Among all the popular religions around the world, Buddhism is considered the most peaceful, with over 500 million believers. Buddhism is one of the world’s oldest religions, which has shaped the spiritual, social, and cultural life of millions over the past 2500 years.
Buddhism originated in the Indian subcontinent around 5th to 4th century BCE from the teachings of the Buddha (Siddhartha Gautama). Buddhism spread across Asia and beyond, influencing everything from art and architecture to meditation practices and moral philosophy.
In 2025, Buddhism is the fourth-largest religion in the world after Christianity, Islam, and Hinduism. You can find Buddhism as a state religion deeply woven into national identity, shaping cultural identity, spirituality, and more in everyone’s life.
Below are the top 10 countries with the highest Buddhist population in 2025 –
1. China – 255 Million Buddhists
China has the second-largest population on earth after India, and it has the highest Buddhist population. It is estimated to be above 255 million followers. Even though Buddhism is not an official state religion, it has been embedded in Chinese culture and philosophy for centuries. The Mahayana tradition dominates here, blending with Confucian and Taoist values. The world’s tallest outdoor seated Buddha statue, situated in China, is called Leshan Giant Buddha, which was carved into a Cliff around 1200 years ago.
2. Thailand – 66.2 Million Buddhists
Among the most popular tourist destinations, Thailand is a top name, and the same goes in terms of the Buddhist population here. Over 94% of the population practices Theravada Buddhism in the country, which is equal to 66 million people. If you are in Thailand, saffron-robed monks are a common sight here. Thailand has the highest number of Buddhist temples, and these temples are called Wats in the community life. Iconic landmarks like Wat Phra Kaew in Bangkok and Wat Pho are not just religious sites but also cultural treasures.
3. Myanmar – 41.5 Million Buddhists
Myanmar, also called Burma, is a strong believer of Theravada Buddhism with over 41.5 million followers in the country. So, nearly 90% of the Myanmar population practices Buddhism. Myanmar is the most devout Buddhist nation in the world, where monastic life is highly respected, and most men spend some time in their lives as monks. The Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon is the most sacred Buddhist site in Myanmar. Even though Myanmar has huge political unrest, the Buddhist community plays an important role in maintaining spiritual guidance and peace in the community.
4. Japan – 41.4 Million Buddhists
It might be hard to believe for some, but Japan is also a country of Buddhist devotees with over 41.4 million followers. In Japan, many Japanese people identify as Buddhist as well as Shinto. However, Buddhism in Japan is slightly different from the world as people follow the Mahayana Tradition and Zen, Pure Land, and Nichiren Schools, being the most remarkable. Buddhism came to Japan through Korea and China in the sixth century. However, it is hard to find saffron-robbed monks in Japan as most Buddhist rituals are tied to funerals, ancestral worship, and seasonal festivals.
5. Cambodia – 15.7 Million Buddhists
If you consider numbers, Cambodia is represented as a country with the highest percentage of Buddhists, with over 97% of the total population of Cambodia. There are more than 15.7 million Buddhist followers in Cambodia, and the Theravada tradition dominates in the country. Buddhism came to Cambodia in the early 13th century. The world-famous Angkor Wat in Cambodia was a Hindu temple that was converted to a Buddhist site, and this place holds history that dates back to the 15th century.
6. Vietnam – 15.6 Million Buddhists
With a core belief in the Mahayana tradition, Vietnam is a large country with a Buddhist population. The strong influence of Buddhism came to Vietnam through Confucianism and Taoism. There are many bizarre facts that you can find about Buddhism in Vietnam. One of the famous things you may find people following here is that Vietnamese Buddhists often burn paper replicas of iPhones, motorbikes, and money for ancestors to use in the afterlife.
7. Sri Lanka – 15.6 Million Buddhists
Theravada Buddhism is widely spread around the globe, and the same tradition came to Sri Lanka in the third century BCE, making it the oldest religion in the country. There are more than 15.4 million Buddhists, and it started with Emperor Ashoka’s son, Mahinda. Indian Emperor Ashoka sent his son Mahinda as a missionary to Sri Lanka, and Buddhism spread from there to this country.
8. South Korea – 10.9 Million Buddhists
South Korea is home to 10.9 million Buddhists following Seon tradition within Mahayana Buddhism. South Korea’s population majorly follows Christianity, which has been growing rapidly in the past couple of decades. However, Buddhism still shapes South Korea’s culture and traditions. Buddhist temples like Bulguksa and Jogyesa are not just religious centers but also tourist attractions in this country.
9. India – 10.1 Million Buddhists
Even though India is the birthplace of Buddhism, the number of Buddhists in India is around 10.1 million. The majority of Buddhist followers came through Dalit’s Buddhist movement, which was started by Dr. B. R. Ambedkar. One of the most popular landmarks in Buddhism is Bodh Gaya, the place where Buddha Attained Enlightenment. India’s Buddhist population is concentrated mainly in Maharashtra, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, and Arunachal Pradesh.
10. Malaysia – 5.2 Million Buddhists
Malaysia is the tenth country on the list, but Buddhism is not widespread in this country. With over 5.2 million Buddhists, the population of followers is 19% of Malaysia’s total population. Most Buddhists in Malaysia are ethnic Chinese, and they practice Mahayana Buddhism, which is blended with Taoist and Confucian traditions. Famous temples include Kek Lok Si in Penang and Thean Hou Temple in Kuala Lumpur.
Conclusion
Buddhism is not just a religion; it is a way of living, a communal harmony, and beyond that. From shaping art, politics, ethics, to social life, Buddhism is growing steadily around the globe. In the modern world, the traditions, culture, and way of living are changing, but Buddhism is still leaving marks on human civilization. An important note for the reader is that most numbers in the list are changing every day, so these are the closest numbers at the time of writing this blog. Hope this informative blog helped you gain more insight about Buddhism and its following around the globe.
