Ipsos Global Advisor - Religion 2023 Report - 26 Countries

GLOBAL RELIGION 2023
Religious Beliefs Across the World
A 26-country Global Advisor survey
May 2023
Learn more: https://www.ipsos.com/en/two-global-religious-divides-geographic-and-generational
© Ipsos | Global Religion 2023 | May 2023 | Public

Summary findings
Belief in God or a Related and other Religious practice Role of God or a Religious tolerance Religion and Religion and
higher power beliefs higher power identity morality
On average across 26 Belief in heaven averages at Regular attendance at a About three in four believers Comfort with being around On average, 42% say their On average, 54% agree that
countries surveyed, 40% say 52% and belief in place of worship and prayer in God or a higher power say people of different religious religion defines them as a religious practices are an
they believe in God as supernatural spirits (angels, are most prevalent in it helps them to overcome beliefs averages 76%. It is person. All three countries important factor in the moral
described in holy scriptures, demons, fairies, ghosts, etc.) countries where majorities crises, gives meaning to highest in South Africa, where more than three in life of citizens, 37% agree
20% believe in a higher spirit averages at 49%. believe in God or a higher their life, and makes them Singapore, and the four agree are predominantly that people with religious
but not as described in holy Belief in hell and in the devil spirit. happier than average. Anglosphere, and lowest in non-Christian; all six faith are better citizens, and
scriptures, another 21% both average about 10 The percentage who say that The higher the proportion of Germany, Japan, and South countries where less than 20% say they lose respect
believe in neither God nor points lower than belief in people with religious faith believers in a country, the Korea (where religiosity is one in three agree are in for people when they find out
any higher spirit, while 19% heaven. are happier tends to mirror more likely believers are to lowest). Europe. they are not religious.
are not sure or will not say. the percentage who say they feel they benefit from their Nearly half (47%) say In all three cases, the
The percentage of believers
Majorities in 11 countries in each of heaven, spirits, regularly attend a place of faith. religion does more harm in percentages vary by as
believe in God as described hell, and the devil is lowest worship. the world than good. After much as 50 or 60 points
in holy scriptures – most in Belgium and tends to be India, this view is most between countries with high
notably Brazil, South Africa, 50-60 points higher in common in Western Europe and low levels of religiosity.
Turkey, and India. Turkey, Brazil, and South and in Japan where it has
In Japan, South Korea, Africa. grown widely since 2017; it
Thailand, and eight of the 10 is least common in Latin
European countries, no more America, South Africa,
than half believe in God or a Turkey, and Southeast Asia.
higher power.
Wide generation gaps

In most countries surveyed, younger people are less likely to identify as Christian (especially Catholic) and more likely to identify as Muslim or of some other faith compared to older people in their country. In each one the 16
most Catholic countries surveyed, the percentage of Gen Zers who identify as Catholic is lower than the percentage of Boomers who do so – by an average of 16 points. A similar generation gap exists in nearly every country
where a large proportion of all adults identify as Protestant, Evangelical or just “Christian”. Conversely, wherever at least 2% of all adults identify as Muslim, Gen Zers are more likely than Boomers to do so – by an average of 7
points. These demographic shifts likely account for generational differences in beliefs, practice, and attitudes toward religion, which vary depending on the country’s religiosity and immigration patterns.
In nearly all countries where at least one-third of all adults believe in God as described in holy scriptures, Gen Zers are less likely than Boomers to hold such beliefs, whereas the trend is reversed in less religious countries.
Similarly, in countries where religious practice is high, older adults tend to engage in it more than the young, while in countries where religious practice is low, young people tend to have higher engagement.
In countries where young people are more likely than older adults to identify as Muslim, they are also more likely to be religious, to view their religion as a marker of their identity, and to associate religion with morality.
Also, the younger people are, the more likely they are to believe in heaven, hell, the Devil and supernatural spirits.
2 © Ipsos | Global Religion 2023 | May 2023 | Public

DENOMINATION,
PRAYER AND
WORSHIP
FREQUENCY
3 ‒ © Ipsos | Global Religion 2023 | May 2023 | Public

26-country
Religion average
Christian - Catholic 29%
identification: Christian - Protestant or Evangelical (e.g., Anglican, Baptist,
11%
26-country average Lutheran, Reformed, Pentecostal, etc.)
Christian - Orthodox 2% 46%
Mormon <1%
Jehovah's Witness 1%
Christian - Other or unspecified 4%
Q. What is your religion? Jewish <1%
Muslim – Sunni 4%
Muslim - Shi'a <1% 6%
Global
% Selecting average Muslim - Other or unspecified 1%
Hindu 4%
Sikh <1%
Buddhist 7%
Confucianist or Taoist <1%
Chinese folk/popular religion practitioner <1%
Shinto <1%
Other 2%
Spiritual but not religious 7%
No religion - agnostic 6% 29%
No religion - atheist 16%
Prefer not to say 5%
Base: 19,731 online adults under the age of 75 across 26 countries, interviewed Jan. 20, 2023 – Feb. 3, 2023.
The “26-country average” reflects the average result for all the countries where the survey was conducted. It has not been adjusted to the population size of each country or market and is not intended to suggest a total result.
The samples in Brazil, Chile, Colombia, India, Mexico, Peru, Singapore, South Africa, Thailand, and Turkey are more urban, educated, and/or more affluent than the general population.

Religion identification by country
Net %
any religion
26-country average 66% 46% 6% 14% 5% 29%
India 99% 2% 10% 87% 1%
Thailand 98% 4% 4% 90% 1%1% Christian (Net)

Q. What is your religion? Turkey 86% 2% 83% 2% 2% 12%
South Africa 83% 74% 3% 7% 3% 14%
Peru 80% 76% 5% 5% 15%
Singapore 79% 26% 9% 44% 3% 19%
Mexico 78% 71% 1% 7% 5% 17%
% Selecting Muslim (Net)
Colombia 77% 73% 4% 5% 18%
Poland 76% 75% 2% 5% 19%
Global average Brazil 76% 70% 5% 5% 20%
Italy 70% 68% 1%1% 2% 28%
Argentina 67% 63% 5% 8% 25%
United States 66% 57% 2% 8% 5% 29% Any other religion (Net)
Chile 63% 59% 4% 8% 29%
Hungary 62% 58% 4% 8% 31%
Canada 58% 48% 2% 8% 6% 36%
France 57% 49% 6% 2% 3% 40%
Germany 56% 47% 4% 5% 9% 35%
Prefer not to say
Spain 54% 51% 1%2% 3% 43%
Australia 53% 42% 3% 8% 5% 42%
Belgium 50% 44% 4% 2% 3% 47%
Great Britain 48% 39% 6% 3% 4% 48%
Netherlands 46% 38% 2% 6% 6% 48%
Sweden 46% 37% 4% 5% 4% 50% No religion (Net)
South Korea 44% 29% 16% 3% 53%
Japan 42% 2% 39% 13% 46%

Religion identification: 26-country average by gender and generation
Net %
any religion
26-country average 66% 46% 6% 14% 5% 29% Christian (Net)

Q. What is your religion?
Male 66% 45% 6% 15% 4% 30% Muslim (Net)

% Selecting
Global average Female 66% 47% 5% 13% 5% 29%
Any other religion

(Net)
Gen Z 64% 42% 8% 15% 7% 29%

Prefer not to say
Millennial 66% 44% 7% 16% 5% 28%
Gen X 67% 48% 5% 14% 4% 29%

No religion (Net)
Baby Boomer 65% 52% 3% 11% 3% 32%

Religious identification: Generation gap by country (Catholic and Protestant/Evangelical+)
Catholic Protestant/Evangelical/Unspecified or Other Christian*
% all Gen Z skew % all Gen Z skew
adults % among Gen Z minus % among Boomers adults % among Gen Z minus % among Boomers
Poland 68% -24 South Africa 54% -13
Italy 61% -28 United States 31% -7
Colombia 59% -16 Brazil 29% -3
Peru 58% -25 Great Britain 24% -19
Mexico 56% -14 Germany 24% -7
Argentina 48% -12 Sweden 23% -24
Spain 44% -17 Australia 22% -23
France 41% -22 Hungary 22% +9
Chile 41% -21 Canada 18% -14
Belgium 38% -29 Singapore 17% -10
Global average Brazil 38% -15 South Korea 15% -9
Hungary 35% -4 Netherlands 15% -9
Canada 27% -17 Chile 13% +1
Netherlands 22% -1 Peru 12% +1
United States 21% -13 Argentina 10% +10
Germany 20% -5 Mexico 10% +6
Australia 18% +5 Colombia 10% -2
South Africa 14% +6 Belgium 5% +2
South Korea 12% -5 France 5% +5
Great Britain 11% +3 Spain 5% +2
Singapore 6% -4 Poland 4% +3
Sweden 6% +4 Italy 4% +1
Thailand 1% -5 Thailand 2% +2
India 1% -2 Japan 1% +1
Japan 1% -0 India 1% -2
Turkey 1% 0 Turkey 1% +1
Base: 19,731 online adults under the age of 75 across 26 countries, interviewed Jan. 20, 2023 – Feb. 3, 2023. * Excludes Catholic, Orthodox, Mormon and Jehovah’s Witness

Religious identification: Generation gap by country (Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu)
Muslim (Top 14 countries surveyed)
% all Gen Z skew
adults
Buddhist (Top 6 countries surveyed)
% among Gen Z minus % among Boomers
% all Gen Z skew
adults % among Gen Z minus % among Boomers
Turkey 83% +9 Thailand 90% +0

India 10% +5 Japan 36% -21
Singapore 9% +5 Singapore 34% +22
France 6% +7 South Korea 13% -13

Australia 2% +3
Great Britain 6% +16
India 2% +3
Global average Thailand 4% +5
Germany 4% +6
Sweden 4% +12 Hindu (Top 5 countries surveyed)
% all Gen Z skew
Belgium 4% +10 adults % among Gen Z minus % among Boomers
Australia 3% +6 India 83% +6

South Africa 3% +2 Singapore 4% -3
Canada 2% +3 Canada 2% +6
United States 2% +4 South Africa 2% -3
Netherlands 2% +6 Australia 2% +3

Religious identification: Generation gap by country (No religion and Prefer not to say)
No religion (atheist, agnostic or spiritual) Prefer not to say
South Korea 53% +24 Japan 13% +27
Sweden 50% -18 Germany 9% +0
Q. What is your religion? Netherlands 48% -1 Chile 8% +14
Great Britain 48% -3 Argentina 8% +4
Belgium 47% +12 Hungary 8% -2
Japan 46% -8 Canada 6% +5
Spain 43% +10 Netherlands 6% +2
Australia 42% -3 Colombia 5% +6
France 40% -1 Mexico 5% +3
Canada 36% +12 Poland 5% +4
Global average Germany 35% -16 United States 5% +8
Hungary 31% -3 Australia 5% +6
United States 29% +2 Peru 5% +5
Chile 29% +6 Brazil 5% +5
Italy 28% +21 Great Britain 4% +2
Argentina 25% -1 Sweden 4% +1
Brazil 20% +12 France 3% +6
Poland 19% +12 Belgium 3% +3
Singapore 19% -3 South Korea 3% +4
Colombia 18% +9 Spain 3% -2
Mexico 17% +4 Singapore 3% -2
Peru 15% +13 South Africa 3% +4
South Africa 14% +11 Italy 2% +1
Turkey 12% -12 Turkey 2% +2
Thailand 1% -2 India 1% +1
India 0% +0 Thailand 1% +3

“Pray outside a place of worship “Go to a place of worship (e.g.,
Religious (e.g., at home)” a church, temple, or mosque)”
practice by 26-country average 44% 26-country average 28%
South Africa India
country Brazil
78%
76% South Africa
Thailand
51%
71%
Turkey 75% 50%

Colombia 74% Brazil 49%
India 74% Turkey 47%
Q. On average, how often do
Peru 64% Colombia 44%
you do the following? Thailand Singapore 39%
63%
United States 57% Poland 38%
% Once a month or more often Mexico 56% Mexico 38%
Poland 52% Peru 37%
Chile United States
Global average Singapore
47%
Italy 23%
28%
47%
Argentina 42% South Korea 21%
Italy 37% Argentina 20%
Canada 36% Australia 20%
Australia 31% Chile 20%
Hungary 30% Canada 18%
Spain 29% Spain 18%
Germany 27% Great Britain 18%
Netherlands 26% Germany 18%
Great Britain 25% Netherlands 17%
South Korea 24% Sweden 16%
France 23% France 15%
Belgium 19% Hungary 11%
Sweden 18% Belgium 9%
Japan 9% Japan 5%

Religious practice by country: Generation gap by country
Pray outside a place of worship Go to a place of worship
South Africa 78% India 71% -6

-9
Q. On average, how Brazil 76% South Africa 51% -0
-23
Turkey 75% -1 Thailand 50% -1
often do you do the
Colombia 74% -27 Brazil 49% -8
following? Turkey 47%
India 74% -15 +20
Peru 64% -13 Colombia 44% -15
Thailand 63% -20 Singapore 39% -6
% once a month or Poland 38%
United States 57% -12 -9
more often Mexico 38%
Mexico 56% -22 +4
Poland 52% -18 Peru 37% -8
Global average Chile 47% -40 United States 28% +6
Singapore 47% -6 Italy 23% +3
Argentina 42% -21 South Korea 21% -14
Italy 37% -11 Argentina 20% +2
Canada 36% +4 Australia 20% +17
Australia 31% +15 Chile 20% -12
Hungary 30% +7 Great Britain 18% +22
Spain 29% -11 Spain 18% +1
Germany 27% +28 Canada 18% +20
Netherlands 26% +5 Germany 18% +28
Great Britain 25% +15 Netherlands 17% +10
South Korea 24% -18 Sweden 16% +34
France 23% +16 France 15% +21
Belgium 19% +7 Hungary 11% +11
Sweden 18% +23 Belgium 9% +14
Japan 9% -6 Japan 5% +5

BELIEFS

Belief in God or a higher power: 26-country average
Q. Which of these statements is closest to your beliefs?

% Selecting
7% I believe in God as described in holy

scriptures (e.g., the Bible, the Quran, the
12% Torah, etc.)
Global average
61% believe in God

40% I believe in a higher power or spirit, but not
in God as described in holy scriptures
I do not believe in God or in a higher power

21% or a higher or spirit of any kind
power or spirit
Not sure
Prefer not to say

20%

Belief in God or a higher power by country
Net % believe in
God or a higher
power/spirit
26-country average 61% 40% 20% 7% 12% 21%
I believe in God as
Q. Which of these Brazil 89% 70% 19% 2% 4% 5%
described in holy scriptures
South Africa 89% 73% 16% 4% 4% 4%
statements is closest to Colombia 86% 63% 23% 5% 3% 6%
(e.g., the Bible, the Quran,
the Torah, etc.)
your beliefs? Mexico 85% 60% 25% 7% 4% 4%
Peru 84% 65% 19% 9% 3% 4%
Turkey 82% 73% 9% 6% 5% 8% I believe in a higher power
India 81% 70% 11% 4% 11% 4% or spirit, but not in God as
% Selecting
Chile 76% 52% 24% 10% 5% 9% described in holy scriptures
Argentina 76% 53% 23% 9% 8% 7%
Global average United States 72% 51% 22% 5% 10% 12%
Singapore 67% 43% 25% 8% 15% 10%
Prefer not to say
Poland 64% 52% 12% 8% 15% 14%
Canada 60% 34% 26% 8% 12% 20%
Italy 60% 37% 23% 7% 14% 19%
Australia 57% 31% 25% 4% 12% 27%
Thailand 50% 28% 21% 14% 24% 12%
Hungary 46% 20% 27% 16% 14% 25% Not sure
Germany 45% 21% 24% 6% 14% 35%
Spain 44% 23% 22% 7% 17% 32%
France 44% 26% 18% 5% 15% 37%
Great Britain 43% 27% 16% 2% 16% 39%
Belgium 42% 18% 24% 5% 15% 39%
I do not believe in God or
Sweden 41% 16% 25% 3% 16% 39%
in a higher power or spirit
Netherlands 40% 22% 17% 6% 12% 42%
of any kind
South Korea 33% 15% 18% 4% 19% 44%
Japan 19% 3% 16% 10% 34% 38%

Belief in God or a higher power by demographics (global average)
Net % believe in
God or a higher
power/spirit
I believe in God as
Q. Which of these 26-country average 61% 40% 20% 7% 12% 21% described in holy scriptures
statements is closest to (e.g., the Bible, the Quran,
the Torah, etc.)
your beliefs?
I believe in a higher power
Male 59% 39% 21% 6% 12% 23% or spirit, but not in God as
% Selecting
described in holy scriptures
Global average Female 62% 42% 20% 7% 13% 18%

Prefer not to say
Gen Z 63% 42% 22% 7% 11% 19%

Not sure
Millennial 63% 43% 20% 6% 11% 20%
Gen X 60% 41% 19% 7% 12% 21% I do not believe in God or

in a higher power or spirit
of any kind
Boomer 55% 35% 20% 7% 15% 23%

Belief in God or a higher power by demographics (global average)
% all Gen Z skew
adults % among Gen Z minus % among Boomers
South Africa 73% -17

Q. Which of these Turkey 73% +13
Brazil 70% -17
statements is closest to
India 70% -7
your beliefs? Peru 65% -10
Colombia 63% -16
Average across 14
Mexico 60% -20 countries where more
Argentina 53% -10
Chile 52% -8
than 1/3 of all adults
% Believe in God as
Globalinaverage
Poland 52% -10 believe in God: -10
described holy scriptures United States 51% -14
(e.g., the Bible, the Quran, Singapore 43% -5
the Torah, etc.) Italy 37% -17
Canada 34% -0
Australia 31% +2
Thailand 28% +1
France 26% +4
Spain 23% -6 Average across 12
Netherlands 22% +7 countries where less
Germany 21% +12
Hungary 20% +12 than 1/3 of all adults
Belgium 18% +4 believe in God: +5
Sweden 16% +28
South Korea 15% -10
Japan 3% -2

Religious beliefs: 26-country average
Q. Do you believe each of the following exist(s)?
% Selecting
Highest Lowest
• Brazil/Peru 79% • Belgium 22%
Heaven 52% • Colombia/South • Japan 28%
Africa/Turkey 78% • France 31%
Supernatural spirits
Global average • South Africa 75% • Belgium 26%
(e.g., angels, demons, 49% • Turkey 72% • Spain 27%
fairies, ghosts, etc.) • Colombia 68% • Netherlands 31%
• Turkey 76% • Belgium 16%

Hell 41% • Brazil 66% • Sweden 21%
• Thailand 63% • Spain 22%

The Devil 41% • South Africa 71% • Japan 20%
• Brazil 67% • Spain/Sweden 22%

Religious beliefs: Generation gap (Gen Z vs. Boomers)
China 91%
Q. Do you believe each of the following exist? Saudi Arabia 86%
Netherlands 85%
India 84%
% Selecting Brazil
Gen Z skew % Gen Z > % Boomers 83%
% Boomers > % Gen Z
% all adults UAE 81%
% among Gen Z minus
(global average) Mexico
% among Boomers
by 20+ ppts 81% by 10+ ppts
Colombia
(global average) 80%
Australia 80%
Chile 79%
Portugal 79%
Indonesia Sweden, Hungary, France, 79% Great Britain,
Heaven
52% South Africa +19 77%
Japan, Turkey, Belgium, Germany
South Africa
United States 76%
France 74%
Argentina 74%
Global average Sweden 74%
Canada Sweden, Argentina, Mexico,
74% Turkey,
Supernatural spirits 49%
Peru
+21 Australia, Germany,72% Canada, Japan, Great India
(e.g., angels, demons, fairies, ghosts, etc.) Thailand 71%
Singapore
Britain 71%
Great Britain 70%
Spain 69%
Malaysia 68%
Italy Hungary, Germany, 68%Sweden, Turkey,
South Africa
Belgium Belgium, France, 68%
Great Britain, Thailand,
Hell 41% Germany
+21
Singapore, Netherlands
67%
Turkey 61%
Japan 60%
Poland 58%
South Korea 57%
Hungary Sweden,50%Germany, Turkey, Great Britain,
India
The Devil 41% +19 Hungary, Canada, Netherlands, France

Religious beliefs
by country 26-country average 52%
Peru 79%
Brazil 79%
Turkey 78%
South Africa 78%
Colombia 78%
Q. Do you believe each of the Mexico 71%
following exist(s)? United States 66%
Singapore 65%
Thailand 63%
Argentina 63%
“Heaven” Chile 63%
Global average India 54%
Poland 54%
Canada 47%
% Yes Australia 45%
Germany 43%
Italy 42%
Sweden 40%
Netherlands 36%
Great Britain 34%
Hungary 34%
Spain 32%
South Korea 32%
France 31%
Japan 28%
Belgium 22%

Religious beliefs
South Africa 75%
Turkey 72%
Colombia 68%
Brazil 67%
Mexico 65%
Q. Do you believe each of the Singapore 65%
following exist(s)? Chile 62%
United States 61%
Peru 58%
Argentina 58%
“Supernatural spirits (e.g., angels, Thailand 56%
demons,
Globalfairies,
averageghosts, etc.)” Canada 52%
Poland 47%
Australia 46%
% Yes India 43%
Italy 38%
South Korea 36%
Sweden 36%
Hungary 36%
Japan 35%
Great Britain 35%
France 34%
Germany 33%
Netherlands 31%
Spain 27%
Belgium 26%

Religious beliefs
Turkey 76%
Brazil 66%
Thailand 63%
South Africa 61%
Peru 60%
Q. Do you believe each of the Singapore 59%
following exist(s)? Colombia 58%
Mexico 56%
United States 53%
Chile 48%
“Hell” India 47%
Global average Poland 44%
Argentina 44%
Canada 38%
% Yes Australia 35%
Italy 32%
South Korea 30%
Great Britain 26%
Hungary 26%
Japan 25%
France 25%
Germany 24%
Netherlands 23%
Spain 22%
Sweden 21%
Belgium 16%

Religious beliefs
Turkey 76%
South Africa 71%
Brazil 67%
Colombia 61%
Peru 59%
Q. Do you believe each of the Mexico 56%
following exist(s)? United States 54%
Singapore 54%
Chile 51%
Argentina 46%
“The Devil” Poland 43%
Global average India 41%
Thailand 40%
Canada 37%
% Yes Italy 34%
Australia 34%
South Korea 33%
Hungary 27%
France 25%
Great Britain 24%
Germany 24%
Netherlands 24%
Spain 22%
Sweden 22%
Japan 20%
Belgium 18%

ROLE OF BELIEF
IN GOD OR A
HIGHER POWER

Role of belief in God or a higher power: 26-country average
Q. How much do you agree or disagree with the following statements?
Base: Believe in God or a higher power/spirit
% Agree (strongly/somewhat)
Highest Lowest
Believing in God or higher forces • Brazil 90% • Japan 37%

Global
allowsaverage
me to overcome crises 76% • Colombia/South Africa • South Korea 50%
(illness, conflicts, disasters, etc.) 89% • Sweden 56%
• South Africa 93% • Hungary 46%

Believing in God or higher forces
76% • Brazil 89% • Japan 47%
gives meaning to my life
• Japan 37%
Believing in God or higher forces • South Africa 89%
71% • Sweden 48%
makes me happier than average • Brazil/Thailand 88%
• Hungary 49%
Base: 12.066 online adults who believe in God or a higher power under the age of 75 across 26 countries, interviewed Jan. 20, 2023 – Feb. 3, 2023.

Role of belief in God
or a higher power 26-country average 76%
by country: Brazil
South Africa
90%
89%
Helps overcoming Colombia

Turkey
89%
87%
crises Singapore
Peru
84%
84%
India 83%
Q. How much do you agree or Thailand 82%
disagree with the following United States 81%
statements? Chile 80%
Argentina 80%
Global average
“Believing in God or higher forces
Mexico 77%
Italy 76%
allows me to overcome crises Poland 76%
(illness, conflicts, disasters, etc.)” Canada 73%
Netherlands 67%
Spain 67%
France 66%
Australia 65%
% Agree (strongly/somewhat)
Great Britain 65%
Germany 63%
Hungary 61%
Belgium 58%
Sweden 56%
South Korea 50%
Japan 37%
The “26-country average” reflects the average result for all the countries and markets where the survey was conducted. It has not been adjusted to the population size of each country or market and is not intended to suggest a total result.

by country: South Africa

Brazil 89%
93%
Gives life meaning Turkey

Colombia
88%
85%
Thailand 85%
Singapore 84%
India 83%
Q. How much do you agree or Peru 80%
United States
disagree with the following 79%
Canada 75%
statements? Chile 75%
Global average Mexico 74%
“Believing in God or higher forces Italy 73%

Poland 72%
gives meaning to my life” Netherlands 71%
Argentina 71%
Australia 70%
Great Britain 69%
South Korea 68%
% Agree (strongly/somewhat) Spain 65%
France 63%
Germany 63%
Sweden 60%
Belgium 59%
Japan 47%
Hungary 46%

by country: South Africa

Thailand
89%
88%
Gives happiness Brazil

Turkey
88%
86%
India 83%
Singapore 80%
Colombia 79%
Q. How much do you agree or Peru 77%
United States
disagree with the following 76%
Netherlands 70%
statements? Mexico 69%
Global average Chile 67%
“Believing in God or higher forces Canada 65%
Italy
makes me happier than average” Great Britain
64%
64%
South Korea 64%
Poland 63%
Australia 62%
Spain 62%
% Agree (strongly/somewhat) Germany 61%
Argentina 61%
France 56%
Belgium 55%
Hungary 49%
Sweden 48%
Japan 37%

PERSPECTIVES
ON RELIGION

Perspectives on religion: 26-country average China 91%
Q. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the Saudi Arabia following statements? 86%
Netherlands 85%
% Agree (strongly/somewhat) India 84%
Brazil 83%
UAE 81%
Mexico Highest 81% Lowest
Colombia 80%
I am completely comfortable being around people who Australia • South 80% Africa 92% • South Korea 53%
have different religious beliefs than me • Singapore • Germany 56%
Chile 76% 79% 89%
Portugal • Australia/Canada/Gt.
79% Britain/USA 88% • Japan 59%
Indonesia 79%
Religious practices are an important factor in the moral South Africa 77%
life of my country's citizens United States • Thailand//India 86% • Japan 25%
54% • South
76%
Africa 81% • Hungary/Sweden 30%
France 74%
Argentina 74%
Global average
People with a religious faith are happier Sweden • India 74%81%
• Japan 27%
Canada 48% • Thailand
74% 78%
• France/Hungary 32%
Peru • Brazil
72% 70%
Thailand 71%
Religion does more harm in the world than good Singapore • India
71% 73% • Thailand 27%
Great Britain 47% • Sweden
70% 70% • Peru 32%
Spain • Great
69% Britain 66% • Argentina 33%
Malaysia 68%
My religion defines me as a person Italy 68% • Hungary 15%
• India 86%
Belgium 42% 68%
• Thailand/Turkey 76%
• Germany 24%
Germany 67% • Belgium/ Gt. Britain 27%
Turkey 61%
People with a religious faith are better citizens Japan • India 79%
60% • Hungary 16%
Poland 37% 58%• Thailand 69% • Belgium 17%
South Korea 57%• Brazil 60% • Japan 20%
Hungary 50%
I lose respect for people when I find out that they do • India 73%
not have a religious faith • Hungary 6%
20% • Thailand 47%
• Belgium/Japan 10%
• Turkey 28%
The samples in Brazil, Chile, Colombia, India, Mexico, Peru, Singapore, South Africa, Thailand, and Turkey are more urban, educated and/or more affluent than the general population.

Perspectives on religion: Generation gap
China 91%
Q. To what extent do you agree or disagree
Saudiwith
Arabiathe following statements? 86%
Netherlands 85%
% Agree (strongly/somewhat) India
Gen Z skew
84%
Brazil
% UAE
among Gen Z minus
% Gen Z > % Boomers 83% % Boomers > %Gen Z
81%
% among Boomers (global average)
Mexico by 15+ ppts 81% by 15+ ppts
I am completely comfortable being around Colombia 80%
people who have different religious beliefs than Australia -1 Germany
80%
Mexico, South Korea
Chile 79%
me Portugal 79%
Indonesia 79%
Religious practices are an important factor in theSouth Africa France, Sweden, Hungary,
77% Great Britain,
moral life of my country's citizens +9 Thailand, Colombia
United States Germany 76%
France 74%
Argentina 74%
Global average
People with a religious faith are happier Sweden +7
Sweden, Great Britain,
74% Hungary, Germany, Colombia, Thailand, South Africa, Italy
Canada France 74%
Peru 72%
Thailand 71%
Netherlands, Great Britain, France, Belgium,
Religion does more harm in the world than good Singapore -4 Mexico, Thailand,71% South Africa, Italy
Great Britain 70% Turkey, Sweden
Spain 69%
Malaysia 68%
Sweden, Great Britain, Hungary, Germany, Italy, Chile, Colombia, Singapore, South
My religion defines me as a person Italy +3 France 68%
Korea, Poland
Belgium 68%
Germany 67%
Turkey Sweden, Great61%Britain, Germany, France,
People with a religious faith are better citizens Japan +9 60%
Colombia, South Africa
Turkey, Netherlands
Poland 58%
South Korea 57%
Hungary
Sweden, Singapore, Germany, Australia,
I lose respect for people when I find out that 50%
+13 Canada, Spain, France, Belgium,
they do not have a religious faith Netherlands, Great Britain

Perspectives on Change
since 2017
religion by country 26-country average 76% +2
South Africa 92% +2
Singapore 89% n/a
Australia 88% +4
United States 88% 0
Q. To what extent do you agree Canada 88% +2
Great Britain +3
or disagree with the following 88%
Brazil 81% +11
statements? Poland 80% +6
India 80% n/a
“I am completely comfortable France 79% -2
being around people who have Sweden 79% +16
Globalreligious
different average beliefs than me” Turkey 79% n/a
Colombia 77% n/a
Netherlands 76% n/a
% Agree (strongly/somewhat) Mexico 73% +7
Hungary 72% 0
Thailand 72% n/a
Argentina 72% -2
Belgium 72% +10
Peru 71% +4
Chile 70% n/a
Italy 70% +2
Spain 68% -1
Japan 59% +1
Germany 56% -8
South Korea 53% -12
Base: 19,731 online adults under the age of 75 across 26 countries, interviewed Jan. 20, 2023 – Feb. 3, 2023. Green indicates an increase of 5 or more percentage points.
The “26-country average” reflects the average result for all the countries where the survey was conducted. It has not been adjusted to the population size of each country or market and is not intended to suggest a total result. Red indicates a decrease of 5 or more percentage points.

since 2017
religion by country 26-country average 54% 0
Thailand 86% n/a
India 86% n/a
South Africa 81% +5
Brazil 75% +5
Q. To what extent do you agree Singapore 73% n/a
Peru
or disagree with the following 70% +1
Turkey 70% n/a
statements? Colombia 67% n/a
Mexico 65% +5
“Religious practices are an United States 57% -9
important factor in the moral life of Argentina 53% +3
Global
my average
country's citizens” Italy 53% -2
Chile 52% n/a
Poland 48% -15
% Agree (strongly/somewhat) Australia 47% +3
Canada 47% +4
Netherlands 45% n/a
Spain 45% +6
Belgium 40% +7
France 40% +6
South Korea 35% -9
Germany 34% -7
Sweden 30% -1
Hungary 30% -8
Japan 25% +10

Perspectives on
religion by country 26-country average 48%
India 81%
Thailand 78%
Brazil 70%
Singapore 65%
Q. To what extent do you agree South Africa 63%
Turkey
Peru 54%
statements? United States 53%
Colombia 52%
Chile 49%
“People with a religious faith are Mexico 48%
happier”
Global average Italy 47%
Poland 45%
Australia 44%
% Agree (strongly/somewhat) Argentina 42%
Canada 42%
South Korea 41%
Spain 41%
Great Britain 39%
Netherlands 38%
Germany 36%
Sweden 35%
Belgium 34%
France 32%
Hungary 32%
Japan 27%

since 2017
religion by country 27-country average 47% -2
India 73% n/a
Sweden 70% +8
Belgium 65% -3
Q. To what extent do you agree Netherlands 64% n/a
France
or disagree with the following 62% +1
Spain 56% -7
statements? Australia 55% -8
Japan 52% +26
Canada 51% -4
“Religion does more harm in the Germany 50% -13
world thanaverage
Global good” Italy 49% +2
Poland 44% -5
South Korea 41% +5
% Agree (strongly/somewhat) United States 39% 0
Colombia 39% n/a
Singapore 38% n/a
Hungary 37% -16
Mexico 37% -6
South Africa 37% -2
Chile 36% n/a
Turkey 35% n/a
Brazil 34% -3
Argentina 33% -16
Peru 32% -6
Thailand 27% n/a

since 2017
India 86% n/a
Thailand 76% n/a
Turkey 76% n/a
South Africa 65% -1
Brazil +5
Italy 48% +1
statements? Poland -9
45%
Peru 44% 0
Mexico 42% +11
“My religion defines me as a United States 41% -8
person”
Global average Colombia 41% n/a
Japan 37% +23
South Korea 35% -2
% Agree (strongly/somewhat) Chile 34% n/a
Spain 34% +5
Netherlands 33% n/a
Australia 33% +6
Canada 33% +5
Argentina 33% +1
France 31% +8
Sweden 28% +11
Belgium 27% +2
Germany 24% -1
Hungary 15% -14

since 2017*
India 79% n/a
Thailand 69% n/a
Brazil 60% +6
South Africa 54% 0
Turkey 50% n/a
or disagree with the following
Colombia 45% n/a
statements? Peru +2
43%
Mexico 40% +9
United States 39% -6
“People with a religious faith are Chile 38% n/a
better
Globalcitizens”
average Italy 34% +5
Argentina 34% +6
Australia 33% +8
% Agree (strongly/somewhat) Spain 29% +9
Canada 29% +4
Netherlands 27% n/a
Poland 26% -10
South Korea 24% -1
Germany 23% +6
France 22% +6
Sweden 22% +9
Japan 20% +9
Belgium 17% -1
*Note: In 2017, this statement was worded as,
Hungary 16% -7
“Religious people are better citizens.”

since 2017*
India 73% n/a
Thailand 47% n/a
Turkey 28% n/a
Singapore 27% n/a
Q. To what extent do you agree Brazil 25% +5

or disagree with the following Mexico 24% +11
Colombia 23% n/a
statements? Peru +4
22%
Germany 19% +7
“I lose respect for people when I Italy 18% n/a
find out that they do not have a Netherlands 18% n/a

Globalfaith”
religious average South Africa 18% -3
Australia 17% +5
Spain 16% +1
% Agree (strongly/somewhat) Great Britain 15% +5
South Korea 15% -4
France 15% +6
Poland 15% -3
Sweden 15% +8
Argentina 14% +4
United States 14% -6
Chile 13% n/a
Canada 11% +1
Belgium 10% -1
*Note: In 2017, this statement was worded as, “I Japan 10% -1
lose respect for people when I find out that they Hungary 6% 0
are not religious.”

Methodology
▪ These are the results of a 26-country survey conducted by Ipsos on its Global Advisor online survey platform and, in India, on its IndiaBus platform, between
January 20 and February 3, 2023. For this survey, Ipsos interviewed a total of 19,731 adults aged 18 and older in India, 18-74 in Canada, South Africa, Turkey,
and the United States, 20-74 in Thailand, 21-74 in Singapore, and 16-74 in all other countries,
▪ The sample consists of approximately 1,000 individuals each in Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy, Japan, Spain, and the U.S., and
500+ individuals in each of Argentina, Belgium, Chile, Colombia, Hungary, Mexico, the Netherlands, Peru, Poland, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Sweden,
Thailand, and Turkey. The sample in India consists of approximately 2,200 individuals of whom 1,800 were interviewed face-to-face and 400 were interviewed
online.
▪ Samples in Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Great Britain, Hungary, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Poland, South Korea, Spain, Sweden,
and the U.S. can be considered representative of their general adult populations under the age of 75. Samples in Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Peru,
Singapore, South Africa, Thailand, and Turkey are more urban, more educated, and/or more affluent than the general population. The survey results for these
Global
countriesaverage
should be viewed as reflecting the views of the more “connected” segment of their population. India’s sample represents a large subset of its urban
population — social economic classes A, B and C in metros and tier 1-3 town classes across all four zones.
▪ The data is weighted so that the composition of each country’s sample best reflects the demographic profile of the adult population according to the most recent
census data.
▪ The “26-country average” reflects the average result for all the countries where the survey was conducted. It has not been adjusted to the population size of each
country or market and is not intended to suggest a total result.
▪ Where results do not sum to 100 or the ‘difference’ appears to be +/-1 percentage point more/less than the actual result, this may be due to rounding, multiple
responses, or the exclusion of “don't know/not sure” or not stated responses.
▪ The precision of Ipsos online polls is calculated using a credibility interval with a poll of 1,000 accurate to +/- 3.5 percentage points and of 500 accurate
to +/- 5.0 percentage points. For more information on Ipsos’s use of credibility intervals, please visit the Ipsos website.
▪ The publication of these findings abides by local rules and regulations.

About Ipsos Game Changers
Ipsos is the third largest market research company in the world, In our world of rapid change, the need for reliable information
present in 90 markets and employing more than 18,000 people. to make confident decisions has never been greater.
Our research professionals, analysts and scientists have built At Ipsos we believe our clients need more than a data supplier, they
unique multi-specialist capabilities that provide powerful insights need a partner who can produce accurate and relevant information
into the actions, opinions and motivations of citizens, consumers, and turn it into actionable truth.
patients, customers or employees. Our 75 business solutions are
based on primary data coming from our surveys, social media This is why our passionately curious experts not only provide the
monitoring, and qualitative or observational techniques. most precise measurement, but shape it to provide True
Understanding of Society, Markets and People.
“Game Changers” – our tagline – summarises our ambition to help To do this we use the best of science, technology and know-how
our 5,000 clients to navigate more easily our deeply changing world. and apply the principles of security, simplicity, speed and substance
to everything we do.
Founded in France in 1975, Ipsos is listed on the Euronext Paris
since July 1st, 1999. The company is part of the SBF 120 and the So that our clients can act faster, smarter and bolder.
Mid-60 index and is eligible for the Deferred Settlement Service
(SRD). Ultimately, success comes down to a simple truth:
ISIN code FR0000073298, Reuters ISOS.PA, Bloomberg IPS:FP
You act better when you are sure.
www.ipsos.com

Contact for more information
Nicolas Boyon
Senior Vice President, Global Advisor Lead, Ipsos
[email protected]

Ipsos Global Advisor - Religion 2023 Report - 26 Countries

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Ipsos Global Advisor - Religion 2023 Report - 26 Countries

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GLOBAL RELIGION 2023

Religious Beliefs Across the World

A 26-country Global Advisor survey

Learn more: https://www.ipsos.com/en/two-global-religious-divides-geographic-and-generational

© Ipsos | Global Religion 2023 | May 2023 | Public

Wide generation gaps

2 © Ipsos | Global Religion 2023 | May 2023 | Public

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Thailand 98% 4% 4% 90% 1%1% Christian (Net)

5 © Ipsos | Global Religion 2023 | May 2023 | Public

26-country average 66% 46% 6% 14% 5% 29% Christian (Net)

Male 66% 45% 6% 15% 4% 30% Muslim (Net)

Global average Female 66% 47% 5% 13% 5% 29%

Any other religion

Gen Z 64% 42% 8% 15% 7% 29%

Gen X 67% 48% 5% 14% 4% 29%

6 © Ipsos | Global Religion 2023 | May 2023 | Public

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Turkey 83% +9 Thailand 90% +0

France 6% +7 South Korea 13% -13

Australia 3% +6 India 83% +6

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Turkey 75% 50%

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South Africa 78% India 71% -6

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Q. Which of these statements is closest to your beliefs?

7% I believe in God as described in holy

61% believe in God

I do not believe in God or in a higher power

Prefer not to say

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Global average Female 62% 42% 20% 7% 13% 18%

Gen Z 63% 42% 22% 7% 11% 19%

Millennial 63% 43% 20% 6% 11% 20%

Gen X 60% 41% 19% 7% 12% 21% I do not believe in God or

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South Africa 73% -17

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• Turkey 76% • Belgium 16%

• Turkey 76% • Belgium 18%

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Believing in God or higher forces • Brazil 90% • Japan 37%

• South Africa 93% • Hungary 46%

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Helps overcoming Colombia

25 © Ipsos | Global Religion 2023 | May 2023 | Public

by country: South Africa

Gives life meaning Turkey

“Believing in God or higher forces Italy 73%