Religion in China is a complex topic with a long history. While the Chinese government is officially atheist and promotes state atheism, there is still a significant portion of the population that practices various religions. Determining exact statistics on religious affiliation in China is difficult, but surveys and studies have given us some estimates.
Key Statistics on Religion in China
- According to a 2007 survey by Horizon Research Consultancy Group, around 31.4% of Chinese over the age of 16 describe themselves as religious. This includes followers of traditional folk religions, Buddhism, Taoism, Islam, Protestantism and Catholicism.
- The Chinese Spiritual Life Survey conducted by Purdue University in 2007 found that 56.2% of Chinese respondents said they were not religious. In that survey, just under 15% identified as Buddhist, 2.4% as Christian, and 0.4% as Muslim.
- A 2015 analysis by the Pew Research Center estimated that around 22-23% of China’s population was “religiously unaffiliated”. This refers to people who do not identify with any particular religion.
- Based on Pew’s analysis, there are approximately 185-200 million Buddhists in China, making up 15-16% of the total population. After Buddhism, the next largest religion is Christianity, with 67-70 million adherents (5% of the population).
- There are around 21-23 million Muslims in China, accounting for 1.6-1.8% of the overall population as of 2010. Most Chinese Muslims belong to the Hui ethnic group.
- Taoism has around 12 million followers in China, accounting for about 1% of the population.
- The number of Protestants is estimated to be between 23-40 million (1.7-3% of the population), while there are about 6 million Catholics (0.5%).
- According to some estimates, over 173 million people in China practice Chinese folk religions that incorporate Confucianism, Taoism, and traditional ancestor worship.
Based on these surveys and estimates, it appears that around 30-80% of Chinese people currently identify as non-religious or atheist. The large range shows the difficulty in measuring religious affiliation. The lower estimate of 30% non-religious comes from self-reported surveys, while higher estimates attempt to account for the complex blend of customs like Confucianism and Taoism.
Historical Context of Religion in China
To better understand these statistics, it helps to look at the history of religion in China. Some key historical points are:
- Prior to Communist rule in 1949, China was largely a polytheistic society with a blend of Buddhism, Taoism, and folk religions.
- When the Communist Party took over, they discouraged organized religion. Temples and churches were destroyed during the Cultural Revolution. Religious practices were only allowed in the privacy of people’s homes.
- In the reform era of the 1980s, official restrictions on religion were loosened. More traditional temples and mosques were rebuilt and reopened.
- Christianity has seen rapid growth since the 1980s, with both Protestant and Catholic churches expanding.
- Freedom of religion is technically protected by China’s Constitution today, but the government restricts practices through regulations and oversight of religious organizations.
The destruction of religious institutions and discouragement of religion under Mao sent many traditional practices underground. However, in recent decades there has been a significant religious revival, as evidenced by surveys showing around 200-300 million Chinese affiliated with a religion today.
Variations by Demographic Factors
There are also some demographic factors that influence rates of religiosity in China:
- Age – Older Chinese people are more likely to follow traditional Chinese religions. Younger generations raised in Communist China exhibit lower rates of religiosity.
- Geography – Religion is more prevalent in rural areas compared to urban cities. The eastern coastal regions tend to be less religious than inland provinces.
- Ethnicity – Certain minority ethnic groups like the Hui and Uyghurs have high percentages of religious followers (Islam). Han Chinese show lower overall rates of religiosity.
- Education – Higher levels of education and income tend to correlate with lower levels of religious affiliation in China.
Keeping these factors in mind provides a more nuanced understanding of China’s religious landscape.
Key Religious Groups in China
Here is some more detail on the major religious groups in present-day China:
Chinese Folk Religions
As mentioned previously, around 173 million Chinese maintain traditional folk religious practices such as ancestor worship and the worship of local deities. Many also observe Confucian ethics and Taoist principles in their daily lives. The practices are deeply tied to Chinese culture and history.
Buddhism
With around 185-200 million followers, Buddhism is one of the largest religions. It has had a major influence on Chinese culture since being brought over from India around the 1st century AD. Most Chinese Buddhists belong to the Mahayana school and worship in Mahayana temples that are administered through China’s Buddhist Association.
Taoism
Taoism originated in China and has around 12 million followers. It emphasizes living in harmony with the Tao, which Taoists believe is the underlying natural order of the universe. Key concepts include Yin and Yang, virtue, health practices like tai chi and qigong, and immortality. The Taoist Association oversees temples in China today.
Islam
Islam has had a presence in China since it was first brought over by Arab and Persian traders during the Tang Dynasty. Today there are around 21-23 million Muslims, mostly from ethnic minority groups like the Hui, Uyghurs, Kazakhs, Dongxiang, and Kyrgyz. Mosques and schools are administered through the Islamic Association of China.
Christianity
Christianity has grown rapidly since the 1980s, with around 5-7% of Chinese now identifying as Christian. This includes around 23-40 million Protestants registered through the Three-Self Patriotic Movement (TSPM) and about 6 million Catholics affiliated with the Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association (CCPA). There are also an estimated 9-10 million Christians who worship in unregistered “house churches”.
| Religion | Estimated Number of Followers | Percent of Overall Population |
|---|---|---|
| Chinese folk religions | 173 million | 12.5% |
| Buddhism | 185-200 million | 15-16% |
| Taoism | 12 million | 1% |
| Islam | 21-23 million | 1.6-1.8% |
| Protestant Christianity | 23-40 million | 1.7-3% |
| Catholic Christianity | 6 million | 0.5% |
Conclusion
In summary, surveys and demographic data suggest around 30-80% of Chinese do not currently identify with an organized religion. Of those who are religious, Chinese folk religions, Buddhism and Christianity are the most widespread faiths. Islam and Taoism have smaller numbers of adherents. China’s religious landscape reflects the country’s diverse history and culture, as well as the complex effects of Communist rule on traditional practices. More research is needed for accurate statistics, but it is clear religion still plays an important role in the lives of hundreds of millions of Chinese citizens.