Christianity is the religion of 6% (~ 25,000) of the population ofDjibouti (923,000 - July 2012 est.). Christians are mostly ofEthiopian andEuropean ancestry. Most Christians areEthiopian Orthodox orRoman Catholic. The constitution of Djibouti includes freedom of religion, althoughIslam is the state religion. There is a tolerant attitude between religions in general. Proselytizing by any faith in public is not allowed.[1][2]
Christianity came into Djibouti duringAksumite rule seems to have included a substantially larger region, possibly the coast from present-day Sudan to Djibouti.[3]
3.2% of the population are Orthodox. 0.07% to 1% of the population (about 4,767 persons) areProtestants. According to theWorld Christian Encyclopedia, among other denominations are the Eglise Protestante de Djibouti and theGreek Orthodox Church[4] The Mennonite Mission is active in Djibouti. The Eglise Protestante Evangelique de Djibouti (known in English as theProtestant Church of Djibouti) was founded in 1960. It is active in the care for refugees, among other things.[5] There is a Djibouti Parish of theNew Apostolic Church.[6]
Djibouti is included in the Episcopal Area of the Horn of Africa of theAnglican Diocese of Egypt, though there are no current congregations in the country.[7]
There were approximately 7,000 Catholics in Djibouti in 2015.[8] By 2020 this had gone down to 5,000,[9] served by 5 priests and 24 nuns. The only Roman Catholic diocese there is theDiocese of Djibouti, divided into five parishes. Just over 1% to 2% of the population are members of the diocese. Djibouti maintains diplomatic relations with the Vatican.
There are several Protestant denominations in the country, including Reformed,Lutheran,Baptist, Adventist andMennonite.
In 2023, the country was scored 2 out of 4 for religious freedom;[10] Christians can worship but are not allowed to proselytize.
