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

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.

This study, designed and carried out by the "http://www.asarb.org/" Target="_blank">Association of Statisticians of American Religious Bodies (ASARB), compiled data on 372 religious bodies by county in the United States. Of these, the ASARB was able to gather data on congregations and adherents for 217 religious bodies and on congregations only for 155. Participating bodies included 354 Christian denominations, associations, or communions (including Latter-day Saints, Messianic Jews, and Unitarian/Universalist groups); counts of Jain, Shinto, Sikh, Tao, Zoroastrian, American Ethical Union, and National Spiritualist Association congregations, and counts of congregations and adherents from Baha'i, three Buddhist groupings, two Hindu groupings, and four Jewish groupings, and Muslims. The 372 groups reported a total of 356,642 congregations with 161,224,088 adherents, comprising 48.6 percent of the total U.S. population of 331,449,281. Membership totals were estimated for some religious groups.

In January 2024, the ARDA added 21 religious tradition (RELTRAD) variables to this dataset. These variables start at variable #8 (TOTCNG_2020). Categories were assigned based on pages 88-94 in the original "https://www.usreligioncensus.org/index.php/node/1638" Target="_blank">2020 U.S. Religion Census Report.

Visit the "https://www.thearda.com/us-religion/sources-for-religious-congregations-membership-data" Target="_blank">frequently asked questions page for more information about the ARDA's religious congregation and membership data sources.

Global Religious Organizations market size is expected to reach $466.19 billion by 2029 at 4.4%, segmented as by type, public organization, private organization, individuals

The eighteenth of 20 years of International Social Survey Programme (ISSP) surveys in New Zealand by Professor Philip Gendall, Department of Marketing, Massey University.A verbose rundown on topics covered follows.Content: attitudes towards religious practices. Assessment of personal happiness; attitudes towards pre-marital sexual intercourse; attitudes towards committed adultery; attitudes towards homosexual relationships between adults; attitudes towards abortion in case of serious disability or illness of the baby or low income of the family; attitudes towards gender roles in marriage.Trust in institutions (parliament, business and industry, churches and religious organisations, courts and the legal system, schools and the educational system); mobility; attitudes towards the influence of religious leaders on voters and government; attitudes towards the benefits of science and religion (scale: modern science does more harm than good, too much trust in science and not enough in religious faith, religions bring more conflicts than peace, intolerance of people with very strong religious beliefs).Judgement on the power of churches and religious organisations; attitudes towards equal rights for all religious groups in the country and respect for all religions; acceptance of persons from a different religion or with different religious views in case of marrying a relative or being a candidate of the preferred political party (social distance); attitudes towards the allowance for religious extremists to hold public meetings and to publish books expressing their views (freedom of expression).Doubt or firm belief in God (deism, scale); belief in: a life after death, heaven, hell, religious miracles, reincarnation, Nirvana, supernatural powers of deceased ancestors; attitudes towards a higher truth and towards meaning of life (scale: God is concerned with every human being personally, little that people can do to change the course of their lives (fatalism), life is meaningful only because God exists, life does not serve any purpose, life is only meaningful if someone provides the meaning himself, connection with God without churches or religious services).Religious preference (affiliation) of mother, father and spouse/ partner; religion respondent was raised in; frequency of church attendance (of attendance in religious services) of father and mother; personal frequency of church attendance when young; frequency of prayers and participation in religious activities; shrine, altar or a religious object in respondent’s home; frequency of visiting a holy place (shrine, temple, church or mosque) for religious reasons except regular religious services; self-classification of personal religiousness and spirituality; truth in one or in all religions; attitudes towards the profits of practicing a religion (scale: finding inner peace and happiness, making friends, gaining comfort in times of trouble and sorrow, meeting the right kind of people).Optional items (not stated in all countries): questions in countries with an appreciable number of Evangelical Protestants): ‘born-again’ Christian; attitudes towards the Bible (or appropriate holy book); questions generally applicable for all countries: conversion of faith after crucial experience; personal sacrifice as an expression of faith such as fasting or following a special diet during holy season such as Lent or Ramadan; concept of God (semantic differential scale: mother – father, master – spouse, judge – lover, friend – king); belief in lucky charms, fortune tellers, faith healers and horoscopes; social rules or God’s laws as basis for deciding between right and wrong; attitudes towards members of different religious groups (Christians, Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, Jews, Atheists or non-believers.Demography: sex; age; marital status; steady life partner; years of schooling; highest education level; country specific education and degree; current employment status (respondent and partner); hours worked weekly; occupation (ISCO 1988) (respondent and partner); supervising function at work; working for private or public sector or self-employed (respondent and partner); if self-employed: number of employees; trade union membership; earnings of respondent (country specific); family income (country specific); size of household; household composition; party affiliation (left-right); country specific party affiliation; participation in last election; religious denomination; religious main groups; attendance of religious services; self-placement on a top-bottom scale; region (country specific); size of community (country specific); type of community: urban-rural area; country of origin or ethnic group affiliation.

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.

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; ...

Market Size statistics on the Religious Organizations industry in the US

The Computer Administered Panel Study (CAPS) collected demographic, personality, attitudinal, and other social psychological data from annual samples of University of North Carolina undergraduates from 1983 through 1988. Respondents spent 60 to 90 minutes per week for 20 weeks during the academic year answering questions via computer terminals. In their comparison of demographic and academic variables, researchers found few significant differences between respondents and the general undergraduate population. This dataset contains the Dimensions of Religious Commitment. Additional modules are available for free download through the Odum Institute's electronic archive.

The Dimensions of Religious Commitment is a questionnaire designed to measure the four dimensions of religiosity (Glock and Stark, 1965)--Belief, Ritual, Experience, and Knowledge. Originally, Glock and Stark proposed five dimensions, which include "Consequences" as the fifth dimension. However, the authors did not generate measures for this last dimension. Their analysis of the first four dimensions showed that these dimensions are essentially uncorrelated, and that other attitudes and behavior can be predicted from positions on these dimensions. Furthermore, the authors had constructed indices of the four dimensions, mainly by summing points assigned to each item that was answered in a certain direction. Among these indices, the orthodoxy index was found to be the best predictor of all other aspects of religiosity, implying that belief is the most significant component of religiosity. The entire Glock and Stark questionnaire contained more than 500 items. The interested reader may consult the published analysis.

Australia has become an increasingly secular nation over the past five years. This trend has posed challenges to the Religious Services industry. This trend has continued, despite high immigration rates from regions with strong religious adherence aside from 2020-21 which was a full year of international border closures. Overall, the decline in adherence to most traditional Christian faiths is outstripping growth in adherence to most non-Christian religions. As a result, revenue generated by religious groups is expected to decline at an annualised 5.1% over the five years through 2023-24, to $3.9 billion, with margins declining to 8.6%.Cost-living-pressures have weighed on religious donations over the three years through 2023-24. Rising interest rates, inflation and rental costs have put many consumers under financial strain limiting their ability to contribute to their religious organisation. Declines have been mostly seen among lower- and middle-income earners who are struggling to cover rental costs and service their mortgages. Higher income earners are more insulated against changing economic conditions and have largely sustained their donation spending. As these higher income earners account for almost 70% of donations, industry revenue has been protected from steeper declines. These trends are expected to contribute to a 1.2% decline in industry revenue in the current year.Despite the nation becoming increasingly secular, forecast growth in household discretionary income, strong growth in net migration, and positive consumer sentiment are projected to boost donations to religious organisations over the next five years. However, falling adherence and attendance at religious services are anticipated to limit revenue growth. Overall, industry revenue is forecast to increase at an annualised 1.6% over the five years through 2028-29, to reach $4.2 billion.

Religion adoption varied across residential areas in Tanzania as of 2021. In urban regions, over 40 percent of respondents declared being Muslims, while this share stood at nearly 25 percent in rural areas. In urban and rural regions, around 15 percent and 14 percent of the surveyed population, respectively, identified as Christians only. Among Christian religions, Roman Catholic was the most followed - by 27 percent of respondents in rural areas and 20.8 percent in urban areas.

The landscape of religious organizations has evolved, reflecting broader societal shifts and economic variables. These institutions have adapted to challenges by embracing digital platforms and enhancing community engagement, leveraging technological innovations to maintain spiritual connections. Economic fluctuations have also impacted how people donate, yet organizations have successfully navigated these changes by offering online donation options and fostering community bonds. Diversification in revenue streams and focusing on inclusivity have allowed many groups to maintain positive revenue growth. Cultural dynamics emphasizing equality have prompted many to adopt practices that resonate with contemporary values, further supporting their mission and outreach. Industry-wide revenue is expected to rise at a CAGR of 0.5% over the past five years, including an estimated 2.5% expansion in 2025 and a total of $159.8 billion. Religious entities have demonstrated resilience, with profitability supported by strategic financial management. Wages constitute a substantial part of budgets, particularly for larger organizations, but careful planning ensures funds are allocated efficiently. Religious entities have managed to end fiscal years with budget surpluses, attributed to diligent cost control and donor support. Digital engagement has become a cornerstone for sustaining financial contributions, allowing steady income and reduced dependency on in-person donations. Though shifting economic conditions posed revenue fluctuations, strategic planning and community-centric approaches have driven ongoing resilience and sustainability. The anticipated trajectory for these organizations suggests a continued embrace of innovative outreach and technology to bolster engagement. Organizations will likely enhance efforts to connect with younger demographics, shaping experiences that align with evolving cultural preferences. The expected rise in donations, influenced by demographic changes and economic stability, presents opportunities for expanded programs and community outreach. By staying attuned to societal shifts and integrating technology, religious groups aim to maintain their relevance and engage broader audiences. The future promises growth through diversified funding, engagement strategies targeting younger members and leveraging technological advancements to strengthen spiritual and communal ties. Industry revenue is expected to boost at a CAGR of 1.4% over the next five years, reaching $171.6 billion in 2030.

Religious Tourism Market size was valued at USD 1,071 Million in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 1,704.2 Million by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 6% from 2026 to 2032.The Religious Tourism Market is experiencing significant growth, driven by a confluence of factors. A rising global interest in spiritual experiences and personal well-being is prompting more individuals to embark on pilgrimages and visit sacred sites . The increasing affordability and accessibility of travel, facilitated by budget airlines and digital booking platforms, have made religious destinations more reachable to a broader demographic . Government initiatives aimed at preserving religious heritage and improving infrastructure further bolster this sector . Additionally, the integration of technology, such as virtual reality tours and mobile applications, enhances the accessibility and appeal of religious sites.

This dataset is the centerpiece of Pew Research Center's 2014 Religious Landscape Study, a nationally representative telephone survey conducted June 4-Sept. 30, 2014, among a sample of 35,071 U.S. adults. Approximately 60 percent of the interviews were conducted with respondents reached on cellphones (n=21,160) and 40 percent were completed on landlines (n=13,911). A minimum of 300 interviews were conducted in every state and the District of Columbia. Interviewing was conducted in English and Spanish. The survey is estimated to cover 97 percent of the non-institutionalized U.S. adult population; 3 percent of U.S. adults are not reachable by telephone or do not speak English or Spanish well enough to participate in the survey. No adjustments have been made to the data to attempt to account for the small amount of non-coverage.

The size of the national sample is unusually large for a religion survey. There are two main reasons for this. First, the large sample size makes it possible to estimate the religious composition of the U.S. with a high degree of precision. After taking into account the survey's design effect (based on the sample design and survey weights), the margin of error for the results based on the full sample is +/- 0.6 percentage points.

Second, the large sample size makes it possible to describe the characteristics of a wide variety of religious groups, including relatively small groups that cannot be analyzed using data from smaller surveys. With more than 35,000 respondents in total, the Religious Landscape Study includes interviews with roughly 350 in religious groups that account for just 1 percent of the U.S. population, and with 100 or more people in religious groups that are as small as three-tenths of 1 percent of the overall population. For instance, the study includes interviews with 245 Jehovah's Witnesses, a group that accounts for less than 1 percent of the U.S. population and is typically represented by only a few dozen respondents in smaller surveys.

In 2019, Muslim households had the highest average number of people per household. The average size of Muslim households worldwide was about *** people. Unaffiliated and Jewish households had the smallest average size, at *** people per household.

According to Cognitive Market Research, the global Religious Tourism market size will be USD 1354845.6 million in 2024. It will expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.00% from 2024 to 2031.

North America held the major market share for more than 40% of the global revenue with a market size of USD 541938.24 million in 2024 and will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.2% from 2024 to 2031.
Europe accounted for a market share of over 30% of the global revenue with a market size of USD 406453.68 million.
Asia Pacific held a market share of around 23% of the global revenue with a market size of USD 311614.49 million in 2024 and will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.0% from 2024 to 2031.
Latin America had a market share of more than 5% of the global revenue with a market size of USD 67742.28 million in 2024 and will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.4% from 2024 to 2031.
Middle East and Africa had a market share of around 2% of the global revenue and was estimated at a market size of USD 27096.91 million in 2024 and will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.7% from 2024 to 2031.
The Day trips and local gateways Type held the highest Religious Tourism market revenue share in 2024.

Market Dynamics of Religious Tourism Market

Key Drivers for the Religious Tourism Market

Increasing Cultural and Spiritual Significance to Increase the Demand Globally

Increasing cultural and spiritual significance is driving the Religious Tourism Market as more people seek meaningful and transformative travel experiences. Religious sites and events offer deep cultural, historical, and spiritual value, attracting visitors interested in exploring heritage and faith. Pilgrimages, religious festivals, and historic landmarks provide unique opportunities for personal reflection, spiritual growth, and cultural immersion. As global interest in spirituality and cultural experiences rises, destinations with rich religious significance see increased tourism. This growing demand is fueled by both personal motivations and organized religious tours, contributing to market expansion. Additionally, the preservation and promotion of significant religious sites enhances their appeal, further driving interest and visitation.

Rising Disposable Income to Propel Market Growth

Rising disposable income is driving the Religious Tourism Market as it enables more people to afford travel for spiritual and cultural experiences. Increased financial resources allow individuals to prioritize and invest in meaningful travel opportunities, including visits to significant religious sites and participation in pilgrimage activities. As disposable incomes grow, people are more willing to spend on experiences that offer personal and spiritual enrichment. This trend is evident in the expanding market for luxury and customized religious tours, as well as higher expenditures on travel, accommodation, and guided services. The ability to comfortably spend on such niche travel experiences supports market growth, as more individuals seek to explore their faith and cultural heritage through dedicated religious tourism.

Restraint Factor for the Religious Tourism Market

Growing Political Instability and Security Concerns to Limit the Sales

Growing political instability and security concerns are restraining the Religious Tourism Market by deterring potential visitors from traveling to affected regions. Political unrest, conflicts, and safety issues can create an environment of uncertainty and risk, making religious destinations less appealing to tourists. Safety concerns, including threats of violence or terrorism, can lead to travel advisories and restrictions, further limiting tourism. These factors impact not only the number of visitors but also the overall attractiveness of destinations. In addition, the negative perception of risk associated with unstable regions can reduce confidence in traveling, causing potential tourists to choose safer, more stable locations. Consequently, the market growth is hindered as destinations facing such issues struggle to attract and retain religious tourists.

Impact of COVID-19 on the Religious Tourism Market

The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted the Religious Tourism Market, leading to a sharp decline in travel due to global restrictions and safety concerns. Lockdowns, travel bans, and s...

This dataset was created for the research reported in two articles by William S. Bainbridge entitled "The Religious Ecology of Deviance" in American Sociological Review and "Explaining Church Member Rate" in Social Forces. This dataset contains information about religious membership, population and deviant activity in 289 metropolitan statistical areas. The data come from the U.S. Census Bureau as well as a variety of publications on behaviors deemed "deviant."

The Religious Characteristics of States Dataset (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. The third phase, Chief Executives' Religions, provides data on religious affiliations of countries' 'chief executives,' i.e., their presidents, prime ministers, or other heads of state/government exercising largely real, not ceremonial, political power. The dataset, like others in the RCS data project, is designed expressly 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.

This study, designed and carried out by the Association of Statisticians of American Religious Bodies (ASARB), compiled data on the number of congregations and adherents for 236 religious groups in each county of the United States. Participants included 217 Christian denominations, associations, or communions (including Latter-day Saints, Messianic Jews, and Unitarian/Universalist groups); counts of Jain, Shinto, Sikh, Tao and National Spiritualist Association congregations, and counts of congregations and adherents from Bahá'ís, three Buddhist groupings, four Hindu groupings, four Jewish groupings, Muslims and Zoroastrians. The 236 groups reported a total of 344,894 congregations with 150,686,156 adherents, comprising 48.8 percent of the total U.S. population of 308,745,538 in 2010.

Visit the "/us-religion/sources-for-religious-congregations-membership-data" Target="_blank">frequently asked questions page for more information about the ARDA's religious congregation and membership data.