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[[File:Birkbeck College Street ViewBlue Marble.jpg|right|thumbnail|200pxright|220px|[[Eric KaufmannAtheism]]is in decline worldwide, a professor at [[Birkbeck College, University with the number of London]], using a wealth atheists falling from 4.5% of demographic studies, argues that there will be a significant decline of global atheism the world’s population in the 21st century which will impact the [[Western World]]1970 to 2.0% in 2010 and projected to drop to 1.8% by 2020.<ref>*[httphttps://www.snepscnsnews.netcom/RDnews/uploadsarticle/1global-Shall%20the%20Religious%20Inherit%20the%20Earth.pdf Shall the Religious Inherit the Earth?: Demography and Politics in the Twentystudy-First Century by Eric Kaufmann, Belfer Center, Harvard University/Birkbeck College, University of London]*[http://kitmantv.blogspot.com/2011/05/ericatheists-kaufmanndecline-shallonly-religious18-inherit.html Eric Kaufmannworld-population-2020 Global Study: Shall The Religious Inherit The Earth?]*[http://kitmantvAtheists in Decline, Only 1.blogspot.com/search/label/atheist8%20demographics Eric Kaufmann's Atheist Demographic series][http://fora.tv/2010/09/05/Eric_Kaufmann_Shall_the_Religious_Inherit_the_Earth Eric Kaufmann: Shall the Religious Inherit the Earth?, Australian Broadcasting Corporationof World Population by 2020]</ref>See: [[Global atheism statistics]] ]]  The [[Atheist Population|atheist population]] mostly resides in East Asia (particularly China) and in secular Europe/Australia primarily among whites.<ref>[httphttps://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 also: [[Atheist Population|Atheist population]] and [[Western atheism and race]]

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=httphttps://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: [[Global atheism statistics]]

{{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 in South Hamilton, Mass."<ref>[httphttps://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>}} == Global atheism statistics == ''See also'': [[Global atheism statistics]] A number of excellent sources indicates that the percentage of atheists in the world is decreasing (see: [[Global atheism statistics]]).  Data compiled by the Center for the Study of Global Christianity (CSGC) at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary (GCTS) as far as the number of atheists in the world: *[https://www.gordonconwell.edu/ockenga/research/documents/StatusofGlobalChristianity20191.pdf Status of Global Atheism/Christianity/other religions, 2019, in the Context of 1900–2050] *[http://www.gordonconwell.edu/ockenga/research/documents/StatusofGlobalChristianity2018.pdf Status of Global Atheism/Christianity/other religions, 2018, in the Context of 1900–2050] *[http://www.gordonconwell.edu/ockenga/research/documents/StatusofGlobalChristianity2017.pdf Status of Global Atheism/Christianity/other religions, 2017, in the Context of 1900–2050] *[http://www.justinlong.org/articles/StatusOfGlobalChristianity2016.pdf Status of Global Atheism/Christianity/other religions, 2016, in the Context of 1900–2050] *[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]

''See also:'' [[Desecularization]] and [[Multiculturism and European desecularization]]

* [[European atheism and desecularization in the 21st century decline]]

''See also:'' [[Secular Europe|Desecularization of secular Europe in the 21st century]] and [[Multiculturism and European desecularization]]

In 2005, there were four times as many non-[[Western World]] Christians as there were Western World Christians.<ref>[httphttps://www.wnd.com/?pageId=30077 Is Christianity taking over the planet?]</ref>

The current atheist population mostly resides in East Asia (particularly China) and in [[secular Europe]]/Australia among whites.<ref>[httphttps://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: [[Western atheism and race]]

Christianity is rapidly growing in China. China is on course to have the largest Christian population in the world by 2030.<ref>[httphttps://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/china/10776023/China-on-course-to-become-worlds-most-Christian-nation-within-15-years.html China on course to become 'world's most Christian nation' within 15 years] by Tom Phillips, ''The Telegraph'', April 19, 2014</ref> See also: [[Growth of Christianity in China]]

Historically, Christians have made great evangelism efforts to reach every people group across the earth. In 2005, there were four times as many non-Western World Christians as there were Western World Christians.<ref>[httphttps://www.wnd.com/?pageId=30077 Is Christianity taking over the planet?]</ref> Doing overseas evangelism/outreaches, often requires significant hardships/persecution and Western atheists have been unwilling to endure such hardships in order to spread atheistic ideology (see: [[Atheism and hedonism]]).

The atheist community has not had significant outreach to racial minorities within the Western World whereas Christians have done this (particularly among the poor).<ref>[httphttps://www.washingtonpost.com/posteverything/wp/2014/06/16/blacks-are-even-discriminated-against-by-atheists/ Atheism has a big race problem that no one’s talking about] by Dr. Sikivu Hutchinson, Washington Post June 16, 2014</ref> The atheist Dr. Sikivu Hutchinson declared “If mainstream freethought and [[Secular humanism|humanism]] continue to reflect the narrow cultural interests of white elites who have disposable income to go to conferences then the secular movement is destined to remain marginal and insular.”<ref>[httphttps://www.salon.com/2014/10/04/atheisms_white_male_problem_a_movement_needs_a_moral_cause_beyond_glamorizing_disbelief/ Atheism’s white male problem: A movement needs a moral cause beyond glamorizing disbelief] by CJ Werleman, ''Salon, '' October 4, 2014</ref>

In the [[United Kingdom]], by the year 2050, 30 percent of the population is expected to be non-white.<ref>[httphttps://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/immigration/10809481/Non-white-people-almost-30-per-cent-of-population-by-2050.html Non-white people almost 30 per cent of population by 2050], By James Kirkup, Political Editor, ''The Telegraph,'' May 5, 2014</ref> In the United States, the Hispanic population is expected to triple by the year 2050 and become 30% of the United States population.<ref>[U.S. Hispanic population to triple by 2050 U.S. Hispanic population to triple by 2050], USA Today, By Haya El Nasser, 2/12/2008</ref> ''[[Yale University|Yale]] Daily News'' reported in an article entitled ''White Europeans: An endangered species?'' that "Without a major shift in the current fertility trends, industrialized Europe will see its native population decline by about three-fourths over the 21st century."<ref>[http://yaledailynews.com/blog/2008/02/27/white-europeans-an-endangered-species/ ''White Europeans: An endangered species?''] By Trevor Wagener, ''Yale Daily News'', February 27, 2008</ref>

In 2014, the Pew Research Forum indicated that Europe will go from 11% of the world's population to 7% of the world's population by 2050 and that [[Africa]] will go from 15% of the world's population to 25% of the world's population.<ref>[httphttps://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2014/02/03/10-projections-for-the-global-population-in-2050/ 10 projections for the global population in 2050] By Rakesh Kochhar, Pew Research Forum, February 3, 2014</ref>

[[File:Birkbeck College Street View.jpg|right|thumbnail|200px|[[Eric Kaufmann]], a professor at [[Birkbeck College, University of London]], using a wealth of demographic studies, argues that there will be a significant decline of global atheism in the 21st century which will impact the [[Western World]].<ref>*[http://www.sneps.net/RD/uploads/1-Shall%20the%20Religious%20Inherit%20the%20Earth.pdf Shall the Religious Inherit the Earth?: Demography and Politics in the Twenty-First Century by Eric Kaufmann, Belfer Center, Harvard University/Birkbeck College, University of London]*[http://kitmantv.blogspot.com/2011/05/eric-kaufmann-shall-religious-inherit.html Eric Kaufmann: Shall The Religious Inherit The Earth?]*[http://kitmantv.blogspot.com/search/label/atheist%20demographics Eric Kaufmann's Atheist Demographic series][https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VwmgFZsgSo0 Eric Kaufmann: Shall the Religious Inherit the Earth?, Australian Broadcasting Corporation]</ref>]]  Eric Kaufmann using a wealth of demographic studies argues the [[decline of atheism]] in terms of its global adherents is an established trend that will persist for the foreseeable future.<ref>[http://www.sneps.net/RD/uploads/1-Shall%20the%20Religious%20Inherit%20the%20Earth.pdf Shall the Religious Inherit the Earth?: Demography and Politics in the Twenty-First Century by Eric Kaufmann, Belfer Center, Harvard University/Birkbeck College, University of London]</ref><ref>[http://kitmantv.blogspot.com/2011/05/eric-kaufmann-shall-religious-inherit.html Eric Kaufmann: Shall The Religious Inherit The Earth?]</ref><ref>[http://kitmantv.blogspot.com/search/label/atheist%20demographics Eric Kaufmann's Atheist Demographic series]</ref><ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VwmgFZsgSo0 Eric Kaufmann: Shall the Religious Inherit the Earth?, Australian Broadcasting Corporation]</ref> In addition, Kaufmann argues that religious conservatism has a long term trend of rising and that their influence in the world will significantly increase.<ref>[http://www.sneps.net/RD/uploads/1-Shall%20the%20Religious%20Inherit%20the%20Earth.pdf Shall the Religious Inherit the Earth?: Demography and Politics in the Twenty-First Century by Eric Kaufmann, Belfer Center, Harvard University/Birkbeck College, University of London]</ref> Kaufmann is author of the book ''Shall the Religious Inherit the Earth?''.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books/about/Shall_the_Religious_Inherit_the_Earth.html?id=nXVylycU2gQC Shall the religious inherit the earth by David Kaufmann]</ref><ref>[http://www.sneps.net/RD/uploads/1-Shall%20the%20Religious%20Inherit%20the%20Earth.pdf Early paper - Shall the Religious Inherit the Earth?: Demography and Politics in the Twenty-First Century by Eric Kaufmann, Belfer Center, Harvard University/Birkbeck College, University of London]</ref> In the Western World due to immigration and the higher birth rates of religious people, Kaufman writes: "Committed religious populations are growing in the West, and will reverse the march of secularism before 2050."<ref>[http://www.sneps.net/RD/uploads/1-Shall%20the%20Religious%20Inherit%20the%20Earth.pdf Early paper - Shall the Religious Inherit the Earth?: Demography and Politics in the Twenty-First Century by Eric Kaufmann, Belfer Center, Harvard University/Birkbeck College, University of London]</ref>  Kaufmann told a secular audience in Australia: "The trends that are happening worldwide inevitably in an age of globalization are going to affect us."<ref>[httphttps://forawww.tvyoutube.com/2010/09/05/Eric_Kaufmann_Shall_the_Religious_Inherit_the_Earth watch?v=6NtvDErEmBY Shall the religious inherit the earth- Festival of Dangerous Ideas - Eric Kaufmann]</ref> Furthermore, Kaufmann also argues that secularization may reverse itself significantly earlier than 2050 in the West due to religious immigration and a religious population which is increasingly resistant to secularization in Europe.<ref>[http://questionevolution.blogspot.com/2012/08/european-christian-immigration-will.html European immigration will pour Christian creationists into Europe]</ref><ref>[http://questionevolution.blogspot.com/2012/08/the-future-of-european-darwinism-and_16.html The future of European Darwinism and atheism is bleak]</ref> In 2010 it was reported that the rate of secularisation flattened to zero in most of Protestant Europe and France.<ref>[http://www.mercatornet.com/articles/view/shall_the_religious_inherit_the_earth/ Shall the religious inherit the earth]</ref> In terms of the English speaking world, Google trend data as of August 2013 indicates that the world's interest in atheism and [[evolution]]ism has declined since 2004 while interest in [[God]] has increased.<ref>[http://questionevolution.blogspot.com/2013/08/google-trends-interest-in-atheism.html Google trends: Interest in atheism and evolution down. Google searches for God are up. Atheism beaches will be softened up before major attacks on atheism ]</ref>

In addition, currently the Western World population is aging in terms of its demographic makeup, particularly in secular [[Europe]], and it has been found that belief in God grows as a person's death nears.<ref>[httphttps://www.reuters.com/article/2012/04/18/us-religion-belief-idUSBRE83H05W20120418 Belief in God grows as mortality nears, survey says]</ref><ref>[http://www.firstthings.com/onthesquare/2008/03/the-demographic-winter-and-the The Demographic Winter and the Barren Left]</ref>

In 2010, the prominent atheists who attended the 2010 global atheist conference, which included Richard Dawkins, were challenged to a debate by Creation Ministries International.<ref>http://www.truefreethinker.com/articles/richard-dawkins-cowardly-clown</ref> Richard Dawkins, PZ Myers and other prominent atheists refused to debate the [[creation science|creation scientists]] at [[Creation Ministries International]].<ref>http://www.truefreethinker.com/articles/richard-dawkins-cowardly-clown</ref> Generally speaking, [[Creation science|creation scientists ]] tend to win the creation vs. evolution debates (See: [[Creation vs. evolution debates]]).