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[[File:Blue Marble.jpg|thumbnail|right|200px|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>[https://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|175px|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>[https://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]] ]]

Below are some [[global atheism]] statistics from research organizations and scholars. See also: [[Atheism statistics]]

Below are some [[global atheism]] statistics from research organizations and scholars. See also: [[Atheism statistics]]

The global [[atheism]] and religious [[demography]] research below covers the time period from 1900 to the end of 2016. In addition, the research below includes irreligion/religion demographic projections going as far as 2100.

The global [[atheism]] and religious [[demography]] research below covers the time period from 1900 to the end of 2016. In addition, the research below includes irreligion/religion demographic projections going as far as 2100.

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

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

=== 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: "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>[https://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>

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>[https://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>}}

==== Decline of the number of atheists in the world ====

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

''See also:'' [[Decline of the number of atheists in the world]] and [[Future of atheism in China]] and [[Decline of Europe]]

Data compiled by the Center for the Study of Global Christianity (CSGC) at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary (GCTS):

According to the [[Center for the Study of Global Christianity]], the number of atheists in the world is now shrinking and will continue to do so.<ref>[https://www.gordonconwell.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2024/01/Status-of-Global-Christianity-2024.pdf Status of Global Atheism/Christianity, 2024, in the Context of 1900–2050]</ref><ref>[https://www.gordonconwell.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2023/01/Status-of-Global-Christianity-2023.pdf Status of Global Atheism/Christianity/other religions, 2023, in the Context of 1900–2050]</ref> See: [[Decline of the number of atheists in the world]]  

*[https://gordonconwell.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2019/04/StatusofGlobalChristianity20191.pdf Status of Global Atheism/Christianity/other religions, 2019, in the Context of 1900–2050]

Data compiled by the Center for the Study of Global Christianity (CSGC) at [[Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary]] (GCTS):

*[http://www.justinlong.org/articles/StatusOfGlobalChristianity2016.pdf Status of Global Atheism/Christianity/other religions, 2016, in the Context of 1900–2050]

*[https://www.gordonconwell.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2025/01/Status-of-Global-Christianity-2025.pdf Status of Global Atheism/Christianity, 2025, in the Context of 1900–2050] (831,000 less atheists than a year ago)

*[http://www.internationalbulletin.org/issues/2015-01/2015-01-029-table.html Status of Global Atheism/Christianity/other religions, 2015, in the Context of 1900–2050]

 

 

 

*[https://www.gordonconwell.edu/center-for-global-christianity/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2022/01/Status-of-Global-Christianity-2022.pdf Status of Global Atheism/Christianity/other religions, 2022, in the Context of 1900–2050]

 

 

*[https://www.gordonconwell.edu/center-for-global-christianity/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2020/01/Status-of-Global-Christianity-2020.pdf Status of Global Atheism/Christianity/other religions, 2020, in the Context of 1900–2050]

==== 2100 projection by Dr. Todd M. Johnson ====

==== 2100 projection by Dr. Todd M. Johnson ====

=== Pew Research on global atheism  ===

=== Pew Research on global atheism  ===

 

''See also:'' [[American atheism]] and [[French atheism]]

''See also:'' [[American atheism]] and [[French atheism]]

In 2012, the [[William Edwards Deming|W. Edwards Deming Institute]] published a report by the World Future Society which indicated:

In 2012, the [[William Edwards Deming|W. Edwards Deming Institute]] published a report by the World Future Society which indicated:

{{Cquote|In 2100, however, the world will likely be only 9% [[Nones|unaffiliated]] — more religious than in 2012. The peak of the unaffiliated was in 1970 at around 20%, largely due to the influence of European [[communism]]. Since communism’s collapse, religion has been experiencing resurgence that will likely continue beyond 2100. All the world’s religions are poised to have enormous numeric growth (with the exceptions of tribal religions and Chinese folk religion), as well as geographic spread with the continuation of migration trends. Adherents of the world’s religions—perhaps particularly Muslims, Hindus, and Buddhists—will continue to settle in the formerly Christian and ever-expanding cities of Europe and North America, causing increases of religious pluralism in these areas. Christians and Muslims together will encompass two-thirds of the global population—more than 7 billion individuals. In 2100, the majority of the world’s 11.6 billion residents will be adherents of religious traditions.<ref>[http://denninginstitute.com/pjd/PUBS/futurist-sep12.pdf The 22nd Century at First Light: Envisioning Life in the Year 2100: A special report by members and friends of the World Future Society], Religious Belief in 2100 by Gina A. Bellofatto</ref>}}

{{Cquote|In 2100, however, the world will likely be only 9% [[Nones|unaffiliated]] — more religious than in 2012. The peak of the unaffiliated was in 1970 at around 20%, largely due to the influence of European [[communism]]. Since communism’s collapse, religion has been experiencing resurgence that will likely continue beyond 2100. All the world’s religions are poised to have enormous numeric growth (with the exceptions of tribal religions and Chinese folk religion), as well as geographic spread with the continuation of migration trends. Adherents of the world’s religions—perhaps particularly Muslims, Hindus, and Buddhists—will continue to settle in the formerly Christian and ever-expanding cities of Europe and North America, causing increases of religious pluralism in these areas. Christians and Muslims together will encompass two-thirds of the global population—more than 7 billion individuals. In 2100, the majority of the world’s 11.6 billion residents will be adherents of religious traditions.<ref>[http://denninginstitute.com/pjd/PUBS/futurist-sep12.pdf The 22nd Century at First Light: Envisioning Life in the Year 2100: A special report by members and friends of the World Future Society], Religious Belief in 2100 by Gina A. Bellofatto</ref>}}

== Projected decline of global atheism statistics ==

== Projected decline of global atheism statistics ==

The current [[atheist population]] mostly resides in [[East Asia]] (particularly China) and in secular Europe/Australia primarily among whites.<ref>[https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2013/05/23/a-surprising-map-of-where-the-worlds-atheists-live/ A surprising map of where the world’s atheists live], By Max Fisher and Caitlin Dewey, ''Washington Post'', May 23, 2013</ref> See: [[Global atheism]] and [[Western atheism and race]]  

The current [[atheist population]] mostly resides in [[East Asia]] (particularly China) and in secular Europe/Australia primarily among whites.<ref>[https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2013/05/23/a-surprising-map-of-where-the-worlds-atheists-live/ A surprising map of where the world’s atheists live], By Max Fisher and Caitlin Dewey, ''Washington Post'', May 23, 2013</ref> See: [[Global atheism]] and [[Western atheism and race]]  

Razib Khan points out in ''Discover Magazine'', "most [[secular]] nations in the world are those of East Asia, in particular what are often termed “[[Confucianism|Confucian]] societies.” It is likely therefore that the majority of the world’s atheists are actually East Asian."<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20150905135558/http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/gnxp/2010/11/most-atheists-are-not-white/ Most atheists are not white & other non-fairy tales], Discover magazine</ref> See: [[Asian atheism]]

Razib Khan points out in ''Discover Magazine'', "most [[secular]] nations in the world are those of East Asia, in particular what are often termed “[[Confucianism|Confucian]] societies.” It is likely therefore that the majority of the world’s atheists are actually East Asian."<ref>[http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/gnxp/2010/11/most-atheists-are-not-white/ Most atheists are not white & other non-fairy tales], Discover magazine</ref> See: [[Asian atheism]]

=== Chinese atheism and the growth of Christianity in China ===

=== Chinese atheism and the growth of Christianity in China ===