions for accessing, using, and sharing official datasets published on www.data.gov.bh, supporting transparency, innovation, and ethical data use.

The aims of the Open Data Platform and the Open Data Policy are clear: to foster transparency and inclusivity in government transactions. By providing access to government-collected information and data, it enables citizens, organizations, and civil society to innovate and make informed and effective decisions. This level of transparency enhances the accountability of the public sector, allowing the public to monitor and evaluate government performance with real, tangible data. Whether it's for understanding public policies, identifying development opportunities, or contributing to the achievement of sustainable development goals, Open Government Data is a powerful tool in the hands of the people. It creates greater trust between civil society and the government and can be an effective tool for future entrepreneurs.

Bahrain has taken this initiative to the next level with the launch of a dedicated platform, Data.gov.bh, in 2013. This integrated gateway brings together data from all government entities on a single platform. Whether you are a student, researcher, entrepreneur, or a business firm, you can easily view, analyze, and download a wealth of datasets for various purposes, including research study, report preparation, or business development. This platform is more than a repository of information; it's a bridge connecting the government and its citizens, fostering a collaborative and informed society.

The newly revamped Open Data Platform provides easy and convenient access to more than 390 government datasets, including more than 2 million data records provided by more than 35 governmental entities. The datasets cover multiple sectors, including Population, Geographic Information, Health, Economy, Banking and Finance, Education, Traffic, Environment, Electricity & Water, Telecommunication, Transportation, Works and many more.

Open data plays a vital role in fostering innovation and problem-solving through hackathons in the Kingdom of Bahrain. By making government datasets publicly accessible, participants are empowered to develop creative digital solutions that address real-world challenges across various sectors such as healthcare, education, environment, and smart cities. These hackathons serve as collaborative platforms where developers, students, and entrepreneurs can leverage open data to prototype ideas, build impactful applications, and support national goals in digital transformation and sustainable development.