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Religion in Africa 2023
As of 2020, Christianity was by far the largest religion in Africa, with an estimated 658 million adherents, nearly half (50%) of Africa’s Population. Islam was second, with an estimated 575 million adherents, or 44% of the African population.
Sub-Saharan African Nations have a higher percentage of the Christian population and North African countries have a Muslim majority. Nigeria the most populous country in Africa also has the largest Christain and Muslim population in Africa.
Adherents of various folk religions – including African traditional religions, folk religions, Native African religions, and aboriginal religions account for an estimated 34 million (2.65%) of the African population.
The unaffiliated population in Africa is around 33 million people or 2.53% of the African population. Other Religions include Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikkim, Jews, and other smaller faiths.
also read about Africa Population and Countries in Africa
Africa population by religion
As of 2020, Christianity was Africa’s largest religion, followed by Islam in the second spot. The Folk Religions come next closely followed by the unaffiliated population at fourth and Hinduism at fifth. Most North African Countries have a Muslim majority and Sub-Saharan Africa has a Christian majority.
Let’s look at the African population by adherents
| Religion | Estimated Population 2020 |
| Christians | 658,530,000 |
| Muslims | 575,350,000 |
| Folk Religions | 34,550,000 |
| Unaffiliated | 33,000,000 |
| Hindus | 1,580,000 |
| Buddhists | 150,000 |
| Other Religions | 2,900,000 |
| Total | 1,306,060,000 (estimated) |
Source: Pew Research Center
Religion in Africa by Percentage
| Religion | Percentage 2020 |
| Christians | 50.43% |
| Muslims | 44.06% |
| Folk Religions | 2.65% |
| Unaffiliated | 2.53% |
| Hindus | 0.12% |
| Buddhists | 0.01% |
| Other Religions | 0.22% |
Source: Pew Research Center
Top African Countries by Christian Population
Nigeria is the country with the Largest Christian population in Africa. It has an estimated 96 million people who adhere to Chrisanity. With an 81 million Christain population, the Democratic Republic of the Congo is in second place followed by Ethiopia. Kenya with a 44 million Christian population is in 4th place closely followed by South Africa in the fifth spot.
Let’s have a Top 20 countries in Africa by the Christian population.
| Rank | Country | Christians | % of total pop. |
| 1 | Nigeria | 96,080,000 | 46.90% |
| 2 | Democratic Republic of the Congo | 81,520,000 | 95.80% |
| 3 | Ethiopia | 62,610,000 | 61.90% |
| 4 | Kenya | 44,460,000 | 84.50% |
| 5 | South Africa | 43,530,000 | 80.80% |
| 6 | Uganda | 39,390,000 | 86.10% |
| 7 | Tanzania | 38,740,000 | 63.10% |
| 8 | Madagascar | 23,200,000 | 84.70% |
| 9 | Ghana | 22,330,000 | 73.60% |
| 10 | Angola | 22,190,000 | 90.50% |
| 11 | Zambia | 17,510,000 | 97.40% |
| 12 | Malawi | 17,280,000 | 83.40% |
| 13 | Mozambique | 16,760,000 | 57.80% |
| 14 | Cameroon | 16,750,000 | 69.60% |
| 15 | Rwanda | 13,230,000 | 93.80% |
| 16 | Zimbabwe | 12,720,000 | 87.10% |
| 17 | Ivory Coast | 10,690,000 | 44% |
| 18 | Burundi | 9,180,000 | 91% |
| 19 | South Sudan | 7,530,000 | 60.50% |
| 20 | Chad | 6,040,000 | 41.10% |
Source: Pew Research Center
Top African Countries by Muslim Population
Nigeria is the country with the Largest Muslim population in Africa. It has an estimated 104 million people who adhere to Islam. With a 90 million Muslim population, Egypt is in second place followed by Algeria. Sudan with a 38 million Muslim population is in 4th place closely followed by Ethiopia in the fifth spot.
Most North African Countries have a Muslim majority and Sub-Saharan Africa has a Christian majority.
Let’s have a Top 10 countries in Africa by the Muslim population.
| Rank | Country | Est. Muslim Population 2020 | % of the Total Population |
| 1 | Nigeria | 104,650,000 | 51.10% |
| 2 | Egypt | 90,420,000 | 95.30% |
| 3 | Algeria | 39,430,000 | 97.90% |
| 4 | Sudan | 38,430,000 | 90.70% |
| 5 | Ethiopia | 36,290,000 | 35.90% |
| 6 | Morocco | 35,510,000 | 99.00% |
| 7 | Niger | 21,660,000 | 98.30% |
| 8 | Tanzania | 20,950,000 | 34.10% |
| 9 | Mali | 19,610,000 | 94.60% |
| 10 | Senegal | 15,480,000 | 96.60% |
| 11 | Burkina Faso | 14,240,000 | 62.70% |
| 12 | Somalia | 12,110,000 | 99.00% |
| 13 | Tunisia | 11,440,000 | 99.00% |
| 14 | Guinea | 10,800,000 | 84.60% |
| 15 | Ivory Coast | 9,040,000 | 37.20% |
| 16 | Chad | 8,090,000 | 55% |
| 17 | Libya | 7,170,000 | 97% |
| 18 | Sierra Leone | 5,620,000 | 78.50% |
| 19 | Kenya | 5,550,000 | 10.50% |
| 20 | Uganda | 5,550,000 | 12.10% |
Source: Pew Research Center
Top African Countries by Folk Religion
Let’s have a Top 10 countries in Africa by the Folk/ African population.
| Region | Country | Folk/ African Religions % |
| 1 | Togo | 36.9 |
| 2 | South Sudan | 32.9 |
| 3 | Guinea-Bissau | 30.6 |
| 4 | Benin | 17.9 |
| 5 | Burkina Faso | 15.1 |
| 6 | Ivory Coast | 10.5 |
Source: Pew Research Center