In 2022, ** percent of Hindus and Buddhists worldwide lived in Asia-Pacific. In comparison, ** percent of Jews lived in North America, and **** percent lived in the Middle East and North Africa. Christians were more evenly divided around the continents.

In 2020, around 28.8 percent of the global population were identified as Christian. Around 25.6 percent of the global population identify as Muslims, followed by 14.9 percent of global populations as Hindu. The number of Muslims increased by 347 million, when compared to 2010 data, more than all other religions combined.

As of 2010, Christianity was the religion with the most followers worldwide, followed by Islam (Muslims) and Hinduism. In the forty years between 2010 and 2050, it is projected that the landscape of world religions will undergo some noticeable changes, with the number of Muslims almost catching up to Christians. The changes in population sizes of each religious group is largely dependent on demographic development, for example, the rise in the world's Christian population will largely be driven by population growth in Sub-Saharan Africa, while Muslim populations will rise across various regions of Africa and South Asia. As India's population is set to grow while China's goes into decline, this will be reflected in the fact that Hindus will outnumber the unaffiliated by 2050. In fact, India may be home to both the largest Hindu and Muslim populations in the world by the middle of this century.

The World Religion Project (WRP) aims to provide detailed information about religious adherence worldwide since 1945. It contains data about the number of adherents by religion in each of the states in the international system. These numbers are given for every half-decade period (1945, 1950, etc., through 2010). Percentages of the states' populations that practice a given religion are also provided. (Note: These percentages are expressed as decimals, ranging from 0 to 1, where 0 indicates that 0 percent of the population practices a given religion and 1 indicates that 100 percent of the population practices that religion.) Some of the religions are divided into religious families. To the extent data are available, the breakdown of adherents within a given religion into religious families is also provided.

The project was developed in three stages. The first stage consisted of the formation of a religion tree. A religion tree is a systematic classification of major religions and of religious families within those major religions. To develop the religion tree we prepared a comprehensive literature review, the aim of which was (i) to define a religion, (ii) to find tangible indicators of a given religion of religious families within a major religion, and (iii) to identify existing efforts at classifying world religions. (Please see the original survey instrument to view the structure of the religion tree.) The second stage consisted of the identification of major data sources of religious adherence and the collection of data from these sources according to the religion tree classification. This created a dataset that included multiple records for some states for a given point in time. It also contained multiple missing data for specific states, specific time periods and specific religions. The third stage consisted of cleaning the data, reconciling discrepancies of information from different sources and imputing data for the missing cases.

The National Religion Dataset: The observation in this dataset is a state-five-year unit. This dataset provides information regarding the number of adherents by religions, as well as the percentage of the state's population practicing a given religion.

According to a 2016 survey, Muslim men and women above the age of 20 years are to the same extend religious. In contrast, Christian and Buddhist women are more religious than Christian and Buddhist men.

In 2025, North Korea was the country with the strongest suppression of Christians with an index value of 98. Somalia followed behind with 94, with Yemen in third. The World Watch List The index ranges from 0 (complete freedom) to 100 (total suppression). The survey for the World Watch List included various aspects of religious freedom: the legal and official status of Christians, the actual situation of Christians living in the country, regulations from the state as well as factors that can undermine the freedom of religion in a country. Christianity worldwideEven though Christianity is the largest religion worldwide, there are many areas of the world where Christians are persecuted. As the list shows, this is especially the case in countries with larger Muslim populations. Moreover, these countries are characterized by their authoritarian nature. The global distribution of religions varies strongly; whereas almost 100 percent of Hindus and Buddhists are found in the Asia-Pacific, Christians are spread around most world regions except the Middle East and North Africa.

World Religions Across Regions

Analyzing Adherence Across Regions, States and the Global System

By Correlates of War Project [source]

About this dataset

The World Religion Project (WRP) is an ambitious endeavor to conduct a comprehensive analysis of religious adherence throughout the world from 1945 to 2010. This cutting-edge project offers unparalleled insight into the religious behavior of people in different countries, regions, and continents during this time period. Its datasets provide important information about the numbers and percentages of adherents across a multitude of different religions, religion families, and non-religious affiliations.

The WRP consists of three distinct datasets: the national religion dataset, regional religion dataset, and global religion dataset. Each is focused on understanding individually specific realms for varied analysis approaches - from individual states to global systems. The national dataset provides data on number of adherents by state as well as percentage population practicing a given faith group in five-year increments; focusing attention to how this number evolves from nation to nation over time. Similarly, regional data is provided at five year intervals highlighting individual region designations with one modification – Pacific Ocean states have been reclassified into their own Oceania category according to Country Code Number 900 or above). Finally at a global level – all states are aggregated in order that we may understand a snapshot view at any five-year interval between 1945‐2010 regarding relationships between religions or religio‐families within one location or transnationally.

This project was developed in three stages: firstly forming a religions tree (a systematic classification), secondly collecting data such as this provided by WRP according to that classification structure – lastly cleaning the data so discrepancies may be reconciled and imported where needed with gaps selected when unknown values were encountered during collection process . We would encourage anyone wishing details undergoing more detailed reading/analysis relating various use applications for these rich datasets - please contact Zeev Maoz (University California Davis) & Errol A Henderson _(Pennsylvania State University)

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How to use the dataset

The World Religions Project (WRP) dataset offers a comprehensive look at religious adherence around the world within a single dataset. With this dataset, you can track global religious trends over a period of 65 years and explore how they’ve changed during that time. By exploring the WRP data set, you’ll gain insight into cross-regional and cross-time patterns in religious affiliation around the world.

Research Ideas

• Analyzing historical patterns of religious growth and decline across different regions
• Creating visualizations to compare religious adherence in various states, countries, or globally
• Studying the impact of governmental policies on religious participation over time

Acknowledgements

If you use this dataset in your research, please credit the original authors. Data Source

License

License: Dataset copyright by authors - You are free to: - Share - copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format for any purpose, even commercially. - Adapt - remix, transform, and build upon the material for any purpose, even commercially. - You must: - Give appropriate credit - Provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made. - ShareAlike - You must distribute your contributions under the same license as the original. - Keep intact - all notices that refer to this license, including copyright notices.

Columns

File: WRP regional data.csv | Column name | Description | |:-----------------|:---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Year | Reference year for data collection. (Integer) | | Region | World region according to Correlates Of War (COW) Regional Systemizations with one modification (Oceania category for COW country code ...

In 2019, 55 percent of Hindus worldwide lived in an extended family household. Extended family households are the most common type of households worldwide, with 38 percent of people globally, regardless of religion, living in an extended family household.

According to a survey conducted in South Korea in 2023, over ** percent of respondents reported no religious affiliation, while approximately ** percent identified as Christians and ** percent as Buddhists. Religious population South Korea is a multi-religious society where Christianity, Buddhism, and various other religions coexist with shamanism. According to a previous study, the domestic religious population appeared to decline over time after reaching its peak in 2005, at nearly ** million people. In contrast, the share of people who are religiously unaffiliated has increased in recent years. Within the last two decades, the religiously unaffiliated population has increased from about ** percent to more than ** percent. Shamanism Shamanism has continued to significantly influence the daily lives of many South Koreans. According to a survey conducted in 2023, about ** percent of respondents reported having consulted a fortune-teller within the past year. Roughly ** percent of those respondents were already affiliated with a religion.

Religio Publishing Market Outlook

The religio publishing market size was valued at USD 1.2 billion in 2023 and is anticipated to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.5% from 2024 to 2032, reaching a projected market size of USD 2.0 billion by 2032. The growth of the religio publishing market is primarily driven by increasing global interest in religious and spiritual texts, growing digitization of content, and expanding distribution channels.

A significant growth factor for this market is the rising global interest in religious and spiritual literature. In an increasingly interconnected world, individuals are seeking out diverse religious texts to understand different faiths, leading to a surge in demand for publications in this genre. Additionally, the expanding interests in personal spirituality and self-help have further driven the consumption of religio publications. This trend is particularly notable among the millennial and Gen Z demographics, who are exploring spiritual paths outside traditional religious institutions.

Another driving force is the digitization of religious texts and magazines. The proliferation of e-books and digital platforms has made religious content more accessible to a broader audience. The convenience of reading digital content on smartphones, tablets, and e-readers has transformed the way people consume religio content. Furthermore, digital platforms provide interactive and multimedia-rich experiences that enhance user engagement. This shift towards digitalization is not only catering to tech-savvy consumers but also opening new revenue streams for publishers.

Moreover, the expansion of distribution channels has significantly contributed to the market's growth. With the advent of online stores and the increasing penetration of the internet, purchasing religious books and magazines has become easier. Online retail giants like Amazon and niche religious bookstores offer a vast collection of religio publications, making them accessible to a global audience. Additionally, direct sales through religious organizations and events have proven to be effective channels for reaching dedicated followers and communities. This diversification of distribution channels helps publishers to tap into various market segments more efficiently.

Book Publishers play a crucial role in the religio publishing market, acting as the bridge between authors and readers. They are responsible for curating a diverse range of religious texts, ensuring that both traditional scriptures and contemporary spiritual writings reach a global audience. The expertise of book publishers in editing, marketing, and distribution is vital for maintaining the quality and accessibility of religious literature. In an era where digital content is becoming increasingly prevalent, book publishers are adapting by offering both physical and digital formats, catering to the varied preferences of readers. Their ability to navigate the evolving landscape of publishing ensures that religious texts remain relevant and widely available, supporting the spiritual journeys of individuals across the world.

Regionally, North America and Europe currently dominate the religio publishing market due to their established publishing industries and high demand for religious literature. However, regions such as Asia Pacific and Latin America are emerging as significant markets due to increasing religious diversity and growing literacy rates. The Middle East & Africa region also presents substantial growth potential, driven by a strong religious culture and increasing access to educational resources. The regional outlook for this market remains positive, with different regions exhibiting unique growth drivers and opportunities.

Product Type Analysis

The religio publishing market is segmented into books, magazines, digital content, and others. Books remain the cornerstone of religio publishing, encompassing a wide range of religious scriptures, commentaries, and spiritual guides. Physical books hold a special significance in religious contexts, often regarded as sacred and integral to religious practices. Despite the digital wave, the demand for physical religious books continues to be strong due to their cultural and sentimental value. Religious books are often kept as heirlooms, with many being passed down through generations, thus maintaining a steady demand.

Magazines in the religio publishing market cater to a more periodic and

Christianity was the largest religion in a high number of the countries included in the survey. Of the countries, Peru, South Africa, and Poland had the highest share of Christians at around 75 percent. Moreover, around 90 percent in India and Thailand stated that they believed in another religion, with Hinduism and Buddhism being the major religion in the two countries respectively. Sweden and South Korea were the only two countries where 50 percent or more of the respondents stated that they did not have any religious beliefs.

In 2023, **** percent of Americans were unaffiliated with any religion. A further **** percent of Americans were White evangelical Protestants, and an additional **** percent were White mainline Protestants. Religious trends in the United States Although the United States is still home to the largest number of Christians worldwide, the nation has started to reflect a more diverse religious landscape in recent years. Americans now report a wide range of religious beliefs and backgrounds, in addition to an increasing number of people who are choosing to identify with no religion at all. Studies suggest that many Americans have left their previous religion to instead identify as atheist, agnostic, or nothing in particular, with many reasoning that they stopped believing in the religion's teachings, that they didn't approve of negative teachings or treatment of LGBTQ+ people, or that their family was never that religious growing up. Christian controversies Over the last few years, controversies linked to Christian denominations have plagued the nation, including reports of child sexual abuse by the Catholic Church, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and the Southern Baptist Convention. Christian churches have also been accused of supporting discriminatory actions against LGBTQ+ people and people belonging to other religious groups. In addition, there have been increasing concerns about Christian nationalism, the political ideology that asserts that America was founded to be a Christian nation. Although the majority of Americans still think that declaring the United States a Christian nation would go against the U.S. Constitution, studies found that most Republicans would be in favor of this change.

Religious Food Market Outlook

The global religious food market size was valued at approximately USD 1.5 trillion in 2023 and is expected to reach around USD 2.8 trillion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 7.2% during the forecast period. This market's growth is primarily driven by increasing consumer awareness and demand for food products that align with their religious beliefs and practices.

The burgeoning awareness and sensitivity towards cultural and religious practices have significantly boosted the religious food market. Consumers are becoming more conscientious about the sources and preparation methods of their food, seeking assurance that their dietary choices adhere to their religious standards. This shift is further amplified by the growing multicultural population worldwide, where diverse religious communities seek to maintain their dietary traditions. Additionally, globalization and the ease of information access have made it easier for people to learn about and demand religiously compliant food products, thereby expanding the market's reach.

Health and wellness trends also play a critical role in the growth of the religious food market. Many religious food practices, such as Halal, Kosher, and vegetarianism, emphasize purity, cleanliness, and the humane treatment of animals, which align with the broader health-conscious movement. Consumers often perceive these foods as healthier and safer, driving demand not only from religious groups but also from health-conscious non-religious consumers. This convergence of religious adherence and health consciousness has created a robust demand for religious food products, further propelling market growth.

Technological advancements and innovations in food production and distribution have facilitated the growth of the religious food market. The development of sophisticated certification processes and technologies ensures that food products meet stringent religious standards, bolstering consumer confidence. Moreover, the rise of e-commerce and online distribution channels has made it easier for consumers to access a wide variety of religious food products, breaking down geographical barriers and catering to the needs of a global market.

Halal Food and Beverage products are increasingly gaining traction in the global market, not only among Muslim consumers but also among those who are health-conscious and environmentally aware. The principles of Halal emphasize cleanliness, purity, and ethical treatment of animals, which resonate with the broader health and wellness trends. This has led to a surge in demand for Halal-certified products, as consumers seek assurance that their food choices align with their ethical and health values. The Halal certification process itself has become a mark of quality and safety, attracting a diverse consumer base beyond religious boundaries. As the global population becomes more multicultural, the appeal of Halal Food and Beverage products continues to grow, offering significant opportunities for market expansion.

Regionally, the religious food market exhibits significant growth potential across various geographies. In the Asia Pacific region, countries with large Muslim and Hindu populations, such as Indonesia and India, represent substantial markets for Halal and vegetarian foods. North America and Europe, with their growing multicultural populations and increasing adoption of health and wellness trends, also show strong demand for Kosher, Halal, and vegan products. Middle East & Africa, being predominantly Muslim, naturally has a high demand for Halal food products. Latin America, though smaller in market size compared to other regions, is witnessing gradual growth driven by increased awareness and import of religious food products.

Product Type Analysis

The religious food market is segmented by product type into Halal, Kosher, Vegetarian, Vegan, and Others. Halal food, adhering to Islamic dietary laws, represents one of the largest segments in this market. The demand for Halal food is driven by the growing Muslim population worldwide and the increasing awareness about Halal certification. Countries with significant Muslim populations, such as Indonesia, Pakistan, and India, exhibit high demand for Halal products. Additionally, non-Muslim consumers who perceive Halal food as healthier and safer are also contributing to the growth of this segment.

Kosher food, prepared according to Jewish dietary laws, is an

Author: A Buckingham, educator, Minnesota Alliance for Geographic EducationGrade/Audience: grade 8, high schoolResource type: lessonSubject topic(s): culture, gisRegion: worldStandards: Minnesota Social Studies Standards

Standard 1. People use geographic representations and geospatial technologies to acquire, process and report information within a spatial context.

Standard 7. The characteristics, distribution and complexity of the earth’s cultures influence human systems (social, economic and political systems).

Standard 14. Globalization, the spread of capitalism and the end of the Cold War have shaped a contemporary world still characterized by rapid technological change, dramatic increases in global population and economic growth coupled with persistent economic and social disparities and cultural conflict. (The New Global Era: 1989 to Present)

Objectives: Students will be able to:

1. Acquire the knowledge and skill to use Google Maps.
2. Demonstrate various applications of Google Maps.
3. Evaluate their ability to use Google Maps.
4. Collect and describe information about various world religion sites.
5. Identify and illustrate the significance of various world religion sites.Summary: There are two main goals of this lesson. The first goal is to expose students to potential applications of Google Maps by demonstrating a content-based activity that requires the use of Google Maps. The second goal is to examine the geographic placement of religious sites and their historical significance.

The start of 20 years of International Social Survey Programme (ISSP) surveys within New Zealand by Professor Philip Gendall, Department of Marketing, Massey University.A verbose rundown on topics follows.Attitudes towards religious behaviours. Topics: Personal estimation of

happiness; assessment of responsibility of the state regarding job

creation and income levelling; stronger punishment and the death

penalty as measures to combat crime; attitude to pre-marital sexual

intercourse and affairs; attitude to homosexuality and abortion;

judgement on role distribution in marriage and attitude to working

women; honesty in paying taxes and attitude to honesty of citizens with

the state; trust in institutions such as the Federal Parliament, business,

industry, authorities, churches, judiciary and schools.

Attitude to non-religious politicians and office-holders; influence on

voters as well as government through church leaders; judgement on the

power of churches and religious organisations; doubt or firm belief in

God; perceived nearness to God; development of personal belief in God;

belief in a life after death; belief in the devil, heaven, hell and miracles;

conviction regarding the Bible; fatalism; the meaning of life and

Christian interpretation of life; contact with the dead; religious ties at a

turning point in life; religious affiliation of father, mother and

spouse/partner; frequency of church attendance of father and of

mother; personal direction of belief and frequency of church

attendance in adolescence; frequency of prayer and participation in

religious activities.

Self-classification of personal religiousness; attitude to school prayer;

personal conscience, social rules or God’s laws as basis for deciding

between right and wrong; attitudes to prohibition of religious criticism

in literature and films; superstition; belief in lucky charms, fortune

tellers, wonder doctors, signs of the zodiac and horoscopes; conversion

of faith after crucial experience; idea of God; judgement on world and

people as good or bad.

Living together with partner; type and temporal extent of vocational

employment; private or public employer; professional independence

and number of employees; superior function and span of control;

number of colleagues; union membership; unemployment; party

inclination and behaviour at the polls; self-classification on a left-right

continuum; religious affiliation; religiousness; self-classification of social

class affiliation; residential status; training and employment of

spouse/partner as well as parents; size of household; household

income. Also encoded were: region; rural or urban area; city size; ethnic

identification.

According to a global survey conducted in 2020, 36 percent of respondents from the Sub-Saharan Africa region trusted the religious leaders had made a lot of COVID-related decisions based on scientific advice, the highest share across all regions globally. This statistic presents the distribution of public opinion on whether religious leaders based COVID-related decisions on scientific advice worldwide in 2020, by region.

This dataset provides the full text of the King James Bible, a sacred book for Christians with a rich and varied history. The Old Testament, originally written in Hebrew, recounts the story of the Israelite people and includes religious law, poetry, and prophecy. The New Testament, originally in Greek, details the life of Jesus Christ and the early development of the Christian church. Authorised in 1604 by King James I of England for the Church of England, this translation has become the most popular English version of the bible. It is an excellent resource for Natural Language Processing (NLP) techniques, offering opportunities to explore unique linguistic features such as Hebrew parallelism and chiasmus, or to uncover "riddles" referenced by King Solomon in the book of Proverbs.

Columns

• version_name: The name of the bible version.
• version_abbr: The abbreviation for the bible version.
• testament_abbr: An abbreviation for the bible section, either Old Testament (OT) or New Testament (NT).
• testament_name: The full name of the bible section, Old Testament or New Testament.
• book_name: The name of the book within the bible.
• book_number: The numerical order of the book within the bible.
• chapter_number: The chapter number within a book.
• verse_number: The verse number within a chapter.
• verse_text: The actual text of the verse.

Distribution

The dataset is typically provided in a CSV format. It contains 30,833 unique verse values. Approximately 74% of the verses belong to the Old Testament, with the remaining 26% from the New Testament. The book of Psalms accounts for about 8% of the verses, while Genesis constitutes 5%, and other books make up 87%. The distribution of verse text length varies, with significant counts of verses falling into various character length ranges, from 1.00-4.25 characters (4,893 verses) up to longer ranges such as 40.00-43.25 characters (3,779 verses) and 17.25-20.50 characters (4,446 verses).

Usage

This dataset is ideal for various applications, especially those involving Natural Language Processing (NLP). Potential uses include identifying instances of Hebrew literary techniques like parallelism, detecting chiastic structures spanning chapters, and exploring the "riddles" mentioned in the book of Proverbs. It can also be used for linguistic analysis, text mining, and creating large language models.

Coverage

The dataset has global relevance, providing a foundational text for users worldwide. The content spans the historical periods covered by the Old Testament (focusing on the Israelite people) and the New Testament (covering the life of Jesus Christ and the early Christian church). The translation itself was authorised in 1604.

License

CC0

Who Can Use It

This dataset is suitable for: * Researchers and academics: For studies in theology, linguistics, literary analysis, and digital humanities. * Developers and data scientists: For building NLP models, text generation, and historical text analysis tools. * Educators: For teaching about biblical texts, history, and language. * Individuals interested in religious texts: For personal study or exploration of the King James Bible.

Dataset Name Suggestions

• King James Bible Text Dataset
• KJV Verses Collection
• Biblical Text (King James Version)
• Sacred Scripture Dataset

Attributes

Original Data Source: The King James Bible

From 2022 to 2060, the worldwide population of Muslims is expected to increase by 45.7 percent. For the same period, the global population of Buddhists is expected to decrease by 12.2 percent.

Philippines Population: Religious Affliation (RA): Aglipay data was reported at 756,225.000 Person in 2015. This records a decrease from the previous number of 1,071,686.000 Person for 2010. Philippines Population: Religious Affliation (RA): Aglipay data is updated yearly, averaging 1,071,686.000 Person from Dec 2000 (Median) to 2015, with 3 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 1,508,662.000 Person in 2000 and a record low of 756,225.000 Person in 2015. Philippines Population: Religious Affliation (RA): Aglipay data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Philippine Statistics Authority. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Philippines – Table PH.G003: Population: Religious: Affiliation.

Hungary Visitor Arrivals: Foreigner: Personal Trips: Religious Purpose data was reported at 37.000 Person th in Dec 2019. This records a decrease from the previous number of 56.000 Person th for Sep 2019. Hungary Visitor Arrivals: Foreigner: Personal Trips: Religious Purpose data is updated quarterly, averaging 35.000 Person th from Mar 2017 (Median) to Dec 2019, with 12 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 56.000 Person th in Sep 2019 and a record low of 17.000 Person th in Dec 2018. Hungary Visitor Arrivals: Foreigner: Personal Trips: Religious Purpose data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Hungarian Central Statistical Office. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Hungary – Table HU.Q002: Visitor Arrivals and Resident Departures: Distribution.