Buddhism’s Recent Decline in East Asia
Buddhism is the only major religion in the world with a falling number of adherents. The decline is especially pronounced in East Asia, including China, South Korea and Japan.
Pew-Templeton Global Religious Futures Project
The Pew-Templeton Global Religious Futures project, funded by The Pew Charitable Trusts, John Templeton Foundation and Templeton Religion Trust, is an effort by Pew Research Center to understand religious change and its impact on societies around the world. It includes three main lines of research: a series of international surveys on religion in various regions; an ongoing demographic study of religion around the world; and an annual coding project that examines restrictions on religion in 198 countries and territories.
Religious Diversity Around the World
Catholicism Has Declined in Latin America Over the Past Decade
Key Findings From the Global Religious Futures Project
Looking for more data on religion around the world?
Sign up for our Religion newsletter
Sent weekly on Wednesday
All
Pew-Templeton Global Religious Futures Project
Publications
-
Many Catholics in the U.S. and Latin America Want the Church to Allow Birth Control and to Let Women Become Priests
Views vary on other ideas, such as recognizing same-sex marriages. Most see Pope Francis as a change in the church’s direction, and he’s broadly popular.
-
How people in Latin America and the U.S. view Pope Francis
Pope Francis is broadly popular in much of Latin America and the U.S., but favorability has fallen in the Latin American countries surveyed.
-
5 facts about Confucianism
As millions celebrate Confucius’ birthday, here are key facts about Confucianism and how its beliefs and values shape public life for East Asians.
-
Korean Americans are much more likely than people in South Korea to be Christian
Korean American adults are much less likely than adults in South Korea to be religiously unaffiliated or to be Buddhist.
-
Many around the globe say it’s important their leader stands up for people’s religious beliefs
Adults in Indonesia, Bangladesh and the Philippines are the most likely to say it is important to have a leader who stands up for people with their religious beliefs.
-
The Religious Composition of the World’s Migrants
The globe’s 280 million immigrants shape countries’ religious composition. Christians make up the largest share, but Jews are most likely to have migrated.
-
Religious Composition of the World’s Migrants, 1990-2020
Explore our interactive table showing the religious composition of immigrants around the globe and how it’s changed from 1990 to 2020.
-
Where is the most religious place in the world?
People in sub-Saharan Africa are typically among the most likely to say that religion is very important in their lives.
-
4 facts about religion and diversity in Taiwan
Buddhists, the religiously unaffiliated and Daoists each make up about a quarter of Taiwan’s adult population.
-
Across Asia, respect for elders is seen as necessary to be ‘truly’ Buddhist
Buddhists across the region also say that someone cannot be truly Buddhist if they do not respect deities or spirits.
