Largest Religions in the World
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Religions often define a culture’s behaviors, morals and customs, affecting all walks of life. Music, art, marriage, funerals, holiday celebrations — you name it, religion often casts its influence one way or another. And that's not to mention, religious places of worship are some of the most-visited among locals and tourists alike.
But when it comes to religions of the world, how many do you know? There are hundreds of religions that you have likely never even heard of. These religions date as far back as several-thousand years to as recently as just 60 years ago. There are religions that are concentrated in a very small portion of the globe and ones that have adherents (or followers) in the majority of the world's countries.
So which ones are the world’s most popular? We took a look at the top 20 most-practiced religions across the globe and broke them down for you to see just how popular they are, where they are practiced and what makes each of them unique. Do you see your chosen faith on the list?
20. Rastafarianism
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Number of adherents: 600,000
Percentage of all religions: .01%
Countries it’s most popular in:
- Jamaica
- Anglophone Caribbean
- United States
- Canada
- United Kingdom
- Australia
- New Zealand
- Anglophone parts of Africa
* Religion demographics came from Pew Research Center.
About Rastafarianism
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Rastafarianism was born in Jamaica following the coronation of Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie I in 1930. The movement is spiritual and rooted in the belief that Selassie is of divine power. The roots can be traced to the 18th century when Ethiopianism and Pan-Africanism emphasized an idealized Africa, especially during the time of slavery. Selassie is believed to be a descendant of King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba. Jamaican preachers began speaking of him as the ruling authority over King George V, back when Jamaica was a colony of England.
Modern Rastafarians believe in the Christian God, called Jah. They believe Christ came to Earth, though Emperor Selassie is regarded as the messiah and rebirth of Christ. To be Rastafarian means to believe that you are being tested by God, and Rastas await their deliverance from captivity and their return to Zion, the symbolic name for Africa. This one might be more familiar to some because Bob Marley used his music to bring global attention to the religion.
19. Unitarian Universalism
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Number of adherents: 800,000
Percentage of all religions: .01%
Countries it’s most popular in:
- United States
- Philippines
- Canada
- U.S. Virgin Islands
About Unitarian Universalism
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Stemmed from the Protestant Reformation, Unitarian Universalism began in Poland and Eastern Europe in the 16th century. It moved to England by the mid 17th century. Today, there are about 1,000 congregations in North America. The North American church is much more about “humanism” than theism.
Today, the religion encompasses Christians, Jews, Buddhists, humanists, neopagans and more. The foundation of North American Unitarianism rests on the unity of God and rejection of the Trinity, the importance of reason in understanding the Bible, the importance of human nature in discovering religious truths, God as having a loving nature and the rejection of original sin. The religion has also been influenced by philosophies from Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau.
18. Neopaganism
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Number of adherents: 1 million
Percentage of all adherents: .01%
Countries it’s most popular in:
- Ireland
- Latin Europe
- Scandinavia
- United Kingdom
- Baltics
- United States
- Australia
About Neopaganism
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Neopaganism is represented by a large variety of movements and organizations, though the largest of them is the Wicca movement. Second is the Neo-Druidism religion. Both were introduced during the 20th century in Great Britain. Wicca was introduced by Gerald Gardner in 1964. It is a modern Pagan religion with no central authority figure. There are many variations, and even those are divided into sects and denominations that are referred to as traditions.
The religion typically worships a Goddess and a God, like the Moon Goddess and the Horned God. Celebrations revolve around the cycles of the moon. Many Wiccans believe in magic, and ritual practices are often part of the tradition. Wiccans believe that they are positive forces against the powers of destruction that threaten the world.
17. Tenrikyo
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Number of adherents: 2 million
Percentage of all religions: .02%
Countries it’s most popular in:
- Japan
- United States
- Colombia
- Philippines
- United Kingdom
About Tenrikyo
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One of the newer Japanese religions, Tenrikyo is neither monotheistic or polytheistic. It is based on the teachings of a woman named Nakayama Miki, who her followers refer to as Oyasama. Tenrikyo followers believe in Tsukihi, which is the God of Origin, and Ogamisama, God the Parent, who revealed themselves to Oyasama and other leaders.
The aim of the religion is to promote the Joyous Life, which is achieved through charitable acts. Joyous Life is absent of greed, selfishness, hatred, anger and arrogance. Many of the principles rely on causality, which is a karmic belief.
16. Zoroastrianism
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Number of adherents: 2.6 million
Percentage of all religions: .02%
Countries it’s most popular in:
About Zoroastrianism
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This ancient Persian religion has roots that trace as far back as 4,000 years. Some say it's even more ancient than Judaism. Zoroastrianism was the state religion of three Persian empires until the Muslim conquest of Persia in the seventh century. It began with the prophet Zoroaster, who is considered to be the founder of the religion. He is said to have been born in northeastern Iran or southwestern Afghanistan and lived in a tribe that followed a polytheistic religion, similar to Hinduism.
The religion helped to shape the Persian Empire, and its beliefs were widespread across Asia via the Silk Road. Concepts include the idea of a single god, heaven, hell and a Judgment Day. It relies heavily on fire and water symbols, and each temple contains an altar with an eternal flame.
15. Cao Dai
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Number of adherents: 4 million
Percentage of all religions: .04%
Countries it’s most popular in:
About Cao Dai
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Caodaism is a monotheistic religion that was established in Southern Vietnam in the 1920s. Cao Dai translates to Highest Power and is the guardian deity that followers believe created the universe. The first to receive messages from Cao Dai was Ngo Van Chieu, a head of the French administration in Cochinchina. Followers believe that in 1925 God identified himself to the first group of Cao Dai mediums, who continued to play integral roles in the growth of the religion.
According to the doctrine of the religion, God and humanity are destined to unite and establish faith for the salvation of living beings before the apocalypse. Through its teachings, Caodaism says that God speaks through prophets, but these messages have been ignored as humans select worldly pleasures instead. Caodaists believe that people have a duty to themselves, their family and society. They renounce riches and luxury, believe in one god and strive for harmony with their environment.
14. Shintoism
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Number of adherents: 4 million
Percentage of all religions: .04%
Countries it’s most popular in:
About Shintoism
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Shinto refers to the indigenous religious beliefs from Japan. It came into being to help distinguish the native Japanese beliefs from Buddhism, which came to Japan in the sixth century. There is no founder of Shintoism. Its principles rely on the connection with the Japanese value system. There isn't much known about its origins, but it was established that society consisted of clans, and the head of each clan was in charge of worshiping the clan's ujigami, or guardian deity. Ancient Shinto was polytheistic.
When Buddhism was introduced in 552, the two started to fuse characteristics. For example, shrines for Shinto gods were built within Buddhist temples. At the core of Shinto beliefs is the attitude of being true of heart, sincere, pure and upright. It encourages people to do their best in the work they have chosen or in their relationships with others.
13. Jainism
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Number of adherents: 4.2 million
Percentage of all religions: .04%
Countries it’s most popular in:
- India: 0.3%
- Suriname: 0.3%
- Fiji: 0.2%
- Kenya: 0.2%
- Nepal: 0.1%
About Jainism
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Jainism is a religion founded in India that teaches a path to enlightenment through nonviolence to all living things. It is one of the oldest Indian religions, alongside Hinduism and Buddhism. There are many similarities between Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism; however, Jains believe that their tradition does not have a historical founder.
Jains believe that no one can achieve liberation in this lifetime because corruption is everywhere. The goal is to completely purify the soul, which only happens when our souls are free from our physical bodies. Through karma, people can achieve full self-realization and freedom of the soul. Jain doctrine states that all phenomena are linked in a chain of cause and effect. At the very base of it, Jains must show kindness to every living thing.
12. Baha’i
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Number of adherents: 7 million
Percentage of all religions: .07%
Countries it’s most popular in:
- Belize: 2.5%
- Bolivia: 2.2%
- Zambia: 1.8%
- Mauritius: 1.8%
- Guyana: 1.6%
- Vanuatu: 1.4%
- Barbados: 1.2%
- Trinidad and Tobago: 1.2%
- Panama: 1.2%
- Kenya: 1.0%
- Lesotho: 0.9%
- Papua New Guinea: 0.9%
- Reunion: 0.9%
- Chad: 0.9%
- Botswana: 0.8%
- Gambia: 0.8%
- Suriname: 0.8%
- Republic of the Congo: 0.6%
- Solomon Islands: 0.6%
- Venezuela: 0.6%
About Baha’i
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Born out of what is now Iran in 1844, the Baha'i faith grew out of the Shi'ite branch of Islam. Started by a young man who called himself The Bab, he proclaimed that a messenger would arrive from God, who would be the next prophet. His teachings spread rapidly, though were viewed as heretical by the government of Persia, and more than 20,000 of his followers were brutally executed during that time. The Bab was also executed in the year 1850.
A nobleman, named Mirza Husayn Ali, gave up his life of privilege to become one of the leaders of the religion. Over the course of his life, he gained a substantial following, even though he was forced to live in exile. In his will, he named his son as the head of the faith and interpreter of God's teachings. The succession has remained in the family since. In 1963, the Universal House of Justice was elected to direct the affairs of the worldwide Baha'i community.
11. Judaism
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Number of adherents: 14 million
Percentage of all religions: 0.18%
Countries it’s most popular in:
- Israel: 73.6%
- Gibraltar: 2.0%
- United States: 1.76%
- Canada: 1.07%
- France: 0.7%
- Hungary: 0.485%
- Uruguay: 0.483%
- Australia: 0.47%
- United Kingdom: 0.44%
- Argentina: 0.41%
- U.S. Virgin Islands: 0.36%
- Belgium: 0.259%
- Panama: 0.250%
- Latvia: 0.24%
- Switzerland: 0.22%
- Netherlands: 0.17%
- New Zealand: 0.16%
- Estonia: 0.154%
- Bermuda: 0.154%
- Sweden: 0.152%
About Judaism
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Have you ever wondered what the world's oldest monotheistic religion is? Turns out, it's Judaism — even though it is one of the least widely practiced religions in the world. Essential to the Jewish faith is the belief in one God who has built a covenant, or agreement, with his people. God communicates through prophets, rewards good deeds and punishes evil ones. Unlike Christianity or Islam, Judaism believes that their Messiah has not yet arrived.
According to Jewish history, God first presented himself to a man called Abraham, who became known as the father of Judaism. It was with Abraham that God made his covenant. Abraham had a son Isaac and one son Jacob, but Jacob took the name Israel, and thus his people became known as Israelites. Throughout history, Jewish people have been persecuted for their religious beliefs, which over time led to the creation of Israel. There are various sects of Judaism, ranging from liberal to highly conservative.
10. Spiritism
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Number of adherents: 15 million
Percentage of all religions: 0.19%
Countries it’s most popular in:
- Cuba: 10.3%
- Jamaica: 10.2%
- Brazil: 4.8%
- Suriname: 3.6%
- Haiti: 2.7%
- Dominican Republic: 2.2%
- The Bahamas: 1.9%
- Nicaragua: 1.5%
- Trinidad and Tobago: 1.4%
- Guyana: 1.3%
- Venezuela: 1.1%
- Colombia: 1.0%
- Belize: 1.0%
- Honduras: 0.9%
- Puerto Rico: 0.7%
- Panama: 0.5%
- Iceland: 0.5%
- Guadeloupe: 0.4%
- Argentina: 0.2%
- Guatemala: 0.2%
About Spiritism
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Spiritism is a philosophy that began in the 1800s by a French educator named Hippolyte Leon Denizard Rivail, though he went by the name Allan Kardec. The philosophy of Spiritism says that humans and other living creatures are immortal spirits that temporarily inhabit a physical body. It also relies heavily on the belief that spirits without bodies still exist in the physical world. Kardec developed his theory after reported observations during seances.
Spiritism does believe in a god. It also holds the tenet that spirits can communicate with living people and that other planets in the universe are inhabited. Mediums are the people who help communicate between the physical world and the spiritual world. Today, Spiritism has a presence all over the world, but the majority of its followers live in Latin America and the Caribbean.
9. Sikhism
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Number of adherents: 30 million
Percentage of all religions: 0.37%
Countries it’s most popular in:
- India: 1.9%
- United Kingdom: 1.2%
- Canada 0.9%
- Malaysia: 0.5%
- Fiji: 0.3%
- Singapore: 0.3%
- United States: 0.2%
- New Zealand: 0.2%
- Australia: 0.1%
- Italy: 0.1%
About Sikhism
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Sikhism originates from the Punjab state in India, where about 61 percent of the population adheres to the Sikh religion. While Sikhs have emigrated all over the world, Punjab is the only place where they hold the majority of the population. The Sikh faith dates back only as far as 1500, when a man named Guru Nanak began teaching a faith that was different from Hinduism and Islam.
Sikhs are monotheists, believing in only one god, unlike Hindus who have beliefs that span across many different belief systems. Today, a true religious Sikh identifies as one who serves the community around them, as well as cultivating their own spiritual self.
8. African Traditional Religions
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Number of adherents: ~100 million
Percentage of all religions: 1%
Countries they're most popular in:
- Congo
- Kenya
- Tanzania
- Uganda
- Ethiopia
- Zambia
- Malawi
- South Africa
- Ghana
- Ivory Coast
- Benin
- Togo
- Nigeria
- Cameroon
- Benin
- Burkina Faso
- Niger
- Senegal
- Gambia
- Mauritania
About African Traditional Religions
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The traditional religions of Africa are among some of the oldest in the world, and while they are all greatly different from one another, they have a few things in common. First, these traditions are oral, meaning they are passed down by word of mouth, rather than in scripture. Many of them also have a system of deities, including higher and lower gods, such as a supreme creator and then a council of other spirits.
Animism is a core of many African religions as well, which includes worshipping ancestors and beings in nature. Many of them also hold a belief in the afterlife. Deities are honored through sacrifice of animals, libations, and presentation of food, flowers and semi-precious stones. The Sub-Saharan Africa religions are spread among 43 countries.
7. Ethnic and Indigenous Religions
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Number of adherents: ~170 million
Percentage of all religions: 1.7%
Countries they're most popular in:
- Haiti: 50%
- Guinea-Bissau: 50%
- Cameroon: 40%
- Togo: 33%
- Côte d'Ivoire: 25%
- Sudan: 25%
- Benin: 23%
- Burundi: 20%
- Burkina Faso: 15%
- New Zealand: 15%
- South Africa: 15%
- Democratic Republic of the Congo: 12%
- Central African Republic: 10%
- Gabon: 10%
- Lesotho: 10%
- Nigeria: 10%
- Sierra Leone: 10%
- Indonesia: 9%
- Kenya: 9%
- Palau: 9%
About Ethnic and Indigenous Religions
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Ethnic religions are those that are indigenous to a culture and are seen as a defining part of that culture, language and customs. These religions can be found across all of the continents, especially in communities that have been affected by colonialism.
They are different from religions like Christianity, Islam and Buddhism in that they do not seek converts. Some examples of ethnic or indigenous religions include African traditions, the Shinto of Japan, the Maya of Mexico, among many, many others.
6. Chinese Traditional Religion
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Number of adherents: ~300 million
Percentage of all religions: 3%
Countries it’s most popular in:
- Taiwan: 33-80%
- China: 30%
- Hong Kong: 28%
- Macau: 13.9%
- Singapore: 8.5%
- Malaysia: 2.6%
- South Korea: 0.2-1%
- Philippines: 0.01%-0.05%
- Indonesia: 0.05%
About Chinese Traditional Religion
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Chinese folk religion is the most popular form of religion throughout China and Taiwan. The beliefs rely heavily on nature, ancestors, and the dispelling of harmful forces, spirits and gods.
During the 11th century, these beliefs were melded with Buddhist ideas as well as Taoist teachings, which now make up the principles of the modern-day iteration of Chinese folk religion. One concept you might be familiar with surrounding Chinese folk religion is that of yin and yang, which describes the order of the universe.
5. Buddhism
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Number of adherents: 521 million
Percentage of all religions: 6.9%
Countries it’s most popular in:
- Cambodia: 96.9%
- Thailand: 93.2%
- Myanmar: 80.1%
- Bhutan: 74.70%
- Sri Lanka: 69.3%
- Laos: 66.0%
- Mongolia: 55.1%
- Japan: 36.2%
- Taiwan: 35.1%
- Singapore: 33.2%
- South Korea: 22.9%
- Malaysia: 19.8%
- China: 18.2%
- Macau: 17.3%
- Vietnam: 16.4%
- Hong Kong: 13.2%
- Nepal: 10.3%
About Buddhism
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The history of Buddhism can be traced back to Siddhartha Gautama, "Buddha" himself, who founded the religion more than 2,500 years ago in India. Siddhartha Gautama was born as a prince in present-day Nepal and gave up his royal lifestyle, seeking to live a life without indulgences but also without deprivation. After his passing around 483 B.C., his followers organized the movement that evolved into Buddhism.
Buddhism's principles involve focusing on living life in such a way to achieve enlightenment, which is a state of inner peace. There is no focus on a supreme god or deity. Once followers have reached this spiritual plane, they are said to have reached Nirvana. To reach enlightenment, followers of Buddhism must live their lives morally, using meditation and wisdom to help awaken truth. The most important teachings of Buddhism are known as the Four Noble Truths. Like Hinduism, Buddhists believe in karma as well as reincarnation.
4. Hinduism
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Number of adherents: 1.15 billion
Percentage of all religions: 15.1%
Countries it’s most popular in:
- Nepal: 81.3%
- India: 79.8%
- Mauritius: 48.54%
- Fiji: 27.9%
- Bhutan: 25%
- Guyana: 24.8%
- Suriname: 22.3%
- Trinidad and Tobago: 18.2%
- United Arab Emirates: 15%
- Sri Lanka: 12.6%
- Kuwait: 12%
- Bangladesh: 9.6%
- Bahrain: 8.1%
- Reunion: 6.7%
- Malaysia: 6.3%
- Singapore: 5.1%
- Oman: 3%
- Seychelles: 2.1%
- New Zealand: 2.0%
- Pakistan: 1.8%
About Hinduism
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If you were wondering what the world's oldest religion is, meet Hinduism. The roots of Hinduism stretch back more than 4,000 years. Unlike Christianity and Islam, there is no one founder of Hinduism. In fact, it's not a single religion at all, but one that is made up of many different beliefs. At the core, Hinduism is referred to as a “way of life,” as opposed to a religion. Most forms of Hinduism worship a single God, Brahman, but recognize other gods and goddesses. Hindus believe in reincarnation as well.
Most scholars believe Hinduism originated near modern-day Pakistan. Hinduism relies heavily on the concept of karma and dharma. Karma is the universal law of cause and effect, in that people's actions and thoughts determine their current and future lives. Dharma is what all Hindus strive to achieve, which is a code of living that is rooted in morality and balance.
3. Atheism
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Number of adherents: 1.2 billion
Percentage of all religions: 16%
Countries it’s most popular in:
- Estonia: 77%
- Czech Republic: 76%
- Japan: 76%
- Denmark: 72%
- Sweden: 64%
- Vietnam: 63%
- Macau: 62%
- Hong Kong: 57%
- France: 54%
- Norway: 52%
- China: 47%
- Netherlands: 47%
- Finland: 44%
- New Zealand: 42%
- United Kingdom: 42%
- South Korea: 41%
- Germany: 40%
- Hungary: 39%
- Belgium: 39%
- Bulgaria: 37%
About Atheism
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The simplest definition of atheism is the absence of belief in any type of god. It is the direct contrast of theism, which is the belief that at least one god exists. It is the inherent lack of a belief system and the lack of a religion. American Atheists define it as such, "If atheism is a religion, then not collecting stamps is a hobby."
Other terms you may hear with respect to atheism are agnostic, humanist, secular, bright or freethinker. But atheism is its own terminology that most accurately describes what atheism is: the absence of religion.
2. Islam
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Number of adherents: 1.8 billion
Percentage of all religions: 24.1%
Countries it’s most popular in:
- Afghanistan: 99.7% (mostly Sunni)
- Tunisia: 99.5% (mostly Sunni)
- Iran: 99.4% (mostly Shi'a)
- Azerbaijan: 99.2% (65-75% Shi'a)
- Yemen: 99.1% (35-40% Shi'a)
- Mauritania: 99.1%
- Morocco: ~99%
- Iraq: 99% (65-70% Shi'a)
- Niger: 98.6% (mostly Sunni)
- Somalia: 98.5% (mostly Sunni)
- Maldives: 98.4% (mostly Sunni)
- Comoros: 98.3% (mostly Sunni)
- Algeria: 98%
- Turkey: ~98%
- Saudi Arabia: ~97% (10-15% Shi'a)
- Djibouti: 96.9% (mostly Sunni)
- Libya: 96.6% (mostly Sunni)
- Pakistan: 96.4%
- Kuwait: ~95% (20-25% Shi'a)
- Egypt: 94.6% (mostly Sunni)
About Islam
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The roots of Islam go back centuries, though most scholars date the creation of the religion to the seventh century. So, while it is the second-widest practiced religion in the world, it is actually the youngest of the major world religions. Islam started in the city of Mecca, which is in modern-day Saudi Arabia and centers around the life of the prophet, Mohammed. Muslims, or those who practice Islam, believe that Allah's (God’s) word was shown to the prophet Mohammed through the angel, Gabriel, and that prophets were sent to teach Allah's law.
The holy text of Islam is the Quran. Muslims believe Mohammed was the final prophet sent by God to bring their religion to the rest of the world. When Mohammed died, a debate sprang as to who was to replace him, which led to the two different sects of Islam: Sunnis and Shiites, though there are others. Today, Islam is the world's fastest-growing religion, and experts believe it will surpass Christianity by the middle of the 21st century, which leads us to the No. 1 spot on this list...
1. Christianity
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Number of adherents: 2.3 billion
Percentage of all religions: 31.2%
Countries it’s most popular in:
- Vatican City: 100% (100% Roman Catholic)
- Pitcairn Islands: 100% (100% Seventh-day Adventist)
- Samoa: ~99% (mostly Protestant)
- Romania: 99% (mostly Romanian Orthodox)
- American Samoa: 98.3% (mostly Protestant)
- Malta: 98.1% (mostly Roman Catholic)
- Venezuela: 98% (mostly Roman Catholic)
- Greece: 98% (95% Greek Orthodox)
- Marshall Islands: 97.2% (mostly Protestant)
- Tonga: 97.2% (mostly Protestant)
- San Marino: 97% (~97% Roman Catholic)
- Paraguay: 96.9% (mostly Roman Catholic)
- Peru: 96.5% (mostly Roman Catholic)
- El Salvador: 96.4% (mostly Roman Catholic)
- Kiribati: 96% (mostly Protestant)
- Federated States of Micronesia: ~96% (mostly Protestant)
- Barbados: 95.1% (mostly Protestant)
- Papua New Guinea: 94.8% (mostly Protestant)
- East Timor: 94.2% (mostly Roman Catholic)
- Armenia: 93.5% (mostly Armenian Orthodox)
About Christianity
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Christianity is the world's most popular and recognized religion, with dozens of sects and spinoffs. The faith centers on the belief of the birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Christians believe in only one God and that he created the heavens and Earth. His son, Jesus Christ, was sent to save the world, and he was crucified on a cross to offer forgiveness of his sins.
Christians follow the book of the Bible, which is a collection of 66 books written by different authors. According to the Bible, the first church organized itself 50 days after Jesus' death. Early on, Christianity was considered illegal, until Roman Emperor Constantine converted, lifting the ban on the religion. There have been hundreds of wars fought in the name of Christianity throughout the centuries.