Statistics and Forecasts for World Religions: 1800-2025:
The graphs and data below are based on the Status of Global Mission issued by Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary.
Data Table
Totals in Millions
Year | 1800 | 1900 | 1970 | 2000 | 2013 | 2025 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Christians | 204 | 558 | 1,229 | 1,985 | 2,355 | 2,707 |
Muslims | 91 | 200 | 577 | 1,291 | 1,635 | 1,972 |
Hindus | 108 | 203 | 463 | 825 | 982 | 1,104 |
Agnostics | 0.3 | 3 | 543 | 655 | 684 | 701 |
Buddhists | 69 | 127 | 235 | 448 | 510 | 561 |
Chinese Folk Religionists | 310 | 380 | 227 | 428 | 433 | 418 |
Ethnoreligionists | 92 | 117 | 169 | 218 | 243 | 239 |
Atheists | 0.01 | 0.23 | 166 | 136 | 136 | 132 |
New-Religionists | 0 | 6 | 39 | 61 | 63 | 64 |
Sikhs | 1.8 | 3 | 11 | 21 | 25 | 30 |
Jews | 9 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 15 |
Key Facts
- In 200 years (from 1800-2000), the world population increased more than 6 times, but the Christian Population increased faster over the same period (over 9 times).
- For the period 2000-2013, the figures in point 1. above equate to an average annual growth rate of 1.18% v 1.32%. The corresponding growth rate for Islam is 1.84%, making it the religion with the highest growth rate over the period.
- As a percentage of the World Total, the Christian Population increased from 22.7% to 32.4%, with a projected figure of 33.8% for 2025.
Key Facts
- For the period 2000-2013, Christianity grew fastest in Africa, with a rate of 2.68% p.a. The lowest growth rate was in Europe, at 0.22% p.a.
- By 2025, the African continent is expected to surpass Latin America as the Continent with a most numbers of Christians (forecast number: 688 Million).