Monday, January 30, 2012

Christianity by the Numbers


Whaddya know. The Pew Centre's Report on Global Christianity offers some interestings stats on the state of the faith around the planet. Using 2,400 sources of information it identifies 2.18 billion adherents, making it the largest religion world-wide.


In 1910 two thirds of global Christians were in Europe. That percentage is now one quarter. The Americas have 37%, Africa 24% and Asia 13%. Hundreds of millions of Christians are in Central and South America. While Christian practice is on the wane in North America about 80% of Canadians and Americans identify themselves with the faith. In Canada less than one percent are Muslims, even though some bluster that they are taking over.
Even though Christians in China have been subjected to harassment and persecution, their numbers continue to grow. Although they represent only five percent of the population there are about 67 million Christians in China, or double the total population of Canada.
Any surprises, observations, thoughts?

2 comments:

IanD said...

Interesting! I wouldn't have pegged the European numbers as being so low.

David Mundy said...

Thanks Ian. We need to encourage others to respond the way you do so faithfully!