Leslie Massey
Australia is a predominantly Christian country, with 43.9% of Australians identifying as Christian in the 2021 census. However, this number has decreased by 8.2% in the last five years, and the fastest-growing religions in Australia are not Christian denominations. Instead, Buddhism, Sikhism, and Hinduism are all experiencing rapid growth in Australia, largely driven by migration from Asia. Islam is also a fast-growing religion in Australia, driven by both migration and conversion.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Fastest growing religion in Australia | Hinduism |
| Number of Hindus in Australia in 2021 | 684,002 or 684,000 |
| Percentage of Hindus in Australia's total population in 2021 | 2.7% |
| Percentage of Hindus in Tasmania's population in 2021 | 1.7% |
| Number of Hindus in Tasmania in 2021 | 9,720 |
| Number of Muslims in Australia in 2021 | 813,400 |
| Number of Muslims in Australia in 2011 | 476,300 |
| Percentage of Sikhs in Australia's total population in 2021 | 0.8% |
| Number of Sikhs in Australia in 2021 | 210,400 |
| Number of Buddhists in Australia in 2021 | 615,800 |
| Percentage of Buddhists in Australia's total population in 2021 | 2.4% |
| Number of Yezidis in Australia in 2021 | 4,123 |
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What You'll Learn
Hinduism is the fastest-growing religion in Australia
The state of Tasmania has experienced the highest growth rate of Hinduism since the 2016 census, with an increase from 0.5% to 1.7% of the population. New South Wales (NSW) and Victoria have also had higher proportions of religious affiliation with Hinduism than other states and territories since the 1970s.
The growth of Hinduism in Australia coincides with the overall increase in the number of Australians born in India. According to Prof McDonald, "more Hindus [are] entering Australia than Muslims by a very long way." The growth of Hinduism in Australia reflects the country's diverse and evolving religious landscape, shaped by migration and cultural influences.
While Hinduism is the fastest-growing religion in Australia, other religions are also experiencing significant growth. Buddhism, for example, has been growing in Australia due to immigration from Asia and conversions among people of non-Asian origin. Sikhism is another rapidly growing religion, with the number of adherents almost tripling since the 2011 census. The increase in Islamic affiliation is also notable, driven by recent migration and higher fertility rates among Muslims.
In summary, Hinduism is the fastest-growing religion in Australia, with a significant increase in adherents over the years. This growth is influenced by migration patterns, particularly from India and Nepal, and contributes to the diverse religious landscape of the country. At the same time, other religions such as Buddhism, Sikhism, and Islam are also experiencing notable growth in Australia.
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Driven by migration from India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka
Hinduism is the fastest-growing religion in Australia, largely driven by migration from India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. According to the 2021 census, there were 684,000 Hindus in Australia, making it the fourth-largest religious or non-religious affiliation in the country. The Hindu population in Australia has been growing at a rate of 12.0% per year since 2011.
The growth of Hinduism in Australia is closely linked to the increasing number of migrants from India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka, where Hinduism is widely practised. In the case of India and Nepal, these two countries are the source of 91.9% of recent migrants who affiliate with Hinduism in Australia. Similarly, the growth of Hinduism in Tasmania, the state with the highest growth rate for Hinduism in Australia, is attributed to the increasing number of Nepalese and Indian migrants.
India has a significant Hindu population, with approximately 90% of the world's Hindus living in the country. Hinduism is deeply rooted in India's history and culture, and it is the largest religion in the country, with 79.8% of the population identifying as Hindu. Nepal also has a notable Hindu population, and it is one of the countries where Hinduism is the dominant religion.
Sri Lanka, while officially a Buddhist country, has a Hindu population that makes up 12.6% of its population. Hinduism has a long history in Sri Lanka, dating back to the early Tamil immigration and the influence of neighbouring India. The Hindu population in Sri Lanka is largely identified with the Tamil community and is concentrated in certain provinces.
The migration of Hindus from these countries to Australia has contributed significantly to the growth of Hinduism in Australia. It is worth noting that, while Islam is the fastest-growing religion globally due to high fertility rates, it is not the fastest-growing religion in Australia, despite its increasing population in the country.
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Sikhism is the fifth-largest religion globally
Sikhism is one of the fastest-growing religions in Australia. It is the fifth-largest religion globally, with approximately 25 to 30 million adherents, known as Sikhs, worldwide. Sikhism is a young religion, having originated in the Punjab region of the Indian subcontinent around the end of the 15th century CE. It is based on the spiritual teachings of Guru Nanak, the faith's first guru, and the nine Sikh gurus who succeeded him. The tenth guru, Guru Gobind Singh, ended the line of human gurus by naming the Guru Granth Sahib as his successor. This religious scripture is considered the 11th and eternally living guru by Sikhs.
The core beliefs and practices of Sikhism, articulated in the Guru Granth Sahib and other Sikh scriptures, include faith and meditation in the name of the one creator (Ik Onkar), the divine unity and equality of all humankind, engaging in selfless service to others (seva), and striving for justice. Baptised Sikhs are required to wear the five Ks, or five articles of faith, which include the kesh (uncut hair), leading most religious Sikh men to wear turbans. Sikhism does not actively proselytize, but it generally accepts voluntary converts.
The largest proportion of Sikhs in the world is in Canada, where they make up 2.1% of the population. In Australia, the Sikh population grew from 72,000 to 210,400 between 2011 and 2021, an average growth rate of 14.8% per year. This growth is largely due to migration from India, as almost all of the nearly 60,000 recent Sikh migrants to Australia were born in India. In 2021, Sikhs accounted for 0.8% of the Australian population.
While Sikhism is the fifth-largest religion worldwide, other religions are experiencing faster growth in Australia. For example, Buddhism, Hinduism, and Islam are all growing in Australia due to immigration and, in the case of Islam, conversion. Yezidi, an ancient religious minority from Northern Iraq, is the religion with the highest proportional growth in Australia since the last census, increasing from 63 people in 2016 to 4,123 in 2021.
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Islam is the second-largest religion globally
As of 2010, Islam was the second-largest religion globally, with 1.6 billion adherents, or 23% of the global population. By 2023, the number of Muslims worldwide had increased to 1.97 billion. Due to higher fertility rates among Muslims, Islam is projected to become the world's dominant religion around 2075, surpassing Christianity.
Islam is experiencing growth in Australia as well, with an increase in the number of adherents attributed to recent migration. While the proportion of Australians identifying as Muslim in the 2011 census was 2.2%, or 476,300 people, the actual number is likely higher as many individuals do not disclose their religious affiliation. According to Pew Research, 2.4% of Australians were estimated to be Muslim in 2010. Despite the growth of Islam in Australia, it is not the fastest-growing religion in the country.
The growth of Islam worldwide is driven by two factors: quantitative and qualitative. Quantitative growth refers to the increasing number of Muslims, while qualitative growth refers to the increased practice of Islam among Muslims who previously did not actively follow the religion. High fertility rates and large youth populations contribute to the expansion of Islam globally. Muslims have the highest fertility rate globally, with an average of 3.1 children per woman, exceeding the replacement level of 2.1.
In addition to fertility rates, conversion plays a role in the growth of Islam. While the majority of the increase in the Muslim population is attributed to high fertility rates, conversion is expected to contribute a modest net gain of 3.2 million people by 2050. The expansion of Islam is particularly notable in sub-Saharan Africa, where the worldwide growth of both Islam and Christianity is anticipated to occur.
The increasing prominence of Islam has sparked diverse reactions. Some observers emphasize the positive aspects, such as the construction of mosques and the practice of Islamic traditions. However, others express concern about the potential impact on other religious groups and societies.
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Buddhism has been boosted by Asian immigration and non-Asian conversions
Buddhism is one of the fastest-growing religions in Australia. According to the 2021 census, 2.4% of the total population, or about 610,000 people, identified as Buddhist, making it the fourth-largest religion in the country. This growth is attributed to Asian immigration and non-Asian conversions.
The history of Buddhism in Australia goes back to the 1850s when Buddhists started arriving in significant numbers during the gold rush, with an influx of Chinese miners. However, the population remained small until the 1960s. In the 1870s, the first permanent Buddhist community was established by Sinhalese migrants from Sri Lanka, who came to work in Queensland's sugarcane plantations and the Thursday Island pearling industry. During the 20th century, the number of Buddhists gradually declined due to emigration and a lack of immigration caused by the White Australia Policy.
In the late 1970s, Buddhism started to become more widespread, mainly due to immigration from Southeast Asia following the Vietnam War. This was supplemented by further immigration from Asia in the following decades. All three of the main traditions of Buddhism—Theravada, East Asian, and Tibetan—are now represented in Australia.
While most Australian Buddhists are immigrants from Asian countries and their children, there is also a significant number of converts from other ethnic backgrounds. The diverse Australian Buddhist community retains links to countries of origin while adapting to new forms in Australia. There are now hundreds of Buddhist organizations across the country, and the recent increase in interest in Buddhism, particularly mindfulness practices, has been significant.
In conclusion, the growth of Buddhism in Australia can be attributed to both Asian immigration and non-Asian conversions. The immigration wave from Southeast Asia following the Vietnam War played a crucial role in the spread of Buddhism, along with the establishment of religious institutions by figures such as Lama Yeshe and Sogyal Rinpoche. Additionally, the diverse and evolving nature of the Australian Buddhist community, coupled with a growing interest in mindfulness practices for well-being, has contributed to the boost in Buddhism through conversions from non-Asian Australians.
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Frequently asked questions
Hinduism is the fastest-growing religion in Australia, with a growth rate of 12% per year since 2011. The number of Hindus in Australia increased from 684,000 in 2021 to over 1.2 billion globally in 2024.
While Islam is the fastest-growing religion globally, it is the second fastest-growing religion in Australia. The number of Muslims in Australia increased from 476,300 in 2011 to 813,400 in 2021.
Sikhism is the third fastest-growing religion in Australia, with a growth rate of 14.8% per year. The number of Sikhs in Australia increased from 72,000 in 2011 to 210,400 in 2021.
Jainism is the fourth fastest-growing religion in Australia, with a growth rate of 7.7% per year. The number of Jains in Australia was recorded to be 4,050 in 2016.
Buddhism is the fifth fastest-growing religion in Australia. The number of Buddhists in Australia has been increasing, and as of 2021, there were 615,800 Buddhists in the country, making up 2.4% of the total population.
