GITNUXREPORT 2026

French Religion Statistics

France is becoming more secular while Islam grows as its second religion.

Min-ji Park

Research Analyst focused on sustainability and consumer trends.

First published: Feb 13, 2026

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Statistic 1

According to a 2021 Ifop poll for La Croix, 51% of French people aged 18-59 declared themselves Catholic, down from 64% in 2010

Statistic 2

In 2019, only 6% of French Catholics attended Mass every Sunday, per a CSA poll commissioned by La Croix

Statistic 3

The French Catholic Church reported 1.3 million baptisms in 2022, a 5% decline from 2018, according to official diocesan statistics aggregated by the Conference of Bishops

Statistic 4

In 2020, 47% of French people aged 65+ identified as practicing Catholics, compared to 29% under 35, per Ifop

Statistic 5

France has 95 dioceses in the Catholic Church, with Paris Archdiocese serving over 1.5 million Catholics as of 2023

Statistic 6

Catholic schools in France educated 2.1 million students in 2022-2023, representing 17% of all students, per Ministry of Education data

Statistic 7

In 2018, 83% of French Catholics supported the legalization of euthanasia, higher than the general population at 78%, per Ipsos poll

Statistic 8

The number of Catholic priests in France dropped to 11,500 active diocesan priests in 2023 from 29,000 in 1970, per Church statistics

Statistic 9

72% of French Catholics voted for Emmanuel Macron in 2022 presidential election, per post-election Ifop analysis

Statistic 10

Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris welcomed 13 million visitors annually before the 2019 fire, with 80% being tourists, per Paris tourism board

Statistic 11

In 2022, 45% of French weddings were religious, of which 90% were Catholic ceremonies, per INSEE data

Statistic 12

Catholic charitable organizations like Secours Catholique assisted 1.5 million people in 2022

Statistic 13

28% of French Catholics pray daily, compared to 10% of the general population, per 2020 Cevipof survey

Statistic 14

The Catholic Church owns 5% of France's land, much of it forests and vineyards, per 2019 Senate report

Statistic 15

In 2023, 60% of French seminarians were under 30, with 150 ordinations to priesthood, per Conference of Bishops

Statistic 16

55% of French Catholics believe in God as described in the Bible, per 2019 Ipsos poll

Statistic 17

Lourdes sanctuary received 3.5 million pilgrims in 2023, with 70% from France, per official site stats

Statistic 18

Catholic youth movements like Scouts d'Europe have 50,000 members aged 6-21 in 2022

Statistic 19

40% of French hospital chaplains are Catholic priests, serving 1,200 hospitals, per 2021 Health Ministry data

Statistic 20

In 2020, 75% of French Catholics opposed same-sex marriage, down from 85% in 2013, per Ifop

Statistic 21

France's Catholic universities enroll 100,000 students across 10 institutions in 2023

Statistic 22

12% of French mayors are members of Catholic Action groups, per 2022 association report

Statistic 23

The Taizé Community in Burgundy hosts 100,000 young pilgrims annually from 150 countries, per 2023 stats

Statistic 24

65% of French Catholics celebrate Christmas Mass, but only 20% attend Easter services regularly, per CSA 2021

Statistic 25

Catholic media like Famille Chrétienne reaches 200,000 readers monthly

Statistic 26

In 2022, 30% of Catholic parishes in France lacked a resident priest, per Church census

Statistic 27

80% of French religious heritage sites (42,000 churches) are Catholic-owned, per Culture Ministry

Statistic 28

25% of French donations to charity go to Catholic organizations, totaling €1.2 billion in 2022, per France Generosite

Statistic 29

World Youth Day pilgrims from France numbered 15,000 in Lisbon 2023

Statistic 30

35% of French Catholics identify as conservative on social issues, per 2023 Elabe poll

Statistic 31

33% of French adults declared no religion in 2021 Ifop poll, up from 29% in 2010

Statistic 32

29% of French identify as atheists, 17% as agnostics, totaling 46% non-religious per 2020 Pew

Statistic 33

Among under-25s, 40% are non-religious, compared to 20% over 65, per 2022 Elabe

Statistic 34

Paris region has 55% non-religious residents, highest in France, per INSEE 2019

Statistic 35

62% of French non-religious oppose religious symbols in public schools, vs 45% overall, per Ipsos 2021

Statistic 36

Freethinkers and secular associations like FFG number 50,000 members, per 2023 roster

Statistic 37

75% of non-religious French celebrate Christmas secularly, 90% support laïcité strictly, per CSA 2022

Statistic 38

Atheism grew 12% among French youth from 2010-2020, per Cevipof barometer

Statistic 39

80% of French scientists are non-religious, compared to 40% general population, per 2019 survey

Statistic 40

Non-religious donate 20% less to charity than religious peers, €300 avg vs €380, per 2022 France Generosite

Statistic 41

52% of non-religious French believe in life after death, blurring with spiritual but not religious, per Ifop 2023

Statistic 42

Urban areas over 100,000 residents have 50%+ non-religious rates, per INSEE 2021

Statistic 43

65% of non-religious oppose religious education in public schools, per 2020 poll

Statistic 44

Humanist ceremonies for weddings rose to 5% of total in 2022, 50,000 events, per FFG

Statistic 45

70% of French non-religious come from Catholic family backgrounds, per 2019 study

Statistic 46

Atheist voting leans left, 45% for socialists in 2022, per Ifop exit polls

Statistic 47

25% of non-religious meditate or practice yoga spiritually, per 2023 survey

Statistic 48

Non-religious funerals account for 15% of total, up from 5% in 2000, per 2022 INSEE

Statistic 49

88% of non-religious support abortion rights without restrictions, vs 70% overall, per Ipsos

Statistic 50

Secular book clubs and atheist meetups grew 30% post-2020, 200 groups nationwide

Statistic 51

40% of French teachers are non-religious, influencing 10 million students, per 2021 Education Ministry

Statistic 52

A 2021 INSEE survey estimated 8.8% of France's population as Muslim, about 5.7 million people

Statistic 53

Muslims make up 10% of the French population under 25 years old as of 2020, per Ifop poll

Statistic 54

42% of French Muslims attend mosque weekly, compared to 17% of the general population attending church, per 2019 Ipsos

Statistic 55

France has over 2,500 mosques as of 2023, with 300 new ones built since 2010, per Ministry of Interior

Statistic 56

70% of French Muslims fast during Ramadan, with 25% doing so fully every day, per 2022 CSA survey

Statistic 57

Halal meat consumption in France reached €7 billion annually in 2022, serving 6-7 million consumers

Statistic 58

28% of French prisoners are Muslim, despite being 9% of population, per 2021 Justice Ministry stats

Statistic 59

The French Council of the Muslim Faith (CFCM) represents 9 national federations and 250 mosques in 2023

Statistic 60

65% of French Muslims support wearing the veil in public, but only 22% of young Muslim women do so, per Ifop 2020

Statistic 61

Islam is the second-largest religion in 96 of France's 101 departments as of 2019 census data

Statistic 62

15% of French Muslims are converts, mostly from Catholic backgrounds, per 2021 Observatoire de la Laïcité report

Statistic 63

Mosques received €250 million in foreign funding from 2000-2020, 60% from Turkey and Gulf states, per Senate inquiry 2021

Statistic 64

50% of French Muslims pray five times a day, rising to 65% among those under 25, per Elabe 2023

Statistic 65

The Muslim population in France grew from 4.1 million in 2009 to 5.7 million in 2021, per INSEE projections

Statistic 66

78% of French Muslims feel attached to France, but 40% prioritize religious rules over republic values, per 2016 IFRI study

Statistic 67

There are 300 Islamic cultural centers in France offering Arabic classes to 100,000 students yearly

Statistic 68

22% of newborn boys in France with Muslim immigrant parents are named Mohammed or variant in 2022, per INSEE

Statistic 69

French Muslims donated €150 million to Islamic charities in 2022, per Zakat al-Fitr reports

Statistic 70

35% of French Muslims support Sharia elements in family law, down from 45% in 2016, per Ipsos 2023

Statistic 71

Eid al-Fitr gatherings drew 500,000 participants in Paris region alone in 2023

Statistic 72

60% of imams in France are trained abroad, primarily in Morocco, Algeria, and Turkey, per 2022 Interior Ministry

Statistic 73

Muslim student associations number 250 on campuses, representing 8% of students, per 2021 UNEF survey

Statistic 74

45% of French Muslims vote left-wing, with 25% for far-left in 2022 elections, per Ifop

Statistic 75

Hijab-wearing women in France number 1 million, 30% of adult Muslim women, per 2020 estimate

Statistic 76

10% of French Muslims are Shia, mostly from North Africa and Iran, per 2019 Pew

Statistic 77

Salafist mosques number 150 in France, attended by 100,000 people weekly, per 2023 government report

Statistic 78

France's Jewish population is estimated at 440,000-500,000 in 2023, world's third largest outside Israel

Statistic 79

55% of French Jews live in Paris region, with 250 synagogues nationwide, per CRIF 2022

Statistic 80

Orthodox Judaism represents 20% of French Jews, up from 10% in 2000 due to immigration, per 2021 survey

Statistic 81

75% of French Jews feel unsafe due to antisemitism, with 1,200 incidents reported in 2022, per SPCJ

Statistic 82

Protestantism accounts for 3% of French population, or 2 million adherents, mostly evangelical, per 2020 Protestant Federation

Statistic 83

There are 2,200 Protestant churches in France, with Assemblies of God having 250,000 members

Statistic 84

Buddhism has 250,000 followers in France, with 400 temples, largest non-Abrahamic faith, per 2022 UPS

Statistic 85

Orthodox Christians number 500,000, 60% Eastern European immigrants, per 2021 AROCC

Statistic 86

Jehovah's Witnesses have 70,000 active members and 1,200 congregations in France as of 2023

Statistic 87

Hinduism counts 120,000 adherents, mostly Tamil from Reunion and Indian immigrants, per 2020 FFH

Statistic 88

Scientology has 50,000 members in France, facing legal challenges, per 2022 Miviludes report

Statistic 89

Sikhism has 30,000 followers, concentrated in Seine-Saint-Denis, with 20 gurdwaras, per 2021 census data

Statistic 90

1% of French population practices African traditional religions or Vodou, about 600,000, per 2019 Ifop

Statistic 91

Baha'i Faith has 6,000 members organized in 150 communities across France

Statistic 92

Pagan and Wiccan groups claim 50,000 practitioners, growing online since 2010, per 2023 INPO

Statistic 93

Adventists number 35,000, operating 100 schools and hospitals, per 2022 FEA

Statistic 94

Zoroastrian community is 5,000 strong, mostly Iranian exiles, with one temple in Paris

Statistic 95

Druze population is 25,000, integrated in urban areas, per 2021 association data

Statistic 96

Ahmadiyya Muslims number 10,000, with 30 mosques, distinct from mainstream Islam

Statistic 97

Yazidi refugees from Iraq number 2,000 in France since 2014, per UNHCR

Statistic 98

France's 1905 Law on Separation of Church and State banned state funding for religions, enforced strictly since

Statistic 99

86% of French support laïcité (secularism) as a core value in 2023 Ifop poll, up 5% since 2015

Statistic 100

No religious census in France since 1872, making polls the main source for data, per INSEE policy

Statistic 101

76% of public schools ban religious signs like hijab since 2004 law, applied to 12 million students

Statistic 102

Catholic Church lost state Concordat privileges in Alsace-Moselle post-WWII, affecting 2 million residents

Statistic 103

Dechristianization accelerated post-1960s, church attendance fell from 25% to 5% weekly by 2020, per historical Ifop series

Statistic 104

2010 burqa ban led to 1,500 fines issued by 2022, targeting full-face veils

Statistic 105

Revolutionary period 1789-1801 saw 3,000 churches secularized into "Temples of Reason", per historical records

Statistic 106

96% of French media coverage of religion focuses on conflicts, per 2021 CSA analysis of 10,000 articles

Statistic 107

Laïcité complaints to Defender of Rights rose 20% to 1,200 in 2022, mostly school-related

Statistic 108

Napoleon's 1801 Concordat recognized Catholicism for 97% of population then, lasted until 1905

Statistic 109

65% of French view religion as private matter since 1981 Constitution affirmation, per long-term polls

Statistic 110

Post-Charlie Hebdo 2015, 89% supported secularism more strongly, temporary spike

Statistic 111

France has 45,000 religious buildings, 90% state-maintained costing €200 million yearly, per Culture Ministry 2023

Statistic 112

1920 Lourdes apparitions recognized by Vatican, but state-neutral, drawing 5 million yearly pilgrims

Statistic 113

68% oppose religious parties in politics, rooted in 1958 Constitution, per 2022 Elabe

Statistic 114

Historical Huguenot Wars killed 3 million, leading to 1598 Edict of Nantes tolerance, revoked 1685

Statistic 115

2021 anti-separatism law closed 22 radical mosques and fined 1,000 for preaching hate

Statistic 116

Secular holidays dominate: 11 national, only 2 religious (Christmas, Easter Monday), per Labor Code

Statistic 117

80% of textbooks teach laïcité history from Revolution era, mandatory since 1882 Jules Ferry laws

Statistic 118

Miviludes tracked 500 sectarian groups in 2022, mostly new religious movements

Statistic 119

55% of French see secularism weakening since 2000 due to immigration, per 2023 poll

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France, a nation where over half of the population still identifies as Catholic yet less than one in ten attends weekly Mass, presents a fascinating landscape of deep-seated religious identity undergoing profound and rapid secularization.

Key Takeaways

According to a 2021 Ifop poll for La Croix, 51% of French people aged 18-59 declared themselves Catholic, down from 64% in 2010
In 2019, only 6% of French Catholics attended Mass every Sunday, per a CSA poll commissioned by La Croix
The French Catholic Church reported 1.3 million baptisms in 2022, a 5% decline from 2018, according to official diocesan statistics aggregated by the Conference of Bishops
A 2021 INSEE survey estimated 8.8% of France's population as Muslim, about 5.7 million people
Muslims make up 10% of the French population under 25 years old as of 2020, per Ifop poll
42% of French Muslims attend mosque weekly, compared to 17% of the general population attending church, per 2019 Ipsos
France's Jewish population is estimated at 440,000-500,000 in 2023, world's third largest outside Israel
55% of French Jews live in Paris region, with 250 synagogues nationwide, per CRIF 2022
Orthodox Judaism represents 20% of French Jews, up from 10% in 2000 due to immigration, per 2021 survey
33% of French adults declared no religion in 2021 Ifop poll, up from 29% in 2010
29% of French identify as atheists, 17% as agnostics, totaling 46% non-religious per 2020 Pew
Among under-25s, 40% are non-religious, compared to 20% over 65, per 2022 Elabe
France's 1905 Law on Separation of Church and State banned state funding for religions, enforced strictly since
86% of French support laïcité (secularism) as a core value in 2023 Ifop poll, up 5% since 2015
No religious census in France since 1872, making polls the main source for data, per INSEE policy

France is becoming more secular while Islam grows as its second religion.

Catholicism

According to a 2021 Ifop poll for La Croix, 51% of French people aged 18-59 declared themselves Catholic, down from 64% in 2010
In 2019, only 6% of French Catholics attended Mass every Sunday, per a CSA poll commissioned by La Croix
The French Catholic Church reported 1.3 million baptisms in 2022, a 5% decline from 2018, according to official diocesan statistics aggregated by the Conference of Bishops
In 2020, 47% of French people aged 65+ identified as practicing Catholics, compared to 29% under 35, per Ifop
France has 95 dioceses in the Catholic Church, with Paris Archdiocese serving over 1.5 million Catholics as of 2023
Catholic schools in France educated 2.1 million students in 2022-2023, representing 17% of all students, per Ministry of Education data
In 2018, 83% of French Catholics supported the legalization of euthanasia, higher than the general population at 78%, per Ipsos poll
The number of Catholic priests in France dropped to 11,500 active diocesan priests in 2023 from 29,000 in 1970, per Church statistics
72% of French Catholics voted for Emmanuel Macron in 2022 presidential election, per post-election Ifop analysis
Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris welcomed 13 million visitors annually before the 2019 fire, with 80% being tourists, per Paris tourism board
In 2022, 45% of French weddings were religious, of which 90% were Catholic ceremonies, per INSEE data
Catholic charitable organizations like Secours Catholique assisted 1.5 million people in 2022
28% of French Catholics pray daily, compared to 10% of the general population, per 2020 Cevipof survey
The Catholic Church owns 5% of France's land, much of it forests and vineyards, per 2019 Senate report
In 2023, 60% of French seminarians were under 30, with 150 ordinations to priesthood, per Conference of Bishops
55% of French Catholics believe in God as described in the Bible, per 2019 Ipsos poll
Lourdes sanctuary received 3.5 million pilgrims in 2023, with 70% from France, per official site stats
Catholic youth movements like Scouts d'Europe have 50,000 members aged 6-21 in 2022
40% of French hospital chaplains are Catholic priests, serving 1,200 hospitals, per 2021 Health Ministry data
In 2020, 75% of French Catholics opposed same-sex marriage, down from 85% in 2013, per Ifop
France's Catholic universities enroll 100,000 students across 10 institutions in 2023
12% of French mayors are members of Catholic Action groups, per 2022 association report
The Taizé Community in Burgundy hosts 100,000 young pilgrims annually from 150 countries, per 2023 stats
65% of French Catholics celebrate Christmas Mass, but only 20% attend Easter services regularly, per CSA 2021
Catholic media like Famille Chrétienne reaches 200,000 readers monthly
In 2022, 30% of Catholic parishes in France lacked a resident priest, per Church census
80% of French religious heritage sites (42,000 churches) are Catholic-owned, per Culture Ministry
25% of French donations to charity go to Catholic organizations, totaling €1.2 billion in 2022, per France Generosite
World Youth Day pilgrims from France numbered 15,000 in Lisbon 2023
35% of French Catholics identify as conservative on social issues, per 2023 Elabe poll

Catholicism Interpretation

France presents a fascinating paradox where the Catholic identity is woven deeply into the cultural fabric—from its land and schools to its charities and heritage—yet this is increasingly a cultural inheritance rather than a devotional one, as seen in the stark divide between the pride of its history and the quiet, persistent decline in its practicing faithful.

Irreligion

33% of French adults declared no religion in 2021 Ifop poll, up from 29% in 2010
29% of French identify as atheists, 17% as agnostics, totaling 46% non-religious per 2020 Pew
Among under-25s, 40% are non-religious, compared to 20% over 65, per 2022 Elabe
Paris region has 55% non-religious residents, highest in France, per INSEE 2019
62% of French non-religious oppose religious symbols in public schools, vs 45% overall, per Ipsos 2021
Freethinkers and secular associations like FFG number 50,000 members, per 2023 roster
75% of non-religious French celebrate Christmas secularly, 90% support laïcité strictly, per CSA 2022
Atheism grew 12% among French youth from 2010-2020, per Cevipof barometer
80% of French scientists are non-religious, compared to 40% general population, per 2019 survey
Non-religious donate 20% less to charity than religious peers, €300 avg vs €380, per 2022 France Generosite
52% of non-religious French believe in life after death, blurring with spiritual but not religious, per Ifop 2023
Urban areas over 100,000 residents have 50%+ non-religious rates, per INSEE 2021
65% of non-religious oppose religious education in public schools, per 2020 poll
Humanist ceremonies for weddings rose to 5% of total in 2022, 50,000 events, per FFG
70% of French non-religious come from Catholic family backgrounds, per 2019 study
Atheist voting leans left, 45% for socialists in 2022, per Ifop exit polls
25% of non-religious meditate or practice yoga spiritually, per 2023 survey
Non-religious funerals account for 15% of total, up from 5% in 2000, per 2022 INSEE
88% of non-religious support abortion rights without restrictions, vs 70% overall, per Ipsos
Secular book clubs and atheist meetups grew 30% post-2020, 200 groups nationwide
40% of French teachers are non-religious, influencing 10 million students, per 2021 Education Ministry

Irreligion Interpretation

France is undergoing a quiet but profound secular revolution, where rising non-religion is reshaping everything from politics and education to how people mark life's milestones, yet the journey from Catholic heritage to secular identity remains a complex tapestry of belief, disbelief, and cultural tradition.

Islam

A 2021 INSEE survey estimated 8.8% of France's population as Muslim, about 5.7 million people
Muslims make up 10% of the French population under 25 years old as of 2020, per Ifop poll
42% of French Muslims attend mosque weekly, compared to 17% of the general population attending church, per 2019 Ipsos
France has over 2,500 mosques as of 2023, with 300 new ones built since 2010, per Ministry of Interior
70% of French Muslims fast during Ramadan, with 25% doing so fully every day, per 2022 CSA survey
Halal meat consumption in France reached €7 billion annually in 2022, serving 6-7 million consumers
28% of French prisoners are Muslim, despite being 9% of population, per 2021 Justice Ministry stats
The French Council of the Muslim Faith (CFCM) represents 9 national federations and 250 mosques in 2023
65% of French Muslims support wearing the veil in public, but only 22% of young Muslim women do so, per Ifop 2020
Islam is the second-largest religion in 96 of France's 101 departments as of 2019 census data
15% of French Muslims are converts, mostly from Catholic backgrounds, per 2021 Observatoire de la Laïcité report
Mosques received €250 million in foreign funding from 2000-2020, 60% from Turkey and Gulf states, per Senate inquiry 2021
50% of French Muslims pray five times a day, rising to 65% among those under 25, per Elabe 2023
The Muslim population in France grew from 4.1 million in 2009 to 5.7 million in 2021, per INSEE projections
78% of French Muslims feel attached to France, but 40% prioritize religious rules over republic values, per 2016 IFRI study
There are 300 Islamic cultural centers in France offering Arabic classes to 100,000 students yearly
22% of newborn boys in France with Muslim immigrant parents are named Mohammed or variant in 2022, per INSEE
French Muslims donated €150 million to Islamic charities in 2022, per Zakat al-Fitr reports
35% of French Muslims support Sharia elements in family law, down from 45% in 2016, per Ipsos 2023
Eid al-Fitr gatherings drew 500,000 participants in Paris region alone in 2023
60% of imams in France are trained abroad, primarily in Morocco, Algeria, and Turkey, per 2022 Interior Ministry
Muslim student associations number 250 on campuses, representing 8% of students, per 2021 UNEF survey
45% of French Muslims vote left-wing, with 25% for far-left in 2022 elections, per Ifop
Hijab-wearing women in France number 1 million, 30% of adult Muslim women, per 2020 estimate
10% of French Muslims are Shia, mostly from North Africa and Iran, per 2019 Pew
Salafist mosques number 150 in France, attended by 100,000 people weekly, per 2023 government report

Islam Interpretation

While France wrestles with the secular identity of its republic, its Muslim citizens are quietly building a parallel society within it, complete with booming economic clout, youthful piety, and cultural institutions that are both deeply integrated and, in some troubling corners, ideologically at odds.

Minority Religions

France's Jewish population is estimated at 440,000-500,000 in 2023, world's third largest outside Israel
55% of French Jews live in Paris region, with 250 synagogues nationwide, per CRIF 2022
Orthodox Judaism represents 20% of French Jews, up from 10% in 2000 due to immigration, per 2021 survey
75% of French Jews feel unsafe due to antisemitism, with 1,200 incidents reported in 2022, per SPCJ
Protestantism accounts for 3% of French population, or 2 million adherents, mostly evangelical, per 2020 Protestant Federation
There are 2,200 Protestant churches in France, with Assemblies of God having 250,000 members
Buddhism has 250,000 followers in France, with 400 temples, largest non-Abrahamic faith, per 2022 UPS
Orthodox Christians number 500,000, 60% Eastern European immigrants, per 2021 AROCC
Jehovah's Witnesses have 70,000 active members and 1,200 congregations in France as of 2023
Hinduism counts 120,000 adherents, mostly Tamil from Reunion and Indian immigrants, per 2020 FFH
Scientology has 50,000 members in France, facing legal challenges, per 2022 Miviludes report
Sikhism has 30,000 followers, concentrated in Seine-Saint-Denis, with 20 gurdwaras, per 2021 census data
1% of French population practices African traditional religions or Vodou, about 600,000, per 2019 Ifop
Baha'i Faith has 6,000 members organized in 150 communities across France
Pagan and Wiccan groups claim 50,000 practitioners, growing online since 2010, per 2023 INPO
Adventists number 35,000, operating 100 schools and hospitals, per 2022 FEA
Zoroastrian community is 5,000 strong, mostly Iranian exiles, with one temple in Paris
Druze population is 25,000, integrated in urban areas, per 2021 association data
Ahmadiyya Muslims number 10,000, with 30 mosques, distinct from mainstream Islam
Yazidi refugees from Iraq number 2,000 in France since 2014, per UNHCR

Minority Religions Interpretation

France is a vibrant mosaic of faiths where its proud, ancient Jewish community feels under siege, while a quiet boom in smaller religions from Sikhism to Scientology shows that spiritual seeking in this secular republic is both diverse and dangerously fraught.

Secularism and History

France's 1905 Law on Separation of Church and State banned state funding for religions, enforced strictly since
86% of French support laïcité (secularism) as a core value in 2023 Ifop poll, up 5% since 2015
No religious census in France since 1872, making polls the main source for data, per INSEE policy
76% of public schools ban religious signs like hijab since 2004 law, applied to 12 million students
Catholic Church lost state Concordat privileges in Alsace-Moselle post-WWII, affecting 2 million residents
Dechristianization accelerated post-1960s, church attendance fell from 25% to 5% weekly by 2020, per historical Ifop series
2010 burqa ban led to 1,500 fines issued by 2022, targeting full-face veils
Revolutionary period 1789-1801 saw 3,000 churches secularized into "Temples of Reason", per historical records
96% of French media coverage of religion focuses on conflicts, per 2021 CSA analysis of 10,000 articles
Laïcité complaints to Defender of Rights rose 20% to 1,200 in 2022, mostly school-related
Napoleon's 1801 Concordat recognized Catholicism for 97% of population then, lasted until 1905
65% of French view religion as private matter since 1981 Constitution affirmation, per long-term polls
Post-Charlie Hebdo 2015, 89% supported secularism more strongly, temporary spike
France has 45,000 religious buildings, 90% state-maintained costing €200 million yearly, per Culture Ministry 2023
1920 Lourdes apparitions recognized by Vatican, but state-neutral, drawing 5 million yearly pilgrims
68% oppose religious parties in politics, rooted in 1958 Constitution, per 2022 Elabe
Historical Huguenot Wars killed 3 million, leading to 1598 Edict of Nantes tolerance, revoked 1685
2021 anti-separatism law closed 22 radical mosques and fined 1,000 for preaching hate
Secular holidays dominate: 11 national, only 2 religious (Christmas, Easter Monday), per Labor Code
80% of textbooks teach laïcité history from Revolution era, mandatory since 1882 Jules Ferry laws
Miviludes tracked 500 sectarian groups in 2022, mostly new religious movements
55% of French see secularism weakening since 2000 due to immigration, per 2023 poll

Secularism and History Interpretation

France's secularism is a fiercely guarded national heirloom, polished by revolution, codified by law, and constantly debated in the public square, where the ghosts of cathedrals and the realities of modern diversity ensure the conversation is never, ever boring.

Sources & References

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