Islam growing, Christianity slipping as share of world population, survey finds
Article content
Article content
Even as the overall number of Christians – counted as one group, across denominations – continued to climb to 2.3 billion, the religion's share of the world's population decreased by 1.8 percentage points to 28.8 per cent, a falloff driven in large part by disaffiliation. The Muslim population, on the other hand, increased by 1.8 percentage points to 25.6 per cent, according to the report, which examined changes in religious demographics through an analysis of more than 2,700 censuses and surveys.
Article content
Article content
Article content
'It's just striking that there was such dramatic change in a 10-year period,' said Pew's Conrad Hackett, the lead author of the report. 'During this time, the Muslim and Christian populations grew closer in size. Muslims grew faster than any other major religion.'
Article content
The report attributed the growth in Islam to a younger Muslim population – with an average age of about 24, as opposed to a global average age among non-Muslims of about 33 as of 2020 – along with higher fertility rates in some areas and lower rates of disaffiliation as compared with other religions, including Christianity.
Article content
Article content
'Among young adults, for every person around the world who becomes Christian, there are three people who are raised Christian who leave,' Hackett said.
Article content
Article content
The largest share of Christians – about 31 per cent – can be found in sub-Saharan Africa, according to the study. Previously, Europe was home to the largest number of Christians in the world.
Article content
'And that's the result of high fertility, youthfulness and rapid growth in general of sub-Saharan Africa,' Hackett said, 'as well as the aging, lower fertility and disaffiliation going on in Europe.'
Article content
Religion switching – seen in high numbers among Christians – contributed to the global rise of unaffiliated people, the report found. Nearly a quarter of the world's population did not identify with a religion in 2020 (24.2 per cent), as opposed to 23.3 per cent in 2010.
Article content
Researchers previously predicted the unaffiliated population would shrink because of older age and fewer people having children, Hackett said. However, people leaving religion, and especially departing Christianity, has led to the increase of the population, Hackett said.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CBC
6 days ago
- CBC
Aspiring Indigenous 'wise women' become UNESCO chairs to promote traditional knowledge
Social Sharing Two Indigenous women from opposite sides of the globe are partnering together with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to protect Indigenous knowledge and move toward matriarchal values to achieve that goal. Scholars Amy Parent and Sonajharia Minz will spend the next four years as the first UNESCO co-chairs in Transforming Indigenous Knowledge Research Governance and Rematriation. "I want to work with as many strong Indigenous women as possible," said Parent of her partnership with Minz. Parent, who is Nisga'a and her traditional name is Noxs Ts'aawit, said their plan is to focus on policy changes that allow Indigenous people to decide how research is conducted, what knowledge is shared, what language is used and who is involved in the process. Those priorities of respecting Indigenous knowledge and sovereignty also connect to rematriation: the process of returning stolen items while respecting matriarchal values. While Parent led the way in applying for the position with UNESCO, she approached Minz early on in the process thanks to elder and s cholar Lorna Williams who put the two in touch. Minz, a member of the Oroan Tribe which is one of over 700 Adivasi (Indigenous peoples) from India, said it was an "utter privilege" to have Williams recommend her to Parent. "First I was surprised, and second I was delighted," Minz said of being approached by Parent to apply for the position. "I not only consider it as a responsibility, but I consider it as a justice journey for four years." As a mathematician, computer scientist and traditional language speaker, Minz said she hopes to use some of her time as co-chair to build an archival system to provide opportunities for Indigenous people to access information — especially their own languages. "I think Indigenous people worldwide have had a common experience. India or Canada or New Zealand, no exceptions. Everywhere it has been the same," she said. Digital platforms for Indigenous languages could help preserve cultures, Minz said, but only if Indigenous data sovereignty is respected. She said in the past, colonizers reaped the benefits of natural resources and land that were stolen while Indigenous peoples did not. Today, she added, Indigenous people face the same effects of colonization with technology — particularly when it comes to language. Part of her work with Parent will focus on ensuring Indigenous people remain beneficiaries of their own knowledge, especially as it's used more and more often in the fight against climate change, she said. 'Storming the British Museum' Parent, who is an associate professor at Simon Fraser University in Burnaby, B.C., and also Canada research chair in Indigenous education and governance, was part of the group that travelled to get a totem pole returned to Nisga'a territory from a Scottish museum in 2022. She said through that process she learned a lot about how museums and Indigenous people approach rematriation differently. Internationally, there's "no clear cut policy for the return of cultural belongings taken during times of genocide or colonial theft," according to Parent. She and Minz hope to change that. Parent said working within the UNESCO network has its advantages. "It is a really beautiful experience to be able to work with such a diverse group of people, but also to have such a strong communication network ready to support the work that we're doing," she said. "There's over 200 million tribal peoples in India and I'm thinking with those numbers and our experience of kicking down the door in Scotland, that we're going to have no problem storming the British Museum." While Minz and Parent come from different cultures, they share views about the importance of uplifting matriarchal values and practices. In some Advasi communities, women who uphold traditional knowledge and pass it on to future generations are called wise women, Minz said. She said she hopes to inspire more women to undertake this work. "I like to dream that the work that gets started… and that the knowledge systems and the self-determination gets louder. Maybe there'll be more UNESCO chairs," Minz said.
Global News
03-07-2025
- Global News
Sweet moment dog meets baby seal on Quebec beach caught on camera
A heartwarming encounter unfolded on a beach near Montreal on Monday, as a Quebec man captured the remarkable moment a baby seal and a curious dog met for the first time along the shore. Marc Neron recorded the moment a wayward harbour seal, who found its way all the way up to Oka Beach north of Montreal, interrupted a game of catch with his dog. The run-in happened next to the Oka ferry crossing in the Ottawa River, more than 600 km from the waters where the animals usually live. 'Harbour seals can travel long distances in their first year of life,' said Patrick Weldon, director of the management and conservation unit. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy 'That is not unusual, but what is unusual is Oka doesn't have many seals.' According to wildlife experts, they have been reported as far up as Ottawa. Story continues below advertisement 'We have definitely seen an increase over the past few years of observations of seals past their normal (travel) range,' Weldon told Global News. 'We are documenting the incidents to have a better understanding.' As Global's Brayden Jagger Haines reports, this isn't the first time a seal has made headlines off the waters of greater Montreal. Watch the video above for more.
Globe and Mail
01-07-2025
- Globe and Mail
TarteelEQuran Highlights the Benefits of Teaching Children the Quran Online to Nurture Faith and Character
Early Quran study helps youngsters develop morality, character, and a knowledge of Islam. Since young kids want to learn and are inquisitive, now is the greatest moment to help them create a strong faith. Online Quran classes for kids may make learning interesting and easy for youngsters. These safe, enjoyable activities seek to keep kids interested in the Quran for life. Fun Interactive Ways to Teach Tajweed to Kids Online Child engagement is a major challenge in teaching. Children may learn Tajweed rules in fun and innovative ways on online platforms. These online Quran classes for kids are designed to be fun as well as educational. Online Quran classes for kids are entertaining and instructive. Voice recordings, live feedback, and bright images will all be used in these workshops to keep students interested. Kids learn how to say Arabic letters and repeat sentences easily through games, quizzes, and doing them over and over again. How Online Quran Classes for Kids Ensure Safety and Comfort A lot of parents are worried about their kids' safety and the atmosphere when it comes to school. Now, learn Quran online for kids in a secure one-on-one setting where parents can keep an eye on their development and talk to the instructors when they need to. You don't have to go to mosques or centers, which saves you time and worry. In a safe online area, kids are taught by professional teachers who have been checked out. Tips for Parents to Support Kids in Learning Quran Online How effectively kids learn depends a lot on how involved their parents are. Make a quiet, private location for their instruction and set a regular time for them. Give them praise for modest steps and make sure they practice what they learn every day. If you can, attend some classes to track their growth. Choose a platform that offers online Quran classes for kids taught by teachers who are gentle and kind with young pupils. What to Anticipate from Online Quran Classes for Kids Offered by Quran Scholars According to age, learning style, and level professional Quran teaching platforms tailor their courses. You may expect customized programs, ways to keep track of your progress, and interactive teaching tools. Teachers don't just educate kids how to read the Quran; they also teach them Islamic principles, duas, and basic teachings in a way that is acceptable for their age. A solid platform will also provide you frequent tests, keep you up to speed on your child's progress, and let you choose when to schedule things so that they fit into their routine. How to Pick the Best Online Quran Course for Kids There are so many options that it's important to choose a program that is dependable, of excellent quality, and simple for youngsters to use. Find tutors that have been around for a while, classes that may be scheduled at different times, and subjects like Noorani Qaida, Tajweed, and Hifz. Also, make sure the platform lets kids do sample lessons so they can become used to it. Your child will look forward to every session if they are in the correct program. The Quran will become a fun part of their everyday life. Start Your Child's Journey with TarteeleQuran TarteeleQuran is a reliable and competent solution for parents who want fun and educational online Quran classes for kids. They make it easy and safe to learn Quran online for kids from anywhere by providing licensed male and female teachers, flexible hours, and tailored lessons. They help youngsters study at their own speed and appreciate the Quran by using engaging approaches and creating a friendly environment. Give your child the best Islamic start today by going to and signing them up for a free trial lesson!
