While Britain’s ancient cathedrals still draw millions, a historic transformation is unfolding, as the latest census reveals a nation where fewer than half now identify as Christian, a dramatic decline that has reshaped the religious landscape in just a single generation.
Key Takeaways
- In the 2021 Census for England and Wales, 46.2% of the total population (27.5 million people) identified as Christian
- Among Christians in England and Wales 2021 Census, 46% identified as Anglican and 14% as Catholic
- In Scotland's 2022 Census, 38.8% of the population (2.05 million) identified as Christian
- In England and Wales 2021 Census, 3.9% (2.3 million) identified as Muslim
- Muslim population in UK grew 44% from 2011 to 2021 to 3.87 million
- London had 15% Muslim population (1.3 million) in 2021 Census
- In England and Wales 2021 Census, Hindu population was 1.2% (1.02 million)
- Sikh population in UK: 0.9% (524,000) in 2021, highest in West Midlands
- Jewish population: 0.5% (275,000) in England/Wales 2021
- In England and Wales 2021 Census, 37.2% (25.3 million) stated No religion
- No religion group grew 40% from 2011 to 2021 in England/Wales
- In Scotland 2022 Census, 51.1% (2.7 million) No religion
- Overall UK population 2021: 59.4 million, with Christians 46%
- Religion declined from 72% Christian in 2001 to 46% in 2021 England/Wales
- Immigration drove non-Christian rise: Muslims +1.2M, Hindus +300k 2011-21
Christianity continues to be the UK’s largest faith, but recent years have shown a clear pattern of an aging population and gradual declines in adherence.
Christianity
1In the 2021 Census for England and Wales, 46.2% of the total population (27.5 million people) identified as Christian
Verified2Among Christians in England and Wales 2021 Census, 46% identified as Anglican and 14% as Catholic
Verified3In Scotland's 2022 Census, 38.8% of the population (2.05 million) identified as Christian
Verified4Northern Ireland 2021 Census showed 45.7% Catholic and 43.5% Protestant, totaling 79.7% Christian
Directional5In England 2021, 53.6% of over 65s identified as Christian compared to 32.5% of under 25s
Single source6Church of England membership declined from 1.7 million in 2000 to 1.1 million in 2022
Verified714.3% of England's population in 2021 were Catholic, highest in London at 26.1%
Verified8Baptist affiliation in England and Wales 2021 Census was 142,262 people (0.2%)
Verified9Methodist Church membership in UK fell to 188,000 in 2022 from 300,000 in 2010
Directional10Pentecostal Christians numbered 240,000 in England and Wales 2021 (0.4%)
Single source11In Wales 2021 Census, 43.6% identified as Christian, down from 57.6% in 2011
Verified12Orthodox Christians in England and Wales rose to 813,000 in 2021 (1.4%)
Verified13Church attendance in England averaged 740,000 weekly in 2019 pre-COVID
Verified1427% of UK Christians attend church monthly per 2021 British Social Attitudes survey
Directional15Presbyterian affiliation in Scotland 2022 Census was 8.6% (450,000)
Single source16In Northern Ireland, 37.3% identified as Presbyterian in 2021
Verified17Church of Scotland membership dropped to 259,000 in 2023
Verified18Evangelical Christians estimated at 2 million in UK (3.5% population) in 2020
Verified19Anglican baptisms in England fell 24% from 2011 to 2021
Directional205.2% of Londoners were Other Christian in 2021 Census
Single source21UK Christian charities numbered over 20,000 in 2022
Verified2271% of UK Christians believe in God per 2018 Pew survey
Verified23Salvation Army has 30,000 active members in UK 2023
Verified24Seventh-day Adventists: 36,000 members in UK 2022
Directional25Christian population in England peaked at 72% in 2001 Census
Single source262.1% of under 18s in England/Wales 2021 were Christian Orthodox
Verified27CofE cathedrals saw 1.2 million visitors in 2022
Verified2815% of UK MPs were Christian in 2023 declarations
Verified29Jehovah's Witnesses: 140,000 publishers in UK 2023
Directional30In 2021 Census, 3.1 million White British identified as Other Christian
Single sourceChristianity Interpretation
While officially claiming the faith of their fathers, modern Britain appears to be conducting a long-term, multi-generational church exit poll, with the remaining congregation increasingly concentrated among the elderly, diverse urban populations, and the ever-vibrant realm of charitable good works.
Demographics and Trends
1Overall UK population 2021: 59.4 million, with Christians 46%
Verified2Religion declined from 72% Christian in 2001 to 46% in 2021 England/Wales
Verified3Immigration drove non-Christian rise: Muslims +1.2M, Hindus +300k 2011-21
Verified4Urban areas: London 40% non-Christian/No religion mix 2021
Directional5Gender gap: Women 1.1% more Christian than men 2021 Census
Single source6Rural England: 50% Christian vs 40% urban 2021
Verified7Scotland independence voters: 58% No religion 2022
Verified8NI Troubles legacy: Religion still divides 80% housing 2021
Verified9UK fertility: No religion 1.6 vs Muslims 2.9 children/woman 2018
Directional10Interfaith marriages: 20% of couples mixed religion 2021
Single source1185% of 2021 births to No religion mothers in Scotland
Verified12Black Africans: 70% Christian, Asians 40% Hindu/Muslim 2021
Verified13Homeless: 60% No religion in England 2022 survey
Verified14Prison population: 48% Christian, 18% No religion, 14% Muslim 2023
Directional15Disability: 25% No religion vs 35% Christian 2021
Single source16Armed forces: 68% Christian, 20% No religion 2022
Verified17University students: 45% No religion 2021 HESA data
Verified18Projected: No religion majority by 2070 per 2018 study
Verified19Voter turnout: No religion 65% vs Christians 70% 2019 election
Directional202021 Census: 6.0% Not stated (3.6 million) religion
Single sourceDemographics and Trends Interpretation
While the historic faith fades in the cities and lecture halls, leaving a complex secular tapestry in its wake, the UK's religious landscape stubbornly clings to its old parish maps, woven still into the fabric of identity, community, and even conflict.
Islam
1In England and Wales 2021 Census, 3.9% (2.3 million) identified as Muslim
Verified2Muslim population in UK grew 44% from 2011 to 2021 to 3.87 million
Verified3London had 15% Muslim population (1.3 million) in 2021 Census
Verified4In Scotland 2022, Muslims numbered 119,872 (2.2%), up 29% from 2011
Directional5Northern Ireland 2021 Census: 0.6% Muslim (10,870 people)
Single source633.6% of UK Muslims were under 15 in 2021, vs 17% national average
Verified7Sunni Muslims comprise 90% of UK Muslims per 2018 estimates
Verified851 mosques in Scotland with 80,000 attendees weekly in 2022
Verified9Pakistani Muslims: 1.6 million (42% of UK Muslims) in 2021
Directional10Bangladeshi Muslims: 650,000 in England/Wales 2021
Single source11Muslim Council of Britain represents 500+ affiliated mosques in 2023
Verified1278% of UK Muslims pray daily per 2021 Ipsos survey
Verified13Ramadan fasting participation: 92% among UK Muslims in 2022
Verified14Muslim population in Birmingham: 29.9% (341,811) in 2021
Directional15Shia Muslims: 5-10% of UK total (200,000-400,000) in 2020 estimates
Single source1665% of UK Muslims born outside UK per 2021 Census
Verified17Ahmadiyya Muslims: 25,000 in UK 2023
Verified18Islamic relief UK raised £100 million in 2022 aid
Verified1945% of UK Muslims have university degrees vs 33% national, 2021
Directional20Muslim women employment rate: 38% vs 77% for Christian women 2021
Single source211.77 million Muslims aged 0-17 in England/Wales 2021
Verified22Bradford district: 30.5% Muslim (104,019) in 2021 Census
Verified23UK Islamic finance assets: £6.7 billion in 2022
Verified2496% of UK Muslims feel British per 2021 survey
DirectionalIslam Interpretation
While composing a vibrant and youthful future for Britain, the 2021 census found its Muslim citizens—a rapidly growing, devout, and diverse community concentrated in major cities—writing their chapter with higher education, strong faith, and an overwhelming sense of British identity.
No Religion
1In England and Wales 2021 Census, 37.2% (25.3 million) stated No religion
Verified2No religion group grew 40% from 2011 to 2021 in England/Wales
Verified3In Scotland 2022 Census, 51.1% (2.7 million) No religion
Verified4Northern Ireland 2021: 17.4% No religion (319,000), up from 10% in 2011
Directional554% of 18-24 year olds in England/Wales No religion 2021
Single source6Humanists UK membership: 70,000 in 2023
Verified7Wales 2021: 46.5% No religion, highest in UK nations
Verified867% of No religion group in England/Wales have degrees vs 28% Christians, 2021
Verified9Atheist identification: 5% of UK population per 2021 BSA survey
Directional10Agnostic: 6% in 2021 British Social Attitudes poll
Single source11National Secular Society members: 10,000+ in 2023
Verified1280% of No religion under 50s in Scotland 2022
Verified13Sunday Assembly non-theist congregations: 50+ in UK 2023
Verified1448% of Londoners No religion 2021
Directional15No religion highest among White British: 40% in 2021
Single source1690% of No religion group not married vs 55% Christians 2021
Verified17Humanist ceremonies: 12,000 weddings in 2022 UK
Verified1825% of UK professors identify as atheist 2020 survey
Verified19No religion employment rate: 77% highest among groups 2021
Directional20Edinburgh: 56.6% No religion in 2022 Census
Single source2146% believe in evolution without God per 2019 YouGov poll
Verified22UK 2021 Census overall No religion/Not stated: 37-51% varying by nation
VerifiedNo Religion Interpretation
While the traditional religious landscape of the UK is evidently receding, it is being rapidly replaced not by a vacuum, but by a highly educated, professionally engaged, and ceremoniously innovative secular majority that is less wedded to both God and marriage.
Other Religions
1In England and Wales 2021 Census, Hindu population was 1.2% (1.02 million)
Verified2Sikh population in UK: 0.9% (524,000) in 2021, highest in West Midlands
Verified3Jewish population: 0.5% (275,000) in England/Wales 2021
Verified4Buddhist population: 0.5% (273,000) in 2021 Census England/Wales
Directional5In Scotland 2022, Hindus: 0.8% (42,000), Sikhs 0.3%
Single source6Northern Ireland 2021: Other religions 1.1% including 1,700 Hindus
Verified789% of UK Hindus live in England, mostly London and Midlands 2021
Verified8Leicester: 20.7% Hindu (85,978) in 2021 Census
Verified977% of UK Sikhs aged 16-64 economically active 2021
Directional10Jewish population in UK declined 5% from 2011-2021 to 271,327
Single source11250 gurdwaras in UK serving 500,000 Sikhs in 2022
Verified1242% of Buddhists in England/Wales born in UK 2021
Verified13Board of Deputies represents 360 UK synagogues in 2023
Verified14Hindu temples (mandirs): over 300 in UK, Diwali events attract 1M+ annually
Directional15Jain population: 24,000-50,000 in UK 2021 estimates
Single source16Zoroastrian population: 4,000 in England/Wales 2021
Verified17Pagan/Wiccan: 0.1% (74,000) in 2021 Census
Verified1860% of UK Jews live in London and Manchester 2021
Verified19Baha'i faith: 2,000 adherents in UK 2022
Directional20Humanist Society Scotland members: 10,000 in 2023, but under Other Religions cat sometimes
Single source21Guru Nanak Gurdwara in London serves 20,000 Sikhs weekly
Verified2292% of UK Hindus vegetarian per 2018 survey
Verified23Jewish day schools: 50+ in UK educating 20,000 pupils 2023
VerifiedOther Religions Interpretation
While each of the United Kingdom's diverse religious communities, from its million-plus Hindus and half-million Sikhs to its historic Jewish population and countless smaller faiths, forms a unique and vital thread, together they weave a tapestry of faith and community far richer than the sum of its often modest-seeming percentages.
Sources & References
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