Historical estimates, whose reliability and comparability varies, show an increasing number of Chinese Protestants, but surveys find no clear evidence of a recent rise in self-identified Protestants

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August 25, 2023

4. Christianity

Historical estimates, whose reliability and comparability varies, show an increasing number of Chinese Protestants, but surveys find no clear evidence of a recent rise in self-identified Protestants

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Historical estimates, whose reliability and comparability varies, show an increasing number of Chinese Protestants, but surveys find no clear evidence of a recent rise in self-identified Protestants

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4. Christianity
Chinese House Churches
Estimates of the number of Christians in China vary, depending on the measure used
Chinese General Social Survey finds 2% of Chinese adults formally identify with Christianity
Many Chinese adults who believe in Jesus Christ also believe in other religious figures
Surveys do not provide clear evidence that Christianity in China is growing
Stronger religious commitment is more closely linked to formal Christian identity than to Christian belief
Chinese who formally identify with Christianity tend to be female, older and have lower levels of education
China’s crackdown on Christian venues appears to have halted the rise in Protestant churches, and slowed Catholic church registrations
Protestant churches in China were concentrated in coastal areas, as of 2004
In 2004, China’s Catholic churches were most numerous in Hebei, where many Catholics live
Official estimates suggest China’s Catholic population has been stable since 2010, and surveys find no growth among self-identified Catholics

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