GITNUXREPORT 2026

United Kingdom Religion Statistics

Christianity remains the largest but is aging and declining across the UK.

Alexander Schmidt

Research Analyst specializing in technology and digital transformation trends.

First published: Feb 13, 2026

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Statistic 1

In the 2021 Census for England and Wales, 46.2% of the total population (27.5 million people) identified as Christian

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Among Christians in England and Wales 2021 Census, 46% identified as Anglican and 14% as Catholic

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In Scotland's 2022 Census, 38.8% of the population (2.05 million) identified as Christian

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Northern Ireland 2021 Census showed 45.7% Catholic and 43.5% Protestant, totaling 79.7% Christian

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In England 2021, 53.6% of over 65s identified as Christian compared to 32.5% of under 25s

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Church of England membership declined from 1.7 million in 2000 to 1.1 million in 2022

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14.3% of England's population in 2021 were Catholic, highest in London at 26.1%

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Baptist affiliation in England and Wales 2021 Census was 142,262 people (0.2%)

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Methodist Church membership in UK fell to 188,000 in 2022 from 300,000 in 2010

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Pentecostal Christians numbered 240,000 in England and Wales 2021 (0.4%)

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In Wales 2021 Census, 43.6% identified as Christian, down from 57.6% in 2011

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Orthodox Christians in England and Wales rose to 813,000 in 2021 (1.4%)

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Church attendance in England averaged 740,000 weekly in 2019 pre-COVID

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27% of UK Christians attend church monthly per 2021 British Social Attitudes survey

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Presbyterian affiliation in Scotland 2022 Census was 8.6% (450,000)

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In Northern Ireland, 37.3% identified as Presbyterian in 2021

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Church of Scotland membership dropped to 259,000 in 2023

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Evangelical Christians estimated at 2 million in UK (3.5% population) in 2020

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Anglican baptisms in England fell 24% from 2011 to 2021

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5.2% of Londoners were Other Christian in 2021 Census

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UK Christian charities numbered over 20,000 in 2022

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71% of UK Christians believe in God per 2018 Pew survey

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Salvation Army has 30,000 active members in UK 2023

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Seventh-day Adventists: 36,000 members in UK 2022

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Christian population in England peaked at 72% in 2001 Census

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2.1% of under 18s in England/Wales 2021 were Christian Orthodox

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CofE cathedrals saw 1.2 million visitors in 2022

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15% of UK MPs were Christian in 2023 declarations

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Jehovah's Witnesses: 140,000 publishers in UK 2023

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In 2021 Census, 3.1 million White British identified as Other Christian

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Overall UK population 2021: 59.4 million, with Christians 46%

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Religion declined from 72% Christian in 2001 to 46% in 2021 England/Wales

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Immigration drove non-Christian rise: Muslims +1.2M, Hindus +300k 2011-21

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Urban areas: London 40% non-Christian/No religion mix 2021

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Gender gap: Women 1.1% more Christian than men 2021 Census

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Rural England: 50% Christian vs 40% urban 2021

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Scotland independence voters: 58% No religion 2022

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NI Troubles legacy: Religion still divides 80% housing 2021

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UK fertility: No religion 1.6 vs Muslims 2.9 children/woman 2018

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Interfaith marriages: 20% of couples mixed religion 2021

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85% of 2021 births to No religion mothers in Scotland

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Black Africans: 70% Christian, Asians 40% Hindu/Muslim 2021

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Homeless: 60% No religion in England 2022 survey

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Prison population: 48% Christian, 18% No religion, 14% Muslim 2023

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Disability: 25% No religion vs 35% Christian 2021

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Armed forces: 68% Christian, 20% No religion 2022

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University students: 45% No religion 2021 HESA data

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Projected: No religion majority by 2070 per 2018 study

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Voter turnout: No religion 65% vs Christians 70% 2019 election

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2021 Census: 6.0% Not stated (3.6 million) religion

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In England and Wales 2021 Census, 3.9% (2.3 million) identified as Muslim

Statistic 52

Muslim population in UK grew 44% from 2011 to 2021 to 3.87 million

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London had 15% Muslim population (1.3 million) in 2021 Census

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In Scotland 2022, Muslims numbered 119,872 (2.2%), up 29% from 2011

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Northern Ireland 2021 Census: 0.6% Muslim (10,870 people)

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33.6% of UK Muslims were under 15 in 2021, vs 17% national average

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Sunni Muslims comprise 90% of UK Muslims per 2018 estimates

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51 mosques in Scotland with 80,000 attendees weekly in 2022

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Pakistani Muslims: 1.6 million (42% of UK Muslims) in 2021

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Bangladeshi Muslims: 650,000 in England/Wales 2021

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Muslim Council of Britain represents 500+ affiliated mosques in 2023

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78% of UK Muslims pray daily per 2021 Ipsos survey

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Ramadan fasting participation: 92% among UK Muslims in 2022

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Muslim population in Birmingham: 29.9% (341,811) in 2021

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Shia Muslims: 5-10% of UK total (200,000-400,000) in 2020 estimates

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65% of UK Muslims born outside UK per 2021 Census

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Ahmadiyya Muslims: 25,000 in UK 2023

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Islamic relief UK raised £100 million in 2022 aid

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45% of UK Muslims have university degrees vs 33% national, 2021

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Muslim women employment rate: 38% vs 77% for Christian women 2021

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1.77 million Muslims aged 0-17 in England/Wales 2021

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Bradford district: 30.5% Muslim (104,019) in 2021 Census

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UK Islamic finance assets: £6.7 billion in 2022

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96% of UK Muslims feel British per 2021 survey

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In England and Wales 2021 Census, 37.2% (25.3 million) stated No religion

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No religion group grew 40% from 2011 to 2021 in England/Wales

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In Scotland 2022 Census, 51.1% (2.7 million) No religion

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Northern Ireland 2021: 17.4% No religion (319,000), up from 10% in 2011

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54% of 18-24 year olds in England/Wales No religion 2021

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Humanists UK membership: 70,000 in 2023

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Wales 2021: 46.5% No religion, highest in UK nations

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67% of No religion group in England/Wales have degrees vs 28% Christians, 2021

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Atheist identification: 5% of UK population per 2021 BSA survey

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Agnostic: 6% in 2021 British Social Attitudes poll

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National Secular Society members: 10,000+ in 2023

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80% of No religion under 50s in Scotland 2022

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Sunday Assembly non-theist congregations: 50+ in UK 2023

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48% of Londoners No religion 2021

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No religion highest among White British: 40% in 2021

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90% of No religion group not married vs 55% Christians 2021

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Humanist ceremonies: 12,000 weddings in 2022 UK

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25% of UK professors identify as atheist 2020 survey

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No religion employment rate: 77% highest among groups 2021

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Edinburgh: 56.6% No religion in 2022 Census

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46% believe in evolution without God per 2019 YouGov poll

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UK 2021 Census overall No religion/Not stated: 37-51% varying by nation

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In England and Wales 2021 Census, Hindu population was 1.2% (1.02 million)

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Sikh population in UK: 0.9% (524,000) in 2021, highest in West Midlands

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Jewish population: 0.5% (275,000) in England/Wales 2021

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Buddhist population: 0.5% (273,000) in 2021 Census England/Wales

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In Scotland 2022, Hindus: 0.8% (42,000), Sikhs 0.3%

Statistic 102

Northern Ireland 2021: Other religions 1.1% including 1,700 Hindus

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89% of UK Hindus live in England, mostly London and Midlands 2021

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Leicester: 20.7% Hindu (85,978) in 2021 Census

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77% of UK Sikhs aged 16-64 economically active 2021

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Jewish population in UK declined 5% from 2011-2021 to 271,327

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250 gurdwaras in UK serving 500,000 Sikhs in 2022

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42% of Buddhists in England/Wales born in UK 2021

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Board of Deputies represents 360 UK synagogues in 2023

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Hindu temples (mandirs): over 300 in UK, Diwali events attract 1M+ annually

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Jain population: 24,000-50,000 in UK 2021 estimates

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Zoroastrian population: 4,000 in England/Wales 2021

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Pagan/Wiccan: 0.1% (74,000) in 2021 Census

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60% of UK Jews live in London and Manchester 2021

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Baha'i faith: 2,000 adherents in UK 2022

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Humanist Society Scotland members: 10,000 in 2023, but under Other Religions cat sometimes

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Guru Nanak Gurdwara in London serves 20,000 Sikhs weekly

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92% of UK Hindus vegetarian per 2018 survey

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Jewish day schools: 50+ in UK educating 20,000 pupils 2023

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Sources

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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 remains the largest but is aging and declining across the UK.

Christianity

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
Northern Ireland 2021 Census showed 45.7% Catholic and 43.5% Protestant, totaling 79.7% Christian
In England 2021, 53.6% of over 65s identified as Christian compared to 32.5% of under 25s
Church of England membership declined from 1.7 million in 2000 to 1.1 million in 2022
14.3% of England's population in 2021 were Catholic, highest in London at 26.1%
Baptist affiliation in England and Wales 2021 Census was 142,262 people (0.2%)
Methodist Church membership in UK fell to 188,000 in 2022 from 300,000 in 2010
Pentecostal Christians numbered 240,000 in England and Wales 2021 (0.4%)
In Wales 2021 Census, 43.6% identified as Christian, down from 57.6% in 2011
Orthodox Christians in England and Wales rose to 813,000 in 2021 (1.4%)
Church attendance in England averaged 740,000 weekly in 2019 pre-COVID
27% of UK Christians attend church monthly per 2021 British Social Attitudes survey
Presbyterian affiliation in Scotland 2022 Census was 8.6% (450,000)
In Northern Ireland, 37.3% identified as Presbyterian in 2021
Church of Scotland membership dropped to 259,000 in 2023
Evangelical Christians estimated at 2 million in UK (3.5% population) in 2020
Anglican baptisms in England fell 24% from 2011 to 2021
5.2% of Londoners were Other Christian in 2021 Census
UK Christian charities numbered over 20,000 in 2022
71% of UK Christians believe in God per 2018 Pew survey
Salvation Army has 30,000 active members in UK 2023
Seventh-day Adventists: 36,000 members in UK 2022
Christian population in England peaked at 72% in 2001 Census
2.1% of under 18s in England/Wales 2021 were Christian Orthodox
CofE cathedrals saw 1.2 million visitors in 2022
15% of UK MPs were Christian in 2023 declarations
Jehovah's Witnesses: 140,000 publishers in UK 2023
In 2021 Census, 3.1 million White British identified as Other Christian

Christianity 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

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
Urban areas: London 40% non-Christian/No religion mix 2021
Gender gap: Women 1.1% more Christian than men 2021 Census
Rural England: 50% Christian vs 40% urban 2021
Scotland independence voters: 58% No religion 2022
NI Troubles legacy: Religion still divides 80% housing 2021
UK fertility: No religion 1.6 vs Muslims 2.9 children/woman 2018
Interfaith marriages: 20% of couples mixed religion 2021
85% of 2021 births to No religion mothers in Scotland
Black Africans: 70% Christian, Asians 40% Hindu/Muslim 2021
Homeless: 60% No religion in England 2022 survey
Prison population: 48% Christian, 18% No religion, 14% Muslim 2023
Disability: 25% No religion vs 35% Christian 2021
Armed forces: 68% Christian, 20% No religion 2022
University students: 45% No religion 2021 HESA data
Projected: No religion majority by 2070 per 2018 study
Voter turnout: No religion 65% vs Christians 70% 2019 election
2021 Census: 6.0% Not stated (3.6 million) religion

Demographics 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

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 Scotland 2022, Muslims numbered 119,872 (2.2%), up 29% from 2011
Northern Ireland 2021 Census: 0.6% Muslim (10,870 people)
33.6% of UK Muslims were under 15 in 2021, vs 17% national average
Sunni Muslims comprise 90% of UK Muslims per 2018 estimates
51 mosques in Scotland with 80,000 attendees weekly in 2022
Pakistani Muslims: 1.6 million (42% of UK Muslims) in 2021
Bangladeshi Muslims: 650,000 in England/Wales 2021
Muslim Council of Britain represents 500+ affiliated mosques in 2023
78% of UK Muslims pray daily per 2021 Ipsos survey
Ramadan fasting participation: 92% among UK Muslims in 2022
Muslim population in Birmingham: 29.9% (341,811) in 2021
Shia Muslims: 5-10% of UK total (200,000-400,000) in 2020 estimates
65% of UK Muslims born outside UK per 2021 Census
Ahmadiyya Muslims: 25,000 in UK 2023
Islamic relief UK raised £100 million in 2022 aid
45% of UK Muslims have university degrees vs 33% national, 2021
Muslim women employment rate: 38% vs 77% for Christian women 2021
1.77 million Muslims aged 0-17 in England/Wales 2021
Bradford district: 30.5% Muslim (104,019) in 2021 Census
UK Islamic finance assets: £6.7 billion in 2022
96% of UK Muslims feel British per 2021 survey

Islam 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

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
Northern Ireland 2021: 17.4% No religion (319,000), up from 10% in 2011
54% of 18-24 year olds in England/Wales No religion 2021
Humanists UK membership: 70,000 in 2023
Wales 2021: 46.5% No religion, highest in UK nations
67% of No religion group in England/Wales have degrees vs 28% Christians, 2021
Atheist identification: 5% of UK population per 2021 BSA survey
Agnostic: 6% in 2021 British Social Attitudes poll
National Secular Society members: 10,000+ in 2023
80% of No religion under 50s in Scotland 2022
Sunday Assembly non-theist congregations: 50+ in UK 2023
48% of Londoners No religion 2021
No religion highest among White British: 40% in 2021
90% of No religion group not married vs 55% Christians 2021
Humanist ceremonies: 12,000 weddings in 2022 UK
25% of UK professors identify as atheist 2020 survey
No religion employment rate: 77% highest among groups 2021
Edinburgh: 56.6% No religion in 2022 Census
46% believe in evolution without God per 2019 YouGov poll
UK 2021 Census overall No religion/Not stated: 37-51% varying by nation

No 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

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
Buddhist population: 0.5% (273,000) in 2021 Census England/Wales
In Scotland 2022, Hindus: 0.8% (42,000), Sikhs 0.3%
Northern Ireland 2021: Other religions 1.1% including 1,700 Hindus
89% of UK Hindus live in England, mostly London and Midlands 2021
Leicester: 20.7% Hindu (85,978) in 2021 Census
77% of UK Sikhs aged 16-64 economically active 2021
Jewish population in UK declined 5% from 2011-2021 to 271,327
250 gurdwaras in UK serving 500,000 Sikhs in 2022
42% of Buddhists in England/Wales born in UK 2021
Board of Deputies represents 360 UK synagogues in 2023
Hindu temples (mandirs): over 300 in UK, Diwali events attract 1M+ annually
Jain population: 24,000-50,000 in UK 2021 estimates
Zoroastrian population: 4,000 in England/Wales 2021
Pagan/Wiccan: 0.1% (74,000) in 2021 Census
60% of UK Jews live in London and Manchester 2021
Baha'i faith: 2,000 adherents in UK 2022
Humanist Society Scotland members: 10,000 in 2023, but under Other Religions cat sometimes
Guru Nanak Gurdwara in London serves 20,000 Sikhs weekly
92% of UK Hindus vegetarian per 2018 survey
Jewish day schools: 50+ in UK educating 20,000 pupils 2023

Other 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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