Religion remains a powerful unifying force for individuals around the globe. While it can also spark division, it’s likely that wherever you reside, you’ve encountered several of the world’s major religions.
Regardless of your personal beliefs, understanding the world’s leading religions is a valuable asset. Religious practices significantly shape the customs and cultures of various countries, so familiarizing yourself with these traditions can enhance your experiences, from attending business meetings to engaging in local communities.
This article explores some of the largest religious organizations worldwide, providing insights into their global presence, membership statistics, and historical context. Read on to discover more about the most prominent religions today.
Largest Religious Organizations
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Approximate Total Members in 2026: 2.5 billion
As one of the most widespread religions, Christianity constitutes approximately 31% of the global population. Its followers are predominantly found in North America, South America, Europe, Australia, and parts of Africa.
Christianity is categorized as one of the three major Abrahamic religions, alongside Judaism and Islam. It encompasses numerous denominations, including Catholicism, Protestantism, and Eastern Orthodoxy, with estimates of around 30,000 distinct Christian groups worldwide.
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Approximate Total Members in 2026: 1.9 billion
Islam ranks as the second-largest religion globally, with nearly 1.9 billion adherents. While Muslims are found worldwide, they predominantly reside in the Middle East, Central Asia, and Southeast Asia.
Muslims account for roughly 24% of the global population. Unlike Christianity, which has a multitude of denominations, Islam primarily consists of two major sects: Sunni, representing about 85%, and Shia, around 10%, with the remainder belonging to smaller groups.
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Hinduism
Approximate Total Members in 2026: 1.5 billion
Hinduism is predominantly practiced in India, home to approximately 80% of the world’s Hindus, totaling around 1.2 billion. This ancient religion is characterized by a diverse array of beliefs and practices.
Other countries with significant Hindu populations include Nepal, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and the United States. Unlike other religions, Hinduism lacks officially recognized denominations and is often viewed as a compilation of various philosophies and customs.
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Approximate Total Members in 2026: 520 million
Buddhism is a collective term for various beliefs and practices centered around the teachings of Siddhārtha Gautama, or the Buddha. The majority of Buddhists reside in Southeast Asia and East Asia, with communities worldwide.
Regional variations exist, with Theravada Buddhism prevalent in Southeast Asia and Mahayana practices, such as Zen and Pure Land, more common in East Asia. Buddhists comprise about 5% of the global population.
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Chinese Folk Religion
Approximate Total Members in 2026: 400 million
Chinese folk religion encompasses a variety of indigenous belief systems and practices, integrating elements from Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism. With China’s vast population, over 400 million people, or about 5% of the global population, identify with these traditions.
The primary areas of practice include China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau, and parts of Southeast Asia.
Other Major Religions
These five religions represent just a portion of the world’s diverse belief systems. Numerous other faiths have substantial followings and significantly impact regional cultures and customs.
Here are some other significant religions, along with their primary locations and estimated memberships.
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Ethnic Religions
Approximate Total Members in 2026: 300 million
Percentage of Global Population in 2026: 3.5%
Locations: Japan (Shintoism), Middle East (Alawites and Druze), Ireland (Celtic religion), Greece (Hellenism), and more
Ethnic religions represent a broad category of indigenous beliefs that do not fall under institutionalized religions, existing in various forms across the globe.
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Traditional African Religions
Approximate Total Members in 2026: 110 million
Percentage of Global Population in 2026: 1.4%
Locations: Present across Africa, with regional variations
Traditional African religions encompass a wide range of indigenous practices and beliefs native to the continent.
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Sikhism
Approximate Total Members in 2026: 28 million
Percentage of Global Population in 2026: 0.35%
Locations: India, United Kingdom, Canada, and more
Sikhism, founded in the late 15th century, has emerged as one of the world’s major religions, promoting values of equality and community service.
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Spiritism
Approximate Total Members in 2026: 20 million
Percentage of Global Population in 2026: 0.25%
Locations: Canada, United Kingdom, France, Jamaica, Japan, Argentina, and more
Spiritism is based on the belief in the immortality of the spirit and its evolution through multiple lifetimes, with followers found in over 35 countries worldwide.
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Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism
Approximate Total Members in 2026: 15 million
Percentage of Global Population in 2026: 0.19%
Locations: Israel, United States, France, Canada, United Kingdom, Argentina, and more
Judaism, one of the three Abrahamic religions, has a rich history and diverse practices, with adherents found across the globe.
Bonus: Non-Religious Groups
Approximate Total in 2026: 1.3 billion
While not classified as an official religion, the secular and non-religious population is substantial. If counted as a religious group, non-religious individuals would rank third globally, after Christianity and Islam.
This category includes those who identify as agnostic, atheist, or simply non-religious, comprising about 15% of the global population and highlighting the diversity of beliefs worldwide.
Author
Amanda is a writer with experience in various industries, including travel, real estate, and career advice. After taking on internships and entry-level jobs, she is familiar with the job search process and landing that crucial first job. Included in her experience is work at an employer/intern matching startup where she marketed an intern database to employers and supported college interns looking for work experience.
