Religion

World Population by Religion (2024)

Understanding the distribution of the world’s population by religion offers valuable insights into global cultures, traditions, and demographics. As of 2024, the world’s population is approximately 8 billion people, with a diverse range of religious beliefs and affiliations. Here is an overview of the major religions and their estimated global populations:

### 1. Christianity - 31.2% (Approximately

 2.5 billion people)

   - Christianity remains the largest religion in the world. It is the dominant religion in the Americas, Europe, and parts of Africa, with significant communities in Asia.

### 2. Islam - 24.9%(Approximately 2 billion people)

   - Islam is the second-largest religion globally, with a strong presence in the Middle East, North Africa, South Asia, and Southeast Asia. The Muslim population is expected to grow rapidly in the coming decades.

### 3. Secular/Non-religious/Agnostic/Atheist - 16% (Approximately 1.28 billion people)

   - This category includes people who identify as secular, non-religious, agnostic, or atheist. The number of people in this category has been increasing, particularly in Europe, North America, and East Asia.

### 4. **Hinduism** - **15.2%** (Approximately 1.2 billion people)

   - Hinduism is predominantly practiced in India and Nepal, with smaller communities in Bangladesh, Indonesia, and the diaspora worldwide.

### 5. **Buddhism** - **6.9%** (Approximately 550 million people)

   - Buddhism is practiced widely in East Asia, Southeast Asia, and Sri Lanka, with a growing presence in Western countries.

### 6. **Traditional Folk Religions** - **5.7%** (Approximately 456 million people)

   - Traditional folk religions encompass a wide range of belief systems, including indigenous, African traditional religions, Chinese folk religions, and others. These are often region-specific and closely tied to local cultures.

### 7. **Other Religions** - **0.8%** (Approximately 64 million people)

   - This category includes a diverse group of smaller religions such as Sikhism, Jainism, Shintoism, Bahá'í Faith, and others.

### 8. **Judaism** - **0.2%** (Approximately 15 million people)

   - Judaism is one of the oldest monotheistic religions, with the majority of Jews living in Israel and the United States, and smaller communities worldwide.

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These figures are estimates and can vary based on the source and methodology used. The religious landscape continues to evolve due to factors such as migration, conversion, and changing birth rates among religious communities.