What is the future of religion worldwide? In some countries, particularly in the West there has been a dramatic increase in secularism and decline in those identifying with traditional religious beliefs. However according to Pew research we're unlikley to see these trends worldwide in the next few decades. Paradoxically we will see an overall rise in the number of those who identify with some of the mainstream religions.
What is the current state of religion worldwide? Pew research has done some interesting studies and analysis that I'm sure has been discussed on RF before.
Christians are the largest religious group in 2015
So in 2015 Christianity was the largest religion in the world at 31% of the world's population with Islam 24%, Hinduism 15% and Buddhism 7%. So there is 77% of the world's population affiliated with four religions, and 55% of the world's population affiliated with either Christianity or Islam.
World’s largest religion by population is still Christianity
The future of religious affiliation in the next 50 years is likely to see Islam overtake Christainity as the largest world religion. If we take some of the projected figures from another Pew research analysis the numbers by 2050, just 30 years from now based on population growth and trends within each country, a clear picture emerges. The projected percentages of adherents sre: Christainity 31%, Islam 30%, Hinduism 15% and Buddhism 5%. So those four main religions now make up 81% of the worlds population with a clear predominance of both Christianity and Islam (61%).
The Future of World Religions: Population Growth Projections, 2010-2050
Does this analysis concur with your own perception of the changing demographics of the affiliation with the major religions? If not, why? More importantly, how might these changing demographics impact the state of the world and international relations in the decades to come?
