Lexi Webster
Australia is one of the least religious nations in the developed world, with a diverse range of religions and a large proportion of the population reporting no religion. In 2021, 43.9% of Australians identified as Christian, a decrease from 52.1% in 2016 and 61.1% in 2011. The largest Christian denominations are Catholic (20%) and Anglican (9.8%). While Christianity is still the most common religion in Australia, it no longer provides a broad sense of identity for many Australians, and other religions are growing in proportion to the overall population.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Percentage of Christians in Australia | 43.9% |
| Year | 2021 |
| Largest Christian denominations | Catholic (20%) |
| Anglican (9.8%) | |
| Uniting Church (2.7%) | |
| Eastern Orthodox (2.1%) | |
| Presbyterian/Reformed (1.6%) | |
| Baptist (1.4%) | |
| Pentecostal (1%) | |
| Percentage of Australians with no religion | 38.9% |
| Number of Australians with no religion | 9,887,000 |
| Number of Australians who answered the religion question in the census | 93.1% |
| Percentage of Christians in 2016 | 52.1% |
| Percentage of Christians in 2011 | 61.1% |
| Percentage of Christians in 1971 | 86.2% |
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What You'll Learn
Christianity is Australia's largest religion
Christianity's impact is particularly evident in social welfare and education provision, as well as the celebration of festivals such as Easter and Christmas, which are public holidays in Australia. The Christian footprint in Australia is also reflected in media and entertainment, with several prominent media personalities presenting themselves as Christians. Additionally, the country hosts Christian music festivals, such as Easterfest, which is the largest drug and alcohol-free festival in the country.
While Christianity is the most prevalent religion in Australia, the country is becoming more religiously diverse. The number of people reporting affiliation with Christian denominations has been decreasing, while other religions are growing in proportion to the overall population. This trend is particularly noticeable among Australia's youth, who were ranked as the least religious worldwide in a 2008 survey.
The decline in Christian identification can be attributed to various factors, including the rise of secularism and multiculturalism, as well as changes in values and belief systems. Despite the decrease in affiliation, Christianity continues to play a significant role in the lives of millions of politically diverse Australians.
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43.9% of Australians identified as Christian in 2021
In 2021, 43.9% of Australians identified as Christian, making it the country's largest religion. This figure has decreased over time, dropping from 52.1% in 2016 and 61.1% in 2011. While the number of people identifying as Christian has declined, the overall religious landscape in Australia is becoming more diverse.
Christianity has a long history in Australia, dating back to the arrival of British colonists in 1788. The Christian influence has been particularly evident in areas such as social welfare, education, and the celebration of festivals like Easter and Christmas, which are public holidays. The Christian footprint in Australian society is still significant, with church services well-attended and Christian media personalities presenting themselves publicly.
However, the religious landscape in Australia is evolving. The 2021 census data revealed that for the first time, a majority of Australians (56.1%) did not identify as Christians, with almost 40% (38.9%) declaring no religion. This shift reflects a long-term realignment between how people live and their religious identification. Younger generations, in particular, are less likely to identify with a religious group, with millennials having the highest proportion of no religion (46.5%) and other religions (14.9%).
While Christianity is still an important part of the lives of millions of Australians, its influence on politics and society is changing. The decline in Christian identification has limited the political influence of Christian churches, and Australia is now one of the least religious nations in the developed world.
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Responses of 'No religion' are on the rise
Australia is one of the least religious nations in the developed world, with almost 10 million Australians reporting having no religion in the 2021 census. The census recorded 38.9% of Australians (or 9,886,957 people) selecting either "no religion" or specifying their form of irreligion, almost nine percent higher than the 2016 census. This is a 6.4% increase from the last census, where 29.6% of Australians (or 6,933,708 people) selected "no religion". This was more than seven percent higher than in the 2011 census.
The rise in irreligion is particularly prominent among Australia's youth, who were ranked as the least religious worldwide in a 2008 survey conducted by The Christian Science Monitor. Millennials had the highest proportion of no religion at 46.5%. The median ages for other religions such as Hinduism, Sikhism, and Islam were all under 35 years, indicating that younger generations are more likely to identify with no religion.
Over the past 50 years, there has been a steady decline in the proportion of Australians who reported an affiliation with Christianity, with a corresponding rise in other religions and no religion. The percentage identifying with a Christian religious group has declined from an all-time high of 96.9% in 1921 to around 50% in 1966, and further down to 43.9% in 2021.
The rise in irreligion is attributed to various factors, including the intergenerational transfer of religion, migration from countries with high rates of irreligion, and the pursuit of multiculturalism in Australia. Research indicates that children of parents with no religion are almost certain to have no religion themselves, contributing to the growing number of Australians identifying with no religion. Migration from countries such as China, which has a high proportion of irreligious individuals, has also influenced the rise in irreligion in Australia.
The increasing diversity of religions in Australia, with the rise of Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, and other religions, has contributed to the decline in Christianity. Australia's pursuit of multiculturalism since the 1970s has led to an influx of refugees and immigrants from various religious backgrounds, further diversifying the religious landscape.
The implications of the rise in irreligion are significant. Those who continue to practice a religion may feel that they stand out and need to explain themselves, as having a religion is becoming less normal. The sense of being under attack by those who are religious has been expressed by some religious individuals. However, it is important to note that while association with formally organised religion is decreasing, atheism and active rejection of religion have not become the norm. Australians, especially the youth, are generally accepting of different religious views and spiritualities, as long as their personal freedoms are respected.
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Catholicism is the largest denomination
Christianity is the largest religion in Australia, with 43.9% of the population identifying as Christian in the 2021 census. This is a decrease from 52.1% in 2016 and 61.1% in 2011. Almost 10 million Australians reported having no religion in 2021, with 38.9% of the population declaring themselves as non-religious. This reflects a long-term realignment between how people live and identify their religion.
Catholicism is the largest Christian denomination in Australia, with 20% of the population practising this form of Christianity. The number of Catholics has decreased over time, but immigration from regions with high numbers of Catholics, such as Southeast Asia and South America, has slowed this decline. In the 2021 census, almost 200,000 migrants reported an affiliation with Catholicism, with over a quarter of these individuals born in the Philippines.
Historically, the Anglican Church was the main religious denomination in Australia throughout the 19th and 20th centuries. In 1911, 38.4% of the population reported an affiliation with the Church of England. This proportion remained steady throughout the first half of the 20th century due to continued British migration to Australia. However, by 1950, Australia experienced rapid growth in the number of Catholics due to the influx of post-war immigrants from continental Europe and Malta.
The Catholic Church has played a significant role in the country's education system. When state aid for church schools was withdrawn around 1880, the Catholic Church invested significant resources into creating a comprehensive alternative education system. This system was primarily staffed by religious orders, including the Christian Brothers and the Sisters of Mercy.
While Australia has become more religiously diverse, with other religions continuing to increase, Christianity continues to have a broad footprint in Australian society and culture, particularly in areas of social welfare and education. Christian festivals such as Easter and Christmas are widely celebrated and recognised as public holidays.
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Christian identification is declining
Christianity is the largest religion in Australia, with 43.9% of the population identifying as Christian in the 2021 census. However, this number has been declining over time. In the 1966 census, 88% of Australians identified as Christians, but only 25% reported attending church services regularly in 1970. The 2016 National Church Life Survey (NCLS) found that only 11% of Catholics, 10% of Uniting Church identifiers, and 5% of Anglicans attended church weekly. The World Values Survey showed a modest decline in Australian regular service attendance from 14% to 13% since 2005.
The decline in Christian identification is part of a broader trend in Australia towards religious unaffiliation. In the 2021 census, 38.9% of Australians declared "no religion", up from 30.1% in 2016 and 22.3% in 2011. This trend is particularly prominent among Australia's youth, who were ranked as the least religious worldwide in a 2008 survey. Millennials had the highest proportion of "no religion" at 46.5%.
The decrease in Christian identification is not due to a decline in religiosity per se, but rather a long-term realignment between how people live and how they identify. Christianity no longer provides a broad sense of identity for many Australians, which limits the political influence of Christian churches. While some Christian groups, such as Pentecostals, are experiencing growth, it seems that many Australians no longer identify with the Christianity of their family backgrounds. This is reflected in the increasing diversity of religions in Australia, with other religions continuing to increase in number, albeit from a small base.
Despite the decline in Christian identification, Christian traditions and festivals continue to play a role in Australian society and culture. Easter and Christmas are public holidays, and traditional Easter foods such as hot cross buns and chocolate Easter eggs are commonly consumed. Church services are also well-attended, and Christian media personalities, such as radio hosts Father Bob Maguire and Reverend Gordon Moyes, are present in the public sphere.
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Frequently asked questions
According to the 2021 census, 43.9% of Australians identified with Christianity. This is a decrease from 52.1% in 2016 and 61.1% in 2011.
In the 2021 census, 38.9% of Australians declared "no religion". This is an increase from 30.1% in 2016 and 22.3% in 2011.
Christianity is the most common religion in Australia, with 43.9% of the population identifying as Christian in the 2021 census. However, it is worth noting that Australia is one of the least religious nations in the developed world, and religion is not considered a central part of many Australians' lives.
