Largest Religion in the World: Top 10 Religion Name List by Population!

Religion has always been a powerful force shaping human history, influencing societies, cultures, and values across the globe. It provides spiritual guidance and identity to billions of people. When we look at the population wise religion in world, Christianity emerges as the largest religion in the world, with approximately 2.6 billion followers. It is followed by Islam with 2.0 billion, Hinduism with 1.2 billion, and Buddhism with 0.5 billion, as per the most recent estimates of world population according to religion.

Other faiths like Sikhism, Judaism, Jainism, Baháʼí Faith, Shintoism, and Zoroastrianism also form essential parts of the world all religion population, each having unique beliefs and traditions. This article explores the population of world by religion, offering insights into which religion has more population in the world, how religions are spread population in world religion wise, and what the religion wise world population looks like today. We will also touch on which religion came first in the world in population terms and what many consider the world no 1 best religion based on global adherence. Let’s dive into the top religions globally by numbers and influence as of 2024.

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Largest Religion in the World – Christianity

The largest religion in the world, as of 2024, is Christianity, boasting over 2.3 billion followers. This global faith is incredibly diverse, encompassing various beliefs, from Catholicism to Protestantism. Its influence is felt across continents, making it a powerful force in shaping societies and cultures worldwide. Here's a quick overview:

The following are few quick highlights of the World’s Largest Religion by Population –

• Over 2.3 billion adherents
• Diverse range of beliefs
• Catholicism, Protestantism, and more
• Significant presence on every continent

Christianity's profound impact on individuals and societies continues to be a defining feature of our world in 2024.

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Let's now take a closer look at the top ten religions in the world, ranked by population. This list is based on the number of followers as of 2024. These religions have millions or even billions of followers worldwide.

Second Largest Religion in the World- Islam

The second-largest religion globally, as of 2024, is Islam, with approximately 1.9 billion followers. Rooted in the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad and the holy Quran, Islam has a profound influence on the lives of its adherents and societies across the world. Here's an overview in 150 words:

• Approximately 1.9 billion adherents
• Founded on the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad
• Holy Quran as the central religious text
• Five Pillars of Islam: Shahada (faith), Salat (prayer), Zakat (charity), Sawm (fasting), and Hajj (pilgrimage)
• Diverse global presence
• Strong emphasis on community, faith, and morality
• Different sects, with Sunni and Shia being the largest
• Impact on art, culture, and social practices

Islam's rich traditions and spiritual guidance shape the lives of its followers, and its global influence is profound, touching aspects of life from personal faith to international geopolitics.

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Third Largest Religion in the World – Hinduism

Hinduism, a religion followed by 1.1 billion people, started from a mix of different beliefs. It officially formed around 2300-1500 B.C. in the Indus Valley, near modern-day Pakistan. While often called the 'religion with 33 million gods,' most Hindus actually worship one god, though they acknowledge others exist. Important values include Karma and Samsara. Karma means the good or bad deeds we do will come back to us in some way. Samsara explains the cycle of life, including reincarnation. Hinduism has made contributions to the world in areas like mathematics, astronomy, and yoga.

Fourth Largest Religion in the World – Buddhism

The Buddha, a prince who gave up his riches to seek wisdom, lived in the 5th century B.C. He combined various beliefs to create a new philosophy about human life and purpose. The main goal is to reach Nirvana, a state of enlightenment, through meditation, kindness, and hard work. Buddhism teaches that there's no fixed self, everything changes, and life involves suffering. So, the main aim is to end suffering. Monks wear orange robes symbolising purity. There are two main branches of Buddhism: Theravada and East Asian, which have different texts. With 500 million followers, Buddhism is praised for its fair philosophy that fights against caste systems worldwide.

Fifth Largest Religion in the World – Shinto

Shinto is a religion in Japan that doesn't have a fixed set of rules or a clear beginning. Basically, it centres around kami, which are like spirits representing things in nature like wind, rivers, and trees. Because of influences from Christianity, some people believe in an afterlife where humans become kami. During WWII, the Japanese government made Shinto the state religion and worshipped the emperor as a living kami. Shinto beliefs have been around since the 6th century and are a mix of nature-focused ideas that sometimes blend with Buddhism and Confucianism. With 104 million followers, Shinto values ancestors and nature. You can understand it better through Japanese stories, where modern industry threatens the magical elements of nature.

Sixth Largest Religion in the World – Sikhism 

In 1469, Guru Nanak, the first Guru of Sikhism, was born in northeast Pakistan. He moved to India and travelled around Islamic and Hindu regions in the early 1500s, sharing his teachings. His main messages were about sharing, working honestly, meditating on God, and avoiding bad behaviour. Today, there are 25 million Sikhs who believe in equality and that all religions worship the same divine being. Sikhs are known for their community kitchens in temples where they serve free meals to everyone. Sikh history has faced challenges, including political troubles and rebellions against intolerant rulers. Some of the early Sikh leaders, who continued Guru Nanak's teachings, were killed by government authorities.

Seventh Largest Religion in the World – Judaism 

Judaism, the oldest Abrahamic religion, has been around for over 3500 years. Archaeology shows two Jewish kingdoms existed around 900 to 700 B.C., and before that, there were 12 tribes united in faith. They believe they're descended from Abraham. Unlike the region's earlier polytheistic religions, Judaism worships one God, Yahweh. They believe God chose them as a special people and want them to act righteously. Unlike Christianity and Islam, Judaism doesn't have a detailed afterlife concept; they think of it as a deep sleep called "Sheol." About 14 million Jews still follow Judaism today, even after facing severe persecution in World War II.

Eighth Largest Religion in the World – Taoism

Taoism is a belief system focused on balance, guiding followers with principles and sayings. At its core are two main ideas: the Tao itself, and Laozi, a thinker from the 6th century. Laozi taught that the Tao is hard to explain and is best understood through life experiences. It's seen as a powerful force in the universe that promotes living in harmony with it, called "De." The Tao is not worshipped like a god, and it's thought that people become one with it after death. By living according to De, Taoism's 12 million followers believe they can reduce suffering. Unlike Confucianism, Taoism emphasises going with the flow and not forcing things.

Ninth Largest Religion in the World – Confucianism

Confucianism is often seen more as a philosophy than a religion because it focuses on practical ways to live rather than spirituality. However, it does have beliefs about the universe, even though they're not about a personal god. It teaches that people should try to live in harmony with the universe to find peace within themselves and in their communities. This order is represented by "Tiān," or the natural way things are. Confucianism also emphasises important values like kindness, respect for teachers, being humble, and showing compassion. It believes that everyone is born good and should strive to act in line with that goodness. Founded by Confucius around 500 B.C., Confucianism has about 6 million followers today.

Tenth Largest Religion in the World – Caodaism

Caodaism is a relatively new religion that started in 1921 in Vietnam. It has about 4.4 million followers who believe in harmony, unity with one god, reincarnation, and not being too focused on material things. It combines ideas from Buddhism, Confucianism, and Taoism, and also believes in multiple creator spirits and devils, similar to some other religions. To go to heaven, believers think they need to improve their souls by being good in each life. Caodaism became popular in Vietnam in the 1930s and helped fuel anti-colonial feelings against French rule. It was banned for 22 years but allowed again in 1997.

Most New Religion in the World

The Bahá'í Faith is one of the most recent and fastest-growing religions globally, with approximately 7 million adherents. Established in the 19th century, it has gained prominence for its inclusive and progressive principles. Here's a brief overview of this religion –

• Approximately 7 million followers
• Founded in the mid-19th century by Bahá'u'lláh
• Emphasizes the unity of all people and religions
• Advocates for gender equality and social justice
• Promotes world peace and the elimination of prejudice
• Belief in the harmony of science and religion
• The absence of clergy and emphasis on community consultation
• A global faith with a strong presence in diverse countries

The Bahá'í Faith's emphasis on unity, equality, and world peace has attracted a dedicated and growing following, making it one of the most recent and progressive religions in the world today.

Religion remains a fundamental aspect of human society, influencing the lives of billions of people. The top ten religions in the world, as of 2024, represent a rich tapestry of beliefs and practices. From Christianity to Sikhism, each religion contributes to the diverse cultural landscape of our world.

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