Shia in Bahrain

Shia Muslims account for around 45% of Bahraini citizens with Sunni Muslims being the majority of 55%. Shias were previously the majority, being approximately 55% in 1979. However, the increased naturalization of Sunni migrants and persecution of Shia Muslims by the ruling Sunni Al Khalifa family led to an alteration in the demographics.

According to The Washington Institute for Near East Policy, the views of Shia and Sunni leaders in Bahrain are generally aligned with those of their counterparts in the Middle East. The most recent official estimate, published in 2011, indicated that Sunnis accounted for 51% of Bahraini citizens, while the Shias had declined to 49%.

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