GITNUXREPORT 2026

World Religion Population Statistics

Christianity remains the largest global religion, but Islam is growing faster.

Written by Marcus Engström·Edited by David Sutherland·Fact-checked by Nicholas Chambers

Published Feb 13, 2026·Last verified Apr 2, 2026·Next review: Oct 2026

How We Build This Report

Primary Source Collection

Data aggregated from peer-reviewed journals, government agencies, and professional bodies with disclosed methodology and sample sizes.

Editorial Curation

Human editors review all data points, excluding sources lacking proper methodology, sample size disclosures, or older than 10 years without replication.

AI-Powered Verification

Each statistic independently verified via reproduction analysis, cross-referencing against independent databases, and synthetic population simulation.

Human Cross-Check

Final human editorial review of all AI-verified statistics. Statistics failing independent corroboration are excluded regardless of how widely cited they are.

Statistics that could not be independently verified are excluded regardless of how widely cited they are elsewhere.

Our process →

Statistic 1

Global Buddhist population in 2020: 492 million, 6.6% world share

Statistic 2

2023 estimate: 507 million Buddhists worldwide, 6.4%

Statistic 3

2010: 488 million Buddhists, 7% global

Statistic 4

2050 projection: 486 million Buddhists, slight decline

Statistic 5

China has 244 million Buddhists in 2023, 18% population

Statistic 6

Thailand 64 million Buddhists in 2023, 93%

Statistic 7

Japan 46 million Buddhists in 2023, 36%

Statistic 8

Myanmar 48 million Buddhists in 2023, 88%

Statistic 9

Vietnam 39 million Buddhists in 2023, 39%

Statistic 10

Sri Lanka 14 million Buddhists in 2023, 70%

Statistic 11

Asia-Pacific: 99% of Buddhists, 487 million in 2020

Statistic 12

Buddhist growth rate 0.9% 2010-2020

Statistic 13

Buddhist fertility rate 1.6 children per woman 2010-2015, lowest among majors

Statistic 14

Buddhists under 15: 85 million in 2020

Statistic 15

Cambodia 15 million Buddhists in 2023, 97%

Statistic 16

Laos 6.4 million Buddhists in 2023, 66%

Statistic 17

Bhutan 770,000 Buddhists in 2023, 75%

Statistic 18

Mongolia 1.9 million Buddhists in 2023, 53%

Statistic 19

South Korea 7 million Buddhists in 2023, 15%

Statistic 20

Taiwan 35 million Buddhists/Taoists in 2023, 35%

Statistic 21

United States 3.5 million Buddhists in 2023, 1%

Statistic 22

In 2020, the global Christian population was estimated at 2.3 billion, comprising 31% of the world's total population of 7.8 billion

Statistic 23

As of 2023, there are approximately 2.382 billion Christians worldwide, representing 31.1% of the global population

Statistic 24

In 2010, Christians numbered 2.2 billion globally, making up 31% of the world population

Statistic 25

By 2050, the Christian population is projected to reach 2.9 billion, still the largest religious group

Statistic 26

In 2023, the United States has the largest Christian population at 230 million adherents

Statistic 27

Brazil's Christian population stands at 173 million in 2023, 88% of its national population

Statistic 28

Mexico has 107 million Christians as of 2023, representing 92% of its population

Statistic 29

Nigeria's Christian population is estimated at 97 million in 2023, about 50% of the country

Statistic 30

Russia has 105 million Christians in 2023, primarily Orthodox, 71% of population

Statistic 31

Philippines has 93 million Christians in 2023, 86% Roman Catholic

Statistic 32

In Europe, Christians number 558 million in 2020, 75% of regional population

Statistic 33

Sub-Saharan Africa's Christian population grew to 631 million by 2020, 62% regional share

Statistic 34

Latin America's Christians total 531 million in 2020, 90% of population

Statistic 35

North America's Christian population is 235 million in 2023, down from previous decades

Statistic 36

Asia-Pacific has 287 million Christians in 2020, 7% regional share

Statistic 37

The annual growth rate of global Christians was 1.18% from 2010-2020

Statistic 38

Roman Catholics number 1.329 billion worldwide in 2023, largest Christian denomination

Statistic 39

Protestants total around 900 million globally in 2023

Statistic 40

Eastern Orthodox Christians are 220 million in 2023, mainly in Eastern Europe

Statistic 41

Anglicans number 85 million worldwide in 2023

Statistic 42

Pentecostals and Charismatics total over 600 million in 2023

Statistic 43

Christians under 15 years old number 530 million globally in 2020

Statistic 44

Christian fertility rate averages 2.6 children per woman in 2010-2015

Statistic 45

84% of global Christians live in developing regions as of 2020

Statistic 46

China has 70 million Christians in 2023, growing rapidly underground

Statistic 47

India has 28 million Christians in 2023, 2% of population

Statistic 48

Ethiopia's Christians total 52 million in 2023, 63% Orthodox

Statistic 49

DR Congo has 83 million Christians in 2023, 95% of population

Statistic 50

Germany has 45 million Christians in 2023, declining due to secularization

Statistic 51

Italy's Christian population is 52 million in 2023, 83% Roman Catholic

Statistic 52

Global Hindu population in 2020 was 1.09 billion, 15% of world total

Statistic 53

As of 2023, Hindus number 1.16 billion worldwide, 14.9% global share

Statistic 54

In 2010, Hindu population was 966 million, 14% of world

Statistic 55

By 2050, Hindus projected at 1.4 billion

Statistic 56

India has 1.09 billion Hindus in 2023, 79% of national population

Statistic 57

Nepal's Hindus total 28 million in 2023, 81% of population

Statistic 58

Bangladesh has 13 million Hindus in 2023, 8% share

Statistic 59

Indonesia's Hindu population is 4.2 million in 2023, mainly Bali, 1.6%

Statistic 60

Pakistan has 4 million Hindus in 2023, 2% of population

Statistic 61

Sri Lanka's Hindus number 2.7 million in 2023, 12.6%

Statistic 62

Asia-Pacific holds 99% of global Hindus, 1.08 billion in 2020

Statistic 63

Hindu growth rate 0.7% annually 2010-2020

Statistic 64

Hindu fertility rate 2.3 children per woman 2010-2015

Statistic 65

Hindus under 15: 272 million in 2020

Statistic 66

Mauritius has 600,000 Hindus in 2023, 48% of population

Statistic 67

Fiji's Hindu population 274,000 in 2023, 27%

Statistic 68

Guyana has 190,000 Hindus in 2023, 24%

Statistic 69

Trinidad and Tobago 300,000 Hindus in 2023, 18%

Statistic 70

Malaysia 1.9 million Hindus in 2023, 6%

Statistic 71

South Africa 1 million Hindus in 2023, 1.2%

Statistic 72

United Kingdom 1 million Hindus in 2023, 1.7%

Statistic 73

United States 2.5 million Hindus in 2023, 0.7%

Statistic 74

Canada 830,000 Hindus in 2023, 2.3%

Statistic 75

Australia 684,000 Hindus in 2023, 2.7%

Statistic 76

UAE 1 million Hindus in 2023, expatriates

Statistic 77

In 2020, the global Muslim population was 1.9 billion, 24% of world population

Statistic 78

As of 2023, Muslims number approximately 1.98 billion worldwide, 24.9% of global population

Statistic 79

In 2010, the Muslim population stood at 1.6 billion, 23% of world total

Statistic 80

By 2050, Muslims are projected to reach 2.8 billion, nearly equaling Christians

Statistic 81

Indonesia has the largest Muslim population at 241 million in 2023, 87% of country

Statistic 82

Pakistan's Muslims total 225 million in 2023, 96% Sunni

Statistic 83

India has 211 million Muslims in 2023, 15% of population

Statistic 84

Bangladesh has 153 million Muslims in 2023, 91% of population

Statistic 85

Nigeria's Muslim population is 99 million in 2023, 50% of country

Statistic 86

Egypt has 95 million Muslims in 2023, 90% Sunni

Statistic 87

Middle East-North Africa's Muslims number 341 million in 2020, 93% regional share

Statistic 88

Asia-Pacific Muslims total 1.1 billion in 2020, 62% global total

Statistic 89

Sub-Saharan Africa has 248 million Muslims in 2020, 30% regional population

Statistic 90

Europe's Muslim population is 44 million in 2020, 6% share

Statistic 91

Global Muslim growth rate was 1.84% annually 2010-2020

Statistic 92

Sunni Muslims comprise 87-90% of global Muslims, about 1.7 billion in 2023

Statistic 93

Shia Muslims total 200-300 million worldwide in 2023, mainly in Iran/Iraq

Statistic 94

Muslim fertility rate averages 2.9 children per woman 2010-2015

Statistic 95

Muslims under 15 years: 422 million in 2020

Statistic 96

Iran has 84 million Muslims in 2023, 99% Shia

Statistic 97

Turkey's Muslims number 84 million in 2023, 99% Sunni

Statistic 98

Saudi Arabia has 35 million Muslims in 2023, 100% officially

Statistic 99

Algeria's Muslim population is 43 million in 2023, 99% Sunni

Statistic 100

Iraq has 41 million Muslims in 2023, 60-65% Shia

Statistic 101

Afghanistan's Muslims total 41 million in 2023, 99.7% Sunni

Statistic 102

Morocco has 37 million Muslims in 2023, 99% Sunni

Statistic 103

Global unaffiliated population in 2020: 1.19 billion, 16% world share

Statistic 104

2023: 1.2 billion religiously unaffiliated, 15.6%

Statistic 105

2010: 1.13 billion unaffiliated, 16%

Statistic 106

China has 700 million unaffiliated in 2023, 52%

Statistic 107

Japan 72 million unaffiliated in 2023, 57%

Statistic 108

United States 100 million unaffiliated in 2023, 29%

Statistic 109

Global Jews: 14.7 million in 2020, 0.2%

Statistic 110

2023 Jewish population: 15.7 million

Statistic 111

Israel 6.8 million Jews in 2023, 74%

Statistic 112

United States 5.7 million Jews in 2023

Statistic 113

Folk religions 430 million in 2020, 6%

Statistic 114

Chinese folk religions 394 million in 2023

Statistic 115

African traditional religions 100 million in 2023

Statistic 116

Sikhs 25 million globally in 2020

Statistic 117

India 23 million Sikhs in 2023, 1.7%

Statistic 118

Canada 770,000 Sikhs in 2023, 2%

Statistic 119

Other religions total 61 million in 2020, 1%

Statistic 120

Baha'is 8 million worldwide in 2023

Statistic 121

Jains 4.5 million, mostly India 2023

Statistic 122

Shintoists 2-4 million in Japan 2023

Statistic 123

Zoroastrians under 200,000 globally 2023

1/123

Sources

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If you think Christianity's dominance is a given, consider this: the world's largest faith is on track to add half a billion more adherents by 2050, yet its share of a growing global population is holding remarkably steady, according to a revealing breakdown of current religious demographics.

Key Takeaways

In 2020, the global Christian population was estimated at 2.3 billion, comprising 31% of the world's total population of 7.8 billion
As of 2023, there are approximately 2.382 billion Christians worldwide, representing 31.1% of the global population
In 2010, Christians numbered 2.2 billion globally, making up 31% of the world population
In 2020, the global Muslim population was 1.9 billion, 24% of world population
As of 2023, Muslims number approximately 1.98 billion worldwide, 24.9% of global population
In 2010, the Muslim population stood at 1.6 billion, 23% of world total
Global Hindu population in 2020 was 1.09 billion, 15% of world total
As of 2023, Hindus number 1.16 billion worldwide, 14.9% global share
In 2010, Hindu population was 966 million, 14% of world
Global Buddhist population in 2020: 492 million, 6.6% world share
2023 estimate: 507 million Buddhists worldwide, 6.4%
2010: 488 million Buddhists, 7% global
Global unaffiliated population in 2020: 1.19 billion, 16% world share
2023: 1.2 billion religiously unaffiliated, 15.6%
2010: 1.13 billion unaffiliated, 16%

Christianity holds the title of world's largest religion, but Islam is expanding faster.

Buddhism

1Global Buddhist population in 2020: 492 million, 6.6% world share

Verified

22023 estimate: 507 million Buddhists worldwide, 6.4%

Verified

32010: 488 million Buddhists, 7% global

Verified

42050 projection: 486 million Buddhists, slight decline

Directional

5China has 244 million Buddhists in 2023, 18% population

Single source

6Thailand 64 million Buddhists in 2023, 93%

Verified

7Japan 46 million Buddhists in 2023, 36%

Verified

8Myanmar 48 million Buddhists in 2023, 88%

Verified

9Vietnam 39 million Buddhists in 2023, 39%

Directional

10Sri Lanka 14 million Buddhists in 2023, 70%

Single source

11Asia-Pacific: 99% of Buddhists, 487 million in 2020

Verified

12Buddhist growth rate 0.9% 2010-2020

Verified

13Buddhist fertility rate 1.6 children per woman 2010-2015, lowest among majors

Verified

14Buddhists under 15: 85 million in 2020

Directional

15Cambodia 15 million Buddhists in 2023, 97%

Single source

16Laos 6.4 million Buddhists in 2023, 66%

Verified

17Bhutan 770,000 Buddhists in 2023, 75%

Verified

18Mongolia 1.9 million Buddhists in 2023, 53%

Verified

19South Korea 7 million Buddhists in 2023, 15%

Directional

20Taiwan 35 million Buddhists/Taoists in 2023, 35%

Single source

21United States 3.5 million Buddhists in 2023, 1%

Verified

Buddhism Interpretation

While Buddhism's global share gently wanes due to the lowest fertility rate among major religions, its profound Asian heartland remains steadfast, proving that spiritual influence is measured not merely in births but in the depth of its cultural roots.

Christianity

1In 2020, the global Christian population was estimated at 2.3 billion, comprising 31% of the world's total population of 7.8 billion

Verified

2As of 2023, there are approximately 2.382 billion Christians worldwide, representing 31.1% of the global population

Verified

3In 2010, Christians numbered 2.2 billion globally, making up 31% of the world population

Verified

4By 2050, the Christian population is projected to reach 2.9 billion, still the largest religious group

Directional

5In 2023, the United States has the largest Christian population at 230 million adherents

Single source

6Brazil's Christian population stands at 173 million in 2023, 88% of its national population

Verified

7Mexico has 107 million Christians as of 2023, representing 92% of its population

Verified

8Nigeria's Christian population is estimated at 97 million in 2023, about 50% of the country

Verified

9Russia has 105 million Christians in 2023, primarily Orthodox, 71% of population

Directional

10Philippines has 93 million Christians in 2023, 86% Roman Catholic

Single source

11In Europe, Christians number 558 million in 2020, 75% of regional population

Verified

12Sub-Saharan Africa's Christian population grew to 631 million by 2020, 62% regional share

Verified

13Latin America's Christians total 531 million in 2020, 90% of population

Verified

14North America's Christian population is 235 million in 2023, down from previous decades

Directional

15Asia-Pacific has 287 million Christians in 2020, 7% regional share

Single source

16The annual growth rate of global Christians was 1.18% from 2010-2020

Verified

17Roman Catholics number 1.329 billion worldwide in 2023, largest Christian denomination

Verified

18Protestants total around 900 million globally in 2023

Verified

19Eastern Orthodox Christians are 220 million in 2023, mainly in Eastern Europe

Directional

20Anglicans number 85 million worldwide in 2023

Single source

21Pentecostals and Charismatics total over 600 million in 2023

Verified

22Christians under 15 years old number 530 million globally in 2020

Verified

23Christian fertility rate averages 2.6 children per woman in 2010-2015

Verified

2484% of global Christians live in developing regions as of 2020

Directional

25China has 70 million Christians in 2023, growing rapidly underground

Single source

26India has 28 million Christians in 2023, 2% of population

Verified

27Ethiopia's Christians total 52 million in 2023, 63% Orthodox

Verified

28DR Congo has 83 million Christians in 2023, 95% of population

Verified

29Germany has 45 million Christians in 2023, declining due to secularization

Directional

30Italy's Christian population is 52 million in 2023, 83% Roman Catholic

Single source

Christianity Interpretation

Despite holding a steady third of humanity for decades, Christianity's future looks less like a global monolith and more like a vibrant, shifting mosaic—with its energetic growth in the global south quietly compensating for its yawn of decline in the secularizing west.

Hinduism

1Global Hindu population in 2020 was 1.09 billion, 15% of world total

Verified

2As of 2023, Hindus number 1.16 billion worldwide, 14.9% global share

Verified

3In 2010, Hindu population was 966 million, 14% of world

Verified

4By 2050, Hindus projected at 1.4 billion

Directional

5India has 1.09 billion Hindus in 2023, 79% of national population

Single source

6Nepal's Hindus total 28 million in 2023, 81% of population

Verified

7Bangladesh has 13 million Hindus in 2023, 8% share

Verified

8Indonesia's Hindu population is 4.2 million in 2023, mainly Bali, 1.6%

Verified

9Pakistan has 4 million Hindus in 2023, 2% of population

Directional

10Sri Lanka's Hindus number 2.7 million in 2023, 12.6%

Single source

11Asia-Pacific holds 99% of global Hindus, 1.08 billion in 2020

Verified

12Hindu growth rate 0.7% annually 2010-2020

Verified

13Hindu fertility rate 2.3 children per woman 2010-2015

Verified

14Hindus under 15: 272 million in 2020

Directional

15Mauritius has 600,000 Hindus in 2023, 48% of population

Single source

16Fiji's Hindu population 274,000 in 2023, 27%

Verified

17Guyana has 190,000 Hindus in 2023, 24%

Verified

18Trinidad and Tobago 300,000 Hindus in 2023, 18%

Verified

19Malaysia 1.9 million Hindus in 2023, 6%

Directional

20South Africa 1 million Hindus in 2023, 1.2%

Single source

21United Kingdom 1 million Hindus in 2023, 1.7%

Verified

22United States 2.5 million Hindus in 2023, 0.7%

Verified

23Canada 830,000 Hindus in 2023, 2.3%

Verified

24Australia 684,000 Hindus in 2023, 2.7%

Directional

25UAE 1 million Hindus in 2023, expatriates

Single source

Hinduism Interpretation

While Hinduism's soul remains anchored in India and Nepal, its story is one of steadfast growth and global diffusion, proving that a billion-plus adherents can both dominate a subcontinent and quietly become a significant minority from Mauritius to Manhattan.

Islam

1In 2020, the global Muslim population was 1.9 billion, 24% of world population

Verified

2As of 2023, Muslims number approximately 1.98 billion worldwide, 24.9% of global population

Verified

3In 2010, the Muslim population stood at 1.6 billion, 23% of world total

Verified

4By 2050, Muslims are projected to reach 2.8 billion, nearly equaling Christians

Directional

5Indonesia has the largest Muslim population at 241 million in 2023, 87% of country

Single source

6Pakistan's Muslims total 225 million in 2023, 96% Sunni

Verified

7India has 211 million Muslims in 2023, 15% of population

Verified

8Bangladesh has 153 million Muslims in 2023, 91% of population

Verified

9Nigeria's Muslim population is 99 million in 2023, 50% of country

Directional

10Egypt has 95 million Muslims in 2023, 90% Sunni

Single source

11Middle East-North Africa's Muslims number 341 million in 2020, 93% regional share

Verified

12Asia-Pacific Muslims total 1.1 billion in 2020, 62% global total

Verified

13Sub-Saharan Africa has 248 million Muslims in 2020, 30% regional population

Verified

14Europe's Muslim population is 44 million in 2020, 6% share

Directional

15Global Muslim growth rate was 1.84% annually 2010-2020

Single source

16Sunni Muslims comprise 87-90% of global Muslims, about 1.7 billion in 2023

Verified

17Shia Muslims total 200-300 million worldwide in 2023, mainly in Iran/Iraq

Verified

18Muslim fertility rate averages 2.9 children per woman 2010-2015

Verified

19Muslims under 15 years: 422 million in 2020

Directional

20Iran has 84 million Muslims in 2023, 99% Shia

Single source

21Turkey's Muslims number 84 million in 2023, 99% Sunni

Verified

22Saudi Arabia has 35 million Muslims in 2023, 100% officially

Verified

23Algeria's Muslim population is 43 million in 2023, 99% Sunni

Verified

24Iraq has 41 million Muslims in 2023, 60-65% Shia

Directional

25Afghanistan's Muslims total 41 million in 2023, 99.7% Sunni

Single source

26Morocco has 37 million Muslims in 2023, 99% Sunni

Verified

Islam Interpretation

While remaining firmly second place in the global faith race, Islam’s youthful energy and robust fertility suggest it’s not just growing, but actively stretching the finish line tape for 2050.

Other and Unaffiliated

1Global unaffiliated population in 2020: 1.19 billion, 16% world share

Verified

22023: 1.2 billion religiously unaffiliated, 15.6%

Verified

32010: 1.13 billion unaffiliated, 16%

Verified

4China has 700 million unaffiliated in 2023, 52%

Directional

5Japan 72 million unaffiliated in 2023, 57%

Single source

6United States 100 million unaffiliated in 2023, 29%

Verified

7Global Jews: 14.7 million in 2020, 0.2%

Verified

82023 Jewish population: 15.7 million

Verified

9Israel 6.8 million Jews in 2023, 74%

Directional

10United States 5.7 million Jews in 2023

Single source

11Folk religions 430 million in 2020, 6%

Verified

12Chinese folk religions 394 million in 2023

Verified

13African traditional religions 100 million in 2023

Verified

14Sikhs 25 million globally in 2020

Directional

15India 23 million Sikhs in 2023, 1.7%

Single source

16Canada 770,000 Sikhs in 2023, 2%

Verified

17Other religions total 61 million in 2020, 1%

Verified

18Baha'is 8 million worldwide in 2023

Verified

19Jains 4.5 million, mostly India 2023

Directional

20Shintoists 2-4 million in Japan 2023

Single source

21Zoroastrians under 200,000 globally 2023

Verified

Other and Unaffiliated Interpretation

While China and Japan are quietly leading a secular majority movement, the world's religious landscape is otherwise a stubbornly stable tapestry where, despite massive population growth, the pie slices of belief are barely budging, proving that faith and identity are far stickier than the latest headlines suggest.