Is Canada becoming a nation of non-believers?
The landscape of Canadian religious affiliation has dramatically shifted over the past two decades. From a country predominantly Christian, Canada now exhibits a diverse but steadily secularizing profile.
Christianity's decline is substantial: 77.1% in 2001 to 53.3% in 2021. This blog delves into these historical trends and their implications.
What does the future hold for religion in Canada?
Explore the trends, statistics, and societal impacts shaping Canadian religious affiliations today.
Historical Trends in Canadian Religious Affiliation
Christianity in Canada has experienced a notable decline over the past two decades. In 2001, 77.1% of Canadians identified as Christian. By 2021, this percentage had dropped significantly to 53.3%. This trend reflects broader societal shifts and changes in individual beliefs and practices. The United Church of Canada, for instance, saw its membership decrease from 14.6% in 1985 to 3.8% in 2019. Similarly, Anglicanism declined from 10.4% in 1986 to 3.8% in 2019.
Monthly religious service attendance has also seen a downward trend. In 2018, 24% of Canadians attended religious services monthly, but by 2022, this figure had fallen to 15%. These statistics indicate not just a decline in formal religious affiliation, but also a decrease in active participation in religious practices. This trend is part of a broader move towards secularism and individual spirituality, rather than organized religion.
Sociologist Sarah Wilkins-Laflamme offers an interesting perspective on this decline. She suggests that instead of focusing solely on why fewer people are involved with Christianity now, it is worth exploring why so many were historically engaged with it. This shift in narrative can help understand the underlying social and cultural dynamics that have influenced religious affiliation over time.
Year | Christian Population Percentage
— | —
2001 | 77.1%
2011 | 67.3%
2018 | 55.0%
2021 | 53.3%
Current Religious Demographics in Canada
In 2021, 53.3% of Canadians identified as Christian. This figure highlights a significant portion of the population still aligning with Christianity, despite a noticeable decline over recent decades. The Christian demographic includes various denominations such as Roman Catholics, Protestants, and other Christian groups. Among those raised Roman Catholic, 77% continue to identify with the faith, while 17% have shifted to having no religious identity.
Islam is the second-largest religion in Canada, accounting for 3.7% of the population. This increase is largely attributed to immigration, which has introduced greater religious diversity into the country. Immigrants make up a substantial portion of the Muslim community, with 63.1% of Canadian Muslims being immigrants. This trend is reflected across other religious groups, emphasizing the role of immigration in shaping Canada's religious landscape.
Jewish and Buddhist affiliations have remained relatively stable, each representing around 1% of the population. Similar to Muslims, a significant number of Buddhists (68.9%) are immigrants. The Hindu and Sikh communities also reflect this pattern, with 62.9% of Hindus and 53.8% of Sikhs being immigrants. These statistics underscore the contribution of immigration to the religious mosaic of Canada.
- Christians: 53.3%
- Muslims: 3.7%
- Jews: 1%
- Buddhists: 1%
- Hindus:
- Sikhs:
- Non-religious:
Regional Differences in Religious Affiliation
In Canada, regional religious differences are pronounced, reflecting the country's diverse cultural and demographic landscape. For instance, British Columbia has a significant immigrant population, with immigrants making up 31.4% of the labor force. This influx of diverse cultural backgrounds has contributed to a more varied religious composition. Monthly religious service attendance is also higher among immigrants (28%) compared to native-born Canadians (13%), highlighting the impact of immigration on religious practices.
Ontario and Alberta also exhibit unique religious characteristics. Ontario, being the most populous province, hosts a wide range of religious communities, including large populations of Christians, Muslims, Hindus, and Jews. Alberta, on the other hand, has a higher proportion of Evangelical Christians compared to other provinces. These regional distinctions are shaped by historical migration patterns, cultural influences, and socio-economic factors.
Religion in Quebec
Quebec stands out with its unique religious landscape. The province has the highest percentage (73%) of non-readers of sacred texts, indicative of a broader trend towards secularism. The historical influence of the Catholic Church in Quebec has waned significantly, leading to high non-participation in religious activities. This secular tendency is also reflected in the lower attendance at religious services and a general shift towards individual spirituality rather than organized religion.
Impact of Immigration on Canadian Religious Affiliation
Immigration has significantly contributed to the religious diversity in Canada. Immigrants constitute the majority of several religious groups, bringing a rich tapestry of beliefs and practices to the country. For example, 68.9% of Buddhists, 63.1% of Muslims, 62.9% of Hindus, and 53.8% of Sikhs in Canada are immigrants. This influx of diverse religious backgrounds has reshaped the religious landscape, making Canada one of the most religiously diverse nations in the world.
The demographic shifts resulting from immigration are also notable in terms of racial composition. Immigrants in Canada are more racialized, with 69.3% of immigrants being racialized compared to 11.4% of Canadian-born individuals. Over the last five years, the proportion of new immigrants who are racialized has increased to 83%. These changes not only affect religious affiliation but also contribute to the broader multicultural fabric of Canadian society.
- Buddhists: 68.9%
- Muslims: 63.1%
- Hindus: 62.9%
- Sikhs: 53.8%
Secularism and Non-Religious Affiliation in Canada
Secularism has seen a significant rise in Canada, reflected by the growing number of individuals identifying as non-religious. In 2021, a notable 12,577,475 Canadians identified as non-religious. This shift towards secularism is further highlighted by the fact that 53% of Canadians reported "not at all" attending group religious activities. This data underscores a broader trend where formal religious practices are increasingly being replaced by individual spirituality or secular lifestyles.
Younger Canadians, particularly those under 35, are leading this secular movement. Only 57% of younger Canadians believe in a higher power, compared to 67% of their older counterparts. This generational divide indicates a shift in cultural and societal values, with younger generations gravitating more towards secularism. Additionally, monthly religious service attendance for non-religious individuals is significantly low, reinforcing the trend towards secularism and away from organized religion.
- Total non-religious population: 12,577,475
- Percentage of non-religious individuals who do not attend religious activities: 53%
- Belief in higher power among younger Canadians: 57%
Major Religions and Their Influence in Canada
Islam is the largest non-Christian religion in Canada, accounting for 3.7% of the population. This community is characterized by strong religious beliefs and practices, with 95% of Muslims believing in God or a higher power and 88% believing in life after death. The influence of Islam extends beyond religious practices to cultural and social spheres, contributing to the multicultural fabric of Canadian society.
Judaism and Buddhism each represent around 1% of the Canadian population and have remained stable over the past 20 years. These religions, while smaller in number, have a significant cultural presence. Jewish communities in Canada are known for their strong emphasis on education, social justice, and cultural heritage. Similarly, Buddhist communities contribute to the diversity of spiritual practices and philosophies in Canada, often promoting mindfulness, meditation, and peace.
Sikhism also plays a notable role in Canada, particularly in provinces like British Columbia and Ontario. Sikhs demonstrate high religiosity, with 29% reading sacred texts monthly. This practice underscores the importance of religious texts and rituals in maintaining cultural and spiritual identity. Sikh communities are actively involved in various social, cultural, and charitable activities, which further enhances their influence on Canadian society.
- Islam: 3.7%
- Judaism: 1%
- Buddhism: 1%
- Hinduism:
- Sikhism:
Religious Participation and Activities in Canada
Religious participation in Canada varies significantly across different groups. According to recent data, a substantial 53% of Canadians reported "not at all" attending group religious activities, indicating a broad trend towards secularism or individualized spirituality. Despite this, 23% of Canadians still attend religious activities at least once a month. This figure, while modest, highlights that a segment of the population remains actively engaged in religious practices.
When breaking down weekly attendance by religious groups, the differences become more pronounced. Among Roman Catholics, only 9% attend weekly services, while 7% of Mainline Protestants do the same. In contrast, Evangelical Christians show a much higher level of engagement, with 59% attending weekly services. Muslims also have a relatively high rate of weekly attendance at 27%. These statistics illustrate the varying degrees of religious commitment and participation across different faith communities in Canada.
Religious Group | Weekly Attendance Percentage
— | —
Roman Catholics | 9%
Mainline Protestants | 7%
Evangelical Christians | 59%
Muslims | 27%
Final Words
Throughout this blog post, the historical trends and current landscape of Canadian religious affiliation were examined, revealing a marked decline in Christianity and a rise in secularism.
The impact of immigration has significantly shaped the religious diversity in Canada, contributing to higher affiliations in non-Christian religions.
Regional variations and religious participation trends were also highlighted, painting a comprehensive picture of the evolving religious scene in the country.
As the dynamics of Canadian religious affiliation continue to shift, understanding these changes is crucial for anyone engaging with Canada's diverse and multifaceted society.
