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
-
Religion’s Relationship to Happiness, Civic Engagement and Health Around the World
People who are active in religious congregations tend to be happier and more civically engaged than either religiously unaffiliated adults or inactive members of religious groups, according to a new Pew Research Center analysis of survey data from the United States and more than two dozen other countries.
-
Eastern and Western Europeans Differ on Importance of Religion, Views of Minorities, and Key Social Issues
The European continent today is split in public attitudes toward religion, minorities and social issues such as gay marriage and legal abortion.
-
Global Uptick in Government Restrictions on Religion in 2016
Restrictions on religion increased in 2016 for the second straight year. Nationalist parties and organizations played an increasing role in harassment of religious minorities, especially in Europe.
-
The Age Gap in Religion Around the World
Young adults tend to be less religious than their elders by several measures; the opposite is rarely true. This pattern holds true across many countries that have different religious, economic and social profiles.
-
Europe’s Growing Muslim Population
Even with no new migration, Muslims are projected to increase as a share of Europe’s population.
-
Orthodox Christianity in the 21st Century
Concentrated in Europe, Orthodox Christians have declined as share of the global Christian population, from 20% in 1910 to 12% today. But the Ethiopian community is highly observant and growing.
-
Many Countries Favor Specific Religions, Officially or Unofficially
Islam is the most common state religion, but many governments give privileges to Christianity.
-
Religious Belief and National Belonging in Central and Eastern Europe
Religion has reasserted itself as an important part of individual and national identity in a region that was once dominated by atheist communist regimes.
-
Global Restrictions on Religion Rise Modestly in 2015, Reversing Downward Trend
Government restrictions on religion and social hostilities involving religion increased in 2015 for the first time in three years. Government harassment and use of force surged in Europe, as did social hostilities against Muslims.
-
The Changing Global Religious Landscape
More babies were born to Christian mothers than to members of any other religion in recent years. Less than 20 years from now, however, the number of babies born to Muslims is expected to modestly exceed births to Christians.
