Religion in Brazil

May 12, 2012 · updated December 18, 2023

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Fast Facts on Brazil
Population 213,445,417 2021
Religions (%) Roman Catholic 64.6%, other Catholic 0.4%, Protestant 22.2% (includes Adventist 6.5%, Assembly of God 2.0%, Christian Congregation of Brazil 1.2%, Universal Kingdom of God 1.0%, other Protestant 11.5%), other Christian 0.7%, Spiritist 2.2%, other 1.4%, no
Christianity 185,430,000 2020
Unaffiliated 17,620,000 2020
Indigenous/Folk Religions 6,680,000 2020
Other Religions 300,000 2020
Buddhism 250,000 2020
Judaism 110,000 2020
Islam 40,000 2020

Religion in Brazil Fast Facts

  • Roman Catholic (nominal) 73.6% (many accepting the label "Catholic" practices religions common to Brazil such as Umbanda and Candomble)
  • Protestant 15.4%
  • Spiritualist 1.3%
  • Bantu/voodoo 0.3%
  • Other 1.8%
  • Unspecified 0.2%
  • None 7.4%

Summary of Religion in Brazil

Religion in Brazil is diverse.

Brazil’s constitution establishes a secular government, where citizens are free to choose their religion.

Although there are a number of minority religions in Brazil, the country is mostly made up of adherents to Roman Catholicism, practitioners of religious activities brought from Africa by slaves centuries ago, and native religions to Brazil. Many who identify as "Catholic" practice religions common to Brazil such as Umbanda and Candomble.

In some cases, people combine these three religions, but often still identify with the label “Roman Catholic.”

Protestant Christianity is also growing in the country, especially Neo-Pentecostalism.

Sources

CIA Factbook