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Australia is often described as a secular country, and this movement from religion to no religion is supported by census data. In the 2021 census, 38.9% of Australians selected either no religion or specified their form of irreligion, almost nine percent higher than the 2016 census. This trend is particularly evident among young people, with a steep fall in the proportion of Australians reporting a Christian affiliation from almost 70% in 2004 to 51% in 2018. This shift in religious demographics has had a tangible impact on Australia's laws, with marriage equality being one of the most obvious examples.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Percentage of Australians with no religion | 30% in 2016 |
| 38.9% in 2021 | |
| Percentage of Australians who consider religion the least important aspect of their lives | 87% |
| Percentage of Australians who don't attend religious services | 50% of women |
| 56% of men | |
| Percentage of Australians who don't attend religious services regularly | 46% of women |
| 50% of men | |
| Percentage of Australians who don't identify with a religion | 22% in 2011 |
| 29.6% in 2016 | |
| Percentage of Australians who identify as Christian | 52.6% in 2013 |
| 43.9% in 2021 | |
| Percentage of Australians who identify as non-Christian | 4.4% |
| 7.6% | |
| Percentage of Australians who don't have a religious affiliation | 25% in 2004 |
| 40% in 2024 | |
| Percentage of Australians who identify as having no religion in Tasmania | 50% |
| Percentage of Australians who identify as having no religion in NSW | 33.2% |
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What You'll Learn
The number of Australians with no religion is rising
Australia is often described as a secular country, and this is reflected in its laws. The country's religious profile has been shaped by waves of migration, with Christianity being introduced by the British in the late 18th century. Since the 1901 census, the percentage of the census population not aligned with a religion has grown from 0.4% to just over 30% of the population. In 2021, 38.9% of Australians (or 9,886,957 people) selected either "no religion" or specified their form of irreligion, almost nine percent higher than in 2016. Tasmania had the highest proportion, with half (50%) of the population reporting having no religion, while NSW had the lowest with almost one-third (33.2%).
The rise in secularism is also reflected in Australia's church attendance rates, which are among the lowest in the world and are in decline. Between 1950 and 2007, monthly church attendance declined from 44% to 17%. A 2011 survey by McCrindle Research found that for Australians, Christmas is predominantly secular. 46% of respondents said the highlights were celebrations with family and friends, while only 15% said attending religious services was the highlight.
The trend of increasing secularism is particularly evident among young people, with a steep fall in the proportion of Australians reporting a Christian affiliation from almost 70% in 2004 to just 51% in 2018. The drop in Christianity is largely driven by people dropping a religious affiliation altogether. The largest decrease was for young adults (18-25 years), and among those aged 45-64, the proportion fell from 74.8% to 57.9%. The HILDA Survey also found that Australians as a whole don't attach a lot of importance to religion, even among those who are religious. On a scale of importance out of 10, in 2018, Australian women on average rated religion at just 3.7, and men rated it even lower at 3.
While the number of Australians with no religion is rising, it is important to remember that Australia's religious diversity is increasing. In 2016, minority faiths made up 8.2% of the population, and the number of people with a non-Christian religious affiliation has risen from 4.4% to 7.6%.
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Religious affiliation is decreasing, especially among young people
Australia is often described as a secular country, and this movement from religion to "no religion" is reflected in the country's census data. In the 2021 census, 38.9% of Australians (approximately 9.9 million people) selected either "no religion" or specified their form of irreligion, a significant increase from previous years. This trend is particularly evident among young people, with an increasing number of millennials declaring they have "no religion".
The rise of secularism in Australia has had a notable impact on religious affiliation, especially among the youth. More young people than ever before are turning away from religion, as evidenced by census data and surveys. In 2001, 19% of Australians under the age of 24 identified as not religious, and this number increased to 35% in 2016. This shift is also reflected in the decreasing church attendance rates, which are among the lowest in the world and have been on a decline for several decades.
The reasons for this trend are multifaceted. One factor is the pervasiveness of the internet, which has provided young people with access to a wide range of information and perspectives. The influence of the internet has been cited by some young Australians as a critical factor in their decision to leave religion. Additionally, the rise of secularism in Australia has prompted religious leaders to reevaluate their approach to engaging with young people. Religious leaders are now focusing on addressing contemporary issues and challenges faced by Muslim and Christian youth in Australia, rather than solely on the fundamental aspects of their faith.
Another contributing factor to the decline in religious affiliation among young people is the perception of religion as less important compared to other aspects of life, such as family, career, and leisure. This perspective is reflected in the statement by writer and broadcaster Paul Collins, who suggested that "Australians are quietly spiritual rather than explicitly religious." The concept of Australian spirituality, as defined by historian Manning Clark, is "a shy hope in the heart," indicating a more subtle and individual approach to faith that may not align with organised religion.
While the number of Australians identifying as non-religious is growing, it is important to note that Australia's religious diversity is also increasing. In 2016, minority faiths accounted for 8.2% of the population, and it is crucial to respect the religious beliefs and practices of these small and emerging faith groups in policy decisions. Additionally, while the majority of Australians may not actively participate in organised religion, a significant portion of the population still identifies with a religious group.
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Church attendance is declining
Australia has been described as a secular country, and this shift from religion to "no religion" is reflected in the country's church attendance rates, which are among the lowest in the world and have been declining.
Since the 1901 census, the percentage of the census population not aligned with a religion has grown from 0.4% to just over 30% of the population. In the 2021 census, 38.9% of Australians (or 9,886,957 people) selected either "no religion" or specified their form of irreligion, almost nine percent higher than the 2016 census. In 2016, 29.6% of Australians (or 6,933,708 people) selected "no religion", which was more than seven percent higher than in the 2011 census. Tasmania had the highest proportion of people reporting having no religion in 2021, with half (50%) of the population, while NSW had the lowest with almost one-third (33.2%).
The National Church Life Survey found that between 1950 and 2007, monthly church attendance declined from 44% to 17%. A 2009 Christian Research Association survey of 1,718 Australians concurred, finding that 16% attended a religious service at least once a month, down from 23% in 1993. A 2011 survey by McCrindle Research found that 38% of respondents had never attended a religious service during Christmas, while 46% said the highlights were celebrations with family and friends.
The decline in church attendance is particularly evident among younger Australians. The largest decrease in affiliation with Christianity between 2016 and 2021 was in the 18-25 age group. The steepest fall in Christian affiliation was in the 15-44 age group, where the proportion fell from 60.9% to 38.9%. Among those aged 45-64, the proportion fell from 74.8% to 57.9%, while among those aged 65 and over, it fell from 86.7% to 71.5%. The HILDA Survey found that in 2004, 25% of Australians reported having no religious affiliation, but that had risen to almost 40% by 2018.
The decline in church attendance is not limited to Australia, as French writer Olivier Roy notes a "large-scale de-Christianisation" in Europe. The church has found itself out of step with changing societal values on issues like divorce, abortion, and same-sex marriage. The scandal of child sex abuse in the church has further stripped religion of its moral authority, and personal freedom prevails over transcendent standards.
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Secularism is influencing laws, e.g. marriage equality
Australia is often described as a secular country, and this is reflected in its laws. One of the most notable examples of secularism influencing laws in Australia is the legalisation of same-sex marriage, also known as marriage equality.
Prior to the legalisation of same-sex marriage in Australia, there was a growing movement advocating for marriage equality. This movement faced opposition from political leaders who refused to consider legalising same-sex marriage, suggesting that marriage equality was still far off. However, the increasing number of Australians declaring "no religion" and the growing support for marriage equality among the public influenced the political landscape.
In 2016, the Coalition government committed to consulting the Australian community on same-sex marriage through a national plebiscite. However, the government was unable to get support for a compulsory plebiscite and instead held a voluntary postal survey. The survey asked eligible voters whether they supported changing the law to allow same-sex couples to marry. The result was a majority vote in favour of marriage equality.
On December 9, 2017, the Marriage Act 1961 was amended to legalise same-sex marriage. The updated Act defines marriage as "the union of two people to the exclusion of all others, voluntarily entered into for life". This change in legislation ensured that same-sex married couples were treated the same as other married couples in Australia, marking a significant step towards equality.
The legalisation of same-sex marriage in Australia demonstrates how secularism and shifting religious demographics can influence law reform. It reflects a move towards a more inclusive and secular society, where individual freedoms and equality are prioritised. This trend towards increased social hostility towards religion and minority faiths specifically, has the potential to impact the state-religion relationship and push it away from liberal separation and towards antagonism.
In conclusion, the legalisation of same-sex marriage in Australia is a clear example of how secularism is influencing laws in the country. The growing secular movement, coupled with increasing public support for marriage equality, led to a significant legal change that promoted equality and non-discrimination. This case illustrates the dynamic nature of law-making in Australia, where social and cultural shifts can have a tangible impact on legislation.
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Christmas is predominantly secular
Australia is often described as a secular country, and this is reflected in the way Christmas is celebrated. While Christmas arose from Christianity, it has taken on a life of its own in Australia, with many non-religious Australians celebrating Christmas to some extent. A 2011 survey by McCrindle Research found that 46% of respondents said the highlights of Christmas were celebrations with family and friends, 36% said gift-giving, Christmas trees, and the general Christmas spirit, while only 15% said attending religious services, carol singing, and nativity plays. This survey also found that 38% of respondents had never attended a religious service during Christmas, and 87% of people who are not religious celebrated Christmas to some extent.
The secularisation of Christmas is also evident in the way it is marketed and promoted by retailers and advertisers. There has been a trend towards using more secular language and avoiding explicit references to the religious aspects of Christmas. For example, the use of the term "holidays" instead of "Christmas" has become more popular, although this has also been met with backlash and claims of a "war on Christmas".
The inclusion of secular elements in Christmas celebrations and displays has also been a subject of controversy. Supreme Court rulings have permitted religious themes in government-funded Christmas displays with "legitimate secular purposes". As a result, many displays include secular elements such as reindeer, snowmen, and elves alongside religious ones.
While some people argue that the secularisation of Christmas makes it more inclusive and accessible to those who are not religious, others argue that it does not go far enough to include non-Christians. Some non-Christians feel excluded and marginalised during the Christmas season, despite the secularisation of the holiday. They argue that secular Christmas is just religious Christmas with a more palatable public image.
Overall, while Christmas in Australia has become more secular, it continues to be a subject of debate and controversy, with some celebrating its religious aspects and others embracing its secular nature.
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Frequently asked questions
Since the 1901 census, the percentage of the Australian population not aligned with a religion has grown from 0.4% to just over 30%. In the 2021 census, 38.9% of Australians selected either "no religion" or specified their form of irreligion, a 9% increase from the 2016 census.
Australia's shift towards secularism is reflected in the legalisation of same-sex marriage, euthanasia, and abortion.
The increase in secularism has major implications for social policy and research. For example, there is an ongoing debate about freedom of religion and the risk of policy decisions affecting the religious beliefs and practices of minority faiths.
A 2008 global Gallup poll found that nearly 70% of Australians stated religion as having no importance, much higher than in the US and on par with other secular countries such as Japan, the Netherlands, Finland, and France.
