The Size and Demographic Structure of Religions in Europe

Abstract

Two of the most closely watched patterns of religious-demographic change in Europe are religious switching and the growth of religions other than Christianity (in particular, Islam). This chapter provides answers about the sex differences in religious affiliation, a product of differential patterns of religious switching by sex and the disproportionally male migrant stock. To estimate the proportion of religious groups in European countries, the author has collected the best available and most up-to-date data from censuses, surveys, and administrative population registers for all European countries. The author has favored sources that measured religious identity directly in a one-step question. The chapter does not measure religious intensity and only considers stated religious affiliation, not the relationship between belief and practice. It also provides estimates of religious distributions by age and sex for 42 countries in Europe. Keywords: demographic change; Europe; religions