Bahrain, an archipelago in the Persian Gulf, has a population of approximately 1.5 million. The ethnic composition is often misunderstood, with many assuming it is uniformly Arab. In reality, Bahrain is a highly diverse society, with citizens and non-citizens forming distinct demographic layers. This article breaks down the actual ethnic makeup, the historical context, and the social implications of this diversity, based on official census data and academic sources.
Historical Background of Bahrain’s Population
The original inhabitants of Bahrain were the Dilmun civilization, an ancient trading culture. Over centuries, the islands saw waves of migration from Arabia, Persia (modern-day Iran), and East Africa. The Arabization of Bahrain intensified with the arrival of the Bani Utbah tribe in the 18th century, which established the ruling Al Khalifa dynasty. This historical layer is crucial because it explains the presence of a significant indigenous Shia Arab population (often called Baharna) and a Sunni Arab elite, alongside a long-established Persian (Ajam) community. These groups are all citizens, forming the core of the Bahraini national identity.
Citizens vs. Non-Citizens: The Key Divide
The most significant demographic fact about Bahrain is that citizens are a minority in their own country. According to the 2020 census, Bahraini citizens make up about 47% of the total population, while non-citizens (foreign workers and expatriates) account for 53%. This is a reversal from earlier decades when citizens were the majority. The non-citizen population has grown rapidly since the 2000s due to an economic boom that attracted labor for construction, finance, and domestic work. This divide is not ethnic per se, but it shapes how ethnicity is discussed, as most non-citizens are South Asian or Southeast Asian, while citizens are predominantly Arab.
Ethnic Composition of Bahraini Citizens
Among the citizen population, the ethnic makeup is relatively homogeneous in terms of national identity, but with distinct communal subgroups:
- Arabs (Sunni and Shia): The vast majority of citizens are Arabs. They are divided into two main sectarian groups: Sunni Arabs, who include the ruling family and many tribes that migrated from the Arabian mainland, and Shia Arabs (the Baharna), who are the indigenous inhabitants. Both groups speak Arabic and identify as Bahraini, but they have distinct historical and cultural traditions.
- Persians (Ajam): A notable minority of citizens are of Persian descent, known locally as Ajam. They are Shia Muslims and have been in Bahrain for centuries. They speak Arabic in public but often retain Persian at home. They are fully integrated into Bahraini society, with many in business and trade.
- Other Arab and African groups: A small number of citizens trace their roots to other Arab countries (like Oman or Saudi Arabia) or have East African ancestry, a legacy of the pearl-diving era when African laborers and sailors settled.
Non-Citizen Ethnic Groups (Expatriates)
The non-citizen population is ethnically diverse and outnumbers citizens. The largest groups are:
- South Asians: Indians, Bangladeshis, Pakistanis, and Sri Lankans form the largest expatriate bloc. Indians alone account for over 25% of the total population, making them the single largest ethnic group in the country. They work in construction, retail, finance, and as domestic workers.
- Southeast Asians: Filipinos are a significant community, primarily working in healthcare, hospitality, and domestic service. There are also smaller numbers of Indonesians and Thais.
- Other Arabs: Egyptians, Syrians, Jordanians, and Lebanese are present, often in professional roles such as teachers, engineers, and doctors.
- Westerners and others: A small but visible community of Europeans, North Americans, and East Asians (Chinese, Koreans) works in banking, oil, and aviation.
Religious and Sectarian Dimensions
Ethnicity in Bahrain is closely intertwined with religion and sect. Among citizens, the Shia-Sunni split is the most salient social divide. The Baharna (Shia) are estimated to be a majority of the citizen population, though exact figures are not officially published. The ruling family and many key government positions are Sunni. This sectarian dimension has political implications, including the 2011 protests and ongoing tensions. Among non-citizens, religion also matters: Indians include Hindus, Muslims, and Christians; Filipinos are predominantly Catholic; and Bangladeshis and Pakistanis are mostly Muslim. This creates a mosaic of religious communities, with churches, Hindu temples, and mosques coexisting.
How Ethnicity is Measured and Reported
Bahrain’s official censuses do not ask about ethnicity directly. Instead, they classify people by nationality (citizen vs. non-citizen) and by country of origin. For citizens, the census records religion (Muslim or Christian) and sect (Sunni or Shia) in some years, but not consistently. This means precise ethnic percentages are estimates. The CIA World Factbook, for example, provides approximate figures based on nationality, not ethnicity. For a researcher, the most reliable data comes from the 2020 Census, which breaks down the population by nationality. It shows that Bahrainis are 47.4%, and the largest non-Bahraini nationalities are Indian (26.1%), Bangladeshi (7.9%), Pakistani (5.6%), and Filipino (4.5%).
Common Misconceptions and Problems
A common misconception is that Bahrain is an ethnically Arab country in the same way Saudi Arabia is. In reality, Bahrain’s non-citizen population is so large that the country is one of the most diverse in the Gulf. Another misconception is that all Bahraini citizens are Shia or all are Sunni. The truth is a near-even split, with a slight Shia majority among citizens. This diversity creates social challenges, including labor rights abuses among low-wage migrants, a segregated labor market (where expatriates hold most private-sector jobs), and occasional sectarian friction. However, it also creates a cosmopolitan society where multiple languages, religions, and cuisines coexist.
Frequently Asked Questions
What percentage of Bahrain is Indian? According to the 2020 census, Indians make up about 26% of the total population, which is roughly 400,000 people. They are the largest expatriate community and are mainly Hindu and Muslim.
Are Bahrainis Arabs or Persians? The majority of Bahraini citizens are Arabs, but a significant minority (about 10-15% of citizens) are of Persian descent (Ajam). These Persian-Bahrainis have been integrated for centuries and are considered full citizens, though they may speak Persian at home.
Is Bahrain more Shia or Sunni? Among citizens, Shia Muslims are the majority, estimated at 55-60%. However, because non-citizens are mostly Sunni (from South Asia), the overall population is roughly half Sunni and half Shia. The government does not publish official sectarian figures.
Why are there so many foreigners in Bahrain? Bahrain’s economy relies heavily on foreign labor for construction, domestic work, and professional services. The government has pursued a policy of economic liberalization that attracts expatriates, but this has led to a demographic imbalance where citizens are a minority.
What is the ethnic makeup of the Bahraini royal family? The Al Khalifa family is Sunni Arab, originally from the Anizah tribe in central Arabia. They have ruled Bahrain since 1783 and are part of the wider Sunni Arab tribal network in the Gulf.
How does Bahrain’s diversity compare to other Gulf states? Bahrain is similar to the UAE and Qatar in having a large expatriate majority. However, Bahrain’s citizen population is more ethnically diverse than Saudi Arabia’s, with a larger Persian and Shia component. Its smaller size makes the demographic pressures more visible.
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