A major new global report from the Pew Research Center has now been released, mapping religious diversity across 201 countries worldwide. Six years after the data was collected, the global study has finally been published following years of data verification, harmonisation and analysis.
The study is based on data from national censuses, large-scale surveys and official population statistics, which Pew has used to calculate a Religious Diversity Index measuring how evenly different religious groups are distributed within each country.
According the Pew Research Center, Singapore ranks as the most religiously diverse country in the world. Norway, by contrast, is placed at number 56.
A balanced society
Singapore scores 9.3 out of 10 on the Religious Diversity Index – the highest globally.
No single religious group dominates the population. Buddhists account for around 31 per cent. Christians make up 19 per cent. Muslims represent 16 per cent, while Hindus form 5 per cent. About 20 per cent of residents say they have no religious affiliation. The rest belong to other faiths.
This relatively even spread across multiple religions is what gives Singapore its top position.
Religious harmony is, according to the report, embedded in policy, education and housing. Mosques, temples and churches often stand side by side, and public holidays reflect different faith traditions.
Religious landscape
Norway’s ranking at number 56 reflects a very different religious structure.
The country remains largely shaped by its Christian heritage, even though formal affiliation has declined in recent decades. A growing share of the population now identifies as non-religious, and immigration has brought increasing Muslim, Catholic and Hindu communities.
Still, compared to Singapore, religious groups in Norway are less evenly distributed. Christianity and non-affiliation dominate the landscape.
