Numbers, Facts and Trends Shaping Your World
Christians remain the largest religious group, and Muslims grew the fastest from 2010 to 2020. Read how the global share of Buddhists, Hindus, Jews and the religiously unaffiliated changed.
Find how many people identify with each religious group and what percent each made up in 201 countries and territories, and by region, in 2010 and 2020.
International views of Israel and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are much more negative than positive.
Two-thirds of Mexicans now say they approve of the policy, including 31% who strongly approve.
Belief in an afterlife, God and spirits in nature is widespread globally. Older adults are more likely than younger adults to believe in God.
In many places surveyed, 20% or more of all adults have left their childhood religious group. Christianity and Buddhism have had especially large losses.
People in mostly middle-income survey countries say it’s ideal to start a family and own a home by 30, and retire by 60.
When asked what it takes to “truly” belong in a country, many people globally say speaking the local language is key.
We asked people in three dozen countries how they see religion’s role in society, government and national identity.
The monthly number of U.S. Border Patrol encounters with migrants crossing from Mexico has plummeted in 2024 from 2023’s record high.
