Atheism is a complex concept that goes beyond geographical, cultural, and philosophical boundaries. It’s characterized by a lack of belief in any divine being or God. In 2023, we embarked on a journey to explore the multifaceted nature of atheism, examining its prevalence, variety, and breadth across different countries. The term “atheist” encompasses a wide range of spiritual stances, from those who have never contemplated the existence of a higher power to individuals who passionately reject the notion of any divine beings. This ambiguity leads to debates about what indeed constitutes atheism, with discussions on whether mere unawareness or indifference towards deities qualifies as “non-religion” or “irreligion.” Protected by constitutional rights, atheism exists in diverse forms, including agnostics, cultural Catholics, humanists, and non-religious individuals.
Atheists Across Demographics: Atheists have one common trait, which is a lack of belief in God. However, they differ greatly in their beliefs, positions, and demographics. They come from different races, ethnicities, ages, political affiliations, sexual orientations, social classes, and geographical locations. Unlike religious groups, atheists don’t have a unified belief system, sacred scripture, or figurehead. The diversity among atheists highlights the individuality of their perspectives and positions on various ideas and issues.
Global Estimates: The Numbers Game: Accurately estimating the number of atheists in a country is challenging due to the broad definitions and diverse beliefs within atheism. China leads, with a staggering 91 percent of respondents identifying as “total atheists.” The United States, with its constitutional separation of church and state, sees approximately 43 percent of its population identifying as atheists. Millennials and Gen Z in the U.S. display a significant shift, with 40 percent of atheists aged 18–29 and 37 percent aged 30–49. The prevalence of atheism around the world reveals a diverse and constantly evolving landscape influenced by cultural, historical, and generational factors. As atheism continues to grow, the varying perspectives and complexities within this belief system offer a rich tapestry of ideas that challenge traditional notions of religious identity on a global level.
Countries with the Highest Percentage of Atheists, 2024
| Rank | Country | Total Atheist | Religious | Non-religious |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | China | 91% | 9% | 23% |
| 2 | Japan | 86% | 13% | 31% |
| 3 | Sweden | 78% | 22% | 55% |
| 4 | Czech Republic | 75% | 24% | 47% |
| 5 | United Kingdom | 72% | 27% | 58% |
| 6 | Belgium | 72% | 28% | 43% |
| 7 | Estonia | 72% | 28% | 50% |
| 8 | Australia | 70% | 31% | 50% |
| 9 | Norway | 70% | 30% | 50% |
| 10 | Denmark | 68% | 32% | 47% |
| 11 | Vietnam | 67% | 33% | 57% |
| 12 | Germany | 66% | 34% | 46% |
| 13 | Hong Kong | 66% | 33% | 33% |
| 14 | South Korea | 65% | 35% | 37% |
| 15 | Azerbaijan | 64% | 35% | 64% |
| 16 | Spain | 63% | 37% | 41% |
| 17 | Canada | 63% | 37% | 47% |
| 18 | Finland | 62% | 39% | 47% |
| 19 | Latvia | 62% | 37% | 43% |
| 20 | Israel | 61% | 39% | 50% |
| 21 | Ireland | 60% | 40% | 47% |
| 22 | Austria | 59% | 41% | 43% |
| 23 | Slovenia | 59% | 41% | 25% |
| 24 | France | 55% | 45% | 29% |
| 25 | Iceland | 54% | 46% | 32% |
| 26 | Lithuania | 52% | 47% | 34% |
| 27 | Bulgaria | 50% | 51% | 36% |
| 28 | Ukraine | 46% | 53% | 36% |
| 29 | Albania | 44% | 56% | 30% |
| 30 | United States | 43% | 56% | 32% |
| 31 | Indonesia | 42% | 58% | 30% |
| 32 | Portugal | 41% | 59% | 29% |
| 33 | Russia | 39% | 61% | 23% |
| 34 | Palestine | 39% | 61% | 34% |
| 35 | Mexico | 38% | 61% | 28% |
| 36 | Iraq | 36% | 64% | 34% |
| 37 | Italy | 31% | 69% | 18% |
| 38 | Peru | 29% | 72% | 20% |
| 39 | Lebanon | 29% | 71% | 26% |
| 40 | Mongolia | 29% | 71% | 21% |
| 41 | Greece | 27% | 73% | 15% |
| 42 | Turkey | 26% | 74% | 12% |
| 43 | Serbia | 25% | 75% | 17% |
| 44 | Bosnia and Herzegovina | 24% | 75% | 21% |
| 45 | Iran | 23% | 77% | 16% |
| 46 | Argentina | 22% | 78% | 16% |
| 47 | Ecuador | 22% | 78% | 16% |
| 48 | DR Congo | 21% | 80% | 9% |
| 49 | Bangladesh | 20% | 80% | 19% |
| 50 | Brazil | 18% | 82% | 15% |
| 51 | Poland | 18% | 82% | 9% |
| 52 | Colombia | 16% | 84% | 11% |
| 53 | Panama | 16% | 84% | 10% |
| 54 | Paraguay | 13% | 87% | 7% |
| 55 | Romania | 11% | 89% | 6% |
| 56 | Philippines | 10% | 90% | 9% |
| 57 | Fiji | 8% | 92% | 6% |
| 58 | Pakistan | 7% | 93% | 5% |
| 59 | Armenia | 7% | 92% | 4% |
| 60 | India | 6% | 94% | 3% |
| 61 | Ghana | 6% | 94% | 1% |
| 62 | Ivory Coast | 6% | 94% | 6% |
| 63 | Papua New Guinea | 6% | 94% | 5% |
| 64 | Nigeria | 3% | 97% | 2% |
| 65 | Thailand | 2% | 98% | 1% |
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