DUBAI: Bahrain's real gross domestic product declined by 5.51% year on year in the fourth quarter of 2020 while on a quarterly basis it was unchanged, government data showed on Tuesday.

The tiny oil producing Gulf state's economy contracted by 5.4% last year, according to the International Monetary Fund, hit by the COVID-19 pandemic and lower oil prices.

The IMF expects the economy to rebound this year, with growth of 3.3%. Bahrain said last month it expects a 5% growth this year. 

(Reporting by Davide Barbuscia; Editing by Jacqueline Wong) ((Davide.Barbuscia@thomsonreuters.com; +971522604297; Reuters Messaging: davide.barbuscia.reuters.com@reuters.net))