The global trend toward secularism and non-religious affiliations is rising, as more people around the world identify as agnostic, atheist, or simply “not religious.”
While religious belief and practices are still strong in many regions, secularism has taken hold in several countries, reflecting cultural shifts, historical events, and political climates that have influenced citizens’ spiritual and ethical views.
The following is a detailed exploration of the 15 countries with the largest non-religious populations, based on findings from Pew Research Center.
1. Czech Republic
The Czech Republic has consistently been ranked as the least religious country in the world, with 78.4% of its population identifying as non-religious.
This secular trend can be traced back to the country’s communist history, as Czechoslovakia, under Soviet influence, was a strongly atheist state.
The communist government actively suppressed religious practices, which significantly reduced the number of believers.
Today, despite some revival of religious traditions, the majority of Czech citizens reject organized religion, and secularism is deeply entrenched in their cultural and societal fabric.
2. North Korea
North Korea is another country where religion is highly suppressed. Although the constitution nominally guarantees freedom of religion, the North Korean regime’s approach to religion is authoritarian.
Religious practice is prohibited if it threatens the state’s control, and the government has systematically persecuted religious practitioners.
As a result, over 71% of North Koreans identify as non-religious. State-sponsored ideologies such as Juche, the country’s official philosophy, have also contributed to the country’s secularism.
3. Estonia
In Estonia, 60% of the population identifies as non-religious. This Baltic state has a history shaped by the Lutheran Church, yet religious practice has waned significantly, especially after the country was under Soviet occupation from 1940 to 1990.
During this time, religion was actively discouraged, and secularism became the dominant worldview.
Estonia today is one of the most secular nations in Europe, with a growing number of individuals who identify as agnostic or atheist, particularly among the younger generations.
4. Japan
Japan’s unique approach to spirituality is a mix of cultural traditions, including Shintoism, Buddhism, and folk religions.
However, a significant 60% of the population identifies as non-religious. Many Japanese people continue to observe cultural practices and rituals influenced by these traditions, but they do not adhere to organized religious systems.
This trend is reflective of Japan’s rapid modernization and Westernization, which led to a decline in traditional religious beliefs over the years.
Despite a strong cultural reverence for ancestral worship, the general public tends to separate spirituality from formal religion.
5. Hong Kong
Hong Kong, with its diverse population, has a relatively low rate of religious affiliation, with 55% of its citizens identifying as non-religious.
The city is known for its cosmopolitan culture, and this diversity has contributed to a pluralistic society where religious identity is less pronounced.
Hong Kong’s colonial history and its status as a global financial hub have also influenced its secular atmosphere.
As a former British colony, it maintained a separation between church and state, and today, religious identity is less central in public life.
6. China
China’s non-religious population is also substantial, with 52% of its population identifying as non-religious.
Historically, China was home to major religions such as Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism.
However, during the 20th century, particularly after the establishment of the People’s Republic of China in 1949, the Chinese Communist Party enforced secularism, leading to a decline in religious participation.
Religious practice in China is tightly controlled, and many citizens have adopted secular or atheistic views, especially in urban areas.
7. South Korea
South Korea has seen a significant rise in secularism, with nearly 46% of its population identifying as non-religious.
Traditionally, the country had a strong connection to Buddhism and Christianity, but in recent years, a growing number of South Koreans have become disillusioned with organized religion.
Economic advancement and the rise of individualism have contributed to a decline in religious participation.
Despite the presence of major religious institutions, a large segment of the population now prefers secular worldviews.
8. Latvia
Latvia, a country in the Baltic region, has a non-religious rate of 45.3%. Like its neighbors Estonia and Lithuania, Latvia experienced Soviet occupation, during which atheism was promoted as the state ideology.
Although the country is predominantly Lutheran, many Latvians remain indifferent to religious practices.
The secular nature of Latvian society has been reinforced by the country’s historical experiences with foreign domination and its relatively recent independence.
9. Netherlands
The Netherlands has long been known for its progressive, secular society. Approximately 44.3% of Dutch citizens are non-religious, and this number continues to rise, particularly among younger generations.
Secularism in the Netherlands began after World War II when traditional religious institutions started losing their influence.
Over time, many Dutch people rejected formal religious affiliation in favor of individual spirituality or complete secularism, making the Netherlands one of the most secular countries in Europe.
10. Uruguay
Uruguay stands out in South America for its relatively high non-religious population, with more than 40% of its citizens identifying as non-religious.
This can be attributed to the country’s long history of secularization, which includes progressive laws such as the prohibition of religious references in official oaths.
Uruguay’s secular traditions date back to the late 19th century when the country adopted a secular constitution.
This cultural context, combined with the country’s emphasis on individual rights and freedoms, has fostered a largely secular public sphere.
11. New Zealand
New Zealand has a non-religious rate of just under 40%. This small island nation has a strong cultural tradition of secularism, partly due to its history as a British colony, where church and state were kept separate.
Moreover, New Zealand’s distinctive social policies, which promote personal freedoms and a clear separation between private and public life, have made religion less central to public identity.
Many New Zealanders still partake in cultural and spiritual practices but do not affiliate with any organized religion.
12. Mongolia
Mongolia, which underwent communist rule from 1924 to 1990, has a non-religious rate of 36.5%.
Under Soviet influence, religion was suppressed, and atheism was promoted as state ideology. Although the country has a rich Buddhist heritage, many Mongolians now identify as secular.
The fall of communism has led to a revival of some traditional practices, but the majority of the population remains non-religious or follows a more culturally integrated form of spirituality rather than formal religious practices.
13. France
France has a long history of secularism, dating back to the French Revolution and the 1905 law that officially separated church and state.
Today, 31.9% of the French population identifies as non-religious, with this number growing in recent years, particularly among younger people.
France’s secularism is rooted in its history of fighting religious influence on politics, and this tradition continues to shape the country’s national identity.
Secular views are now widespread, even as the country maintains a deep cultural connection to Catholicism.
14. Åland Islands
The Åland Islands, an autonomous region of Finland, have a non-religious rate of 31.5%. Despite the dominance of the Lutheran Church in this Swedish-speaking territory, a significant portion of the population identifies as secular.
The region’s secularization is part of a broader trend in Finland and other Nordic countries, where the influence of organized religion has waned in recent decades.
15. United Kingdom
The United Kingdom, home to the Church of England, has seen a decline in religious affiliation over the years.
Currently, 31.2% of the population is non-religious. This shift has been particularly pronounced among younger generations, many of whom no longer feel a connection to the church or traditional religious practices.
Secularism in the UK gained ground after World War II, and with the rise of social liberalism and individualism, more people are choosing not to affiliate with religion.
Alicia Richards