Christianity is widely practiced throughout the world, with more than 2.4 billion followers, representing a third of the global population. Over 2 billion of these identify as Catholic, while the remaining 400 million are Protestant. Many nations have adopted Christianity as their official faith or a major religious presence. As the world’s leading religion, Christianity is at least nominally the state religion of some 80% of all the countries in the world.
Of course, there is often a disconnect between the number of Christians in a country and the actual practice of the faith. Countries like India, for example, are listed as having up to 71% of their population identifying as Christian, yet only about 10% regularly take part in worship activities. This is explained by the spread of Christianity to so many regions through colonisation.
The prevalence of Christianity in so many countries has meant that many non-Christians, including those from other religious communities, have grown up with a positive view of Christianity. This is echoed in the strong ties between countries, such as the United States or China, and Christianity, which often leads to large-scale philanthropic initiatives to help promote the faith.
Western Europe is home to one of the most Christian regions of the world. Many countries, such as Portugal or the Czech Republic, have the Catholic Church as their official or semi-official religion. And in the United Kingdom, Anglican Christianity is the official state religion. Other parts of western Europe, such as Germany, accept the prevalence of Christianity but do not have it as an official religion.
In fact, Europe is split into several sects of Christianity. Eastern Orthodoxy is prominent in the countries of Eastern Europe and parts of the Balkans. Protestantism is mostly prevalent in the north, whereas Catholicism is more commonly found in the south. Certain countries have a mixed religious identity, such as Poland, where over 20% of the population is creditably said to be non-religious.
Elsewhere in the world, most Latin American countries identify as Christian, with Catholicism being the prominent faith. In Africa, Christianity is the largest religion, with more than 40% of the population identifying as Christian. There is a wide variety of Christian denominations found across the continent as well, including Lutheranism, Protestantism and Pentecostalism. Areas in central and western Africa—such as Nigeria, Congo and Liberia—can have populations that are over 90% Christian.
Christianity in North America
In North America, Christianity is the majority religion, with 82% of the population identifying as Christian. In the United States, Protestantism is the largest religious group, but Catholicism is a highly popular faith. Latinos, the largest and fastest-growing minority group in the United States, tend to be more religious than most of the rest of the population.
In Canada, Christianity is the majority religion, with nearly 68% of Canadians self-identifying as adherents. Protestant denominations constitute the largest religious affiliation in Canada, with Catholics being the second largest group. More recently, the number of unaffiliated religious claims in Canada has been increasing, with a 2018 survey placing the number at nearly 33%.
In the Caribbean, the religious affiliations closely match the ethnicity of the islands. In areas like Jamaica and Martinique, the majority of the inhabitants identify as Christian. Caribbean Christianity is often closely entwined with traditional African beliefs, with Protestantism being the predominant faith.
Christianity in Asia
Throughout Asia, Christianity is a minority faith, with a total of 5% of the population practicing it across all of the region. This includes both Protestants and Catholics, the latter being the dominant faith. Despite its minority status, Christianity influences many aspects of Asian culture and traditions, with certain countries having a long history of Catholicism, such as the Philippines.
In India, Christianity is a minority religion, with around 2.3% of the population identifying as Christian. The faith has roots that date back to the first century, when Thomas the Apostle brought it to the region. Some Indian tribes, such as the St. Thomas Christians, have a strong religious identity in parts of the country. Christianity is also popular in areas like northeastern India, parts of Kashmir, and some of the southernmost states.
South Korea is the only country in East Asia with a majority Christian population, with about 30% of the population adhering to the faith. South Korea also has a large Protestant population, making it the largest such group in East Asia. The country is home to a number of prominent Catholic and Protestant universities, as well as a large community of international Christian students.
Christianity in Russia and Central Asia
Christianity is a dominant faith in Russia, with over 80% of the population identifying as such. This is mainly due to the Russian Orthodox Church, which is the largest Christian denomination in the country. Other popular Christian denominations include Pentecostalism, Lutheranism and Anglicanism. The faith has been a driving force in Russian culture since the adoption of Christianity by Prince Vladimir in the 10th century.
Central Asia is home to a variety of different faiths, the majority of which adhere to Islam. Christianity, however, is still practiced in some parts of the region. Countries like Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, while predominantly Muslim, have sizable Christian populations as well. The number of Christians in Central Asia is rising, as many residents of the region are embracing the faith.
Christianity in the Middle East
Christianity is a small minority in the Middle East, with less than 4% of the population identifying as Christian. Lebanon is the only country in the region with a Christian majority, with over 60% of its population belonging to various Christian denominations. In other countries, such as Iraq, Christians have often been targeted due to the hostile environment towards non-Muslims.
The number of Christians in the Middle East is in constant flux, with many refugees fleeing the region due to persecution and economic hardship. In countries like Syria, Christians have been targeted by extremist groups, leading to a significant decrease in the number of Christians in the region. In other countries, such as Turkey, the Christian population has been slowly declining over the past few decades.
Impact of Christianity Around the World
Christianity has had a profound impact on the societies and cultures of many countries. In the West, Christianity has been integral to the development and continuity of nations, as well as playing a role in the development of certain American values. In other parts of the world, Christianity has helped create a diverse cultural atmosphere, such as in Latin America and Russia, or provided a refuge to persecuted minorities, as in the Middle East.
In some instances, it has even been used as a tool of oppression, such as during the colonisation of African nations and America. In some cases, Christianity’s influence is widely considered to be positive, such as in its role in education and charity, or in the perception of its adherents as compassionate and tolerant. No matter the perception, Christianity is one of the world’s most impactful faiths, and its presence can be felt around the world.
Challenges Facing Christianity
Christianity is facing various challenges in the modern world, most notably in areas such as the Western world, where the rise of secularisation has seen a decrease in church attendance and an increase in scepticism towards religious teachings. This has, in some cases, led to the creation of a “spiritual, but not religious” approach to practising faith, as many people seek a more individualised form of spirituality.
In certain regions, such as the Middle East, Christianity is also facing additional pressure due to ongoing conflict. There have been several reports of potential genocide against Christians in Iraq, while in some areas, such as Nigeria and Libya, they have been targeted by extremist groups. This has resulted in a decline in the number of Christians and the displacement of their populations.
Furthermore, Christians face political and cultural pressure in many states. In countries such as China, for example, the government has severely curtailed the practice of Christianity, and in some parts of the world, Christians are frowned upon for their beliefs. These challenges have led many Christians to rally behind their faith in an effort to protect their religious identity and maintain its relevance in modern society.
Overcoming Obstacles to Working Together
Even though Christianity is facing many challenges, there are some measures that adherents of the faith are taking in order to come together in order to protect and promote their faith. This includes interfaith work, where Christians of different denominations work together to bolster each other in areas such as education, philanthropy or activism. This is especially evident in areas such as Africa, where interfaith work is aimed at alleviating poverty or improving basic services.
Additionally, Christians are increasingly recognising the importance of working with other faiths to build a better future. In countries like the United States, for example, some churches have implemented initiatives to reach out to their local Muslim populations in an effort to foster understanding and build bridges between the two faiths. This is especially important in the current political climate, where religious tensions are high.
Finally, Christians have recognised the importance of providing support to those in need, no matter their faith. From faith-based charities to refugee aid initiatives, many Christians are taking steps to ensure that their God-given gifts are being shared with everyone, regardless of their religious beliefs.
