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.

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.

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.

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.

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 (as detailed below) 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 Regional Religion Dataset: The unit of analysis is the region, measured at five-year intervals. The Correlates of War regional breakdown is used with one modification: the Oceania category is added for Correlates of War nation numbers 900 and above.

Poland: Christians as percent of the total population: The latest value from 2013 is 98.5 percent, an increase from 98.3 percent in 2012. In comparison, the world average is 51.1 percent, based on data from 145 countries. Historically, the average for Poland from 1960 to 2013 is 94.3 percent. The minimum value, 89.9 percent, was reached in 1960 while the maximum of 98.5 percent was recorded in 2013.

The USA: Christians as percent of the total population: The latest value from 2013 is 76 percent, a decline from 76.3 percent in 2012. In comparison, the world average is 51.1 percent, based on data from 145 countries. Historically, the average for the USA from 1960 to 2013 is 82.8 percent. The minimum value, 76 percent, was reached in 2013 while the maximum of 89.6 percent was recorded in 1960.

Germany: Christians as percent of the total population: The latest value from 2013 is 71.4 percent, a decline from 71.8 percent in 2012. In comparison, the world average is 51.1 percent, based on data from 145 countries. Historically, the average for Germany from 1960 to 2013 is 83.1 percent. The minimum value, 71.4 percent, was reached in 2013 while the maximum of 95.1 percent was recorded in 1960.

World religion data in this dataset is from the World Religion Database.The map shows the percentage of the majority religion by provinces/states and also included in the database is Christian percentage by provinces/states. Boundaries are based on Natural Earth, August, 2011 modified to match provinces in the World Religion Database.*Originally titled

Portugal: Christians as percent of the total population: The latest value from 2013 is 86.6 percent, a decline from 87 percent in 2012. In comparison, the world average is 51.1 percent, based on data from 145 countries. Historically, the average for Portugal from 1960 to 2013 is 93.5 percent. The minimum value, 86.6 percent, was reached in 2013 while the maximum of 97.1 percent was recorded in 1960.

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 ...

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.

The average for 2013 based on 25 countries was 74.6 percent. The highest value was in Romania: 98.8 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.

Croatia: Christians as percent of the total population: The latest value from 2013 is 95.8 percent, an increase from 95.5 percent in 2012. In comparison, the world average is 51.1 percent, based on data from 145 countries. Historically, the average for Croatia from 1991 to 2013 is 92.1 percent. The minimum value, 87.7 percent, was reached in 1991 while the maximum of 95.8 percent was recorded in 2013.

Belarus: Christians as percent of the total population: The latest value from 2013 is 94 percent, a decline from 94.2 percent in 2012. In comparison, the world average is 51.1 percent, based on data from 145 countries. Historically, the average for Belarus from 1991 to 2013 is 96.1 percent. The minimum value, 94 percent, was reached in 2013 while the maximum of 98.6 percent was recorded in 1991.

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

Religious beliefs and moral attitudes.

Thopics: perceived change in violence on the streets, bribery, adultery and tax evasion during the last 10 years; justifyability of tax evasion (scale); justifyability of death penality; attitude towards: homosexual adoption, right to commit suicide, men more right for job than women; attitudes towards abortion in different circumstances (scale);
individual or public responsability for pensions; cuts in unemployment benefits; smoking ni public buildings; goals in education of children: indepdendence, obedience, creativity; attitudes towards income differeces; attitudes towards homeless people in neighbourhood; acceptance of nepotism (Kohlberg); Criteria for selecting patients for important surgery in hospitals; attitudes towards euthanasia; rules about good and bad; source of morality (scale); control over life; solving problems: individual vs. society; social orientation; volunteering: religious organizations, non-religious organizations; geographical mobility; residence of best friend; nationality of respondent; nationality of mother; nationality of father; attitudes towards migrants (ethnocentrism); political interest; party preference; least preferred party; reception of political news; concept of god; beliefs about life after death; salvation; conditions of salvation; theodizee (scale); respondent´s religiosity (self-assessment); beliefs influence daily life; beliefs influence important decisions; spiritual life; church attendance; frequency of praying; religious services: birth, marriage, death; conceptions of jesus; conceptions of the bible; dramatic change around millennium; denominational membership; closeness to church; women as priests; conversion experience; church attendance at age 12; transcendental experiences; possession of holy object; power of holy obejct; possession of talisman or lucky charm; power of talisman or lucky charm; consult horoscope; take horoscope into account in daily life; share of friends with different religion; perceived percentage of religious people in country; role of religion in world; attitudes towards: girls cover heads, take soft drugs, prevent blood transfusion, commit suicide; attitudes towards religious groups (enrichement, cause of conflict, other religious teachings, Jehovas witness, scientologist); truth in religion; religious symbols in schools; financial support: religious schools, religions; attitudes towards: oath with reference to God; consult religions in making laws, nurse may refuse legal abortion; attitutes towards science; desired influence of churches on politics; perceived influence of churches on politics;

Demographics: gender; age (year of birth); highest level of education; emloyment status; status of unpaid work; secondary job; marital status; steady life partner; partner´s highest level of education; partner´s religion; partner´s church attendance; number of children; household (number of children +18; 13-17; 5-12; less than 4); net household income; acceptance of cut in income for solidarity with poorest countries; community size; national ranking of community size; history of church membership;

Additionally coded: length of interview; year of interview.

Optional questions (not asked in all countries): importance of freedom; importance of equality; God concerned with every individual; God is valuable in humankind; life has meaning because of a God; sorrows have meaning if beliefs in a God; sorrows receive meaning from yourself; death is natural resting point; death is passage to another life; life has meaning if yourself give meaning; Virgin Mary was taken to heaven; believe in saints; father´s religion at age 12; father attend religious services at age 12; mothers´s religion at age 12; mother attend religious services at age 12; education in religious schools; profession (ISCO); partner´s profession (ISCO), community size (not grouped); pope hinders unity of Christians; religious services: sober; religious services: music and ceremonial clothes; pope should adapt his message; laity involvement; meaning of Christmas; month of interview; father´s highest level of education; mother´s level of education; number of household members

Additional questions in the BELGIAN questionnaire (only substantial questions. No country specific versions of questions from the masterquestionnaire): meaning of marriage in church; homosexuals may marry; light candle when enter church; water from Lourdes at home; pilgrimage; ...

Among the people surveyed in 26 countries around the world, a slight majority of the baby boomer generation were Christians. By comparison, only 42 percent of Generation Z stated that they were Christians. Millennials was the generation with the highest share of people stating that they had a religious belief other than Islam and Christianity.

Spain: Christians as percent of the total population: The latest value from 2013 is 88.8 percent, a decline from 89.3 percent in 2012. In comparison, the world average is 51.1 percent, based on data from 145 countries. Historically, the average for Spain from 1960 to 2013 is 95.9 percent. The minimum value, 88.8 percent, was reached in 2013 while the maximum of 98.9 percent was recorded in 1960.

The RCS-Dem dataset reports estimates of religious demographics, both country by country and region by region. RCS was created to fulfill the unmet need for a dataset on the religious dimensions of countries of the world, with the state-year as the unit of observation. It covers 220 independent states, 26 selected substate entities, and 41 geographically separated dependencies, for every year from 2015 back to 1900 and often 1800 (more than 42,000 state-years). It estimates populations and percentages of adherents of 100 religious denominations including second level subdivisions within Christianity and Islam, along with several complex categories such as "Western Christianity." RCS is designed for easy merger with datasets of the Correlates of War and Polity projects, datasets by the United Nations, the Religion And State datasets by Jonathan Fox, and the ARDA national profiles.