Global Buddhist Population Declines by 19 Million
Buddhism is shrinking globally as aging populations and disaffiliation outpace new converts.
WASHINGTON, D.C. — A new analysis released in March 2026 revealed that the global Buddhist population declined by approximately 19 million people between 2010 and 2020, falling from 343 million to 324 million. The findings, cited by Christianity Today, highlight a rare contraction among major world religions during a period of overall population growth.
Researchers noted that Buddhism’s global share also decreased, dropping from 4.9% to 4.1% over the decade. This makes it the only major religion to experience a measurable decline in both total adherents and percentage of the global population during that time.
Experts attribute the trend primarily to aging demographics and increasing disaffiliation among adults. In many East Asian societies, individuals raised in Buddhist traditions are choosing not to maintain religious identification. While countries such as Thailand continue to show strong adherence, lower birth rates and a rise in religious non-affiliation are reshaping the global religious landscape.
Previously, the UOJ reported that Bulgaria will no longer mandate religion class.
