List of Religions and Where They Are Practiced Globally

Religion has always been a part of human life. No matter where we live, people search for meaning, community, and a sense of connection with something greater than themselves. For some, that “something” is God. For others, it is nature, ancestors, or spiritual energy. Even in today’s world, with technology and science shaping so much of what we do, religion continues to influence politics, culture, and daily routines.

According to surveys like those from Pew Research and reports in newspapers such as the Financial Times and Washington Post, religion isn’t going away anytime soon. In fact, it is growing in many parts of the world, especially in Africa and Asia. Christianity is still the largest religion, but Islam is growing faster and may catch up by the middle of the century. Hinduism and Buddhism remain strong in South and East Asia. Meanwhile, smaller faiths like Sikhism, Jainism, and Judaism continue to thrive in both their homelands and in global communities.

Let’s take a closer look at the different religions and the places where they are practiced today.

Major World Religions

Christianity

Christianity is the world’s largest religion with over two billion followers. It began about 2,000 years ago in the Middle East and spread widely through Europe, the Americas, and later into Africa and Asia.

There are three main groups within Christianity: Catholic, Protestant, and Orthodox. Catholics are the largest group and are centered in countries like Italy, Spain, Brazil, Mexico, and the Philippines. Protestants are strong in the United States, northern Europe, and parts of Africa. Orthodox Christians are mostly found in Eastern Europe, Greece, and Russia.

Christianity is growing in Africa and parts of Asia, while in Europe it is slowly shrinking as more people identify as non-religious. A recent Pew study found that between 2010 and 2020, Christianity’s share of the global population dropped slightly from 30.6% to 28.8%.

Islam

Islam is the second-largest religion and the fastest-growing one. It has more than 1.9 billion followers, called Muslims. Islam started in the 7th century in what is now Saudi Arabia.

Muslims are divided mainly into Sunni and Shia groups, with Sunnis being the majority. Islam is the main religion in the Middle East and North Africa, with countries like Saudi Arabia, Iran, Egypt, and Turkey at the center. It is also widespread in South Asia, especially in Pakistan, Bangladesh, and India (where it is a large minority religion). Indonesia, the world’s most populated Muslim country, and Malaysia also play important roles.

In Africa, countries such as Nigeria (north), Sudan, and Somalia have large Muslim populations. In Europe, Muslims are a growing minority in France, Germany, and the UK. According to surveys, Islam grew from 23.8% of the world’s population in 2010 to 25.6% in 2020, and the trend is expected to continue.

Hinduism

Hinduism is one of the world’s oldest religions, with roots going back more than 4,000 years. Most Hindus live in India, which is home to about 80% of the religion’s followers. Nepal also has a Hindu majority, and it was once a Hindu kingdom until 2006.

There are also Hindu communities in Mauritius, Fiji, Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, Suriname, and Sri Lanka, largely because of migration during the colonial era. Today, large Hindu communities can also be found in the UK, USA, Canada, and South Africa.

Hinduism is not a single unified faith but a collection of traditions, practices, and philosophies. It includes many gods and goddesses, rituals, and festivals, with deep cultural ties to India.

Buddhism

Buddhism began in India around the 5th century BCE with Siddhartha Gautama, known as the Buddha. It spread across Asia and became one of the major religions of the world.

There are three main forms of Buddhism: Theravāda, Mahāyāna, and Vajrayāna. Theravāda Buddhism is strongest in Sri Lanka, Thailand, Myanmar, Laos, and Cambodia. Mahāyāna Buddhism is practiced in China, Japan, Korea, and Vietnam. Vajrayāna, also known as Tibetan Buddhism, is followed in Tibet, Bhutan, Mongolia, and parts of Nepal.

Buddhism has also gained followers in Europe, the USA, and Australia, where people are drawn to its teachings on mindfulness and meditation.

Sikhism

Sikhism was founded in the 15th century in Punjab, India, by Guru Nanak. Today, most Sikhs still live in Punjab, but there are large Sikh communities in Canada, the UK, the USA, Australia, and Malaysia. Sikhs are also found in Kenya and Uganda because of earlier migration.

Sikhism teaches belief in one God, equality of all people, and service to humanity.

Judaism

Judaism is one of the oldest monotheistic religions. It began more than 3,000 years ago in the Middle East. Today, Israel is the only country where Jews form the majority. Outside Israel, the largest Jewish community lives in the USA. Other important communities are in France, the UK, Russia, Argentina, and South Africa.

Though small in number compared to other religions, Judaism has had a huge influence on Christianity and Islam.

Other Established Faiths

Alongside the major religions, there are smaller but well-known faiths that continue to have dedicated followers worldwide:

• Jainism: Found mostly in India, especially Gujarat, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, and Karnataka. Small communities live abroad in the USA, UK, and East Africa. Jainism is known for its principle of non-violence.

• Shinto: The traditional religion of Japan, focused on nature and ancestor worship. It is often practiced alongside Buddhism.

• Taoism: A Chinese religion and philosophy emphasizing harmony with nature. It is common in China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong, with influence in Vietnam and Singapore.

• Confucianism: More of a philosophy than a religion, but it shapes ethics and traditions in China, Korea, and Vietnam.

• Zoroastrianism: Once a powerful religion in ancient Persia. Today, small groups remain in Iran and India (the Parsis).

• Baháʼí Faith: Founded in 19th-century Persia. It is now spread across more than 200 countries, with large communities in India, Africa, and North and South America.

Indigenous and Tribal Religions

Besides the major world religions, many people still practice traditional or indigenous faiths.

• Africa: Yoruba in Nigeria, Akan in Ghana, and traditional Zulu beliefs in South Africa.

• Americas: Native American traditions, Santería in Cuba, Vodou in Haiti, and Candomblé in Brazil.

• Asia: Shamanism in Mongolia and Siberia, and animism in Southeast Asia.

• Oceania: Aboriginal spirituality in Australia, Maori beliefs in New Zealand, and Polynesian traditions in the Pacific Islands.

These religions often focus on ancestors, spirits, and a close relationship with nature.

New Religious Movements

In recent centuries, new religions have also developed:

• Scientology, founded in the USA, has spread to Europe and beyond.

• Rastafarianism, which began in Jamaica, is practiced in the Caribbean, the USA, and the UK.

• Falun Gong, a spiritual practice combining meditation and exercise, started in China but now has communities worldwide, though it faces persecution in China.

• Neo-Paganism and Wicca have grown in the USA, UK, and Europe, focusing on nature-based spirituality.

Global Trends and Shared Themes

Looking at all these religions, a few big patterns stand out. Christianity is still the largest religion, but Islam is growing faster. Hinduism and Buddhism are strong in Asia, while smaller religions continue through both tradition and diaspora communities. Indigenous religions still exist but face pressure from globalization.

What’s interesting is that many religions share common themes. They teach values like compassion, honesty, respect for others, and caring for the environment. In fact, some modern discussions link religion with issues like climate change and environmental protection.

At the same time, more people in Europe and North America are saying they are “spiritual but not religious.” This shows how faith is adapting to modern life, with new forms of community being built online and across cultures.

Conclusion

Religion continues to play an important role in how people live, vote, and see the world. Even though many people today choose a secular lifestyle, billions still find meaning in their faith traditions. From Christianity in the Americas to Islam in the Middle East, Hinduism in India, Buddhism in East Asia, and indigenous practices across continents, the story of religion is really the story of humanity itself.

Understanding where different religions are practiced helps us see how connected we are. It shows that while our beliefs may differ, the need for meaning, community, and hope is something we all share.