Changes

[[File:Blue Marble.jpg|thumbnail|right|220px|[[Atheism]] is in decline worldwide, with the number of atheists falling from 4.5% of the world’s population in 1970 to 2.0% in 2010 and projected to drop to 1.8% by 2020.<ref>[http://www.cnsnews.com/news/article/global-study-atheists-decline-only-18-world-population-2020 Global Study: Atheists in Decline, Only 1.8% of World Population by 2020]</ref> See: [[Global atheism]] ]]

[[File:Blue Marble.jpg|thumbnail|right|220px|[[Atheism]] is in decline worldwide, with the number of atheists falling from 4.5% of the world’s population in 1970 to 2.0% in 2010 and projected to drop to 1.8% by 2020.<ref name="cnsnews.com">[http://www.cnsnews.com/news/article/global-study-atheists-decline-only-18-world-population-2020 Global Study: Atheists in Decline, Only 1.8% of World Population by 2020]</ref> See: [[Global atheism]] ]]

[[Demography]] is the study of human populations, and is a major specialty in the disciplines of sociology, economics, history, geography, statistics and epidemiology.

[[Demography]] is the study of human populations, and is a major specialty in the disciplines of sociology, economics, history, geography, statistics and epidemiology.

== Percentage of the world's population who are atheists - statistics and trends ==

== Percentage of the world's population who are atheists - statistics and trends ==

As a percentage of the world's population, [[atheism]] peaked in 1970.<ref>[http://www.science20.com/writer_on_the_edge/blog/atheism_peaks_while_spiritual_groups_move_toward_convergence-156528 Atheism Peaks, While Spiritual Groups Move Toward Convergence] by Nury Vittachi, July 14, 2015, website Sciene 2.0</ref>  Global atheism is expected to decline in the 21st century and beyond in terms of its global market share.<ref>

As a percentage of the world's population, [[atheism]] peaked in 1970.<ref name="science20.com">[http://www.science20.com/writer_on_the_edge/blog/atheism_peaks_while_spiritual_groups_move_toward_convergence-156528 Atheism Peaks, While Spiritual Groups Move Toward Convergence] by Nury Vittachi, July 14, 2015, website Sciene 2.0</ref>  Global atheism is expected to decline in the 21st century and beyond in terms of its global market share.<ref>

*[http://www.christianpost.com/news/study-world-is-turning-more-religious-atheism-declining-100518/ Study: World is becoming more religious]

*[http://www.christianpost.com/news/study-world-is-turning-more-religious-atheism-declining-100518/ Study: World is becoming more religious]

*[http://questionevolution.blogspot.com/2012/05/globally-worldviews-of-atheism-and-non.html Globally the worldviews of atheism and non-religious (agnostic) are declining while global Christianity is exploding in adherents]

*[http://questionevolution.blogspot.com/2012/05/globally-worldviews-of-atheism-and-non.html Globally the worldviews of atheism and non-religious (agnostic) are declining while global Christianity is exploding in adherents]

According to the ''[[Encyclopædia Britannica]]'', 2% of the world's population self-identifies as atheist and the average annual global change for [[atheism]] from 2000 to 2010 was −0.17%.<ref name="eb-2010">{{cite web|title=Religion: Year in Review 2010: Worldwide Adherents of All Religions|url=http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/1731588/Religion-Year-In-Review-2010/298437/Worldwide-Adherents-of-All-Religions|work=Encyclopædia Britannica Online|publisher=Encyclopædia Britannica Inc.|accessdate=2013-11-21}}</ref> See also: [[Desecularization]]

According to the ''[[Encyclopædia Britannica]]'', 2% of the world's population self-identifies as atheist and the average annual global change for [[atheism]] from 2000 to 2010 was −0.17%.<ref name="eb-2010">{{cite web|title=Religion: Year in Review 2010: Worldwide Adherents of All Religions|url=http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/1731588/Religion-Year-In-Review-2010/298437/Worldwide-Adherents-of-All-Religions|work=Encyclopædia Britannica Online|publisher=Encyclopædia Britannica Inc.|accessdate=2013-11-21}}</ref> See also: [[Desecularization]]

A survey published in the 2005 ''Encyclopedia Britannica'' stated that 2.3% of the world's population consists of individuals who profess "[[atheism]], skepticism, disbelief, or irreligion, including the militantly antireligious."<ref>http://search.eb.com/eb/article-9432620</ref> In regards to the 2.3% figure just mentioned, the 2005 survey cited by ''Encyclopedia Britannica'' survey did not include [[Buddhism|Buddhist]] in regards to the 2.3% figure and Buddhism can be [[Theism|theistic]] or atheistic.<ref>http://www.religionfacts.com/buddhism/beliefs/atheism.htm</ref><ref>http://search.eb.com/eb/article-9432620</ref>

A survey published in the 2005 ''Encyclopedia Britannica'' stated that 2.3% of the world's population consists of individuals who profess "[[atheism]], skepticism, disbelief, or irreligion, including the militantly antireligious."<ref name="search.eb.com">http://search.eb.com/eb/article-9432620</ref> In regards to the 2.3% figure just mentioned, the 2005 survey cited by ''Encyclopedia Britannica'' survey did not include [[Buddhism|Buddhist]] in regards to the 2.3% figure and Buddhism can be [[Theism|theistic]] or atheistic.<ref name="search.eb.com"/><ref>http://www.religionfacts.com/buddhism/beliefs/atheism.htm</ref>

=== Center for the Study of Global Christianity at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary statistics ===

=== Center for the Study of Global Christianity at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary statistics ===

On July 24, 2013, ''CNS News'' reported:

On July 24, 2013, ''CNS News'' reported:

{{cquote|Atheism is in decline worldwide, with the number of atheists falling from 4.5% of the world’s population in 1970 to 2.0% in 2010 and projected to drop to 1.8% by 2020, according to a new report by the Center for the Study of Global Christianity at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary (GCTS) in South Hamilton, Mass."<ref>[http://www.cnsnews.com/news/article/global-study-atheists-decline-only-18-world-population-2020 Global Study: Atheists in Decline, Only 1.8% of World Population by 2020]</ref>}}

{{cquote|Atheism is in decline worldwide, with the number of atheists falling from 4.5% of the world’s population in 1970 to 2.0% in 2010 and projected to drop to 1.8% by 2020, according to a new report by the Center for the Study of Global Christianity at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary (GCTS) in South Hamilton, Mass."<ref name="cnsnews.com">[http://www.cnsnews.com/news/article/global-study-atheists-decline-only-18-world-population-2020 Global Study: Atheists in Decline, Only 1.8% of World Population by 2020]</ref>}}

==== GCTS Tables on the decline/growth of atheism/Christianity/other religions, by year ====

==== GCTS Tables on the decline/growth of atheism/Christianity/other religions, by year ====

=== Science 2.0 website statistics on global atheism  ===

=== Science 2.0 website statistics on global atheism  ===

The website Science.20 declared on July 14,2015:

The website Science.20 declared on July 14, 2015:

{{Cquote|Atheism as a belief system has peaked and its share of humanity is shrinking, demographic studies indicate. Win/Gallup’s 2012 global poll on religion and atheism put atheists at 13%, while its 2015 poll saw that category fall to 11%. Other figures suggest the changes have deep, broad roots.  

{{Cquote|Atheism as a belief system has peaked and its share of humanity is shrinking, demographic studies indicate. Win/Gallup’s 2012 global poll on religion and atheism put atheists at 13%, while its 2015 poll saw that category fall to 11%. Other figures suggest the changes have deep, broad roots.  

..the view that atheism will sweep the globe to produce a non-believing utopia is extremely unlikely. The shrinking of the skeptical share of humanity is inevitable, as Welsh geneticist Steve Jones has stated  

..the view that atheism will sweep the globe to produce a non-believing utopia is extremely unlikely. The shrinking of the skeptical share of humanity is inevitable, as Welsh geneticist Steve Jones has stated  

..the data suggests that the global proportion of atheists will fall, while the number of pro-spiritual, pro-science middle group will grow.<ref>[http://www.science20.com/writer_on_the_edge/blog/atheism_peaks_while_spiritual_groups_move_toward_convergence-156528 Atheism Peaks, While Spiritual Groups Move Toward Convergence] by Nury Vittachi, July 14, 2015, website Sciene 2.0</ref>}}

..the data suggests that the global proportion of atheists will fall, while the number of pro-spiritual, pro-science middle group will grow.<ref name="science20.com">[http://www.science20.com/writer_on_the_edge/blog/atheism_peaks_while_spiritual_groups_move_toward_convergence-156528 Atheism Peaks, While Spiritual Groups Move Toward Convergence] by Nury Vittachi, July 14, 2015, website Sciene 2.0</ref>}}

=== Ipsos statistics on global atheism ===

=== Ipsos statistics on global atheism ===

''See also:'' [[Secular Europe]]

''See also:'' [[Secular Europe]]

[[Denmark]] has the highest rate of belief in evolution in the [[Western World]].<ref>[http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/bigphotos/21329204.html Photo: Evolution Less Accepted in U.S. Than Other Western Countries, Study Finds]</ref> In addition, in 2005 [[Denmark]] was ranked the third most atheistic country in the world and the website adherents.com reported that in 2005 43 - 80% of Danes are [[agnosticism|agnostics]]/atheists/non-believers in God.<ref>[http://www.adherents.com/largecom/com_atheist.html Top 50 Countries With Highest Proportion of Atheists / Agnostics(Zuckerman, 2005)]</ref>

[[Denmark]] has the highest rate of belief in evolution in the [[Western World]].<ref name="news.nationalgeographic.com">[http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/bigphotos/21329204.html Photo: Evolution Less Accepted in U.S. Than Other Western Countries, Study Finds]</ref> In addition, in 2005 [[Denmark]] was ranked the third most atheistic country in the world and the website adherents.com reported that in 2005 43 - 80% of Danes are [[agnosticism|agnostics]]/atheists/non-believers in God.<ref name="adherents.com">[http://www.adherents.com/largecom/com_atheist.html Top 50 Countries With Highest Proportion of Atheists / Agnostics(Zuckerman, 2005)]</ref>

[[Finland]] was ranked the 7th most atheistic country in the world in 2005.<ref>[http://www.adherents.com/largecom/com_atheist.html Top 50 Countries With Highest Proportion of Atheists / Agnostics(Zuckerman, 2005)]</ref> Finland has the 17th highest rate of belief in evolution in the Western World.<ref>[http://www.adherents.com/largecom/com_atheist.html Top 50 Countries With Highest Proportion of Atheists / Agnostics(Zuckerman, 2005)]</ref>  

[[Finland]] was ranked the 7th most atheistic country in the world in 2005.<ref name="adherents.com"/> Finland has the 17th highest rate of belief in evolution in the Western World.<ref name="adherents.com"/>  

[[France]] was ranked the 8th most atheistic country in the world in 2005.<ref>[http://www.adherents.com/largecom/com_atheist.html Top 50 Countries With Highest Proportion of Atheists / Agnostics(Zuckerman, 2005)]</ref> France has the 4th highest rate of belief in evolution in the Western World.<ref>[http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/bigphotos/21329204.html Photo: Evolution Less Accepted in U.S. Than Other Western Countries, Study Finds]</ref>

[[France]] was ranked the 8th most atheistic country in the world in 2005.<ref name="adherents.com"/> France has the 4th highest rate of belief in evolution in the Western World.<ref name="news.nationalgeographic.com"/>

In 2005, the [[Netherlands]] was ranked the 13th most atheistic country in the world and the website adherents.com reports that in 2005 39 - 44%% of the Dutch were [[agnosticism|agnostics]]/[[atheism|atheists]]/non-believers in God.<ref>[http://www.adherents.com/largecom/com_atheist.html Top 50 Countries With Highest Proportion of Atheists / Agnostics(Zuckerman, 2005)]</ref> The Netherlands also has the 11th highest rate of belief in [[evolution]] as far as [[Western World]] nations.<ref>[http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/bigphotos/21329204.html Photo: Evolution Less Accepted in U.S. Than Other Western Countries, Study Finds]</ref>

In 2005, the [[Netherlands]] was ranked the 13th most atheistic country in the world and the website adherents.com reports that in 2005 39 - 44%% of the Dutch were [[agnosticism|agnostics]]/[[atheism|atheists]]/non-believers in God.<ref name="adherents.com"/> The Netherlands also has the 11th highest rate of belief in [[evolution]] as far as [[Western World]] nations.<ref name="news.nationalgeographic.com"/>

In 2005, it was reported that [[Germany]] is one of the most [[Atheism|atheistic]] countries in the world and the website adherents.com reports that 41-49% of Germans are [[agnosticism|agnostics]]/atheists/non-believers in God.<ref>[http://www.adherents.com/largecom/com_atheist.html Top 50 Countries With Highest Proportion of Atheists / Agnostics(Zuckerman, 2005)]</ref> In addition, Germany has the highest rates of belief in [[evolution]] in the [[world]].<ref>[http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/bigphotos/21329204.html Photo: Evolution Less Accepted in U.S. Than Other Western Countries, Study Finds]</ref> In 2005, it was estimated that 70% of Germans believed in evolution.<ref>[http://www.data360.org/dsg.aspx?Data_Set_Group_Id=507 Evolutionary belief statistics]</ref>  

In 2005, it was reported that [[Germany]] is one of the most [[Atheism|atheistic]] countries in the world and the website adherents.com reports that 41-49% of Germans are [[agnosticism|agnostics]]/atheists/non-believers in God.<ref name="adherents.com"/> In addition, Germany has the highest rates of belief in [[evolution]] in the [[world]].<ref name="news.nationalgeographic.com"/> In 2005, it was estimated that 70% of Germans believed in evolution.<ref>[http://www.data360.org/dsg.aspx?Data_Set_Group_Id=507 Evolutionary belief statistics]</ref>  

[[Estonia]] is one of the least [[religion|religious]] areas in the world.  Merely 14% of the population declared religion an important part of their daily lives.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://euobserver.com/social/27587|title=Estonians least religious in the world|date=11 February 2009 |accessdate=9 January 2014|publisher=EU Observer}}</ref>

[[Estonia]] is one of the least [[religion|religious]] areas in the world.  Merely 14% of the population declared religion an important part of their daily lives.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://euobserver.com/social/27587|title=Estonians least religious in the world|date=11 February 2009 |accessdate=9 January 2014|publisher=EU Observer}}</ref>

''See also:'' [[Secular Europe and domestic violence]] and [[Sweden and domestic violence]]

''See also:'' [[Secular Europe and domestic violence]] and [[Sweden and domestic violence]]

[[File:Flag of Sweden.png|thumbnail|200px|right|[[Sweden]] is one of the most atheistic countries in the world.<ref>[http://www.adherents.com/largecom/com_atheist.html Top 50 Countries With Highest Proportion of Atheists / Agnostics(Zuckerman, 2005)]</ref>  In Sweden, 81 percent of women said they had been harassed at some point after the age of 15 - compared to the EU average of 55 percent.<ref>[http://www.thelocal.se/20140305/sweden-out-top-in-eu-domestic-violence-league Sweden stands out in domestic violence study] Published: 05 Mar 2014 08:3</ref>]]  

[[File:Flag of Sweden.png|thumbnail|200px|right|[[Sweden]] is one of the most atheistic countries in the world.<ref name="adherents.com"/>  In Sweden, 81 percent of women said they had been harassed at some point after the age of 15 - compared to the EU average of 55 percent.<ref name="thelocal.se">[http://www.thelocal.se/20140305/sweden-out-top-in-eu-domestic-violence-league Sweden stands out in domestic violence study] Published: 05 Mar 2014 08:3</ref>]]  

In March of 2014, the [[Sweden|Swedish]] news website ''The Local'' published an article entitled ''Sweden stands out in domestic violence study'' which declared:  

In March 2014, the [[Sweden|Swedish]] news website ''The Local'' published an article entitled ''Sweden stands out in domestic violence study'' which declared:  

{{cquote|A new EU review of violence against women has revealed that one in three European women has been assaulted, and one in twenty has been raped, with the Scandinavian countries at the top of the league tables.

{{cquote|A new EU review of violence against women has revealed that one in three European women has been assaulted, and one in twenty has been raped, with the Scandinavian countries at the top of the league tables.

In the Scandinavian countries, in contrast, around half of the women reported physical or sexual violence, which researchers at the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights said could have several explanations...

In the Scandinavian countries, in contrast, around half of the women reported physical or sexual violence, which researchers at the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights said could have several explanations...

In Sweden, 81 percent of women said they had been harassed at some point after the age of 15 - compared to the EU average of 55 percent. After Sweden, which had the highest rate, [[Denmark]], [[France]], the Netherland and [[Finland]] all saw rates above 70 percent. The EU member state with the lowest rate - 24 percent - was Bulgaria.<ref>[http://www.thelocal.se/20140305/sweden-out-top-in-eu-domestic-violence-league Sweden stands out in domestic violence study] Published: 05 Mar 2014 08:3</ref>}}

In Sweden, 81 percent of women said they had been harassed at some point after the age of 15 - compared to the EU average of 55 percent. After Sweden, which had the highest rate, [[Denmark]], [[France]], the Netherland and [[Finland]] all saw rates above 70 percent. The EU member state with the lowest rate - 24 percent - was Bulgaria.<ref name="thelocal.se">[http://www.thelocal.se/20140305/sweden-out-top-in-eu-domestic-violence-league Sweden stands out in domestic violence study] Published: 05 Mar 2014 08:3</ref>}}

===== 2005 European demographic information about European atheism =====

===== 2005 European demographic information about European atheism =====