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Asia Population by Religion 2023

Asia is the birthplace and cradle of important religions that later spread to many parts of the world. Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Confucianism, Daoism,  Sikhism, Shamanism, and Shintō all originated in Asia.  The Middle East is the birthplace of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. India is the ancient home of Hinduism, Buddhism, and Sikhism. All of these religions are still practiced by millions of people in Asia.

Islam is the most practiced religion in Asia, followed by Hinduism in the second spot. The unaffiliated population comes next closely followed by Buddhism, Folk Religions, and Christianity.  Other smaller religions include Baha’is, Jains, Sikhs, Taoists, Jews, and many smaller faiths. 

Source: Pew Research Center 

Religion in Asia by population

As of 2020, Islam was the largest religion in Asia, with an estimated 1.29 billion adherents, nearly a third (28.32%) of all 4.56 billion people in Asia. Hinduism was second, with 1.15 billion adherents, or 25.28% of the Asian population.

The unaffiliated population in Asia is around 880 million people or 19.29% of the Asia population. Buddhism was fourth, with 498 million adherents, or 10.93% of the Asia population followed by Folk Religions with 380 million adherents, or 8.35% of the Asian population. Adherents of various folk religions include traditional religions, Chinese folk religions, and Native and aboriginal religions.

The Christian population in Asia is around 298 million people or 6.53% of the Asian population. Jews account for 6.4 million or less than 1 percent population. Other smaller religions combined – an umbrella category that includes Baha’is, Jains, Sikhs, Taoists, and other smaller faiths are approximately 53 million or 1.16% of the Asia population. 

Let’s look at the Asia population by adherents

Religion Estimated Population 2020
Muslims 1,291,950,000
Hindus 1,153,240,000
Unaffiliated 880,090,000
Buddhists 498,680,000
Folk Religions 380,760,000
Christians 298,160,000
Jews 6,410,000
Other Religions53,080,000

Source: Pew Research Center

Religion in Asia by Percentage

ReligionPercentage 2020
Muslims28.32%
Hindus25.28%
Unaffiliated19.29%
Buddhists10.93%
Folk Religions8.35%
Christians6.53%
Other Religions1.16%
Jews0.14%
  


Source: Pew Research Center

Top Asian Countries by Muslim Population

Indonesia is the country with the Largest Muslim population in the world and Asia also. With a 200+ million Muslim population, India is in second place closely followed by Pakistan. Let’s have at Top 10 countries in Asia by the Muslim population. 

RankCountryEst Muslim Pop 2020
1Indonesia229,620,000
2India213,340,000
3Pakistan200,490,000
4Bangladesh153,010,000
5Iran80,880,000
6Turkey79,090,000
7Iraq41,430,000
8Afghanistan40,610,000
9Yemen32,060,000
10Saudi Arabia30,690,000

Source: Pew Research Center

Top Asian Countries by Hindu Population

India is the country with the largest Hindu population in the world and Asia also. With a 28 million Hindu population, Nepal is in second place followed by Bangladesh. Percentage-wise Nepal has the highest percentage of Hindus in the world.

Let’s have at Top 10 countries in Asia by the Hindu population. 

#CountryHindus Pop. 2020
1India1,093,780,000
2Nepal28,600,000
3Bangladesh13,790,000
4Indonesia4,210,000
5Pakistan3,990,000
6Sri Lanka3,090,000
7Malaysia1,940,000
8Burma (Myanmar)890,000
9United Arab Emirates660,000
10Saudi Arabia440,000

Source: Pew Research Center

Top Asian Countries by Buddhist Population

China is the country with the Largest Buddhist population in the world and Asia also. With a 66 million Buddhist population, Thailand is in second place followed by Myanmar.

Let’s have at Top 10 countries in Asia by the Buddhist population. 

#CountryBuddhist Pop 2020
1China254,700,000
2Thailand66,120,000
3Myanmar41,440,000
4Japan41,380,000
5Cambodia15,690,000
6Vietnam15,560,000
7Sri Lanka15,440,000
8South Korea10,950,000
9India10,140,000
10Malaysia5,220,000

Source: Pew Research Center

Top Asian Countries by Christain Population

Philippines with a 100 million Christain population is the country with the Largest Christian population in Asia. With 72 million Christians China is in second place followed by India.

Let’s have at Top 10 countries in Asia by the Christian population. 

#CountryChristian Population 2020
1Philippines102,320,000
2China72,410,000
3India33,800,000
4Indonesia26,930,000
5South Korea15,000,000
6Vietnam8,070,000
7Kazakhstan4,130,000
8Burma (Myanmar)4,040,000
9Pakistan3,260,000
10Armenia3,180,000

Source: Pew Research Center