Religion in Europe

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Religion in Europe is a complex and diverse tapestry, reflecting a rich history of cultural, social, and political developments. Historically, Christianity has played a central role in shaping the religious landscape of Europe. The dominant branches include Roman Catholicism, Eastern Orthodoxy, and Protestantism, each with its distinct traditions and practices.

Three nations in Southeastern Europe have Muslim majorities (Turkey, Albany, Kosovo).

The maps below show the spread of main religion confessions in Europe.

The largest religion in Europe

Catholicism has deep historical roots in Southern and Western Europe, particularly in countries like Italy, Spain, and Ireland, while Eastern Orthodoxy has been influential in Eastern European nations such as Greece, Russia, and the Balkans. Protestantism, stemming from the Reformation in the 16th century, has left its mark on Northern and Western European countries, including Germany, the United Kingdom, and Scandinavia.

In recent decades, Europe has witnessed a significant decline in religious adherence and church attendance, leading to a rise in secularism and the growth of non-religious or atheist demographics. This trend is particularly noticeable in Western and Northern European countries, where a substantial portion of the population identifies as secular or unaffiliated with any organized religion. However, pockets of religious adherence and vibrant religious communities persist, contributing to the religious diversity of the continent.

Religion in Europe (percent of the population)

1. Christianity – 76.2
2. Unaffiliated – 18.8
3. Islam – 6
4. Hinduism – 0.2
5. Judaism – 0.2
6. Buddhism – 0.2

Here’s an interesting map that shows the religions of European heads of government through colors.

The religion of European heads of government

Expectedly, in most countries of the world, the head of government belongs to the largest denomination in the country.

The second-largest religion in Europe

Islam is the second-largest by the number of followers religion in most European countries.

Which religion is the second largest (by the number of followers) in European countries?

The principality of Monaco is the only country where the second largest religion is Judaism. Turkey is a real country of one religion. Orthodox (the second “largest” theology) is less than 1% here.

Atheists in Europe

European nations have undergone a drop in church attendance. A suitable example of the continuing trend is Sweden, where religiosity had fallen from 83 percent in 2000 to 73 percent by 2008 and then to 56 percent by 2018.

The map below shows the percentage of atheists in Europe.

Share of atheists or not religious people

According to a 2019 Eurostat, 27% of European Union residents don’t believe there is any spirit, God, or life force, and results broadly fluctuated among different nations.

Most religious European countries (% who are highly religious)

1. Romania 55%
2. Armenia – 51%
3. Georgia – 50%
4. Greece – 49%
5. Moldova – 47%
6. Bosnia – 46%
7. Croatia – 44%
8. Poland – 40%
9. Portugal – 37%
10. Serbia – 32%
11. Ukraine – 31%
12. Slovakia – 29%
13. Belarus – 27%
14. Italy – 27%
15. Ireland – 24%
16. Lithuania – 21%
17. Spain – 21%
18. Bulgaria – 18%
19. Netherlands – 18%
20. Hungary – 17%
21. Norway – 17%
22. Russia – 17%
23. Latvia – 15%
24. Austria – 14%
25. Finland – 13%
26. France – 12%
27. Germany – 12%
28. Switzerland – 12%
29. United Kingdom – 11%
30. Belgium – 10%
31. Sweden – 10%
32. Czech Republic – 8%
33. Denmark – 8%
34. Estonia – 7%