Without a single doubt, Christianity is the biggest religion in the world, with as many as 2.4 billion people following this religion all around the globe. So, sure enough, there are many Christian-majority countries around the world. As per some recent data, there are more than 120 countries and territories where Christianity is the most followed religion. But, looking at all this, at some point in your life, you must have wondered like: Which are the highest Christian population nations in the entire world? Right? Well, that is precisely why we came up with this list of the 10 Countries with the Highest Christian Population in the world. Let’s just get started with the list, then.
1. United States
Firstly, the United States is the top Christian country with the largest Christian population, with more than 213 million Christians. That is about 66% of the country’s total population. The U.S. is very different from each other, and so is its Christian community. Protestants are the largest group, which is about 48.5% of the Christians, while the Catholics are about 22.7%. Because of the country’s religious freedom, which was established a long time ago when the country was founded. Christianity is everywhere, from every state to Washington, D.C. Being a big country, the U.S. is home to all kinds of churches and denominations, which makes it quite different.
2. Brazil
Almost 180 to 192 million Christians make Brazil come second to the list of the countries with the highest number of Christians. Incredible, isn’t it? Out of more than 212 million people in Brazil, 90% are Christian. The majority belong to the Catholic Church, about 64.6%, which is a result of Brazil’s history with Portugal that goes back to the day when a guy named Pedro Álvares Cabral landed there in 1500. However, you shouldn’t be concerned, as the Protestants are also advancing for about 22.2% of the Christians. It is a lively mix, and Brazil’s magnitude is what makes it so remarkable.
3. Mexico
With roughly 112 to 130 million Christians, Mexico ranks third. The largest Spanish speaking country in the world, with 32 states, Mexico’s Christian population is dominated by Catholics, approximately 77.7% of the total. The Protestants constitute around 11.2%. The Catholic trend can be traced down history to the time when Spain conquered in 1521, after defeating the Aztec Empire. If you want to know how profound this is, then understand that churches are scattered wherever you go in Mexico, and Christianity has a great influence on a lot of things in the culture.
4. Nigeria
Moving on to Nigeria, it ranks fourth with an estimated 107 to 155 million Christian population. With a total population of over 232 million, it is the most populous country in Africa. What is interesting is that both Christianity and Islam are equally strong in the country. After Nigeria grabbed its freedom from the UK in 1960, the Christian faith spread rapidly, especially in the south. There are a lot of Pentecostal and charismatic churches that you can find there. These are very energetic and even some of them are popular all over the globe.
5. Russia
Russia makes the top five with about 99.8 million Christians. It is a huge country, the largest in the world by area, going across eleven different time zones. The major part of the Christian population is the Orthodox Church, which is historically linked to the Russian adoption of Eastern Orthodox Christianity from the time of 988 CE. Being the largest country in Europe with a population of more than 140 million, Russia is the mother of Orthodox Christianity in Europe, and the traditions of the Church are very much a part of the culture.
6. Philippines
Next, the Philippines holds the sixth position with approximately 92.7 million Christians. The country that consists of 7,641 islands has the largest Christian population in Asia, which is about 78.8% of the total 117 million people. The faith was introduced by Spain in 1565, and Manila became a vital point for trade. Now, the Catholics are still the major group, about 78.8% of the Christians, while the Protestants are 6.5%. Visiting there, you would witness churches everywhere, and religion would seem very important.
7. Ethiopia
With approximately 77.5 million Christians, Ethiopia is in the seventh position, ranked after the countries of the U.S., Brazil, Mexico, Russia, the Philippines, and Nigeria. The population of Ethiopia is estimated at roughly 133 million. It is noteworthy that Ethiopia is the most populated country in the world without access to the sea. The roots of Christianity in Ethiopia run very deep, dating from 330 AD, when the country became the first Christian follower after Armenia.
8. Democratic Republic of Congo
DRC stands for the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which is the eight that are home to more than 63 million Christians. This is the second-largest country on the African continent in terms of area and the most populous French-speaking nation, with a population of about 109 million people in total. The Christians of the DRC are divided almost or somewhat equally, with Catholics being about 50% and Protestants 42%.
9. Italy
Italy is at number nine with approximately 53.2 million of the Christian population. Italy, with a total of about 58.5 million people, is almost entirely Christian. It’s quite unique as the Vatican City, the smallest country in the world, is located in Rome and is the central place of the Roman Catholic Church. Around 81.2% of the Christian population in Italy are Catholics, as expected.
10. South Africa
Finally, South Africa fills the tenth spot of the top ten with approximately 52.9 million Christians. It is the most developed Christian country in Africa, with a total population of about 61.7 million. Christians make up around 75% of the population, mainly Protestants, while Catholics account for about 5%. The country has a super diverse 81.7% Black South Africans, 8.5% Coloured, 7.2% White, and 2.6% Indian/Asian, and Christianity is a major unifying factor in the nation.
Conclusion
It just doesn’t end here; the list goes on and on, after all, Christianity is quite literally the biggest religion on planet Earth. Though numbers-wise, these ten are the nations where the population of people following this religion is in sky-high numbers.
