The number of citizens who identify as non-religious is increasing across the globe, but the depth of secularism varies significantly from country to country.
While a rise in prosperity is often linked to a decline in religious affiliation, it’s worth noting that some of the countries with the fewest religious citizens still face considerable economic and societal challenges.
A significant factor contributing to the global trend of rising non-religious populations is state-sponsored religious restrictions.
So, how do we determine which countries are the least religious? According to polling by the Pew Research Center, the focus is on the number of citizens who are not affiliated with a specific organized religion.
It’s important to understand that identifying as “non-religious” doesn’t necessarily mean a person lacks an ethical or moral framework, or that they don’t engage in any spiritual practices; it primarily means they don’t follow an organized religion.
Based on Pew Research’s findings, here are the 15 countries with the highest rates of non-religious citizens:
1. Czech Republic
Topping the list as the least religious country in the world, the Czech Republic has a remarkable non-religious rate of 78.4%.
This high number is thought to be connected to the country’s history under communist rule from 1948 to 1989, as communism typically promotes atheism or secular ideologies.
2. North Korea
With 71% of its citizens reporting as non-religious, North Korea comes in second. Despite its constitution granting freedom of religion, the government strictly prohibits using religion to “harm the state,” a justification frequently used for arresting, torturing, imprisoning, or even executing individuals based on their religious practices.
3. Estonia
Sixty percent of Estonians are non-religious. Although Estonia is an old country with historical ties to various religious groups like Lutherans, Orthodox Christians, and Roman Catholics, its connection to communism from 1940 to 1990 significantly decreased the number of citizens practicing religion.
4. Japan
Surprisingly, despite a deep cultural reverence for traditions rooted in Shintoism and Buddhism, and the presence of approximately 80,000 Shinto Shrines, 60% of Japanese citizens say they are non-religious.
5. Hong Kong
Hong Kong’s diverse demographics and cosmopolitan culture contribute to its relatively low religious affiliation. Almost 55% of its citizens report not being religious.
6. China
Just over half (52%) of China’s population is non-religious. While Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism were historically popular, the current government often forbids many religious practices and censors religious materials.
7. South Korea
South Korea has a non-religious rate of 46%. A shift towards more secularized worldviews, particularly those emphasizing economic advancement over religious practice, has resulted in fewer South Koreans attending services at religious institutions.
8. Latvia
Following the trend of increasing secularism in Europe, Latvia’s non-religious rate is 45.3%. The state policy of atheism during the Soviet era appears to have had a lasting impact.
9. Netherlands
Secularism began to rise in the Netherlands after World War II. Today, 44.3% are non-religious, partly because much of the younger generation was raised entirely outside of religious institutions.
10. Uruguay
Uruguay is a notable exception in the typically religious South America, with just over 40% of citizens unaffiliated with any religion.
This distinctiveness may stem from Uruguay’s long history of secularization, including a law that bans any mention of God in oaths of office.
11. New Zealand
Just under 40% of New Zealand citizens are non-religious. A lack of public religious rhetoric and a culture that emphasizes maintaining clear distinctions between public and personal life might explain why many New Zealanders are not religious.
12. Mongolia
Mongolia experienced a communist period from 1924 to 1990, during which all religion was suppressed. This history explains Mongolia’s non-religious rate of 36.5%.
13. France
France officially separated church and state in 1905, but secular views were gaining popularity even before then.
Secularists actively promoted non-religious views during the 1789 French Revolution. Today, 31.9% of French citizens are non-religious.
14. Aland Islands
These Swedish-speaking islands off the coast of Finland have a non-religious rate of 31.5%. While largely dominated by the Lutheran church, a significant minority holds secular views.
15. United Kingdom
The UK, home to the Church of England, is seeing rising rates of secularism, particularly as younger generations move away from their religious backgrounds.
Secularism has been increasing in the UK since the end of the Second World War, resulting in a non-religious rate of 31.2%.
Alicia Richards