Religion plays a significant role in shaping the development of societies around the world. According to data compiled by the Pew Research Center, Indonesia is the most religious country, with 98 percent of respondents stating that religion is very important in their lives. Indonesia, a Muslim-majority nation, is home to smaller religious groups such as Christians, Hindus, Buddhists, and Confucians. Other highly religious countries include Senegal, Pakistan, Mali, and Tanzania. The Sub-Saharan Africa region was found to be one of the most religious, with over 80 percent of citizens reporting that religion played an important role in their lives.
On the other hand, East Asia and Western Europe were found to be among the least religious parts of the world. Less than 10 percent of Japanese respondents considered religion to be very important in their lives, and similar responses were recorded in Hong Kong, Taiwan, and South Korea. In Western European countries such as Denmark, Switzerland, the U.K., Sweden, and others, less than 20 percent of respondents found religion important. Eastern European countries like Russia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Bulgaria, Czech, and Estonia also reported low importance of religion in their lives. Greece was an exception, with over half of respondents stating that religion was important.
In the United States, just over 40 percent of citizens said religion was very important in their lives. Among Latin American nations, many ranked in the top half in terms of religiousness, including Honduras, Guatemala, Nicaragua, El Salvador, and the Dominican Republic. Indonesia also topped the list for countries with the highest rates of daily prayer, followed by Nigeria, Senegal, Iraq, and Niger. In the U.S., approximately 45 percent of Americans reported praying daily. Newsweek has previously mapped the most religious states in America, with Alabama and Virginia ranking the highest, while states like Maine, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont were among the least religious.
The Pew Research Center gathered data from over 100 locations between 2008 and 2023 to determine the religiousness of countries around the world. Indonesia emerged as the most religious country, reflecting the strong influence of Islam and other religious beliefs within the nation. The survey also highlighted regional differences in religiosity, with Sub-Saharan Africa standing out as one of the most religious regions, while East Asia and Western Europe were among the least religious. These findings provide valuable insights into the role of religion in different societies and how it shapes individuals’ daily lives.
Overall, the Pew report sheds light on the diverse religious landscapes across the globe, showcasing the varying importance of religion in different countries. From highly religious nations like Indonesia to less religious regions in East Asia and Western Europe, the data provides a comprehensive overview of global religious beliefs and practices. The findings also underscore the significance of religion in shaping cultural identities and values, influencing societal norms, and impacting individual behaviors worldwide.
