Population Share by Religious Affiliation in Portugal

Portugal: Religious Affiliation, by population share
ReligionShare of the population,
in %
Catholic80.2
Without religion14.09
Protestant/Evangelical2.13
Other Christian1.04
Jehovahs Witnesses0.72
Orthodox0.69
Muslim0.42
Other non Christian0.28
Hindu0.22
Buddhist0.19
Jewish0.03
  • Region: Portugal
  • Time period: 2021
  • Published: Mar 2023

Data Analysis and Insights

Updated: Mar 27, 2024 | Published by: Statistico | About Us | Data sources

Dominance of Catholicism

Catholicism represents the predominant religion in Portugal, encompassing 80.20% of the population. This significant majority underscores the deep-rooted influence of Catholic traditions and values within the Portuguese society.

Minority Religions

Protestant and Evangelical communities, though minor, constitute the second-largest religious group at 2.13%. This illustrates the diversity of Christian denominations in Portugal despite the overwhelming Catholic majority.

Secular and Non-religious Populations

The share of the population identifying as without religion is 14.09%, highlighting a notable portion of the Portuguese society that does not adhere to any religious belief, which signifies a considerable secular or non-religious demographic.

Jehovah's Witnesses and Orthodox Christians

Jehovah's Witnesses and Orthodox Christians together make up 1.41% of the population, indicating the presence of varied religious practices and beliefs, albeit on a smaller scale compared to the dominant Catholic faith.

Muslim, Hindu, and Buddhist Communities

Muslim, Hindu, and Buddhist communities collectively account for less than 1% of the population (0.83%), showcasing Portugal's religious diversity beyond its Christian majority.

Jewish Presence in Portugal

The Jewish community, constituting 0.03% of the population, reflects a small yet enduring presence in Portugal, pointing to the historical continuity of diverse religious traditions within the country.

Frequently Asked Questions

The predominant religion in Portugal is Catholicism, representing a substantial majority of 80.20% of the population.

The second-largest religious group in Portugal consists of Protestant and Evangelical communities, comprising 2.13% of the population.

A notable percentage of the Portuguese population, 14.09%, identifies as non-religious or secular.

Terms and Definitions

Population distribution refers to the arrangement or spread of people living in a particular area. It can be studied in relation to the geographical region (urban or rural), age, gender, and other demographic factors including religion.

Religion is a system of beliefs and practices centered around spiritual elements. It often involves the worship of a deity or deities, includes moral codes governing human affairs, and is typically expressed through rituals and prayer. In sociodemographic studies, religion is often considered as a factor for population distribution.

Secular refers to attitudes, activities, or other things that have no religious or spiritual basis. A person, a region or a country can be described as secular if it operates separately from religion.

Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the teachings of Jesus Christ. It is one of the world's most practiced religions. There are many subdivisions within Christianity, including Roman Catholicism, Protestantism, and Eastern Orthodoxy.

Roman Catholicism is the largest branch of Christianity, led by the Pope, and centered in the Vatican. Its doctrines and practices have evolved over centuries and it represents a substantial percentage of the Christian population worldwide.

Protestantism is one of the three major branches of Christianity, alongside Roman Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy. It began in the 16th-century as a movement against what its followers perceived to be errors in the Roman Catholic Church.

Orthodoxy, or Eastern Orthodoxy, is one of the three main Christian groups (the others being Roman Catholic and Protestant). It follows the teachings and practices developed by early Christian theologians, known as the Church Fathers.

Atheism is the absence of belief in the existence of God or gods. It is typically contrasted with theism, which is the belief in at least one deity. In the context of population distribution studies, atheists would form their own category separate from religious groups.
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