Catholic Population by Country

Across centuries, Catholicism has marked its global presence, extending its roots to every continent while demonstrating the diversity and unity of a faith that transcends cultural and geographical boundaries. As ostensibly the world's largest Christian denomination, the Catholic Church has left an indelible imprint on the cultural, social, and religious landscape of numerous nations.

Analysis of recent data paints a striking picture of the global Catholic population distribution. Significant differences exist among nations based on an array of historical, societal, and political factors that influence religious alignment.

Key findings:

• With more than 123.4 million believers, Brazil tops the chart as the country with the highest Catholic population. The faith's roots in Brazil stretch back to the nation's Portuguese colonial era, ensuring Catholicism's enduring predominance.
• Trailing Brazil, Mexico boasts a formidable Catholic population of 100 million, a testament to the deep-seated spiritual vibrancy permeating the country since Spanish conquest and colonization.
• The United States ranks fourth, following the Philippines, with an estimated Catholic population of 69.3 million. This plurality of faith underpins the U.S.'s renowned religious diversity and coexistence.
• In Europe, Italy emerges as the pinnacle with 50.5 million Catholics, which is hardly surprising given its unique historical and ecclesiastical connection as home to Vatican City, the heart of the global Catholic Church.
• Despite the predominantly Christian population, countries like China and India have notable Catholic populations, with figures of 12 million and 15.5 million respectively, highlighting Catholicism's reach even in primarily non-Christian societies.

To sort the data in the table, click on the column headers.