Religion by Country
Religion in Singapore: Statistics, Demographics & Beliefs
One of the world's most religiously diverse societies — and, increasingly, one of its most secular. Here is what the latest official data shows about belief in Singapore.
Quick answer
Buddhism is the largest religious affiliation in Singapore, followed by Christianity and Islam, with substantial Taoist and Hindu communities. But the fastest-growing group is people with no religion, who reached a record 23.9% of residents in 2025. Nearly all Malays are Muslim, most Hindus are ethnic Indian, and the Chinese community is split between Buddhism, Christianity, Taoism and a rising non-religious share.
- Largest religion
- Buddhism — 30.9% of residents (2025)
- Second largest
- Christianity — 17.1%
- No religious affiliation
- 23.9% (up from 20% in 2020)
- Latest data source
- Singapore Department of Statistics (SingStat)
- Reference year
- General Household Survey 2025 (residents aged 15+)
Religion in Singapore at a glance
Singapore is one of the most religiously diverse countries in the world, with no single tradition holding a majority. The figures below come from the Department of Statistics' General Household Survey 2025, which measures the religion of residents aged 15 and above as self-declared.
| Religion | 2020 (Census) | 2025 (GHS) | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buddhism | 31.1% | 30.9% | −0.2 |
| No religion | 20.0% | 23.9% | +3.9 |
| Christianity | 18.9% | 17.1% | −1.8 |
| Islam | 15.6% | 15.0% | −0.6 |
| Taoism & Chinese beliefs | 8.8% | 7.3% | −1.5 |
| Hinduism | 5.0% | 5.4% | +0.4 |
| Other religions | 0.6% | 0.4% | −0.2 |
Figures are for the resident population (citizens and permanent residents) aged 15 and above and may not sum to exactly 100% due to rounding.
The largest religions in Singapore
Buddhism remains the most widely practised religion, at 30.9% of residents. It is followed most closely among the ethnic Chinese majority and often overlaps in practice with Taoism and Chinese traditional beliefs.
People with no religion now form the second-largest group at 23.9%. This category is diverse: it includes atheists and agnostics as well as people who hold personal spiritual beliefs but decline to identify with an organised faith.
Christianity accounts for 17.1% of residents, spanning Protestant denominations and the Catholic Church. Islam, at 15.0%, is followed by almost all of the Malay community and by a share of Indian and other residents. Taoism and Chinese traditional beliefs (7.3%) and Hinduism (5.4%) round out the major traditions, with Sikhs, Jains, Jews and others each below 1%.
Religious demographics by ethnicity
Religion in Singapore tracks closely with ethnicity, though not perfectly. According to the 2025 data and the 2020 Census:
- Among Malay residents, 98.6% identify as Muslim — a near-universal association.
- Among Indian residents, Hinduism is the most common religion at 58.8%, followed by Islam and Christianity.
- Among Chinese residents, Buddhism remains the most common affiliation, but the non-religious share has risen sharply — from roughly one in four in 2020 to around one in three in 2025.
How religion is changing
The clearest trend in Singapore's religious landscape is the steady rise of the non-religious. The share of residents reporting no religious affiliation has climbed across every recent measurement.
The 3.9-percentage-point jump between 2020 and 2025 was the single most notable change in the data. The increase was visible across all education levels and was most pronounced among younger residents: 26.8% of those aged 15 to 24 reported no religion, compared with 19.4% of residents aged 55 and over. The sharpest rise of all was among those aged 35 to 44.
2025 also marked the first recorded decline in Christianity's share of the population after four decades of growth, driven mainly by a fall in the Protestant population. Hinduism was the only major tradition to grow, which researchers have linked in part to Indian migration and permanent residency.
A short history of religion in Singapore
Singapore's religious mix is a product of migration. Chinese settlers brought Buddhism, Taoism and folk traditions; the Malay population has been predominantly Muslim since Islam spread through the region centuries ago; Indian migrants brought Hinduism, Sikhism and Islam; and Christianity arrived with British colonial settlement in the nineteenth century, later growing rapidly in the late twentieth century, particularly among educated Chinese residents.
The state has long managed this diversity actively, treating religious harmony as a matter of public policy. Major festivals from several traditions — including Vesak, Deepavali, Hari Raya Puasa, Christmas and Good Friday — are recognised as national public holidays.
Religious diversity
Singapore consistently ranks among the most religiously diverse countries in the world in comparative research, because several sizeable communities coexist rather than one tradition dominating. This diversity is reinforced by the country's ethnic mix and by a policy environment that gives official recognition to multiple faiths. For comparison with its neighbours, see religion in Malaysia and religion in Indonesia.
Religion and everyday life
Religious observance is woven into public life through the national holiday calendar, food and dietary practices, places of worship spanning temples, mosques, churches and Chinese folk shrines, and community organisations. At the same time, the rise of the non-religious — especially among the young and university-educated — points to a gradual secularisation of daily life for a growing minority of residents.
Frequently asked questions
What is the main religion in Singapore?
Buddhism is the most common religious affiliation in Singapore. In the 2025 General Household Survey, 30.9% of residents aged 15 and above identified as Buddhist, ahead of Christianity (17.1%) and Islam (15.0%).
What percentage of Singapore has no religion?
23.9% of residents aged 15 and above reported no religious affiliation in 2025, up from 20% in 2020 and 17% in 2010 — the highest share on record.
What religions are practised in Singapore?
The main traditions are Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, Taoism and Chinese traditional beliefs, and Hinduism. Smaller communities include Sikhs, Jains, Jews and others, each under 1% of the population.
Is religion growing or declining in Singapore?
Overall religious affiliation is declining. Between 2020 and 2025 the shares of Buddhism, Christianity, Islam and Taoism each fell, while the non-religious share rose. Hinduism was the only major tradition to grow, edging up from 5.0% to 5.4%.
Sources & methodology
Statistics on this page come from Singapore's national statistical authority. Religious affiliation is self-declared and measured among residents (citizens and permanent residents) aged 15 and above. Because the 2020 figure is from a full Census and the 2025 figure is from the mid-decade General Household Survey, the two are directly comparable in definition but drawn from different collections.
- Singapore Department of Statistics (SingStat), General Household Survey 2025 — Religion, released 30 June 2026.
- Singapore Department of Statistics, Population — Religion: latest data.
- Singapore Department of Statistics, Census of Population 2020 (religion by age and ethnic group).