Do 85% of the world’s population practice a religion?
Sep 21, 2024
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Conrad Hackett, a specialist in religious statistics from the Pew Research Center, joins Reverend Lucy Winkett, an insightful Anglican priest, to explore the claim that 85% of the global population practices a religion. They discuss the complexities behind measuring religious affiliation, highlighting a significant gap between identity and active practice. The conversation also sheds light on the decline of religious engagement in Europe and the unique challenges of assessing beliefs in East Asia, illustrating the evolving landscape of global faith.
The claim that 85% of the world's population practices a religion is misleading, as many individuals merely identify with a faith rather than engage in regular observance.
Significant regional disparities in religious importance exist, highlighting the strong ties to religion in Sub-Saharan Africa compared to a decline in Europe.
Deep dives
Understanding Religious Affiliation
The podcast delves into the claim that around 85% of the world's population practices a religion, exploring the nuances behind religious affiliation. Research led by the Pew Research Center reveals that while 84% identified with a religion in their 2010 surveys, this does not imply regular religious practice. Individuals may identify with a faith without engaging in services, prayer, or other activities typically associated with religious observance. This distinction highlights the complexities in measuring true religiosity versus mere identification.
Regional Variations in Religious Importance
The regional differences in the importance of religion are notable, especially between continents like Africa and Europe. In Sub-Saharan Africa, over 90% of adults consider religion a significant part of their lives, contrasting sharply with less than 10% in many European countries. This discrepancy indicates how cultural and social contexts shape religious beliefs and practices across different populations. While some regions maintain strong religious ties, others are seeing a decline in the perceived significance of religion.
Future Trends in Religiosity
The discussion moves to projections about the future of religious affiliation worldwide, suggesting potential shifts in the coming decades. While initially forecasting a growth in religious affiliation due to higher fertility rates in religious populations, current trends indicate increasing secularization in Western countries and East Asia. As populations stabilize, particularly in Africa, there may be a corresponding rise in individuals identifying as non-religious. The ongoing observations challenge previous assumptions, hinting at a complex interplay between fertility, culture, and religiosity in shaping the global religious landscape.
We don’t usually do god on More or Less, but one listener got in touch to ask us to investigate a stat used by an Anglican priest on a BBC radio programme.
Speaking on the “Thought for the Day” slot, Reverend Lucy Winkett said that around 85% of the world's population practice a religion.
Is this true? We speak to Conrad Hackett, from the Pew Research Center, and the person whose research is the source for the claim.
Presenter: Tim Harford
Producer: Natasha Fernandes
Series producer: Tom Colls
Production co-ordinator: Katie Morrison
Sound mix: Nigel Appleton
Editor: Richard Vadon
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