14. Religion in sub-Saharan Africa
Most people in sub-Saharan Africa are Christian. Christians and Muslims grew rapidly in number in the region from 2010 to 2020.
Numbers, Facts and Trends Shaping Your World
Most people in sub-Saharan Africa are Christian. Christians and Muslims grew rapidly in number in the region from 2010 to 2020.
Read how demographic factors – age composition, life expectancy and fertility rates – and religious switching changed the global religious landscape.
Some activities, such as prayer, are widespread. Others, such as fasting and lighting incense or candles, vary more by country.
Hindus, Muslims and the unaffiliated each make up about a quarter or more of the Asia-Pacific population. These groups all grew there from 2010-2020.
Compared with last year, perceptions of discrimination against Jews and Muslims have declined among both Republicans and Democrats (including independents who lean toward each party). There also has been a modest decrease in the share of the public saying evangelical Christians face at least some discrimination, largely due to a change among Republicans. Read the […]
Christians remain the largest religious group, and Muslims grew the fastest from 2010 to 2020. Read how the global share of Buddhists, Hindus, Jews and the religiously unaffiliated changed.
In nearly every place surveyed, half or more say life after death is likely. Fewer believe in reincarnation or that ancestral spirits can affect their lives.
Republicans are less likely than in 2024 to say there is discrimination against Black, Hispanic, Asian and White people.
The share of people who retain their childhood religious identity in adulthood varies across religious categories.
Large majorities around the world say they believe in God. Read about beliefs in spiritual presence “beyond the natural world,” and in animals and nature.
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