Religion plays a significant role in shaping the development of societies around the world. Newsweek recently compiled data from the Pew Research Center to map the most religious countries in the world. The research was conducted in over 100 countries between 2008 and 2023, with adults being asked about the importance of religion in their lives. Indonesia ranked as the most religious country, with 98 percent of respondents stating that religion played a very important role in their lives. Indonesia is a Muslim-majority nation, with approximately 87 percent of the population adhering to Islam. Other religions, such as Christianity, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Confucianism, also have a presence in the country.
Following Indonesia in religious significance were countries such as Senegal, Pakistan, Mali, and Tanzania. The Sub-Saharan Africa region stood out as one of the most religious regions in the world, with over 80 percent of citizens in several countries reporting that religion was important to them. On the other hand, East Asia and Western Europe were found to be among the least religious parts of the world. In countries like Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and South Korea, less than 10 percent of respondents considered religion to be very important in their lives. Similarly, less than 20 percent of respondents in countries like Denmark, Switzerland, the U.K., and several Eastern European nations viewed religion as important.
In the United States, just over 40 percent of citizens said religion was very important in their lives. The research also looked at the rates of daily prayer in different countries, with Indonesia once again coming in first. Nigeria, Senegal, Iraq, and Niger followed closely behind. In America, around 45 percent of respondents reported praying daily. Newsweek has also previously identified the most religious states in the U.S., with Alabama and Virginia ranking at the top, and states like Maine, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Vermont at the lower end of the spectrum. Latin American nations also ranked high in terms of religious significance, with countries like Honduras, Guatemala, Nicaragua, El Salvador, and the Dominican Republic featuring in the top half.
Overall, religion continues to be a central aspect of life for many individuals around the world, with certain regions and countries showing a higher level of religious importance than others. The Pew Research Center’s data provides valuable insights into the variations in religious beliefs and practices across different nations. Indonesia emerged as the most religious country, with a vast majority of respondents considering religion to be very important in their lives. On the other hand, East Asia and Western Europe were found to have lower levels of religious significance, with fewer people considering religion to be a crucial aspect of their daily lives. Despite these differences, the role of religion in shaping societies remains a topic of interest and importance for researchers and policymakers alike.
