Religion in Canada

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Release date: October 28, 2021

Infographic: Religion in Canada — Description: Religion in Canada

In 2019, over two-thirds (68%) of the population in Canada reported having a religious affiliation, and just over half (54%) reported that their religious or spiritual beliefs were somewhat or very important to how they lived their lives.

**Distribution of religious affiliations, population aged 15 and older, Canada, 2017 to 2019**

Table 1
Table summary
This table displays the results of Table 1. The information is grouped by Religious affiliation groupings (appearing as row headers), Total population aged 15 and older, calculated using % units of measure (appearing as column headers).
Religious affiliation groupings Total population aged 15 and older

%

Christian 63.2

Buddhist 1.4

Hindu 1.7

Jewish 1.0

Muslim 3.7

Sikh 1.4

Other religious and spiritual traditions 1.2

No religion or secular perspectives 26.3

**Religious affiliation and participation in religious activities declined from 1985 to 2019**

Table 2
Table summary
This table displays the results of Table 2 Declared having a religious affiliation and Attended group religious activities at least monthly, calculated using % units of measure (appearing as column headers).
Declared having a religious affiliation Attended group religious activities at least monthly

%

1985 90 43

1995 84 34

2005 78 34

2015 79 26

2019 68 23

**From 2017 to 2019, younger generations were less likely than older generations to declare having a religious affiliation and to participate in religious activities**

Table 3
Table summary
This table displays the results of Table 3. The information is grouped by Birth year (appearing as row headers), Declared having a religious affiliation and Attended group religious activities at least monthly, calculated using % units of measure (appearing as column headers).
Birth year Declared having a religious affiliation Attended group religious activities at least monthly

%

1940 to 1959 85 27

1960 to 1979 77 23

1980 to 1999 61 18

**In 2019, women were more likely than men to report having a religious affiliation and to say that religious or spiritual beliefs were very important in their lives**

Table 4
Table summary
This table displays the results of Table 4 Women and Men, calculated using % units of measure (appearing as column headers).
Women Men

%

Declared having a religious affiliation

Yes 72 64

No 28 36

Importance of religious or spiritual beliefs in their lives

Very important 33 25

Somewhat important 28 22

Not very important 16 18

Not important at all 23 35

**Source:** L. Cornelissen. 2021. “Religiosity in Canada and its evolution from 1985 to 2019.” *Insights on Canadian Society.* October. Statistics Canada Catalogue no. 75-006-X; Statistics Canada.

Table 1
Table summary
This table displays the results of Table 1. The information is grouped by Religious affiliation groupings (appearing as row headers), Total population aged 15 and older, calculated using % units of measure (appearing as column headers).
Religious affiliation groupings	Total population aged 15 and older
%
Christian	63.2
Buddhist	1.4
Hindu	1.7
Jewish	1.0
Muslim	3.7
Sikh	1.4
Other religious and spiritual traditions	1.2
No religion or secular perspectives	26.3

Table 2
Table summary
This table displays the results of Table 2 Declared having a religious affiliation and Attended group religious activities at least monthly, calculated using % units of measure (appearing as column headers).
	Declared having a religious affiliation	Attended group religious activities at least monthly
%
1985	90	43
1995	84	34
2005	78	34
2015	79	26
2019	68	23

Table 3
Table summary
This table displays the results of Table 3. The information is grouped by Birth year (appearing as row headers), Declared having a religious affiliation and Attended group religious activities at least monthly, calculated using % units of measure (appearing as column headers).
Birth year	Declared having a religious affiliation	Attended group religious activities at least monthly
%
1940 to 1959	85	27
1960 to 1979	77	23
1980 to 1999	61	18

Table 4
Table summary
This table displays the results of Table 4 Women and Men, calculated using % units of measure (appearing as column headers).
	Women	Men
%
Declared having a religious affiliation
Yes	72	64
No	28	36
Importance of religious or spiritual beliefs in their lives
Very important	33	25
Somewhat important	28	22
Not very important	16	18
Not important at all	23	35

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Copyright

Published by authority of the Minister responsible for Statistics Canada.

Use of this publication is governed by the Statistics Canada Open Licence Agreement.

Catalogue no. 11-627-M

Frequency: Occasional

Ottawa

Date modified:: 2021-10-28

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Religion in Canada

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