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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 Religions | 53,080,000 |
Source: Pew Research Center
Religion in Asia by Percentage
| Religion | Percentage 2020 |
| Muslims | 28.32% |
| Hindus | 25.28% |
| Unaffiliated | 19.29% |
| Buddhists | 10.93% |
| Folk Religions | 8.35% |
| Christians | 6.53% |
| Other Religions | 1.16% |
| Jews | 0.14% |
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.
| Rank | Country | Est Muslim Pop 2020 |
| 1 | Indonesia | 229,620,000 |
| 2 | India | 213,340,000 |
| 3 | Pakistan | 200,490,000 |
| 4 | Bangladesh | 153,010,000 |
| 5 | Iran | 80,880,000 |
| 6 | Turkey | 79,090,000 |
| 7 | Iraq | 41,430,000 |
| 8 | Afghanistan | 40,610,000 |
| 9 | Yemen | 32,060,000 |
| 10 | Saudi Arabia | 30,690,000 |
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.
| # | Country | Hindus Pop. 2020 |
| 1 | India | 1,093,780,000 |
| 2 | Nepal | 28,600,000 |
| 3 | Bangladesh | 13,790,000 |
| 4 | Indonesia | 4,210,000 |
| 5 | Pakistan | 3,990,000 |
| 6 | Sri Lanka | 3,090,000 |
| 7 | Malaysia | 1,940,000 |
| 8 | Burma (Myanmar) | 890,000 |
| 9 | United Arab Emirates | 660,000 |
| 10 | Saudi Arabia | 440,000 |
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.
| # | Country | Buddhist Pop 2020 |
| 1 | China | 254,700,000 |
| 2 | Thailand | 66,120,000 |
| 3 | Myanmar | 41,440,000 |
| 4 | Japan | 41,380,000 |
| 5 | Cambodia | 15,690,000 |
| 6 | Vietnam | 15,560,000 |
| 7 | Sri Lanka | 15,440,000 |
| 8 | South Korea | 10,950,000 |
| 9 | India | 10,140,000 |
| 10 | Malaysia | 5,220,000 |
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.
| # | Country | Christian Population 2020 |
| 1 | Philippines | 102,320,000 |
| 2 | China | 72,410,000 |
| 3 | India | 33,800,000 |
| 4 | Indonesia | 26,930,000 |
| 5 | South Korea | 15,000,000 |
| 6 | Vietnam | 8,070,000 |
| 7 | Kazakhstan | 4,130,000 |
| 8 | Burma (Myanmar) | 4,040,000 |
| 9 | Pakistan | 3,260,000 |
| 10 | Armenia | 3,180,000 |
Source: Pew Research Center