Section C: 1.1 Distribution of world religions




Religion is concerned with invisible realities; it is the bridge between the world we see and the unseen. Faith is a phenomenon found in every age and region. Down through the ages, men and women have sensed in the wonders and mysteries of human experience the presence of something greater than themselves.


More than four fifths of the world’s population claim to have some sort of religious belief, with societies and nations worldwide reflecting the influence of such belief in all areas of life, ranging from attitudes and values to trends in art, music and literature.


Past Exam Question


Discuss the general world-wide distribution of members today in each of the following religions: Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism


Every civilisation in recorded history has held a system of belief which can be identified as religious. The essential elements of religious devotion are the acknowledgement of a power greater than ourselves, the enactment of rituals in reverence or respect for this power, and the establishment of moral codes based on these beliefs.

The modern world, despite a movement away from religion in first world countries, is dominated by monotheistic faiths. Followers of Christianity and Islam make up more than half of the world’s population. Christianity is the religion of majority in Europe, North and South America, southern Africa and Australia, and it accounts for 33% of the global population. Islam originated in the Middle-East where it is the religion of majority, and has spread to northern Africa. It accounts for 22% of the global population.

The next biggest religion is that of Hinduism, a polytheistic faith of Indian origin. 15% of the world’s population identify as Hindu. Buddhism, which some see as more of a philosophy, is the next biggest faith on 6%, with most of its followers found in India, Nepal and China. While many other religions have more adherents Judaism is considered one of the five major world religions. Its followers account for less than one quarter of a percent (0.22%) of the world’s population, but its influence and impact on human history is significant and wide-ranging. It is the religion of majority in Israel and Jewish communities are found throughout Europe and North America

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