In this article, we will look at the 25 most secular countries in the world and take an overview of the distribution of religiousness and secularism in the world.
Geographical Breakdown of Religiousness and Secularism
Religious affinity has different flavors, with culture and tradition being an important reason behind people undertaking religious practices. On average, Pew Research Center’s survey deduced that 54% of adults considered religion to hold a significant position in their lives. However, further data by Pew Research suggests that religious affinity is not geographically contiguous and continuous, with people living in Europe, North America, East Asia, and Australia being less religious. Countries in Africa, the Middle East, South Asia, and Latin America are considered to be more religious. On average, Pew Research Center’s survey deduced that 54% of adults considered religion to hold a significant position in their lives. However, the geographical spectrum of religiousness and secularism is wide. In the Asia-Pacific region, China and Japan are the most secular countries, with 3% and 10% of individuals considering religion important in their lives, respectively. In contrast, around 90% of individuals in Muslim-majority countries such as Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Indonesia in the Asia-Pacific region consider religion to hold a prominent position in their lives.
Latin America has a similarly wide variation, with 90% of people in Honduras and 29% of people in Uruguay giving religion importance. Survey trends indicate that Central Americans are generally more religious, with secularism gaining popularity as one goes south towards Chile and Argentina and north towards Mexico. Going further north, 53% of residents of the USA considered religion important, while the statistics for Canada stood at 27%. This translates to Canada being twice as secular as the US. For further insights, you can look at 25 Most Religious States in the US.
Furthermore, Europe is generally more secular than other regions of the world, with only 23% of individuals giving religion importance on average in the region. Less than one in five individuals in Scandinavia, Western Europe, and the Baltics can be considered religious. However, almost 50% of the total residents of Romania, Georgia, and Bosnia-Herzegovina lie on the religious spectrum.
The sub-Saharan Africa region is, on average, quite opposite to Europe in this case, for the former has a regional average of 89% of individuals who consider religion important. Apart from South Africa and Botswana, all the countries in the region have an 80% or above percentage of religiously affiliated adults. Ethiopia ranks first in the category with a 98% rate, while Botswana ranks last with 71% of its residents giving religion importance. North Africa and the Middle East have similar levels of religious affinity and non-secularism. About 70% of residents of countries in this region give religion significance, with the exception of Israel and Lebanon, where levels of religious affinity stand at 36% and 57%, respectively.
Apart from geographical and regional differences, there are also gender-based differences in religious and secular beliefs. According to a survey by the Pew Research Center, women considered religion more important than men in 36 out of the 84 countries surveyed. On average, women surpass men in religious commitment across the total countries surveyed by five percentage points. Israel and Mozambique are the only two countries where a higher percentage of men exhibit religious commitment than women.
Data by the Pew Research Center suggests that 28% of U.S. adults consider themselves religiously unaffiliated, meaning that they identify as atheists, agnostics, or “nothing in particular” when it comes to religious beliefs. 17% of these religiously unaffiliated individuals consider themselves atheists, while 20% and 63% identify themselves as agnostic and “nothing in particular”, respectively.
Data by the Pew Research Center suggests that there are varying degrees of governmental and societal restrictions on religion around the globe. As of 2021, four countries had the highest levels of both government restrictions on religion and social hostilities against religious groups, including Syria, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Egypt.
Business in Secular Nations
Japan and Taiwan are two of the most secular countries in the world. Taiwan is a booming economy and the IMF expects it to grow its GDP by 3.1% to roughly $803 billion in 2024. The country is home to one of the biggest semiconductor companies Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited (NYSE:TSM). On May 15 Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited (NYSE:TSM) reported stellar earnings for the fiscal first quarter of 2024. The company reported an EPS of $1.38 and outperformed expectations by $0.06. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited’s (NYSE:TSM) revenue for the quarter amounted to $18.23 billion, up 9.7% year over year and ahead of market consensus by $224.73 million.
Japan, on the other hand, is expected to grow its GDP by 0.9% to $4.1 trillion by the end of 2024, as per estimates by the IMF. Japan’s economy is largely driven by its services sector and the country is home to one of the biggest financial services group’s in the world Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:MUFG). On May 15, Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:MUFG) posted strong earnings for the fiscal fourth quarter of 2024. The bank holding company generated a revenue of $7.18 billion, up 5.90% year over year, and beat expectations by $983.24 million. Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:MUFG) posted an EPS of $0.11 and outperformed EPS expectations by $0.05.
Now that we have taken an overview of religious affinities across the globe, let us look at the 25 most secular countries in the world. You can also look at 20 Most Popular Religions in the World and 20 Countries With The Most Religious Freedom In The World.
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Our Methodology
In order to compile a list of the 25 most secular countries in the world, we have considered the Government Restrictions Index (GRI) and Social Hostilities Index (SHI) in countries across the globe as of 2022 as our metrics, both sourced from the Pew Research Center. We computed their average, i.e. the Insider Monkey Score. For countries that had the same Insider Monkey Score, we have used the percentage of religiously unaffiliated people living in the country as of 2020 as a tie-breaking metric, again sourced from the Pew Research Center.
The 25 most secular countries in the world are arranged in descending order of their Insider Monkey Scores.
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25 Most Secular Countries in the World
25. Grenada
Government Restrictions Index Score as of 2021: 1.7
Social Hostilities Index Score as of 2021: 0.0
Insider Monkey Score: 0.85
Percentage of Religiously Unaffiliated Individuals as of 2020: 1%
Grenada ranks 25th on our list of the 25 most secular countries in the world. It has a Government Restrictions Index Score of 1.7 and a Social Hostilities Index Score of 0.0 as of 2021.
24. Peru
Government Restrictions Index Score as of 2021: 1.6
Social Hostilities Index Score as of 2021: 0.1
Insider Monkey Score: 0.85
Percentage of Religiously Unaffiliated Individuals as of 2020: 3.1%
Peru is located in western South America and has a population of 34.05 million as of 2022, according to estimates by the World Bank. The country has a Government Restrictions Index Score of 1.6 and a Social Hostilities Index Score of 0.1 as of 2021.
23. Estonia
Government Restrictions Index Score as of 2021: 1.3
Social Hostilities Index Score as of 2021: 0.4
Insider Monkey Score: 0.85
Percentage of Religiously Unaffiliated Individuals as of 2020: 60.2%
With an Insider Monkey Score of 0.85, Estonia ranks 23rd on our list. The country has a Government Restrictions Index Score of 1.3 and a Social Hostilities Index Score of 0.4 as of 2021.
22. Federated States of Micronesia
Government Restrictions Index Score as of 2021: 0.4
Social Hostilities Index Score as of 2021: 1.2
Insider Monkey Score: 0.8
Percentage of Religiously Unaffiliated Individuals as of 2020: <1%
The Federated States of Micronesia ranks 22nd on our list of the 25 most secular countries in the world. Less than 1% of the total population of the nation is religiously unaffiliated as of 2020.
21. Gambia
Government Restrictions Index Score as of 2021: 0.9
Social Hostilities Index Score as of 2021: 0.7
Insider Monkey Score: 0.8
Percentage of Religiously Unaffiliated Individuals as of 2020: <1%
With a Government Restrictions Index Score of 0.9 and Social Hostilities Index Score of 0.7 as of 2021, Gambia ranks 21st on our list. It has an Insider Monkey Score of 0.8.
20. Benin
Government Restrictions Index Score as of 2021: 1.3
Social Hostilities Index Score as of 2021: 0.3
Insider Monkey Score: 0.8
Percentage of Religiously Unaffiliated Individuals as of 2020: 5.2%
Benin has a Government Restrictions Index Score of 1.3 and Social Hostilities Index Score of 0.3 as of 2021. As of 2020, 5.2% of individuals in the country are religiously unaffiliated.
19. Gabon
Government Restrictions Index Score as of 2021: 0.8
Social Hostilities Index Score as of 2021: 0.8
Insider Monkey Score: 0.8
Percentage of Religiously Unaffiliated Individuals as of 2020: 5.7%
5.7% of individuals in Gabon do not have a religious affiliation, while 75.6% are Christians as of 2020. The country ranks 19th on our list of the 25 most secular countries in the world.
18. Portugal
Government Restrictions Index Score as of 2021: 0.6
Social Hostilities Index Score as of 2021: 1
Insider Monkey Score: 0.8
Percentage of Religiously Unaffiliated Individuals as of 2020: 8.6%
Portugal is located on the Iberian Peninsula and borders Spain in southern Europe. It has a population of 10.41 million as of 2022, of which 8.6% is religiously unaffiliated as of 2020.
17. Botswana
Government Restrictions Index Score as of 2021: 1.6
Social Hostilities Index Score as of 2021: 0.0
Insider Monkey Score: 0.8
Percentage of Religiously Unaffiliated Individuals as of 2020: 17.5%
Botswana ranks 17th on our list with 17.5% of its total population identifying as religiously unaffiliated. The country has a Government Restrictions Index Score of 1.6 and Social Hostilities Index Score of 0.0 as of 2021.
16. New Zealand
Government Restrictions Index Score as of 2021: 0.3
Social Hostilities Index Score as of 2021: 1.3
Insider Monkey Score: 0.8
Percentage of Religiously Unaffiliated Individuals as of 2020: 39.6%
39.6% of the total population of New Zealand is religiously unaffiliated as of 2020, while 52.9% identifies as Christian. The country has an Insider Monkey Score of 0.8.
15. Marshall Islands
Government Restrictions Index Score as of 2021: 0.4
Social Hostilities Index Score as of 2021: 1.1
Insider Monkey Score: 0.75
Percentage of Religiously Unaffiliated Individuals as of 2020: 1.5%
With a Government Restrictions Index Score of 0.4 and Social Hostilities Index Score of 1.1 as of 2021, Marshall Islands ranks 15th on our list. The nation has 1.5% religiously unaffiliated individuals as of 2020.
14. Barbados
Government Restrictions Index Score as of 2021: 0.7
Social Hostilities Index Score as of 2021: 0.8
Insider Monkey Score: 0.75
Percentage of Religiously Unaffiliated Individuals as of 2020: 1.9%
The Caribbean country of Barbados has a population of 281,635 individuals as of 2022, of which 1.9% are religiously unaffiliated. It ranks 14th on our list.
13. Republic of Congo
Government Restrictions Index Score as of 2021: 1.5
Social Hostilities Index Score as of 2021: 0.0
Insider Monkey Score: 0.75
Percentage of Religiously Unaffiliated Individuals as of 2020: 8%
The Republic of Congo has 8% religiously unaffiliated individuals and ranks 13th on our list. The country has an Insider Monkey Score of 0.75.
12. Timor-Leste
Government Restrictions Index Score as of 2021: 0.9
Social Hostilities Index Score as of 2021: 0.4
Insider Monkey Score: 0.65
Percentage of Religiously Unaffiliated Individuals as of 2020: <1%
Timor-Leste ranks 12th on our list. The country has less than 1% of religiously unaffiliated residents and around 99.6% Christians.
11. Panama
Government Restrictions Index Score as of 2021: 1.3
Social Hostilities Index Score as of 2021: 0.0
Insider Monkey Score: 0.65
Percentage of Religiously Unaffiliated Individuals as of 2020: 5%
Panama is located on the connecting passage between Central and South America, and has a population of 4.409 million as of 2022. The country has a 1.3 Government Restrictions Index Score and a 0.0 Social Hostilities Index Score as of 2021.
10. Taiwan
Government Restrictions Index Score as of 2021: 1
Social Hostilities Index Score as of 2021: 0.3
Insider Monkey Score: 0.65
Percentage of Religiously Unaffiliated Individuals as of 2020: 13.7%
The island nation of Taiwan has 13.7% religiously unaffiliated citizens. It ranks tenth on our list with an Insider Monkey Score of 0.65.
9. Bolivia
Government Restrictions Index Score as of 2021: 0.9
Social Hostilities Index Score as of 2021: 0.3
Insider Monkey Score: 0.6
Percentage of Religiously Unaffiliated Individuals as of 2020: 4.1%
Located in central South America, Bolivia ranks ninth on our list with an Insider Monkey Score of 0.6. The country has around 4.1% religiously unaffiliated citizens as of 2020.
8. Suriname
Government Restrictions Index Score as of 2021: 1.1
Social Hostilities Index Score as of 2021: 0.0
Insider Monkey Score: 0.55
Percentage of Religiously Unaffiliated Individuals as of 2020: 6.2%
Around 6.2% of individuals in Suriname are religiously unaffiliated as of 2020. The country ranks eighth on our list of the 25 most secular countries in the world.
7. St. Kitts and Nevis
Government Restrictions Index Score as of 2021: 1
Social Hostilities Index Score as of 2021: 0
Insider Monkey Score: 0.5
Percentage of Religiously Unaffiliated Individuals as of 2020: 1.6%
St. Kitts and Nevis is an island country located between the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. The Caribbean nation ranks seventh on our list with an Insider Monkey Score of 0.5.
6. Sao Tome and Principe
Government Restrictions Index Score as of 2021: 0.9
Social Hostilities Index Score as of 2021: 0.0
Insider Monkey Score: 0.45
Percentage of Religiously Unaffiliated Individuals as of 2020: 13.2%
Sao Tome and Principe is an African island nation dotted with beautiful beaches, coral formations, and rain forests. It ranks sixth on our list with a Government Restrictions Index Score of 0.9 and Social Hostilities Index Score of 0.0 as of 2021.
5. Japan
Government Restrictions Index Score as of 2021: 0.8
Social Hostilities Index Score as of 2021: 0.1
Insider Monkey Score: 0.45
Percentage of Religiously Unaffiliated Individuals as of 2020: 60%
Around 60% of the total population of Japan is religiously unaffiliated as of 2020. According to estimates by the World Bank, the East Asian country has a population of 125.1 million as of 2022.
4. Antigua and Barbuda
Government Restrictions Index Score as of 2021: 0.8
Social Hostilities Index Score as of 2021: 0.0
Insider Monkey Score: 0.4
Percentage of Religiously Unaffiliated Individuals as of 2020: 1.7%
With an Insider Monkey Score of 0.4, Antigua and Barbuda ranks 4th on our list. The country has a 0.8 Government Restrictions Index Score and a 0.0 Social Hostilities Index Score as of 2021.
3. San Marino
Government Restrictions Index Score as of 2021: 0.6
Social Hostilities Index Score as of 2021: 0.0
Insider Monkey Score: 0.3
Percentage of Religiously Unaffiliated Individuals as of 2020: 7.2%
San Marino is a microstate located on the northeastern wing of the Apennine Mountains surrounded by north-central Italy. It ranks third on our list with a Government Restrictions Index Score of 0.6 and a Social Hostilities Index Score of 0.0 as of 2021.
2. Palau
Government Restrictions Index Score as of 2021: 0.5
Social Hostilities Index Score as of 2021: 0.0
Insider Monkey Score: 0.25
Percentage of Religiously Unaffiliated Individuals as of 2020: 1.2%
Palau ranks second on our list with a Government Restrictions Index Score of 0.5 and a Social Hostilities Index Score of 0.0 as of 2021. The country has 1.2% religiously unaffiliated individuals as of 2020.
1. Macau
Government Restrictions Index Score as of 2021: 0.4
Social Hostilities Index Score as of 2021: 0.0
Insider Monkey Score: 0.2
Percentage of Religiously Unaffiliated Individuals as of 2020: 15.4%
Macau is a special administrative region of the People’s Republic of China, and has a population of 695,168 as of 2022, according to estimates by the World Bank. The autonomous region is located on China’s south coast and ranks first on our list of the 25 most secular countries in the world. With an Insider Monkey Score of 0.2, Macau has a Government Restrictions Index Score of 0.4 and a Social Hostilities Index Score of 0.0 as of 2021. Around 15.4% of the country’s residents are religiously unaffiliated, while 7.2% are Christians, less than 1% Muslims, 17.3% Buddhists, and less than 1% Hindus. In addition, 58.9% of Macau’s population is affiliated with folk religions.
You can also look at 25 Countries where Muslim Population will Increase the Most by 2050 and 15 Most Powerful Islamic Countries in the World.
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