Religious Diversity Around the World
Singapore is the world’s most religiously diverse country overall as of 2020, while Yemen is the least diverse. But the U.S. ranks first among nations with very large populations, followed by Nigeria and Russia.
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6 facts about Buddhism in China
While only 4% of Chinese adults formally identify as Buddhists, formal affiliation doesn’t reflect the full extent of Buddhist belief and practice.
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Buddhists in South and Southeast Asia generally approve of foreign tourists visiting Buddhist sites
Majorities of Buddhists in these countries also say it is appropriate for non-Buddhist tourists to participate in Buddhist practices.
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Across U.S. religious groups, more see decline of marriage as negative than positive
Large numbers of Americans in many different religious groups express concern about fewer people getting married.
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5 facts about religion in South and Southeast Asia
Most people in all six South and Southeast Asian countries surveyed say they believe in God or unseen beings.
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Buddhism, Islam and Religious Pluralism in South and Southeast Asia
In Thailand, Cambodia and Sri Lanka, more than 90% of Buddhists see strong links between their religion and country. In the neighboring countries of Malaysia and Indonesia, nearly all Muslims say being Muslim is important to being truly part of their nation.
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Why some Americans prefer to go to religious services in person and others prefer to watch virtually
Some 17% of U.S. adults regularly attend religious services in person and watch them online or on TV.
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Chinese Communist Party promotes atheism, but many members still partake in religious customs
Despite the Chinese Communist Party’s ban on religion, some 6% of party members formally identify with a religion.
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Is China a religious country or not? It’s a tricky question to answer
Based on formal religious identity, China is the least religious country in the world – with just 10% of Chinese adults self-identifying with a religion.
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Measuring Religion in China
Only one-in-ten Chinese adults formally identify with a religion, but surveys indicate that religion plays a much bigger role in China when the definition is widened to include questions on spirituality, customs and traditional beliefs.
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Many Americans report interacting with dead relatives in dreams or other ways
46% of Americans report that they’ve been visited by a dead family member in a dream, while 31% report having been visited by dead relatives in some other form.
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Signature Reports
Many Religious ‘Nones’ Around the World Hold Spiritual Beliefs
Many religious “nones,” which include atheists and agnostics, in 22 countries hold religious or spiritual beliefs, such as in an afterlife or something beyond the natural world.
47% of U.S. Adults Have a Personal or Family Connection to Catholicism
Nearly half of U.S. adults are connected to Catholicism. Read about going to Mass, Communion, confession and more.
Decline of Christianity in the U.S. Has Slowed, May Have Leveled Off
After years of decline, the U.S. Christian share now shows signs of leveling off. The new Religious Landscape Study explores trends in identity, beliefs and practices.
Key Findings From the Global Religious Futures Project
The Global Religious Futures (GRF) project is jointly funded by The Pew Charitable Trusts and The John Templeton Foundation. Here are some big-picture findings from the GRF, together with context from other Pew Research Center studies.
