Top 10 Countries in the World with Largest Christian Population

Based on reports, the majority religion in the world is Christianity, which is believed to represent about 31% or 2.6 billion people worldwide. While the percentage of Christians worldwide decreased from 34.5% to 32.3% between 1900 and 2000, data indicates that by 2050, that number will rise to 34.4%, or 3 billion people. Of the three major branches of Christianity, Roman Catholicism is the most widespread. The Vatican, where Catholicism is the official religion, is ranked as the 18th wealthiest country in the world by per capita income, even though it keeps its finances private. The Democratic Republic of the Congo and Italy are two of the top ten Christian countries in the world, out of the many that exist.

The market for international religious organizations is predicted to grow to $449.9 billion by 2026, demonstrating the considerable influence of religion on the world economy. This indicates a 6.4% compound annual growth rate (CAGR). The money made by organizations whose main business is managing religious institutions is included in this market.

One major factor affecting the market for religious organizations is the increase in disposable income. Advances in the economy and better financial circumstances encourage people to participate actively in and donate to charitable causes within their religious communities.

According to the World Economic Forum (WEF), the US economy benefits from faith-based or inspired businesses to the tune of $437 billion annually. The US gains $1.2 trillion in socio-economic value annually, according to WEF estimates, when a wider range of religious contributions are taken into account.

The 10 countries with the largest populations of Christians around the world will be examined in this article.

1. United States

No of Christians: 230,000,000
Percentage of Christians: 71%

Even though Christianity’s share of the US population has decreased from 90% in 1990, it still dominates the country. In the United States, about 20.8% of people identify as Catholic, and 49.8% belong to Protestantism, Orthodoxy, or other Christian denominations.

2. Brazil

No of Christians: 180,770,000
Percentage of Christians: 90%

Christianity is the most common religion in Brazil, where 64.6% of people identify as Catholics and have done so since the 16th century. Moreover, Protestantism, Orthodoxy, or other Christian denominations are practiced by 25.4% of Brazilians.

3. Mexico

No of Christians: 107,780,000
Percentage of Christians: 92.4%

With 82.7% of the population identifying as Catholic, Christianity is the most common religion in Mexico. 9.7% of people identify as Protestant, Orthodox, or belong to another Christian denomination.

4. Nigeria

No of Christians: 88,400,000
Percentage of Christians: 49%
Almost half of Nigerians are Christians, having been brought there in the fifteenth century. Of the Christian population, 36% adhere to Orthodoxy, Protestantism, or other Christian denominations, with 12% identifying as Catholics.

5. Philippines

No of Christians: 86,500,000
Percentage of Christians: 85%

The Philippines is the only Christian country in Asia due to the stronghold of Christianity, especially Catholicism. Around 85% of people identify as Christian, with Catholics making up a sizeable majority.

6. Russia

No of Christians: 80,000,000
Percentage of Christians: 65%

In Russia, Christianity is the most common religion. About 0.1% of people identify as Catholic, whereas 65% of people belong to one of the other Christian denominations or Protestantism.

7. Democratic Republic of the Congo

No of Christians: 63,150,000
Percentage of Christians: 92%

Since its introduction in 1491, Christianity has maintained its position as the predominant religion in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Catholics makeup about half of the population, followed by Protestants, Orthodox Christians, and other Christian denominations at 42%.

8. Italy

No of Christians: 53,230,000
Percentage of Christians: 83%

2% of people in Italy are Protestants, Orthodox, or belong to other Christian denominations, making up the remaining 81.2% of the population. Italy comes in at number eight on our list of countries with the largest population of Christians all over the world.

9. Ethiopia

No of Christians: 52,580,000
Percentage of Christians: 64%

Ethiopia is regarded as the second-oldest Christian country in the world, having been converted to Christianity in the fourth century. Based on current statistics, 0.7% of the Ethiopian population identifies as Catholics, while 64.4% belong to Protestantism, Orthodoxy, or other Christian denominations, making up a sizable majority.

10. China

No of Christians: 48,220,000
Percentage of Christians: 3%

China has one of the highest proportions of Christians around the world, despite Christianity being a minority religion there with 0.3% identifying as Catholics and 2% as Protestants, Orthodox, or members of other Christian denominations.