=.← Previous revisionRevision as of 07:32, 26 October 2026 Line 57: Line 57: In 2025, 46.3% of the population were Christians, among them 43.8% members of the two large Christian churches.{{Cite web |url=https://fowid.de/meldung/kirchenmitglieder-ende-2025-43-8-prozent |title=Kirchenmitglieder Ende 2025: 43,8 Prozent. |date=16 March 2026| website= fowid.de |publisher=Forschungsgruppe Weltanschauungen in Deutschland (fowid) |language=de |trans-title= Membership of churches at the end of 2025: 43.8% |access-date=4 July 2026 }} Around half of Christians in Germany are Catholics, mostly from the [[Latin Church]]; Catholicism is stronger in the southern and the western part of the country. Nearly half belongs to the [[Protestant Church in Germany]] (EKD) that is stronger in the northern regions, and the rest to several small Christian denominations such as the [[Union of Evangelical Free Churches in Germany]], the [[Eastern Orthodox Church]] or the [[Jehovah's Witnesses]].{{Cite web |date=9 May 2011 |title=Zensusdatenbank – Ergebnisse des Zensus 2011 –Personen nach Religion (ausführlich) für Deutschland |url=https://ergebnisse.zensus2011.de/#dynTable:statUnit=PERSON;absRel=ANZAHL;ags=00;agsAxis=X;yAxis=RELIGION_AUSF |publisher=Statistische Ämter des Bundes und der Länder |access-date=23 October 2017 |archive-date=5 June 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130605031517/https://ergebnisse.zensus2011.de/#dynTable:statUnit=PERSON;absRel=ANZAHL;ags=00;agsAxis=X;yAxis=RELIGION_AUSF |url-status=dead }} Estimations for the percentage of [[Muslims]] vary between 4.8% and 6.7%,{{Cite web |title=BAMF-Forschungszentrum: Neue Studie Muslimisches Leben in Deutschland 2020 zeigt mehr Vielfalt |url=https://www.bamf.de/SharedDocs/Pressemitteilungen/DE/2021/20210428-studie-mld-2020.html;jsessionid=A83A849137B16FC88178EA2D5D8372BA.internet281?nn=282772 |access-date=2021-04-28 |language=de}}{{cite web |url=https://www.bamf.de/SharedDocs/Anlagen/DE/Forschung/Forschungsberichte/fb38-muslimisches-leben.html;jsessionid=315DFFECC4D8BDBC7604BB3E0F0C60B1.internet551?nn=282388 |title=Muslimisches Leben in Deutschland 2020 |access-date=2021-04-28 |language=de}} while much smaller religions include [[Buddhism]], [[Judaism]], [[Hinduism]] and [[Yazidism]]. The rest of the population is not affiliated with any church, and many are [[atheist]], [[agnostic]], or otherwise [[irreligious]]. 60% of German residents say that they believe there is a [[God]], 9% say that they believe there is a higher power or spiritual force and 27% say that they do not believe there is a God, higher power or spiritual force.[https://www.pewforum.org/2018/10/29/eastern-and-western-europeans-differ-on-importance-of-religion-views-of-minorities-and-key-social-issues/ "Eastern and Western Europeans Differ on Importance of Religion, Views of Minorities, and Key Social Issues"], [[Pew Research Center]], October 29, 2018. Retrieved August 10, 2020. In a [[Eurobarometer]] survey from 2021 35% of residents identify with their religion or belief.{{citation |title=Values and identities of EU citizens |url=https://europa.eu/eurobarometer/surveys/detail/2230 |work=Eurobarometer |publisher=European Commission |date=November 2021}} In 2025, 46.3% of the population were Christians, among them 43.8% members of the two large Christian churches.{{Cite web |url=https://fowid.de/meldung/kirchenmitglieder-ende-2025-43-8-prozent |title=Kirchenmitglieder Ende 2025: 43,8 Prozent. |date=16 March 2026| website= fowid.de |publisher=Forschungsgruppe Weltanschauungen in Deutschland (fowid) |language=de |trans-title= Membership of churches at the end of 2025: 43.8% |access-date=4 July 2026 }} Around half of Christians in Germany are Catholics, mostly from the [[Latin Church]]; Catholicism is stronger in the southern and the western part of the country. Nearly half belongs to the [[Protestant Church in Germany]] (EKD) that is stronger in the northern regions, and the rest to several small Christian denominations such as the [[Union of Evangelical Free Churches in Germany]], the [[Eastern Orthodox Church]] or the [[Jehovah's Witnesses]].{{Cite web |date=9 May 2011 |title=Zensusdatenbank – Ergebnisse des Zensus 2011 –Personen nach Religion (ausführlich) für Deutschland |url=https://ergebnisse.zensus2011.de/#dynTable:statUnit=PERSON;absRel=ANZAHL;ags=00;agsAxis=X;yAxis=RELIGION_AUSF |publisher=Statistische Ämter des Bundes und der Länder |access-date=23 October 2017 |archive-date=5 June 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130605031517/https://ergebnisse.zensus2011.de/#dynTable:statUnit=PERSON;absRel=ANZAHL;ags=00;agsAxis=X;yAxis=RELIGION_AUSF |url-status=dead }} Estimations for the percentage of [[Muslims]] vary between 4.8% and 6.7%,{{Cite web |title=BAMF-Forschungszentrum: Neue Studie Muslimisches Leben in Deutschland 2020 zeigt mehr Vielfalt |url=https://www.bamf.de/SharedDocs/Pressemitteilungen/DE/2021/20210428-studie-mld-2020.html;jsessionid=A83A849137B16FC88178EA2D5D8372BA.internet281?nn=282772 |access-date=2021-04-28 |language=de}}{{cite web |url=https://www.bamf.de/SharedDocs/Anlagen/DE/Forschung/Forschungsberichte/fb38-muslimisches-leben.html;jsessionid=315DFFECC4D8BDBC7604BB3E0F0C60B1.internet551?nn=282388 |title=Muslimisches Leben in Deutschland 2020 |access-date=2021-04-28 |language=de}} while much smaller religions include [[Buddhism]], [[Judaism]], [[Hinduism]] and [[Yazidism]]. The rest of the population is not affiliated with any church, and many are [[atheist]], [[agnostic]], or otherwise [[irreligious]]. 60% of German residents say that they believe there is a [[God]], 9% say that they believe there is a higher power or spiritual force and 27% say that they do not believe there is a God, higher power or spiritual force.[https://www.pewforum.org/2018/10/29/eastern-and-western-europeans-differ-on-importance-of-religion-views-of-minorities-and-key-social-issues/ "Eastern and Western Europeans Differ on Importance of Religion, Views of Minorities, and Key Social Issues"], [[Pew Research Center]], October 29, 2018. Retrieved August 10, 2020. In a [[Eurobarometer]] survey from 2021 35% of residents identify with their religion or belief.{{citation |title=Values and identities of EU citizens |url=https://europa.eu/eurobarometer/surveys/detail/2230 |work=Eurobarometer |publisher=European Commission |date=November 2021}} Nearly half of Germans [[Irreligion in Germany|have no religion]]. Demographics of religion in Germany vary greatly by region and age, with sharp divides that reflect both the country's history as an [[Age of Enlightenment|Enlightenment]] hub and its later experiences with post-war [[communism]]. Non-religious people typically represent the majority in Germany's city-states, meaning [[Berlin]], [[Hamburg]] and [[Bremen]], as well as in [[new states of Germany|the eastern states]] which used to be [[East Germany]] between 1945 and 1990.{{Cite conference |last=Goddyn |first=Sophie L. |date=29 April 2014 |title=The Most Godless Region of the World: Atheism in East Germany |url=https://pdxscholar.library.pdx.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1045&context=younghistorians |conference=Young Historians Conference |publisher=Portland State University |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160930034207/https://pdxscholar.library.pdx.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1045&context=younghistorians |archive-date=30 September 2016}} By contrast, [[old states of Germany|the western states]] of what in the same period used to be [[West Germany]] are deeply religious. Nearly half of Germans [[Irreligion in Germany|have no religion]]. Demographics of religion in Germany vary greatly by region and age, with sharp divides that reflect both the country's history as an [[Age of Enlightenment|Enlightenment]] hub and its later experiences with post-war [[communism]]. Non-religious people typically represent the majority in Germany's city-states, meaning [[Berlin]], [[Hamburg]] and [[Bremen]], as well as in [[new states of Germany|the eastern states]] which used to be [[East Germany]] between 1945 and 1990.{{Cite conference |last=Goddyn |first=Sophie L. |date=29 April 2014 |title=The Most Godless Region of the World: Atheism in East Germany |url=https://pdxscholar.library.pdx.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1045&context=younghistorians |conference=Young Historians Conference |publisher=Portland State University |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160930034207/https://pdxscholar.library.pdx.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1045&context=younghistorians |archive-date=30 September 2016}} By contrast, [[old states of Germany|the western states]] of what in the same period used to be [[West Germany]] are more religious. == History == == History == Line 377: Line 377: === Religion by state === === Religion by state === {{update|date=March 2021}} {{update|date=March 2021}} In 2016, the survey Politbarometer provided data regarding religion in each of the [[states of Germany]] for adults who are entitled to vote (18+), as reported in the table below.{{Cite journal|date=2016|title=Konfession, Bundesland – weighted (Kumulierter Datensatz)|url=http://zacat.gesis.org/webview/index.jsp?headers=http%3A%2F%2F193.175.238.79%3A80%2Fobj%2FfVariable%2FZA6888_V313&stubs=http%3A%2F%2F193.175.238.79%3A80%2Fobj%2FfVariable%2FZA6888_V7&previousmode=table&sort=column&byc=2&study=http%3A%2F%2F193.175.238.79%3A80%2Fobj%2FfStudy%2FZA6888&charttype=null&by=1&mode=table&v=2&V313slice=1&V7slice=12&order=asc&weights=http%3A%2F%2F193.175.238.79%3A80%2Fobj%2FfVariable%2FZA6888_V319&weights=http%3A%2F%2F193.175.238.79%3A80%2Fobj%2FfVariable%2FZA6888_V320&analysismode=table&gs=5&tabcontenttype=row&top=yes|journal=Politbarometer 2016|at=Question V312 |via=[[GESIS – Leibniz Institute for the Social Sciences|GESIS]]|access-date=24 October 2017|archive-date=14 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200414203750/https://zacat.gesis.org/webview/index.jsp?headers=http%3A%2F%2F193.175.238.79%3A80%2Fobj%2FfVariable%2FZA6888_V313&stubs=http%3A%2F%2F193.175.238.79%3A80%2Fobj%2FfVariable%2FZA6888_V7&previousmode=table&sort=column&byc=2&study=http%3A%2F%2F193.175.238.79%3A80%2Fobj%2FfStudy%2FZA6888&charttype=null&by=1&mode=table&v=2&V313slice=1&V7slice=12&order=asc&weights=http%3A%2F%2F193.175.238.79%3A80%2Fobj%2FfVariable%2FZA6888_V319&weights=http%3A%2F%2F193.175.238.79%3A80%2Fobj%2FfVariable%2FZA6888_V320&analysismode=table&gs=5&tabcontenttype=row&top=yes|url-status=dead}} [https://search.gesis.org/research_data/ZA6888 Description of study's sample]. Christianity is the dominant religion of [[West Germany|Western Germany]], excluding [[Hamburg]], which has a non-religious plurality. [[Northern Germany]] has traditionally been dominated by [[Protestantism]], especially [[Lutheranism]]. The two northernmost provinces of [[Schleswig-Holstein]] and [[Niedersachsen|Lower Saxony]] have the largest percentage of self-reported Lutherans in Germany.{{Cite web|url=http://www.ekd.de/download/Ber_Kirchenmitglieder_2010.pdf|title=Kirchenmitgliederzahlen am 31.12.2010|last=Evangelische Kirche Deutschlands|publisher=EDK|access-date=13 May 2016}} [[Southern Germany]] has a [[Catholicism|Catholic]] majority, but also a significant [[Lutheranism|Lutheran]] [[Protestantism|Protestant]] population (especially in Northern [[Württemberg]] and some parts of [[Baden]] and [[Franconia]] (Northern Bavaria)), in contrast to the almost entirely Protestant [[Northern Germany]]. [[Irreligion]] is predominant in [[New states of Germany|Eastern Germany]], which is perhaps the least religious region in the world.{{Cite web|url=http://www.norc.org/PDFs/Beliefs_about_God_Report.pdf|title=Belief about God across Time and Countries, Tom W. Smith, University of Chicago, 2012}}{{cite news In 2016, the survey Politbarometer provided data regarding religion in each of the [[states of Germany]] for adults who are entitled to vote (18+), as reported in the table below.{{Cite journal|date=2016|title=Konfession, Bundesland – weighted (Kumulierter Datensatz)|url=http://zacat.gesis.org/webview/index.jsp?headers=http%3A%2F%2F193.175.238.79%3A80%2Fobj%2FfVariable%2FZA6888_V313&stubs=http%3A%2F%2F193.175.238.79%3A80%2Fobj%2FfVariable%2FZA6888_V7&previousmode=table&sort=column&byc=2&study=http%3A%2F%2F193.175.238.79%3A80%2Fobj%2FfStudy%2FZA6888&charttype=null&by=1&mode=table&v=2&V313slice=1&V7slice=12&order=asc&weights=http%3A%2F%2F193.175.238.79%3A80%2Fobj%2FfVariable%2FZA6888_V319&weights=http%3A%2F%2F193.175.238.79%3A80%2Fobj%2FfVariable%2FZA6888_V320&analysismode=table&gs=5&tabcontenttype=row&top=yes|journal=Politbarometer 2016|at=Question V312 |via=[[GESIS – Leibniz Institute for the Social Sciences|GESIS]]|access-date=24 October 2017|archive-date=14 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200414203750/https://zacat.gesis.org/webview/index.jsp?headers=http%3A%2F%2F193.175.238.79%3A80%2Fobj%2FfVariable%2FZA6888_V313&stubs=http%3A%2F%2F193.175.238.79%3A80%2Fobj%2FfVariable%2FZA6888_V7&previousmode=table&sort=column&byc=2&study=http%3A%2F%2F193.175.238.79%3A80%2Fobj%2FfStudy%2FZA6888&charttype=null&by=1&mode=table&v=2&V313slice=1&V7slice=12&order=asc&weights=http%3A%2F%2F193.175.238.79%3A80%2Fobj%2FfVariable%2FZA6888_V319&weights=http%3A%2F%2F193.175.238.79%3A80%2Fobj%2FfVariable%2FZA6888_V320&analysismode=table&gs=5&tabcontenttype=row&top=yes|url-status=dead}} [https://search.gesis.org/research_data/ZA6888 Description of study's sample]. Christianity is the dominant religion of [[West Germany|Western Germany]], excluding [[Hamburg]], which has a non-religious plurality. [[Northern Germany]] has traditionally been dominated by [[Protestantism]], especially [[Lutheranism]]. The two northernmost provinces of [[Schleswig-Holstein]] and [[Niedersachsen|Lower Saxony]] have the largest percentage of self-reported Lutherans in Germany.{{Cite web|url=http://www.ekd.de/download/Ber_Kirchenmitglieder_2010.pdf|title=Kirchenmitgliederzahlen am 31.12.2010|last=Evangelische Kirche Deutschlands|publisher=EDK|access-date=13 May 2016}} [[Southern Germany]] has a [[Catholicism|Catholic]] majority, but also a significant [[Lutheranism|Lutheran]] [[Protestantism|Protestant]] population (especially in Northern [[Württemberg]] and some parts of [[Baden]] and [[Franconia]] (Northern Bavaria)), in contrast to the almost entirely Protestant [[Northern Germany]]. [[Irreligion]] is predominant in [[New states of Germany|Eastern Germany]], which was the least religious region amongst 30 countries surveyed according to a study by the [[University of Chicago]] in 2012.{{Cite web|url=http://www.norc.org/PDFs/Beliefs_about_God_Report.pdf|title=Belief about God across Time and Countries, Tom W. Smith, University of Chicago, 2012}}{{cite news |url = http://www.worldcrunch.com/why-eastern-germany-most-godless-place-planet/culture-society/why-eastern-germany-is-the-most-godless-place-on-earth/c3s5177/#.UHNiqk3Ex_0 |url = http://www.worldcrunch.com/why-eastern-germany-most-godless-place-planet/culture-society/why-eastern-germany-is-the-most-godless-place-on-earth/c3s5177/#.UHNiqk3Ex_0 |title = Why Eastern Germany is the Most Godless Place on Earth |title = Why Eastern Germany is the Most Godless Place on Earth