Buddhism by country
About 320 million people practiced Buddhism as of 2020. This number represents 4.1% of the world's total population. The Pew Research Center tracked these figures in their Religion & Public Life Project. Their data showed that Buddhism was the only religion to decline between 2010 and 2020. This global shrinkage stands out among all major faiths during that decade.
Thailand held the largest portion of the global Buddhist population with 67,620,000 adherents. That figure accounted for 94.4% of Thailand's total population. China followed closely with 53,380,000 Buddhists representing just 3.7% of its massive population. Myanmar contained 47,210,000 practitioners who made up 89.1% of their nation. Sri Lanka had 46,990,000 followers comprising 37.2% of citizens. Vietnam hosted 22,580,000 Buddhists at 23.0% of their total. Japan counted 16,240,000 members making up 97.1% of the country. South Korea included 15,700,000 adherents at 69.6%. Cambodia held 9,850,000 Buddhists representing 19.0%. The United States rounded out the top ten with 9,550,000 practicing Buddhists.
Buddhism serves as the official state religion in four specific nations. These countries are Cambodia, Myanmar, Bhutan and Sri Lanka. Legal implications arise when a faith holds this constitutional status. Laws often reflect religious principles in governance and public life. This arrangement differs from secular states where religion remains private.
Mahayana represents the largest branch followed by around 53% of all Buddhists. Practitioners concentrate mainly within East Asia according to Pew Research data. Theravada forms the second-largest group with about 36% of followers. This tradition dominates Mainland Southeast Asia and Sri Lanka as of 2010. Smaller schools like Navayana appear scantly in India. Regional geography heavily influences which school prevails locally.
The Asia-Pacific region contained 481,290,000 Buddhists in 2010. That figure represented 11.9% of the regional population. North America held only 3,860,000 practitioners at 1.1%. Europe counted just 1,330,000 members comprising 0.2%. The Middle East-North Africa area had 500,000 adherents making up 0.1%. Latin America-Caribbean regions included fewer than 410,000 Buddhists. These numbers show a stark contrast between Asian dominance and Western minority status.
National censuses provide primary estimates for Buddhist populations worldwide. Organizations like the Pew Research Center compile these figures into global reports. Some countries use specific studies such as the China Family Panel Studies from 2018. Other data comes from government reports or independent surveys. Reliability varies depending on how each nation conducts its count. Discrepancies exist between different sources for the same country.
Continue Browsing
Common questions
How many people practiced Buddhism as of 2020?
About 320 million people practiced Buddhism as of 2020. This number represents 4.1% of the world's total population.
Which country has the largest Buddhist population in 2020?
Thailand held the largest portion of the global Buddhist population with 67,620,000 adherents. That figure accounted for 94.4% of Thailand's total population.
What percentage of Buddhists follow the Mahayana branch?
Mahayana represents the largest branch followed by around 53% of all Buddhists. Practitioners concentrate mainly within East Asia according to Pew Research data.
In which countries is Buddhism the official state religion?
Buddhism serves as the official state religion in four specific nations. These countries are Cambodia, Myanmar, Bhutan and Sri Lanka.
How many Buddhists lived in the Asia-Pacific region in 2010?
The Asia-Pacific region contained 481,290,000 Buddhists in 2010. That figure represented 11.9% of the regional population.