Religions in Numbers

Explanation: Christianity remains the world's largest religion with around 2.4 billion followers. Catholics (1.3 billion), Protestants (900 million), Orthodox (220 million) and other branches like Copts or Evangelicals make up this total. Growth is driven by sub-Saharan Africa and Asia.

Explanation: Islam is the world's second largest religion with around 1.9 billion followers, nearly a quarter of humanity. Contrary to popular belief, the largest Muslim country is not an Arab country: it's Indonesia, with more than 230 million Muslims.

Explanation: Hinduism gathers about 1.2 billion followers, with nearly 95% in India. By far it is the most geographically concentrated religion among the major traditions: while Indian communities abroad matter, the overwhelming majority of Hindus live on the subcontinent.

Explanation: Buddhism has about 520 million followers. The figure is notoriously hard to pin down: in China, Japan or Vietnam, many people combine Buddhism, Confucianism and Taoism without formally declaring themselves Buddhist. The real total is probably higher.

Explanation: There are an estimated 15 million Jews worldwide, less than 0.2% of the global population. The two main communities live in Israel (7 million) and the United States (6 million). Before the Shoah, there were nearly 18 million: it has taken over 80 years to come close again.

Explanation: Indonesia is home to over 230 million Muslims, ahead of Pakistan (around 240 million as well according to recent estimates), India (200 million) and Bangladesh (150 million). Surprisingly for many, Saudi Arabia only counts around 35 million: the demographic heart of Islam is in Southeast Asia.

Explanation: China concentrates, both in absolute terms and proportionally, the largest number of people declaring themselves with no religion: around 700 million, more than half its population. The legacy of state atheism plays a role, but also a philosophical tradition (Confucianism, Taoism) that never rested on a personal god.

Explanation: It's Islam, mainly for demographic reasons: Muslim populations have higher fertility and are younger on average. The Pew Research Center projects it could match Christianity in followers around 2070. Conversions play a marginal role in this dynamic.

Explanation: Guru Nanak was born in 1469 in Punjab. His religion, Sikhism, is one of the youngest major religions and now has about 30 million followers. The dastar turban and kirpan dagger are external signs imposed much later, by the tenth and last guru at the start of the 18th century.

Explanation: Joseph Smith founded the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1830, commonly known as Mormonism. The movement now has about 17 million followers and its headquarters is in Salt Lake City, Utah. The practice of polygamy was officially abandoned in 1890 under pressure from the US government.