Judaism Across the World
Judaism is one of the oldest religions in the world with an estimated population of 18.3 million practising Jews as of 2020. It is believed to have originated in the Middle East during the Bronze Age and is based on the Torah, a text that is recognised as the foundational document of the Jewish faith. Judaism is not only present in the Middle East but spread far and wide, with populations of those practising the faith found across Europe, North and South America and even parts of Africa and Asia.
Judaism has a complex and varied history, which has played a part in determining the global percentages of those who abide by the faith. For example, prior to World War II, around 8.5 million Jews lived in Europe but after the war, this number was drastically reduced by death or movement to other locations. In Eastern Europe particularly, there is a much lower percentage of Jews now to those before the war, leading to a different religious make-up than that before the Holocaust.
The primary countries in which Judaism is present and practised are Israel, the US and France. Together, these three countries alone make up over 80% of the world’s Jewish population. It is estimated that in Israel 6.8 million people identify as Jewish, in the US 5.7 million, and in France 454,000. These figures have been generated by the Jewish People Policy Institute, an independent institute that supports the Jewish community around the world.
Looking at the current trends, it is clear that a large percentage of Jews are found in certain countries while a much lower percentage are found in other. In terms of overall numbers, Judaism still has a strong presence around the world and is not in danger of going into extinction. This is mainly due to its strong connection to Israel and its strong presence across the US.
In terms of geography, Judaism is present in all 5 continents, with much of the population being located in Europe and North America. But even still it is only in a handful of countries in total where Judaism is prominent – with only the 17 countries mentioned before encompassing about 98% of the Jewish population. This reflects the concentration of Jews in a few countries, some with high percentages of Jews and some with a much lower percentage.
Impact of Migration on Jewish Population
Migration has also played an important role in determining the concentration of Jews in different countries over time. When considering the percentage of the world’s population that is Jewish, it is clear that a significant number of Jews have moved and settled in different countries in the last few centuries. This movement has had a large impact on the number of countries in which this faith is prominent and, in turn, the percentage of the world that is Jewish.
One example of this is the historic migration of Jews from Europe to the US and other countries, during and after World War II. This movement of people had a significant impact on the number of Jews living in different parts of the world and changed the percentages of those Catholics and other majority Christian countries. For example, in the US, it is estimated that over 6 million Jews now reside, which equates to around 1.8% of the country’s population, while in the UK, this figure stands at only 0.5%.
This movement of people has also affected the percentage of Jews in the Middle East, particularly in Israel. Since the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948, many Jews have migrated to the country from the US, Europe and other parts of the world, which has resulted in a much higher concentration of Jews in the region.
Expert Opinions on % of World’s Jewish Population
Experts have differing opinions about the percentage of the world that is Jewish. Some have suggested it is around 0.2%, while others believe the figure is higher and could be closer to 0.7%.
For example, Professor Ian Lustick of the Religion and Judaic Studies Department at the University of Pennsylvania claims that the figure could be as high as 0.7% of the world’s population. This would make Judaism the fifth-largest religion in the world, ahead of Buddhism and Islam.
However, other experts are more conservative in their estimates, suggesting that the percentage is much lower than this. According to research published by the Pew Research Centre, the percentage of the world’s population that is Jewish is only 0.2%. This is a stark contrast to the figures suggested by Professor Lustick and indicates that even if the percentage is rising, the growth is small.
It is difficult to determine the exact percentage of the world that is Jewish due to the large movement of people over time, making it hard to accurately estimate the global population of the faith.
Rising Trend in Jewish Population
Despite the debate over exact numbers and percentages, one thing that is clear is that there is a steady rise in the Jewish population. The Jewish Virtual Library estimates that there are currently 14 million Jews in the world, which is an increase of around 4 million since 1950.
An increasing number of people also identify as Jewish as well. A survey conducted by the Pew Research Centre in 2013 revealed that there are over 25 million people who identify as Jewish in one way or another worldwide. This is an increase from the same survey conducted in 1990, in which 11.9 million people identified as Jewish in some capacity.
This is possibly due to a number of factors, such as immigration to Israel, a rising acceptance of Jewish people in many parts of the world, and the growing understanding that Judaism does not just have to be a religion but can also be an ethnic group in its own right.
Perception of Judaism Around the World
When considering perceptions of Judaism around the world, there is often a slight divide between different cultures and locations. In some countries, particularly Western nations such as the US, Judaism is seen as a religion of acceptance and hospitality, while in other countries, particularly in the Middle East, there is often a much more hostile approach to the faith.
Furthermore, attitudes towards those who practice Judaism can vary significantly based on the country and the individual’s experience. For example, those who live in majority Christian countries may experience little or no anti-Semitism, while those who live in majority Muslim countries may experience a much higher degree of prejudice and hostility.
In terms of overall perception of the Jewish faith, it is clear that it is generally seen in a positive light. Research suggests that across the world, a majority of people view Judaism in a favourable way and believe that it is an important and ancient faith that contributes to culture and society in many ways.
Impact of Modern Culture and Technology on Judaism
With the rise of modern culture and technology, Judaism has been greatly affected. For example, the use of the internet to spread ideas and information has enabled Judaism to reach and influence millions of people. This has allowed the faith to expand beyond its historic geographical reaches and become a global religion.
Furthermore, modern technology has also allowed Jewish communities to connect with each other, enabling them to discuss and learn about their faith in a way that was not previously possible. This has had a positive impact on the number of people practising Judaism, as well as people’s perceptions of this faith.
In terms of pop culture, there is also a growing presence of Judaism in different aspects, such as music and fashion. This has had a positive effect on perceptions of the faith, as well as increased its visibility, and resulted in a greater number of people being exposed to it, sparking interest and leading to a greater acceptance and understanding of Jewish culture.
Media Coverage of Judaism
In recent times, the media has played an important role in shaping public opinion about Judaism. Across Western nations, newspapers, television and other outlets often portray the faith in a primarily positive light, highlighting the good that is done by the faith’s practitioners and celebrating its achievements.
This has had a significant impact on perceptions of Judaism, leading to an increased acceptance of it in many countries and resulting in a greater understanding of its teachings and values. This has in turn led to a greater number of people identifying as Jewish, which has shifted the overall percentage across the world.
Political Influence on Judaism
Politics also has a major influence on this faith and the number of those practicing it around the world. For example, the rise of right-wing and nationalist figures in various countries has been linked to a rise in anti-Semitism, leading to a lower acceptance of the faith in some places.
This reflects the fact that the world is ever-changing, with different ideologies coming to the fore and affecting the way people view and approach Judaism as a religion. However, it is important to note that world politics is only one factor that determines the number of those who practice Jews worldwide, with other factors such as migration, culture and perceptions playing significant roles as well.
Conclusion
The percentage of the world’s population that is Jewish is a widely debated matter, with estimates ranging from 0.2% to 0.7%. However, regardless of the exact figures, it is clear that Judaism is an ancient and widely practised faith, with millions of its adherents living across the world. It is also evident that the presence of Judaism in wider society is growing, due to a number of factors such as modern technology and media, positive perceptions of the faith, and worldwide migration. As such, Judaism is here to stay, with millions continuing to abide by this faith for many years to come.
