Christianity is the major religion in numerous African countries. As of 2024, around 96 percent of the population of Zambia was Christian, representing the highest percentage on the continent. Seychelles and Rwanda followed with roughly 95 percent and 94 percent of the population being Christian, respectively. While these countries present the highest percentages, Christianity was also prevalent in many other African nations. For instance, in South Africa, Christianity was the religion of nearly 85 percent of the people, while the share corresponded to 71 percent in Ghana. Religious variations across Africa Christianity and Islam are the most practiced religions in Africa. Christian adherents are prevalent below the Sahara, while North Africa is predominantly Muslim. In 2020, Christians accounted for around 60 percent of the Sub-Saharan African population, followed by Muslims with a share of roughly 30 percent. In absolute terms, there were approximately 650 million Christians in the region, a number forecast to increase to over one billion by 2050. In contrast, Islam is most prevalent in North Africa, being the religion of over 90 percent of the population in Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia, and Libya. Christianity in the world As opposed to other religions, Christianity is widely spread across continents worldwide. In fact, Sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, and Europe each account for around 25 percent of the global Christian population. By comparison, Asia-Pacific and North America make up 13 percent and 12 percent of Christians worldwide, respectively. In several regions, Christians also suffer persecution on religious grounds. Somalia and Libya presented the most critical situation in Africa in 2021, reporting the strongest suppression of Christians worldwide just after North Korea and Afghanistan.

In 2024, Ethiopia had the largest Christian population in Africa, with around 77.5 million people who identified as Christian. The second highest Christian population was in Nigeria, with 74.4 million people. Christianity has a significant presence in Africa, with its history on the continent dating back to the fourth century in Ethiopia. Furthermore, Christianity has spread throughout Africa with different denominations and traditions, taking root in various regions. Some of the largest Christian denominations in Africa include the Roman Catholic Church, the Anglican Church, and the Pentecostal and Charismatic movements.

This statistic shows the top 25 countries in the world with the largest number of Christian population in 2010. In 2010, the United States was leading the ranking with about 243 million Christians living in the country.

This statistic shows the 10 countries in Asia Pacific with the largest number of Christians in 2010. 67.07 million Christians lived in China.

This statistic shows the 10 countries in the Americas with the largest number of Christians in 2010. In 2010, 246.78 million Christians lived in the United States.

The average for 2013 based on 78 countries was 22.7 percent. The highest value was in Denmark: 87.3 percent and the lowest value was in Belgium: 0.1 percent. The indicator is available from 1960 to 2013. Below is a chart for all countries where data are available.

This statistic shows the 10 countries in Middle East-North Africa with the largest number of Christians in 2010. 4.29 million Christians lived in Egypt.

In 2023, North Korea was the country with the strongest suppression of Christians with an index value of 97.8. Somalia followed behind with 91.6, 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 worldwide Even 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.

The average for 2013 based on 84 countries was 43.2 percent. The highest value was in Poland: 95.2 percent and the lowest value was in Ethiopia: 0.6 percent. The indicator is available from 1960 to 2013. Below is a chart for all countries where data are available.

Bible Study Software Market Outlook

The global Bible Study Software market size was valued at approximately USD 600 million in 2023 and is projected to reach around USD 1 billion by 2032, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.5% during the forecast period. The growth of this market is primarily driven by the increasing digitization and the growing popularity of digital religious materials among various user groups.

A significant factor contributing to the growth of the Bible Study Software market is the widespread adoption of digital tools for religious education and personal study. As technology becomes more integrated into daily life, religious communities are increasingly turning to software solutions to facilitate Bible study, making these tools indispensable. Digital platforms offer a variety of features such as search functionalities, cross-referencing, and multimedia integration, which enhance the overall study experience and make the text more accessible to users of all ages and backgrounds.

Additionally, the surge in remote learning and virtual gatherings, spurred by global events such as the COVID-19 pandemic, has further accelerated the demand for Bible study software. Churches and educational institutions have had to adapt to new modes of teaching and community building, which has led to an increased reliance on digital solutions. This transition not only supports regular study but also fosters a sense of community among users who may be geographically dispersed, thus driving market growth.

Increasing smartphone penetration and internet accessibility are also crucial drivers for the Bible Study Software market. With a significant portion of the global population now owning smartphones and having consistent internet access, mobile and web-based applications for Bible study have seen a steep rise in usage. These platforms offer convenience and flexibility, allowing users to engage with religious texts anytime and anywhere, which is particularly appealing to younger demographics who are accustomed to digital media consumption.

Regionally, North America holds the largest share of the Bible Study Software market, driven by a high rate of technological adoption and a strong Christian demographic. Europe follows closely, with a growing interest in digital religious resources. Meanwhile, the Asia Pacific region is anticipated to witness the fastest growth during the forecast period, owing to the increasing Christian population and rapid digitization in countries such as South Korea, India, and the Philippines. The Middle East & Africa and Latin America are also showing promising signs of growth, albeit at a slower pace compared to other regions.

Platform Analysis

The Bible Study Software market is segmented by platform into Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, and Web-based. The Windows segment currently dominates the market, largely due to the widespread use of personal computers running on Windows OS in homes, churches, and academic institutions. Windows-based software offers robust functionalities, including advanced search options, complex note-taking abilities, and seamless integration with other software, making it a preferred choice for serious Bible scholars and educators.

Mac users, although a smaller segment, represent a growing market share. The appeal of Mac-based Bible study software lies in its user-friendly interface and the seamless integration with other Apple products. The increasing popularity of Mac computers in academic and professional settings contributes to the growth of this segment. Developers are increasingly focusing on creating high-quality, Mac-compatible Bible study tools to cater to this niche but growing user base.

The iOS and Android segments are witnessing significant growth, driven by the proliferation of smartphones and tablets. Mobile-based Bible study applications offer unparalleled convenience, enabling users to study on the go. These apps often include features such as verse-of-the-day notifications, audio Bibles, and social sharing capabilities, which enhance user engagement and retention. Given the global trend toward mobile internet usage, the iOS and Android segments are expected to continue growing rapidly.

Web-based platforms are also gaining traction, particularly among users who prefer not to download software. These platforms offer flexibility and accessibility from any device with internet connectivity, making them an attractive option for occasional users and those who prioritize cross-device compatibility. Web-based

Indonesia: Christians as percent of the total population: The latest value from 2013 is 8.7 percent, unchanged from 8.7 percent in 2012. In comparison, the world average is 51.1 percent, based on data from 145 countries. Historically, the average for Indonesia from 1960 to 2013 is 8.9 percent. The minimum value, 8.7 percent, was reached in 2009 while the maximum of 9 percent was recorded in 1960.

The average for 2013 based on 33 countries was 34.4 percent. The highest value was in Greece: 98 percent and the lowest value was in Hungary: 0 percent. The indicator is available from 1960 to 2013. Below is a chart for all countries where data are available.

This Religion and State-Minorities (RASM) dataset is supplemental to the Religion and State Round 2 (RAS2) dataset. It codes the RAS religious discrimination variable using the minority as the unit of analysis (RAS2 uses a country as the unit of analysis and, is a general measure of all discrimination in the country). RASM codes religious discrimination by governments against all 566 minorities in 175 countries which make a minimum population cut off. Any religious minority which is at least 0.25 percent of the population or has a population of at least 500,000 (in countries with populations of 200 million or more) are included. The dataset also includes all Christian minorities in Muslim countries and all Muslim minorities in Christian countries for a total of 597 minorities. The data cover 1990 to 2008 with yearly codings.

These religious discrimination variables are designed to examine restrictions the government places on the practice of religion by minority religious groups. It is important to clarify two points. First, these variables focus on restrictions on minority religions. Restrictions that apply to all religions are not coded in this set of variables. This is because the act of restricting or regulating the religious practices of minorities is qualitatively different from restricting or regulating all religions. Second, this set of variables focuses only on restrictions of the practice of religion itself or on religious institutions and does not include other types of restrictions on religious minorities. The reasoning behind this is that there is much more likely to be a religious motivation for restrictions on the practice of religion than there is for political, economic, or cultural restrictions on a religious minority. These secular types of restrictions, while potentially motivated by religion, also can be due to other reasons. That political, economic, and cultural restrictions are often placed on ethnic minorities who share the same religion and the majority group in their state is proof of this.

This set of variables is essentially a list of specific types of religious restrictions which a government may place on some or all minority religions. These variables are identical to those included in the RAS2 dataset, save that one is not included because it focuses on foreign missionaries and this set of variables focuses on minorities living in the country. Each of the items in this category is coded on the following scale:

0. The activity is not restricted or the government does not engage in this practice.
1. The activity is restricted slightly or sporadically or the government engages in a mild form of this practice or a severe form sporadically.
2. The activity is significantly restricted or the government engages in this activity often and on a large scale.

A composite version combining the variables to create a measure of religious discrimination against minority religions which ranges from 0 to 48 also is included.

ARDA Note: This file was revised on October 6, 2017. At the PIs request, we removed the variable reporting on the minority's percentage of a country's population after finding inconsistencies with the reported values. For detailed data on religious demographics, see the "/data-archive?fid=RCSREG2" Target="_blank">Religious Characteristics of States Dataset Project.

Census: Population: by Religion: Christian: Mizoram data was reported at 956,331.000 Person in 03-01-2011. This records an increase from the previous number of 772,809.000 Person for 03-01-2001. Census: Population: by Religion: Christian: Mizoram data is updated decadal, averaging 864,570.000 Person from Mar 2001 (Median) to 03-01-2011, with 2 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 956,331.000 Person in 03-01-2011 and a record low of 772,809.000 Person in 03-01-2001. Census: Population: by Religion: Christian: Mizoram data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India. The data is categorized under India Premium Database’s Demographic – Table IN.GAE004: Census: Population: by Religion: Christian.

Population: Religion: Female: Christianity data was reported at 343.300 Person th in 2015. This records an increase from the previous number of 315.910 Person th for 2010. Population: Religion: Female: Christianity data is updated yearly, averaging 315.910 Person th from Jun 2000 (Median) to 2015, with 3 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 343.300 Person th in 2015 and a record low of 204.952 Person th in 2000. Population: Religion: Female: Christianity data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Department of Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Singapore – Table SG.G002: Population by Religion .

This statistic shows the share of world Christian population by selected countries worldwide in 2010. 11.3 percent of all Christians worldwide were living in the United States in 2010.

(UNCLASSIFIED) The Liberian population is religiously heterogeneous, comprised 85.6 percent Christian, 12.6 percent Muslim, 0.6 percent adherents of tribal or indigenous traditions, 1.5 percent non-religious, and less than 1 percent a combination of Bahais, Hindus, Sikhs, and Buddhists. Primary denominations within the country’s Christian majority include Lutheran, Baptist, Episcopal, Presbyterian, Roman Catholic, United Methodist, African Methodist Episcopal (AME), AME Zion, and Pentecostal. Many individuals identified as "Christian" retain a mix of Christian and indigenous (often animistic) beliefs. Both Christian and Muslim Liberians are dispersed throughout the country. Most Muslims belong to two distinct ethnic groups, the Mandingo—who are widely distributed—and the Vai who live mostly in western areas.Christianity reached Liberia in the 19th century with the arrival of freed slaves from the United States. Missionaries of various Protestant denominations started arriving in the 1820s, eventually forming what became one of the highest per capita missionary populations in the world. The first permanent Catholic mission in the country was established in the early 1900s. A Liberian Council of Churches composed of Lutheran, Episcopal, Methodist, and other similar groups now exists, and an evangelical association of churches and missions has operated on and off since 1966. Though religiously-motivated violence in Liberia is relatively uncommon, tensions between Christians and Muslims have escalated in the past. In October 2004, approximately 25 people were killed and several churches and mosques were destroyed in Monrovia during clashes between Christians of several ethnic groups and Mandingo Muslims. The Liberian constitution provides religious freedom for all inhabitants, and in practice, the government respects minority religious groups. According to a 2013 document published by the U.S. Department of State, the Liberian government does not discriminate based on religious affiliation, belief, or worship. Although there is no state religion in the country, government ceremonies commonly begin and end with prayers or hymns, the majority of which are Christian, though some are Muslim. Most private schools in the country are operated by churches or missions. The majority receive government funding, though non-religious schools are also heavily subsidized. Religious education is available as an elective in public schools, but is not required. Social welfare institutions are largely managed or affiliated with religious organizations, often in conjunction with international aid agencies. As regards the ongoing Ebola crisis in West Africa, some religious leaders in Liberia have cited “immoral acts” as the cause of the outbreak. In August 2014, Liberia’s Council of Churches agreed, “God is angry with Liberia,” and urged Liberians to seek forgiveness for corruption and immorality by staying indoors and fasting for three days.Attribute Table Field DescriptionsISO3 - International Organization for Standardization 3-digit country code ADM0_NAME - Administration level zero identification / name ADM1_NAME - Administration level one identification / name ADM2_NAME - Administration level two identification / name NAME - Name of religious institution TYPE - Classification in the geodatabase (type of institution) CITY - City location available SPA_ACC - Spatial accuracy of site location (1 – high, 2 – medium, 3 – low) COMMENTS - Comments or notes regarding the religious institution SOURCE_DT - Source one creation date SOURCE - Source one SOURCE2_DT - Source two creation date SOURCE2 - Source two CollectionThe feature class was generated utilizing data from OpenStreetMap, Wikimapia, GeoNames and other sources. OpenStreetMap is a free worldwide map, created by crowd-sourcing. Wikimapia is open-content mapping focused on gathering all geographical objects in the world. GeoNames is a geographical places database maintained and edited by the online community. Consistent naming conventions for geographic locations were attempted but name variants may exist, which can include historical or less widespread interpretations.The data included herein have not been derived from a registered survey and should be considered approximate unless otherwise defined. While rigorous steps have been taken to ensure the quality of each dataset, DigitalGlobe is not responsible for the accuracy and completeness of data compiled from outside sources.Metadata information was collected form U.S. Department of State publications as well as news media articles. Sources (HGIS)"Cathedral of St. Therese of The Child Jesus." GCatholic. July 2014. Accessed October 7, 2014. http://www.gcatholic.org.DigitalGlobe, "DigitalGlobe Imagery Archive." Accessed October 01, 2014. GeoNames, "Liberia." September 23, 2014. Accessed October 01, 2014. http://www.geonames.org.Google, September 2014. Accessed October 01, 2014. www.google.com.OpenStreetMap, "Liberia." September 2014. Accessed October 01, 2014. http://www.openstreetmap.org.Wikimapia, "Liberia." September 2014. Accessed October 01, 2014. http://wikimapia.org.Sources (Metadata)Baden, Joel and Candida Moss. “Ebola Is Not God’s Wrath: Religious leaders are perpetuating dangerous, dehumanizing beliefs about sin and disease.” Slate. August 20, 2014. Accessed October 01, 2014. http://www.slate.com.“Country Profile: Liberia.” Soudan Interior Mission. January 01, 2014. Accessed October 01, 2014. http://www.sim.org.“Education System in Liberia.” Classbase. January 01, 2012. Accessed October 01, 2014. http://www.classbase.com.“Liberia 2005 International Religious Freedom Report.” United States Department of State: Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor. January 01, 2005. Accessed October 01, 2014. http://www.state.gov.“Liberia 2012 International Religious Freedom Report.” United States Department of State: Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor. January 01, 2005. Accessed October 01, 2014. http://www.state.gov.“Liberia 2014 International Religious Freedom Report.” United States Department of State. January 01, 2014. Accessed October 01, 2014. http://www.state.gov.

Islam and Christianity form the two dominant religions in Nigeria. The basis of traditional religions was systematically exterminated in the religio-cultural life of the Nigerian people after their contact with colonialism. Approximately 90 percent of the Nigerian people have since preferred to be identified with either Islam or Christianity.Nigeria’s contact with Islam predated that of Christianity and European colonialism; its spread was facilitated into Sub-Saharan Africa through trade and commerce. The northern part of Nigeria is symbolic to the history of Islam, as it penetrated the area through the Kanem-Borno Empire in the 11th century before spreading to the other predominately Hausa states. Islam was then introduced into the traditional societies of the Yoruba-speaking people of south-west Nigeria through their established commercial relationship with people of the North, particularly the Nupe and Fulani.Christianity reached Nigeria in the 15th century with the visitation of the Roman and Catholic missionaries to the coastal areas of the Niger-Delta region, although there were few recorded converts and churches built during this period. Christianity soon recorded a boost in the southern region given its opposition to the slave trade and its promotion of Western education. In contrast to the smooth process Christian evangelization underwent in the South, its process in the North was difficult because Islam had already become well-established.Given the philosophy of Islam as a complete way of life for a Muslim, Islam has always been closely attached to politics in Nigeria. The emergence of particular Islamic groups was significantly influenced by international events, particularly the 1979 Iranian revolution and the corresponding disenchantment from the West. These developments shaped Nigerian national politics of the period as Muslims radically redefined their political interests in line with religion and began to clamor for the incorporation of the Sharia legal system into the country’s judicial system. Nigeria then tried to harness opportunities accruable from other Muslim countries by becoming a registered member with the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) in 1985. This inflamed Christians and nurtured the fear of domination by their Muslim counterparts and the possibility of a gradual extinction of their religio-political strength in the national political structure. The distinct religious separation has also instigated violence in present-day Nigeria, including the Sharia riot in Kaduna in 2000, ongoing ethno-religious violence in Jos since 2001, and the 2011 post-election violence that erupted in some northern states. Nigerians’ continued loyalty to religion compared to that of the country continues to sustain major political debate, conflict, and violent outbreaks between populations of the two faiths.

ISO3 - International Organization for Standardization 3-digit country code

AREA_AFF - Geographic area affected by disease

DT_START - Date health event started

DT_END - Date health event ended

TYPE - Type of disease group

DISEASE - Name of disease

NUM_DTH - Number of people reported dead from disease

NUM_AFF - Number of people affected from disease

SOURCE_DT - Source creation date

SOURCE - Primary source

Collection

This HGIS was created using information collected from several websites. EM-DAT, the World Health Organization, and news reports provided information about the outbreaks.

The data included herein have not been derived from a registered survey and should be considered approximate unless otherwise defined. While rigorous steps have been taken to ensure the quality of each dataset, DigitalGlobe Analytics is not responsible for the accuracy and completeness of data compiled from outside sources.

Sources (HGIS)

Egunganga, Vincent, Ami Sadiq, and Hir Joseph. All AfricaHIR JOSEPH, "Nigeria: Lassa Fever Returns Vicio." Last modified March 09, 2013. Accessed April 16, 2013. http://allafrica.com/.

EM DAT, "Country Database; Nigeria." Last modified March 2013. Accessed April 16, 2013. http://www.emdat.be/.

World Health Organization, "Global Health Observatory; Nigeria." Last modified 2012. Accessed April 16, 2013. http://www.who.int/en/.

Sources (Metadata)

Encyclopedia of the Nations, "Nigeria Country Specific Information." Last modified 2013. Accessed March 28, 2013. http://www.nationsencyclopedia.com.

Kates, Jennifer, and Alyssa Wilson Leggoe. The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation, "HIV/AIDS; The HIV/AIDS Epidemic in Nigeria." Last modified October 2005. Accessed April 16, 2013. http://www.kff.org/.

United States Embassy in Nigeria, "Nigeria Malaria Fact Sheet." Last modified December 2011. Accessed April 16, 2013. http://nigeria.usembassy.gov.

World Health Organization, "Global Task Force on Cholera Control." Last modified January 18, 2012. Accessed April 16, 2013. http://www.who.int/.

World Health Organization, "Meningococcal disease: situation in the African Meningitis Belt." Last modified 2012. Accessed March 14, 2013. http://www.who.int/csr/don/2012_05_24/en/index.html.

This statistic shows the 10 countries in Europe with the largest number of Christians in 2010. In 2010, 105.22 million Christians lived in Russia.

Population: Religion: Female: Christianity: Others data was reported at 220.500 Person th in 2015. This records an increase from the previous number of 196.860 Person th for 2010. Population: Religion: Female: Christianity: Others data is updated yearly, averaging 196.860 Person th from Jun 2000 (Median) to 2015, with 3 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 220.500 Person th in 2015 and a record low of 138.873 Person th in 2000. Population: Religion: Female: Christianity: Others data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Department of Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Singapore – Table SG.G002: Population by Religion .