GITNUX MARKETDATA REPORT 2024

Must-Know Buddhist Statistics [Recent Analysis]

Highlights: Buddhist Statistics

  • Around 535 million people identify as Buddhists worldwide.
  • Countries and territories with the highest share of Buddhists are Bhutan (94.2%), Cambodia (96.6%), and Japan (36.2%).
  • The largest Buddhist temple in the world is Indonesia’s Borobudur Temple, constructed around 800-900 AD.
  • There are more than 61 million Buddhists in the USA, as of 2020.
  • There are nearly 34,000 Buddhist temples in Thailand.
  • Approximately 70% of people in South Korea practice a form of Buddhism, as syncretism with Korean Shamanism.
  • Buddhism is the fourth-largest religion in the world, after Christianity, Islam, and Hinduism.
  • As of 2020, about 1 in 7 Americans (14%) have attended a Buddhist meditation, retreat, or service at least once in their lives.
  • The Dalai Lama, the foremost spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism, has lived in exile since 1959, residing in Dharamshala, India.
  • The United Kingdom has an estimated 263,000 Buddhists or 0.5% of the total population.
  • Vietnam has approximately 10 million Buddhists or 10% of the country’s total population.
  • Buddhist meditation is practiced among 16% of Taiwanese adults, and 93% visit Buddhist or Taoist temples during the Lunar New Year.
  • Between 1990 and 2008, the number of Buddhists in the United States grew from 401,000 to 3.5 million, a 725% increase.
  • The number of Buddhists in Australia increased by 79% between 2001 and 2016, reaching over 570,000 people.
  • About 15% of the Chinese population follows Buddhism, making it the country with the largest number of Buddhists in the world.
  • About 13.65% of Singapore’s population identifies as Buddhist, making it the second-largest religious group in the country after Christianity.
  • Canada had an estimated 366,830 Buddhists in 2011, making Buddhism the 4th largest religion in the country.

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Buddhism is one of the oldest and most widely practiced religions in the world. According to a 2012 Pew Research Center report, there are around 535 million people who identify as Buddhists worldwide. Countries with the highest share of Buddhists include Bhutan (94.2%), Cambodia (96.6%) and Japan (36.2%). The largest Buddhist temple in the world is Indonesia’s Borobudur Temple, constructed around 800-900 AD. In 2020, there were more than 61 million Buddhists living in America alone; while Thailand has nearly 34,000 Buddhist temples across its country.

South Korea also practices Buddhism – approximately 70% of South Koreans practice a form of Buddhism that incorporates Korean Shamanism into their beliefs and rituals too. Globally speaking, Buddhism ranks fourth among all major religions after Christianity, Islam and Hinduism respectively; 14% Americans have attended at least once either a meditation session or retreat related to this religion according to 2019 survey results from Pew Research Centre . New Zealanders make up 1-1/5 % percent population identifying themselves as followers whereas United Kingdom’s 263 thousand adherents account for 0/5%. Vietnam boasts 10 million practitioners which makes it 10% total population whilst China leads with 15%, making it home to largest number of believers globally followed by Singapore where 13/65th percentage identifies itself as such.. Vipassana –a type meditative technique–has attracted over 100K Indians attending its ten day courses since inception while Canada had 366 830 members back 2011 thus ranking 4th on religious scale within nation boundaries . Finally , World Buddhist Summit held 2014 saw 2000 attendees representing 20 countries & territories ; between 1990 & 2008 US witnessed 725 % increase i:e 3 / 5 mn citizens following faith compared 401 K recorded earlier .

The Most Important Statistics
Around 535 million people identify as Buddhists worldwide.

This statistic is a powerful reminder of the immense reach of Buddhism, with its teachings and practices touching the lives of over half a billion people around the world. It is a testament to the enduring power of the Buddhist faith and its ability to bring peace and understanding to so many.

Countries and territories with the highest share of Buddhists are Bhutan (94.2%), Cambodia (96.6%), and Japan (36.2%).

This statistic is significant in a blog post about Buddhist Statistics as it provides a snapshot of the countries and territories with the highest concentration of Buddhists. It highlights the prevalence of Buddhism in certain parts of the world, and serves as a reminder of the importance of Buddhism in many cultures.

Buddhist Statistics Overview

The largest Buddhist temple in the world is Indonesia’s Borobudur Temple, constructed around 800-900 AD.

This statistic is a testament to the longevity and significance of Buddhism in Indonesia. Borobudur Temple is a powerful reminder of the impact Buddhism has had on the region for centuries, and its continued presence in the modern day. It is a reminder of the importance of Buddhism in the region and its ability to stand the test of time.

There are more than 61 million Buddhists in the USA, as of 2020.

This statistic is a powerful reminder of the growing presence of Buddhism in the United States. It speaks to the increasing acceptance of this ancient religion and its teachings in the modern world. It also serves as a reminder of the importance of understanding and respecting the beliefs of others, regardless of their faith.

There are nearly 34,000 Buddhist temples in Thailand.

This statistic is a testament to the prevalence of Buddhism in Thailand, with nearly 34,000 temples scattered throughout the country. It speaks to the importance of Buddhism in Thai culture and how it has been embraced by the people of Thailand. This statistic is a powerful reminder of the impact Buddhism has had on the country and its people.

Approximately 70% of people in South Korea practice a form of Buddhism, as syncretism with Korean Shamanism.

This statistic is a powerful reminder of the prevalence of Buddhism in South Korea, and how it has been able to coexist with Korean Shamanism. It speaks to the strength of Buddhism in the country, and how it has been able to remain a major part of the culture despite the presence of other religious practices. This statistic is a testament to the power of Buddhism in South Korea, and its ability to remain a major part of the culture.

Buddhism is the fourth-largest religion in the world, after Christianity, Islam, and Hinduism.

This statistic is significant in the context of a blog post about Buddhist Statistics as it highlights the global reach of Buddhism. It demonstrates that Buddhism is a major world religion, with a large and diverse following across the globe. This is an important point to consider when discussing the history, beliefs, and practices of Buddhism.

As of 2020, about 1 in 7 Americans (14%) have attended a Buddhist meditation, retreat, or service at least once in their lives.

This statistic is a testament to the growing popularity of Buddhism in the United States. It shows that more and more Americans are turning to Buddhist meditation, retreats, and services to find peace and solace in their lives. This is an important indicator of the increasing acceptance of Buddhism in the US, and it is a sign that more people are recognizing the value of Buddhist teachings and practices.

The Dalai Lama, the foremost spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism, has lived in exile since 1959, residing in Dharamshala, India.

This statistic serves as a poignant reminder of the plight of the Tibetan people, who have been living in exile since 1959 due to the Chinese occupation of their homeland. It highlights the importance of the Dalai Lama as a spiritual leader and symbol of hope for the Tibetan people, and serves as a reminder of the ongoing struggle for freedom and justice in Tibet.

The United Kingdom has an estimated 263,000 Buddhists or 0.5% of the total population.

This statistic is significant in the context of a blog post about Buddhist Statistics as it provides a tangible representation of the presence of Buddhism in the United Kingdom. It serves as a reminder that Buddhism is a religion that is practiced by a significant number of people in the country, and that it is an important part of the cultural landscape.

Vietnam has approximately 10 million Buddhists or 10% of the country’s total population.

This statistic is significant in the context of Buddhist Statistics as it provides a clear indication of the prevalence of Buddhism in Vietnam. It demonstrates that Buddhism is a major religion in the country, with a sizable portion of the population identifying as Buddhist. This statistic is also important in understanding the cultural and religious landscape of Vietnam, as it provides insight into the beliefs and practices of the people living there.

Buddhist meditation is practiced among 16% of Taiwanese adults, and 93% visit Buddhist or Taoist temples during the Lunar New Year.

This statistic is significant in the context of a blog post about Buddhist Statistics because it demonstrates the prevalence of Buddhist meditation and temple visits among Taiwanese adults. It shows that Buddhism is an important part of the culture and is widely practiced, even among those who may not identify as Buddhist. This statistic provides insight into the religious practices of the Taiwanese people and how Buddhism is integrated into their lives.

Between 1990 and 2008, the number of Buddhists in the United States grew from 401,000 to 3.5 million, a 725% increase.

This statistic is a powerful indicator of the growing presence of Buddhism in the United States. It demonstrates that in the span of 18 years, the number of Buddhists in the US skyrocketed, indicating a significant shift in the religious landscape of the country. This statistic is an important piece of evidence for anyone looking to understand the current state of Buddhism in the US.

The number of Buddhists in Australia increased by 79% between 2001 and 2016, reaching over 570,000 people.

This statistic is a testament to the growing presence of Buddhism in Australia. It shows that the Buddhist population has more than doubled in the past 15 years, indicating that the religion is becoming increasingly popular in the country. This is an important development that should be noted in any blog post about Buddhist Statistics.

About 15% of the Chinese population follows Buddhism, making it the country with the largest number of Buddhists in the world.

This statistic is a powerful reminder of the immense influence Buddhism has had on Chinese culture. It speaks to the deep-rootedness of the religion in the country, and its ability to remain relevant and meaningful to the Chinese people for centuries. It is a testament to the power of Buddhism to bring peace and understanding to the lives of so many.

About 13.65% of Singapore’s population identifies as Buddhist, making it the second-largest religious group in the country after Christianity.

This statistic is significant in the context of a blog post about Buddhist Statistics as it provides a clear indication of the size of the Buddhist population in Singapore. It highlights the fact that Buddhism is the second-largest religious group in the country, and thus provides an important insight into the religious landscape of Singapore.

Canada had an estimated 366,830 Buddhists in 2011, making Buddhism the 4th largest religion in the country.

This statistic is significant in the context of Buddhist Statistics because it demonstrates the growing presence of Buddhism in Canada. It shows that Buddhism is the fourth largest religion in the country, indicating that it is becoming increasingly popular and accepted. This is an important development for those who practice Buddhism, as it means that their beliefs and practices are being embraced by a larger portion of the population.

Conclusion

Buddhism is a major religion with an estimated 535 million adherents worldwide. It has the highest share of followers in Bhutan (94.2%), Cambodia (96.6%) and Japan (36.2%). The largest Buddhist temple in the world, Borobudur Temple, was constructed around 800-900 AD in Indonesia while there are more than 34,000 temples located throughout Thailand alone. Buddhism is also practiced by many people across South Korea as well as other countries such as India, New Zealand, United Kingdom and Vietnam where it makes up 1 to 15% of their population respectively. In addition to this, 14% of Americans have attended a Buddhist meditation or service at least once while 16% practice some form of Buddhist meditation regularly according to surveys conducted in 2020 and 2018 respectively; furthermore between 1990 – 2008 there was a 725% increase for Buddhists living within America’s borders indicating its growing popularity among citizens here too. Finally we can see that Buddhism continues to be one of the most widely followed religions globally due largely thanks to its spiritual leader Dalai Lama who has been residing since 1959 along with his teachings which continue today from Dharamshala India attracting thousands each year through courses like Vipassana Meditation

References

0. – https://www.2.statcan.gc.ca

1. – https://www.worldpopulationreview.com

2. – https://www.cia.gov

3. – https://www.berkleycenter.georgetown.edu

4. – https://www.singstat.gov.sg

5. – https://www.britannica.com

6. – https://www.tourismthailand.org

7. – https://www.pewforum.org

8. – https://www.worldatlas.com

9. – https://www.pewresearch.org

10. – https://www.profile.id.com.au

11. – https://www.ons.gov.uk

FAQs

What percentage of the world's population identifies as Buddhist?

Approximately 7% of the world's population identifies as Buddhist.

Which country has the largest population of Buddhists?

China has the largest population of Buddhists, with around 244 million adherents.

In which century did Buddhism originate?

Buddhism originated in the 5th century BCE, founded by Siddhartha Gautama, who became known as the Buddha.

How many Buddhist sects or schools are there?

There are three main Buddhist sects or schools Theravada, Mahayana, and Vajrayana.

What percentage of the US population identifies as Buddhist?

Approximately 1% of the US population identifies as Buddhist.

How we write our statistic reports:

We have not conducted any studies ourselves. Our article provides a summary of all the statistics and studies available at the time of writing. We are solely presenting a summary, not expressing our own opinion. We have collected all statistics within our internal database. In some cases, we use Artificial Intelligence for formulating the statistics. The articles are updated regularly.

See our Editorial Process.

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