A new report from the Pew Research Center has revealed a striking shift in global religious demographics, with a noticeable decline in the number of Christian-majority countries over the past decade. While Christianity remains the most widespread religion globally, the pace at which people are disassociating from the faith is accelerating, sparking international conversations about cultural identity, secularism, and political ramifications even affecting countries such as India.
Christianity Declining in Once-Dominant Regions
According to Pew’s analysis of 201 countries and territories, the number of countries with a Christian-majority population has decreased from 124 in 2010 to 120 in 2020. This change brings the global percentage of Christian-majority nations down from 62% to 60% in just a decade. The key driver behind this shift is the increasing number of individuals who are leaving Christianity, often identifying themselves as religiously unaffiliated.
The most striking declines have occurred in the United Kingdom, France, Australia, and Uruguay, where Christians no longer form the majority. In these nations, the Christian population has dropped below 50%, while the number of people identifying with no religion has risen significantly. In 2020, 10 countries had a majority population that claimed no religious affiliation, up from 7 in 2010.
Uruguay: A Distinct Case in the Americas
Uruguay stands out as the only country in the Americas where Christians are no longer the majority. As of 2020, 52% of Uruguayans identified as religiously unaffiliated, while only 44% identified as Christians. The trend reflects a broader pattern of secularism and religious disaffiliation seen in several developed nations.
In the UK, France, and Australia, no single religious group holds a majority, although the proportion of non-religious individuals has come close to or surpassed that of Christians. The data underscores a growing trend toward secularism, especially in Western societies.
In contrast, the number of Muslim-majority countries has remained stable over the same period. Pew’s report shows that in both 2010 and 2020, 53 countries had Muslim-majority populations. This consistency contrasts sharply with the decline seen in Christian-majority nations.
Hindu and Buddhist Demographics
There are currently only two Hindu-majority countries: India and Nepal. Notably, 95% of the world’s Hindu population resides in India, while in Mauritius, Hindus constitute the largest religious group at 48%, but they do not constitute a majority.
Globally, Hindus make up about 15% of the total population. Meanwhile, the number of Buddhist-majority countries has remained unchanged at 7. Israel continues to be the only Jewish-majority nation in the world.
The findings highlight a profound transformation in global religious affiliation. The decline of Christianity in traditional Western strongholds and the rise of religious ‘nones’ reflect shifting values and increased secularism. These trends may have far-reaching implications for geopolitics, cultural policy, and interfaith dynamics in the years ahead.