GITNUXREPORT 2026

World Religion Statistics

World religions vary greatly in their global distributions and projected growth.

Rajesh Patel

Team Lead & Senior Researcher with over 15 years of experience in market research and data analytics.

First published: Feb 13, 2026

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Statistic 1

As of 2020, Christianity has approximately 2.382 billion adherents worldwide, representing 31.1% of the global population.

Statistic 2

Islam counts around 1.908 billion followers in 2020, accounting for 24.9% of the world's population.

Statistic 3

There are about 1.193 billion religiously unaffiliated people globally in 2020, comprising 15.6% of the population.

Statistic 4

Hinduism has roughly 1.161 billion adherents as of 2020, making up 15.2% of the global total.

Statistic 5

Buddhism is followed by approximately 506.6 million people worldwide in 2020, or 6.6% of the population.

Statistic 6

Folk religions have around 430 million adherents in 2020, representing 5.6% globally.

Statistic 7

Sikhs number about 25.7 million worldwide in 2020, or 0.3% of the population.

Statistic 8

Jews total approximately 14.7 million globally in 2020, equating to 0.2%.

Statistic 9

Other religions combined have 61 million adherents in 2020, or 0.8%.

Statistic 10

In the United States, Christians make up 65% of adults as of 2021.

Statistic 11

Muslims constitute 77% of India's population according to the 2011 census, totaling 172 million.

Statistic 12

In Indonesia, 87% of the population is Muslim, about 229 million in 2020.

Statistic 13

Hindus form 79.8% of India's 1.21 billion population per 2011 census.

Statistic 14

Buddhists comprise 0.7% of the global population, with major concentrations in Asia.

Statistic 15

In China, folk religions are practiced by an estimated 21% of the population in 2020.

Statistic 16

The global Jewish population stands at 15.2 million in 2023, including 7 million in Israel.

Statistic 17

Shinto adherents number about 2-4 million primarily in Japan.

Statistic 18

In Europe, Christians account for 71% of the population in 2010.

Statistic 19

Sub-Saharan Africa's Christian population is 63% as of 2020.

Statistic 20

Latin America's religiously unaffiliated rose to 8% by 2014.

Statistic 21

As of 2020, 84% of the world's population identifies with a religion.

Statistic 22

In 2010, Latin America had 531 million Christians, 90% of population.

Statistic 23

Europe's unaffiliated rose from 19% in 2010 to 25% in 2020.

Statistic 24

Sub-Saharan Africa folk religions: 8% of population.

Statistic 25

Global Sikh population concentrated 75% in India.

Statistic 26

72% of world's Hindus pray daily.

Statistic 27

98% of Muslims pray five times a day globally.

Statistic 28

63% of Christians worldwide attend church weekly.

Statistic 29

Hajj pilgrimage attracts 2.5 million Muslims annually to Mecca pre-COVID.

Statistic 30

Diwali celebrated by over 1 billion Hindus yearly.

Statistic 31

Vesak (Buddha's birthday) observed by 500 million Buddhists.

Statistic 32

84% of the world believes in God or higher power.

Statistic 33

Ramadan fasting participated by 93% of Muslims.

Statistic 34

Eucharist/Communion practiced by 70% of Christians regularly.

Statistic 35

Meditation practiced by 40% of US Buddhists weekly.

Statistic 36

Yoga practiced by 300 million people globally, rooted in Hinduism.

Statistic 37

Christmas celebrated by 2.3 billion Christians annually.

Statistic 38

Belief in reincarnation held by 33% of Americans.

Statistic 39

61% of Hindus in India believe in karma.

Statistic 40

Sikh langar (community kitchen) serves 100 million meals yearly.

Statistic 41

Jewish Passover Seder observed by 80% of US Jews.

Statistic 42

Global Bible sales exceed 100 million copies annually.

Statistic 43

Quran memorized by 10 million hafiz worldwide.

Statistic 44

52% of world adults read religious texts weekly.

Statistic 45

Kumbh Mela, largest religious gathering, attracts 120 million in 2019.

Statistic 46

65% of global Christians believe Jesus is God incarnate.

Statistic 47

89% of Muslims worldwide fast during Ramadan.

Statistic 48

Christians are 31% in Asia-Pacific region as of 2020.

Statistic 49

Middle East-North Africa is 93% Muslim in 2020.

Statistic 50

Europe has 26% unaffiliated population in 2020.

Statistic 51

South Asia is 76% Hindu-dominated.

Statistic 52

Southeast Asia has 42% Muslims, highest concentration outside MENA.

Statistic 53

Sub-Saharan Africa: 62% Christian, 30% Muslim in 2020.

Statistic 54

North America: 77% Christian in 2020.

Statistic 55

Latin America: 84% Christian, mostly Catholic.

Statistic 56

China hosts 44% of world's unaffiliated at 700 million.

Statistic 57

India has 94% of global Hindus, 1.1 billion.

Statistic 58

Japan: 69% folk religion/Buddhist syncretism.

Statistic 59

Israel: 74% Jewish population in 2023.

Statistic 60

Nigeria: 50% Muslim, 40% Christian split.

Statistic 61

Brazil: 88% Christian in 2010 census.

Statistic 62

Russia: 71% Orthodox Christian identify.

Statistic 63

Ethiopia: 63% Christian, 34% Muslim.

Statistic 64

Thailand: 93% Buddhist.

Statistic 65

Germany: 55% Christian in 2021.

Statistic 66

Australia: 52% no religion in 2021 census.

Statistic 67

Japan unaffiliated at 60% in 2020.

Statistic 68

Pakistan 96% Muslim.

Statistic 69

Philippines 86% Catholic.

Statistic 70

South Korea 29% Christian.

Statistic 71

Iran 99% Muslim, 90% Shia.

Statistic 72

Vietnam 81% folk religion/Buddhist.

Statistic 73

In 2050, Muslims are projected to number 2.76 billion, 29.7% of world population.

Statistic 74

Christianity's share is expected to decline to 31.4% by 2050 from 31.7% in 2010.

Statistic 75

The unaffiliated population will grow to 1.23 billion by 2050 but drop to 13% share.

Statistic 76

Hindus projected to reach 1.4 billion by 2050, maintaining 15% of global population.

Statistic 77

Buddhism expected to decline slightly to 486 million by 2050, 5% share.

Statistic 78

Folk religions to grow to 456 million by 2050, 4.9% of population.

Statistic 79

Islam's growth rate is 1.68% annually from 2010-2050, highest among major groups.

Statistic 80

Christianity grows at 1.38% per year through 2050.

Statistic 81

Unaffiliated growth slows to 0.1% annually post-2020.

Statistic 82

By 2050, India will have the largest Muslim population at 310 million.

Statistic 83

Nigeria projected to have more Christians than any other country by 2060.

Statistic 84

Europe's Christian population to fall from 553 million in 2010 to 454 million in 2050.

Statistic 85

Sub-Saharan Africa to host 38% of global Christians by 2050.

Statistic 86

Asia-Pacific's unaffiliated to reach 61% of global nones by 2050.

Statistic 87

Iran's Muslim fertility rate at 1.6 births per woman in 2020, below replacement.

Statistic 88

Pentecostals expected to grow to 619 million by 2050.

Statistic 89

In the US, religiously unaffiliated projected to surpass Catholics by 2030.

Statistic 90

Global Muslim population growth driven 70% by demographics, 30% conversions.

Statistic 91

Hinduism's growth mainly from population increase in India.

Statistic 92

Buddhism stable due to low fertility in key countries like Japan.

Statistic 93

By 2050, Muslims to nearly equal Christians at 2.76 vs 2.92 billion.

Statistic 94

India's Hindu population to grow 34% by 2050.

Statistic 95

US Christian share down from 78% in 2007 to 63% in 2021.

Statistic 96

Pentecostalism growing at 2.4% annually in Africa.

Statistic 97

Asia to have 1 billion Muslims by 2050.

Statistic 98

North America Christian population stable at 266 million to 2050.

Statistic 99

Catholicism has 1.329 billion members worldwide in 2020.

Statistic 100

Sunni Muslims number 1.6 billion, 87-90% of all Muslims.

Statistic 101

Shia Muslims: 200 million, 10-13% globally.

Statistic 102

Protestants: 900 million worldwide in 2020.

Statistic 103

Eastern Orthodox: 260 million adherents.

Statistic 104

Pentecostals/Charismatics: 644 million globally.

Statistic 105

Vaishnavism is the largest Hindu tradition with 340 million followers.

Statistic 106

Shaivism: 250 million Hindus.

Statistic 107

Theravada Buddhism: 150 million, mainly SE Asia.

Statistic 108

Mahayana Buddhism: 350 million.

Statistic 109

Jehovah's Witnesses: 8.7 million active members in 2023.

Statistic 110

Seventh-day Adventists: 22 million members.

Statistic 111

Ahmadiyya Muslims: 10-20 million worldwide.

Statistic 112

Sufism practiced by 5-10% of Muslims, no formal count.

Statistic 113

Latter-day Saints (Mormons): 17 million members.

Statistic 114

In Hinduism, Smartism sect has 10% share.

Statistic 115

Vajrayana Buddhism: 20 million, mainly Tibet.

Statistic 116

Oriental Orthodox: 62 million Christians.

Statistic 117

Anglican Communion: 85 million members.

Statistic 118

Baha'i Faith: 5-8 million adherents.

Statistic 119

55% of US Christians identify as Protestant in 2021.

Statistic 120

In India, 79% Hindus follow Vaishnavism or Shaivism.

Statistic 121

Theravada dominant in Sri Lanka at 70% Buddhists.

Statistic 122

Sunni make up 90% of Indonesia's Muslims.

Statistic 123

Sunni Islam 85-90% in sub-Saharan Africa Muslims.

Statistic 124

Shaktism Hindu sect: 30% of Hindus.

Statistic 125

Lutheran World Federation: 77 million members.

Statistic 126

Ismaili Shia: 15 million.

Statistic 127

Zen Buddhism subset of Mahayana: 10 million.

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While Christians and Muslims together account for over half of humanity, the tapestry of world religions is a vast and vibrant mosaic of billions of beliefs, rituals, and global trends that will shape our shared future.

Key Takeaways

As of 2020, Christianity has approximately 2.382 billion adherents worldwide, representing 31.1% of the global population.
Islam counts around 1.908 billion followers in 2020, accounting for 24.9% of the world's population.
There are about 1.193 billion religiously unaffiliated people globally in 2020, comprising 15.6% of the population.
In 2050, Muslims are projected to number 2.76 billion, 29.7% of world population.
Christianity's share is expected to decline to 31.4% by 2050 from 31.7% in 2010.
The unaffiliated population will grow to 1.23 billion by 2050 but drop to 13% share.
Christians are 31% in Asia-Pacific region as of 2020.
Middle East-North Africa is 93% Muslim in 2020.
Europe has 26% unaffiliated population in 2020.
Catholicism has 1.329 billion members worldwide in 2020.
Sunni Muslims number 1.6 billion, 87-90% of all Muslims.
Shia Muslims: 200 million, 10-13% globally.
72% of world's Hindus pray daily.
98% of Muslims pray five times a day globally.
63% of Christians worldwide attend church weekly.

World religions vary greatly in their global distributions and projected growth.

Adherents and Demographics

As of 2020, Christianity has approximately 2.382 billion adherents worldwide, representing 31.1% of the global population.
Islam counts around 1.908 billion followers in 2020, accounting for 24.9% of the world's population.
There are about 1.193 billion religiously unaffiliated people globally in 2020, comprising 15.6% of the population.
Hinduism has roughly 1.161 billion adherents as of 2020, making up 15.2% of the global total.
Buddhism is followed by approximately 506.6 million people worldwide in 2020, or 6.6% of the population.
Folk religions have around 430 million adherents in 2020, representing 5.6% globally.
Sikhs number about 25.7 million worldwide in 2020, or 0.3% of the population.
Jews total approximately 14.7 million globally in 2020, equating to 0.2%.
Other religions combined have 61 million adherents in 2020, or 0.8%.
In the United States, Christians make up 65% of adults as of 2021.
Muslims constitute 77% of India's population according to the 2011 census, totaling 172 million.
In Indonesia, 87% of the population is Muslim, about 229 million in 2020.
Hindus form 79.8% of India's 1.21 billion population per 2011 census.
Buddhists comprise 0.7% of the global population, with major concentrations in Asia.
In China, folk religions are practiced by an estimated 21% of the population in 2020.
The global Jewish population stands at 15.2 million in 2023, including 7 million in Israel.
Shinto adherents number about 2-4 million primarily in Japan.
In Europe, Christians account for 71% of the population in 2010.
Sub-Saharan Africa's Christian population is 63% as of 2020.
Latin America's religiously unaffiliated rose to 8% by 2014.
As of 2020, 84% of the world's population identifies with a religion.
In 2010, Latin America had 531 million Christians, 90% of population.
Europe's unaffiliated rose from 19% in 2010 to 25% in 2020.
Sub-Saharan Africa folk religions: 8% of population.
Global Sikh population concentrated 75% in India.

Adherents and Demographics Interpretation

It appears the divine committee still hasn't settled on a standard-issue afterlife, as humanity is currently field-testing a wide array of faiths, with Christianity and Islam in the lead for now, yet a significant portion is opting out of the trial altogether.

Beliefs, Practices, and Events

72% of world's Hindus pray daily.
98% of Muslims pray five times a day globally.
63% of Christians worldwide attend church weekly.
Hajj pilgrimage attracts 2.5 million Muslims annually to Mecca pre-COVID.
Diwali celebrated by over 1 billion Hindus yearly.
Vesak (Buddha's birthday) observed by 500 million Buddhists.
84% of the world believes in God or higher power.
Ramadan fasting participated by 93% of Muslims.
Eucharist/Communion practiced by 70% of Christians regularly.
Meditation practiced by 40% of US Buddhists weekly.
Yoga practiced by 300 million people globally, rooted in Hinduism.
Christmas celebrated by 2.3 billion Christians annually.
Belief in reincarnation held by 33% of Americans.
61% of Hindus in India believe in karma.
Sikh langar (community kitchen) serves 100 million meals yearly.
Jewish Passover Seder observed by 80% of US Jews.
Global Bible sales exceed 100 million copies annually.
Quran memorized by 10 million hafiz worldwide.
52% of world adults read religious texts weekly.
Kumbh Mela, largest religious gathering, attracts 120 million in 2019.
65% of global Christians believe Jesus is God incarnate.
89% of Muslims worldwide fast during Ramadan.

Beliefs, Practices, and Events Interpretation

While the statistics reveal diverse expressions of faith, they collectively suggest that a majority of humanity, in its own rhythm, is persistently reaching for something beyond itself.

Geographic Distribution

Christians are 31% in Asia-Pacific region as of 2020.
Middle East-North Africa is 93% Muslim in 2020.
Europe has 26% unaffiliated population in 2020.
South Asia is 76% Hindu-dominated.
Southeast Asia has 42% Muslims, highest concentration outside MENA.
Sub-Saharan Africa: 62% Christian, 30% Muslim in 2020.
North America: 77% Christian in 2020.
Latin America: 84% Christian, mostly Catholic.
China hosts 44% of world's unaffiliated at 700 million.
India has 94% of global Hindus, 1.1 billion.
Japan: 69% folk religion/Buddhist syncretism.
Israel: 74% Jewish population in 2023.
Nigeria: 50% Muslim, 40% Christian split.
Brazil: 88% Christian in 2010 census.
Russia: 71% Orthodox Christian identify.
Ethiopia: 63% Christian, 34% Muslim.
Thailand: 93% Buddhist.
Germany: 55% Christian in 2021.
Australia: 52% no religion in 2021 census.
Japan unaffiliated at 60% in 2020.
Pakistan 96% Muslim.
Philippines 86% Catholic.
South Korea 29% Christian.
Iran 99% Muslim, 90% Shia.
Vietnam 81% folk religion/Buddhist.

Geographic Distribution Interpretation

It appears the world has largely split the divine real estate into familiar franchises, with notable local management, yet China's secular skyscraper and Japan's spiritual DIY project are quite the architectural exceptions.

Growth Rates and Projections

In 2050, Muslims are projected to number 2.76 billion, 29.7% of world population.
Christianity's share is expected to decline to 31.4% by 2050 from 31.7% in 2010.
The unaffiliated population will grow to 1.23 billion by 2050 but drop to 13% share.
Hindus projected to reach 1.4 billion by 2050, maintaining 15% of global population.
Buddhism expected to decline slightly to 486 million by 2050, 5% share.
Folk religions to grow to 456 million by 2050, 4.9% of population.
Islam's growth rate is 1.68% annually from 2010-2050, highest among major groups.
Christianity grows at 1.38% per year through 2050.
Unaffiliated growth slows to 0.1% annually post-2020.
By 2050, India will have the largest Muslim population at 310 million.
Nigeria projected to have more Christians than any other country by 2060.
Europe's Christian population to fall from 553 million in 2010 to 454 million in 2050.
Sub-Saharan Africa to host 38% of global Christians by 2050.
Asia-Pacific's unaffiliated to reach 61% of global nones by 2050.
Iran's Muslim fertility rate at 1.6 births per woman in 2020, below replacement.
Pentecostals expected to grow to 619 million by 2050.
In the US, religiously unaffiliated projected to surpass Catholics by 2030.
Global Muslim population growth driven 70% by demographics, 30% conversions.
Hinduism's growth mainly from population increase in India.
Buddhism stable due to low fertility in key countries like Japan.
By 2050, Muslims to nearly equal Christians at 2.76 vs 2.92 billion.
India's Hindu population to grow 34% by 2050.
US Christian share down from 78% in 2007 to 63% in 2021.
Pentecostalism growing at 2.4% annually in Africa.
Asia to have 1 billion Muslims by 2050.
North America Christian population stable at 266 million to 2050.

Growth Rates and Projections Interpretation

In 2050, Christianity and Islam will be locked in a demographic tie for first, but the real winner is geography, as the faithful masses continue their decisive migration from the Global North to the Global South.

Major Sects and Denominations

Catholicism has 1.329 billion members worldwide in 2020.
Sunni Muslims number 1.6 billion, 87-90% of all Muslims.
Shia Muslims: 200 million, 10-13% globally.
Protestants: 900 million worldwide in 2020.
Eastern Orthodox: 260 million adherents.
Pentecostals/Charismatics: 644 million globally.
Vaishnavism is the largest Hindu tradition with 340 million followers.
Shaivism: 250 million Hindus.
Theravada Buddhism: 150 million, mainly SE Asia.
Mahayana Buddhism: 350 million.
Jehovah's Witnesses: 8.7 million active members in 2023.
Seventh-day Adventists: 22 million members.
Ahmadiyya Muslims: 10-20 million worldwide.
Sufism practiced by 5-10% of Muslims, no formal count.
Latter-day Saints (Mormons): 17 million members.
In Hinduism, Smartism sect has 10% share.
Vajrayana Buddhism: 20 million, mainly Tibet.
Oriental Orthodox: 62 million Christians.
Anglican Communion: 85 million members.
Baha'i Faith: 5-8 million adherents.
55% of US Christians identify as Protestant in 2021.
In India, 79% Hindus follow Vaishnavism or Shaivism.
Theravada dominant in Sri Lanka at 70% Buddhists.
Sunni make up 90% of Indonesia's Muslims.
Sunni Islam 85-90% in sub-Saharan Africa Muslims.
Shaktism Hindu sect: 30% of Hindus.
Lutheran World Federation: 77 million members.
Ismaili Shia: 15 million.
Zen Buddhism subset of Mahayana: 10 million.

Major Sects and Denominations Interpretation

It seems the world is having one very long and complicated family reunion, where the guest list is still being debated, but everyone's trying to make sure they're counted for the group photo.

Sources & References

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