In 2022, Christians in Bahrain made up approximately 12% of the population. Bahrain has had a native Christian community for many centuries, with the first recorded presence dating back to the 12th century. Expatriate Christians, however, make up the majority of Christians in Bahrain, while local Christian Bahrainis make up a much smaller community. Alees Samaan, the former Bahraini ambassador to the United Kingdom, is a native Christian.