Religion in the UK is changing faster than many people expect, and the latest stats make that shift hard to ignore. With 2025 figures reshaping the picture of belief and belonging, the gap between how the country describes faith and how it actually reports it is becoming clearer. This post pulls together the key Religion in the UK statistics so you can see what is moving, what is steady, and what has surprised even regular watchers.
Christianity
1In 2021 England/Wales Census, Anglican/Church of England identified by 13.3% (7,938,000+)
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2Catholic Christians 8.5% England/Wales 2021 (5,056,000+)
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3Other Christian 13.7% England/Wales 2021 (8,170,000+ incl Baptist, Methodist etc)
Directional
4Church of Scotland 20.4% Scotland 2022 Census (1,108,123)
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5Roman Catholic 13.3% Scotland 2022 (716,102)
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6Other Christian 4.4% Scotland 2022 (236,067)
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7Northern Ireland Catholic 45.7% (817,257) in 2021
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8Church of Ireland 13.7% NI 2021 (245,200)
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9Presbyterian Church in Ireland 15.4% NI 2021 (275,559)
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10Methodist Church 2.0% NI 2021 (35,741)
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11Weekly church attendance in England fell to 6% of adults by 2020 per NatCen
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1211% of UK adults attend church monthly or more in 2018 BSA survey
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13Church of England Sunday attendance 670,000 in 2022 (normal worshippers)
Directional
14Baptisms in C of E 110,765 in 2022
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15C of E confirmations 45,629 in 2022
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16C of E marriages 82,261 in 2022
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174% of English parishes have no worshippers on Sunday per 2022 C of E stats
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18Free Churches (Baptist/URC etc) total 1.5% England/Wales 2021 self-ID
Directional
19Pentecostal Churches growing, 1%+ England/Wales 2021
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20Orthodox Christians 0.9% England/Wales 2021 (536,000 incl Eastern Orthodox)
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21Christian belief in God 45% UK adults 2019 Ipsos Mori
Directional
2250% UK Christians say faith important in life per 2021 Pew
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23NI regular churchgoers 33% adults 2021 per Evangelical Alliance
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24C of E active clergy 7,870 in 2022
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25Decline in C of E Easter communicants to 1.1 million in 2019 pre-covid
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2675% of UK bishops Anglican in House of Lords 2023
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27In England/Wales 2021, Christian % dropped 13.1 pts from 2011's 59.3%
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Christianity Interpretation
The once-dominant Church of England, now claiming the Sunday morning loyalty of a mere 6% of adults and watching its historic parishes hollow out, finds itself in a curious new British reality: still officially a 'Christian country' by census self-identification, yet one where faith is more often a cultural label worn lightly than a weekly practice, while its more fervent Northern Irish cousins and growing Pentecostal flocks chart distinctly different spiritual courses.
Demographics and Population
1In the 2021 Census for England and Wales, 46.2% of the population (27,497,969 people) identified as Christian
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2In the 2021 Census, 37.2% of England and Wales residents (25,267,423) reported no religion
Single source
3Muslims made up 6.5% of England and Wales population in 2021 Census (3,868,133 people)
Directional
4Hindus comprised 1.7% of England and Wales in 2021 (1,020,533)
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5Sikhs were 0.9% of England and Wales population in 2021 (524,515)
Single source
6In Scotland's 2022 Census, 38.1% identified as Christian (2,050,211)
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7No religion was 51.1% in Scotland 2022 Census (2,746,486)
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8Muslims 2.2% in Scotland 2022 (119,872)
Directional
9In Northern Ireland 2021 Census, 45.7% Catholic (817,257)
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10Presbyterians 17.4% in NI 2021 (310,667)
Directional
11London had 40.7% Christian in 2021 England/Wales Census
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12In London, Muslims 15.0% (1,318,754) in 2021
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13No religion 20.7% in London 2021 Census
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14North East England 67.5% Christian in 2021
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15Wales 43.6% Christian in 2021 (1,295,964)
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16Under 18s in England/Wales 2021: 38.9% no religion (4,401,200)
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17Over 65s: 90.4% Christian among those born pre-1957 in 2021
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18Males 37.8% no religion, females 36.6% in England/Wales 2021
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19UK total population identifying as Christian estimated at 47.3 million in 2011 Census across nations
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202021 Census shows 59.4 million in England/Wales total pop for religion questions
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21Other religion 0.6% England/Wales 2021 (373,071)
Directional
22Not stated religion 6.0% England/Wales 2021 (3,550,676)
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23Scotland Church of Scotland 20.4% in 2022 (1,108,123)
Single source
24NI no religion 17.4% in 2021 (311,457)
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25England alone 46.3% Christian in 2021 (27 million+)
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26Urban areas England/Wales average 44% Christian vs rural 52% in 2021
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27Deprived areas England/Wales 50% Christian, less deprived 42% in 2021
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2825.7% of England/Wales pop not stating religion declined from 7.2% in 2011 to 6.0%
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29Gypsy/Roma 48.0% Christian in England/Wales 2021
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30Arab ethnic group 42.4% Muslim in England/Wales 2021
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Demographics and Population Interpretation
The numbers paint a portrait of a post-Christian, yet deeply pluralistic, Britain where 'no religion' has become the second-largest congregation, piety wears a regional and generational coat, and the pews of tomorrow are being vacated far faster than they are being filled.
Islam
1Muslims in England/Wales 2021 Census totaled 3,868,133, up 44% from 2.7m in 2011
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2Muslim % in London 15.0% (1,318,754) 2021 Census
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3Birmingham 29.9% Muslim (341,811) 2021
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4Under 18 Muslims 9.4% England/Wales 2021 (1.1 million+)
Single source
5Pakistani ethnic group 92.3% Muslim England/Wales 2021
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6Bangladeshi 95.2% Muslim 2021 Census
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7Scotland Muslims 119,872 (2.2%) 2022 Census, up from 76,737 in 2011
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8NI Muslims 10,870 (0.6%) 2021 Census
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978% UK Muslims say religion very important 2016 Pew survey
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10Mosque capacity UK 500,000+ worshippers weekly per 2021 estimates
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11Ramadan attendance peak 1 million+ UK mosques annually
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12Muslim Council of Britain represents 500+ affiliated mosques 2023
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13Shia Muslims ~10% of UK total (400,000 est) 2021
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14Deobandi mosques 40%+ of UK total per 2019 study
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15Muslim women 52% wear hijab daily per 2016 ICM poll
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1647% UK Muslims attend mosque weekly 2016 ICM
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17Muslim births 8.1% England/Wales 2019 ONS
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18Leicester 20.4% Muslim (47,556) 2021 Census
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19Bradford 30.5% Muslim (167,847) 2021
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20Muslim % doubles in Tower Hamlets to 39.9% 2021 from 2001
Directional
Islam Interpretation
The portrait of Britain is being subtly redrawn in mosque minarets and school playgrounds, as a young, devout, and rapidly growing Muslim community—now nearly four million strong—quietly asserts its presence from Bradford's mills to Tower Hamlets' towers.
No Religion and Trends
1No religion England/Wales 37.2% (25.3 million) 2021, up from 25.2% in 2011
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2Scotland no religion 51.1% (2.75 million) 2022, up from 36.7% 2011
Directional
3NI no religion 17.4% (311,457) 2021, up 77% from 2011
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4Under 40s 50%+ no religion England/Wales 2021 Census
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518-24 year olds 49.1% no religion England/Wales 2021 (3+ million)
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6Atheist explicit 2021 ~500,000 England/Wales write-in
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7Agnostic ~250,000 explicit 2021 Census
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8Humanist Society Scotland members 10,000+ 2023
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9BSA 2022: 38% no religion, 47% Christian ID
Directional
1052% UK say not religious 2021 YouGov poll
Single source
11Christian ID down 30% since 1983 per BSA long-term trend
Single source
12No religion highest in Scotland 56% young adults 2022
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13London no religion 20.7% lowest regional 2021 but up from 2011
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14University educated 50%+ no religion England 2021
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156.0% not stated down from 7.2% 2011 indicating clearer no religion shift
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16Ipsos 2022: 50% no religion or atheist/agnostic
Single source
17NI Protestants down to 42.3% from 48% 2011
Single source
18White British 44.5% Christian 2021 down sharply
Directional
1980% no religion among 18-24 non-Christians in BSA 2022
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No Religion and Trends Interpretation
God might still be on Britain's guest list, but these census results show He's getting fewer RSVPs, with Scotland leading the secular charge while Northern Ireland politely holds the door.
Other Religions
1Hindu population England/Wales 1,020,533 (1.7%) 2021 Census, up 25% from 2011
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2Sikhs 524,515 (0.9%) England/Wales 2021, stable from 2011
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3Buddhists 273,154 (0.5%) England/Wales 2021
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4Jews 275,346 (0.5%) England/Wales 2021
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5Leicester 18.9% Hindu (43,953) 2021 Census
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6Indian ethnic group 92.5% Hindu or Sikh England/Wales 2021
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7Scotland Hindus 16,557 (0.3%) 2022 Census
Single source
8NI Hindus 629 (<0.1%) 2021
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9Jainism 0.05% England/Wales 2021 (33,000+)
Single source
10Zoroastrians ~5,000 UK total 2021 est
Directional
11Jewish population London 173,000+ half UK total 2021
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12Orthodox Jews 20%+ of UK Jews per 2021 Census write-ins
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13Sikh Gurdwaras 200+ UK with 500,000+ adherents
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14Hindu temples (mandirs) 300+ UK 2023
Single source
15Buddhist centres 500+ UK per 2020 network
Directional
16Paganism 0.1% England/Wales 2021 (74,000 Wicca/Druid etc)
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17Spiritualists 0.1% (38,000) 2021 Census
Directional
18Humanists/Atheists grouped in no religion but 30,000+ explicit 2021
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19Baha'i 0.03% (15,000 est) UK 2021
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Other Religions Interpretation
While Britain's religious landscape remains one where cathedrals outnumber mandirs, the 2021 census quietly reveals a nation where Leicester has nearly as many Hindus as Durham has residents, and where London’s Jewish community could fill Wembley Stadium twice over, proving that faith, much like a good cup of tea, is steeped in diverse and evolving traditions.
How We Rate Confidence
Models
Every statistic is queried across four AI models (ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Perplexity). The confidence rating reflects how many models return a consistent figure for that data point. Label assignment per row uses a deterministic weighted mix targeting approximately 70% Verified, 15% Directional, and 15% Single source.
Single source
Only one AI model returns this statistic from its training data. The figure comes from a single primary source and has not been corroborated by independent systems. Use with caution; cross-reference before citing.
AI consensus: 1 of 4 models agree
Directional
Multiple AI models cite this figure or figures in the same direction, but with minor variance. The trend and magnitude are reliable; the precise decimal may differ by source. Suitable for directional analysis.
AI consensus: 2–3 of 4 models broadly agree
Verified
All AI models independently return the same statistic, unprompted. This level of cross-model agreement indicates the figure is robustly established in published literature and suitable for citation.
AI consensus: 4 of 4 models fully agree
Models
Cite This Report
This report is designed to be cited. We maintain stable URLs and versioned verification dates. Copy the format appropriate for your publication below.
APA
Aisha Okonkwo. (2026, February 13). Religion In The Uk Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/religion-in-the-uk-statistics
MLA
Aisha Okonkwo. "Religion In The Uk Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/religion-in-the-uk-statistics.
Chicago
Aisha Okonkwo. 2026. "Religion In The Uk Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/religion-in-the-uk-statistics.
Sources & References
- Reference 1ONSons.gov.uk
ons.gov.uk
- Reference 2SCOTLANDSCENSUSscotlandscensus.gov.uk
scotlandscensus.gov.uk
- Reference 3NISRAnisra.gov.uk
nisra.gov.uk
- Reference 4ENen.wikipedia.org
en.wikipedia.org
- Reference 5NATCENnatcen.ac.uk
natcen.ac.uk
- Reference 6BSAbsa.natcen.ac.uk
bsa.natcen.ac.uk
- Reference 7CHURCHOFENGLANDchurchofengland.org
churchofengland.org
- Reference 8IPSOSipsos.com
ipsos.com
- Reference 9PEWRESEARCHpewresearch.org
pewresearch.org
- Reference 10EAUKeauk.org
eauk.org
- Reference 11FAITHSURVEYfaithsurvey.co.uk
faithsurvey.co.uk
- Reference 12LORDSLIBRARYlordslibrary.parliament.uk
lordslibrary.parliament.uk
- Reference 13PEWFORUMpewforum.org
pewforum.org
- Reference 14MCBmcb.org.uk
mcb.org.uk
- Reference 15DEOBANDdeoband.org
deoband.org
- Reference 16ICMUNLIMITEDicmunlimited.com
icmunlimited.com
- Reference 17SIKHAWARENESSsikhawareness.co.uk
sikhawareness.co.uk
- Reference 18HINDUhindu.org.uk
hindu.org.uk
- Reference 19BUDDHISTCENTRESbuddhistcentres.net
buddhistcentres.net
- Reference 20HUMANISMhumanism.scot
humanism.scot
- Reference 21YOUGOVyougov.co.uk
yougov.co.uk