2016 CENSUS DATA SUMMARY

RELIGION

RELIGIOUS AFFILIATIONS REPORTED BY THE AUSTRALIAN POPULATION, 2016

Source: ABS Census of Population and Housing, 2016

In 2016, Christianity was the main religion reported in Australia (52%).

While the Islamic population made up only 2.6% of the total population, it was the second
largest religion reported in the 2016 Census after Christianity. Islam was closely followed by
Buddhism (2.4%).

The 'No Religion' count increased to almost a third of the Australian population between
2011 and 2016 (22% to 30%).
RELIGION

As time passes and the cultural make-up of society changes, so does the religious
affiliations of the population. As Australia has seen an increase in the proportion of people
born in non-European countries over the past 50 years, the religious make-up of its
communities has diversified.

While the overseas-born population were still predominantly Christian in 2016, more recent
arrivals were less likely to identify as Christian.
Of those who have arrived in the last 10 years, from the beginning of 2007 to August 2016,
(2,139,277 persons):
34% identified with a Christian religion
31% identified with another religion
30% reported no religious affiliation.

Christian religions

As in the past, Christianity was the main religion reported in the Census by both people
born overseas and born in Australia. In 2016, 47% of those born overseas reported an
affiliation with Christianity, compared with 58% of the Australian-born population. Of the
overseas-born population who reported an affiliation with a Christian religion, 45% identified
as Catholic and 18% as Anglican. This difference is similar to that in the Australian-born
population (43% and 28% for Catholic and Anglican respectively).

Other religions

People born overseas were more likely to be affiliated with a religion other than Christianity
than those born in Australia. In 2016, non-Christian religions were reported by 21% of the
overseas-born population compared with 3.7% of the Australian-born population.

For four of the top five non-Christian religions, there was a higher proportion who were born
overseas than born in Australia. More than a third (36%) of people who reported being
affiliated with Islam in 2016 were born in Australia. Judaism had a higher Australian-born
than overseas-born population (53% compared with 47%).
Source(s): Census of Population and Housing, 2016

People born in Vietnam and China made up 40% of the overseas-born Buddhist population.
India and Nepal contributed over three quarters (76%) of the overseas-born Hindu
population, and Pakistan and Afghanistan provided the largest proportion of the overseas-
born Islamic population (26%).

No religion

Nearly a third of Australians (30%) reported in the 2016 Census that they had no religion. It
was more common to report having no religion than to have a non-Christian religion (8.2%).

Those born in Australia were more likely to indicate they had no religion than those born
overseas (34% compared with 27%).

Of the overseas-born population who reported no religious affiliation, 22% were born in
China, 20% were born in England and 14% were born in New Zealand.
Footnote(s): (a) No religion includes secular beliefs (e.g. Atheism) and other spiritual beliefs (e.g.
New Age).
Source(s): Census of Population and Housing, 1991, 1996, 2001, 2006, 2011 and 2016

Further information on religion in Australia is available in the Religion data

summary and Religion article.
RELIGION IN AUSTRALIA

2016 CENSUS DATA SUMMARY

Religious beliefs are an important aspect of many peoples lives. Information about the
religious affiliation of Australians has been collected since the first Census in 1911.

TYPE OF RELIGION

Reflecting the historical influence of European migration to Australia, Christianity was the
most common religion reported in 2016 (52%). Islam (2.6%) and Buddhism (2.4%) were the
next most common religions reported.

Nearly a third of Australians reported in the Census that they had no religion in 2016
(30%).
RELIGIOUS AFFILIATIONS, 2016

Source: ABS Census of Population and Housing, 2016

CHANGES OVER TIME

The religious makeup of Australia has shifted slowly over the past 50 years. In 1966,
Christianity was the main religion (88%).

After Australia abolished the White Australia Policy in 1966, migration grew from non-
European countries where religions other than Christianity were common. The proportion of
people reporting to be affiliated with a religion other than Christianity had increased to 2.6%
in 1991 but increased more rapidly in the last 25 years to 8.2% in 2016.

RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION OVER TIME - 1966, 1991, 2016

Source: ABS Census of Population and Housing, 1966, 1991, 2016

EMERGING RELIGIONS AND HAVING NO RELIGION

In the 10 years from 2006 to 2016, the proportion of people reporting a religion other than
Christianity in the Census increased from 5.6% in 2006 to 8.2% in 2016. Although the
increase was spread across most of the non-Christian religions, the top two were Hinduism
(0.7% in 2006 to 1.9% in 2016) and Islam (1.7% to 2.6%).

Those reporting no religion increased noticeably from 19% in 2006 to 30% in 2016. The
largest change was between 2011 (22%) and 2016, when an additional 2.2 million people
reported having no religion.

Information on changes to the religion question is available in Religious affiliation in Census

of Population and Housing: Nature and Content, 2016 (cat. no. 2008.0).

EMERGING MAJOR RELIGIONS(a), 2006 - 2016

(a) The percentages are as a proportion of the total population

Source: ABS Census of Population and Housing, 2006, 2011, 2016
RELIGION AND AGE

Young adults (aged 18-34 years) were more likely to report not having a religion (39%) and
more likely to be affiliated with religions other than Christianity (12%) than other adults.

Older people, particularly those aged 65 years and over, were most likely to report
Christianity (70%).

The religious pattern of those under 18 is most similar to the 35-49 year olds, suggesting
the form may be completed with their parents beliefs.

RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION AND AGE, 2016

Source: ABS Census of Population and Housing, 2016

RELIGION, MEN AND WOMEN

Men were less likely than women to report being Christian in 2016 (50% and 55%
respectively). However there was little difference in the proportion reporting a religion other
than Christianity (8.3% of men and 8.1 % of women).

Men (32%) were more likely than women (28%) to say they had no religion.

RELIGION IN THE STATES AND TERRITORIES

The proportion of people reporting a religion or stating they had no religion varied between
the States and Territories in 2016.

Victoria had the highest proportion reporting an affiliation with a religion other than
Christianity and Tasmania reported the lowest.

Tasmania also had the highest proportion of people stating that they did not have a religion.

RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION WITHIN THE STATES AND TERRITORIES, 2016

Source: ABS Census of Population and Housing, 2016

RELIGION FOR THOSE BORN OVERSEAS

In 2016, nearly half (47%) of those born overseas reported an affiliation with a Christian
religion, compared with 58% of the Australian-born population.

The proportion of those born overseas who were affiliated with a religion other than
Christianity was considerably higher than for those born in Australia (21% and 3.7%
respectively).

The overseas-born are less likely to report that they did not have a religion (27%) than the
Australian-born (34%).

RELIGION FOR THOSE BORN IN AUSTRALIA AND OVERSEAS, 2016

Source: ABS Census of Population and Housing, 2016

For definitions of the terms used above, see the Census of Population and Housing: Census Dictionary,
2016 (cat. no. 2901.0). For more information about 2016 Census data release and products, go
to www.abs.gov.au/census.

For a print-friendly version, go to the Downloads tab at the top of the page.

EXPLANATORY INFORMATION

'No religion' is equivalent to 'Secular Beliefs and Other Spiritual Beliefs and No Religious Affiliation'. For
further details, see the Census Dictionary.
RELIGION IN AUSTRALIA, 2016
INTRODUCTION
The religious fabric of the world is changing. Increased migration has dispersed religious ideas and practices
throughout the world. Changes in social attitudes have also influenced how people see themselves and their
relationship with religion.

The Australian population is no different. In the 1911 Census of Population and Housing, 96% of Australians
reported Christianity as their religion. Today we have more diversity in religions and denominations, as well
as an increasing number of people reporting that they do not have a religion.

MAJOR RELIGIOUS AFFILIATIONS IN 2016

Reflecting the historical influence of European migration to Australia, Christianity was the most common
religion reported in the 2016 Census (52%), with Catholics the largest group (23% of the population). Other
religions make up a much smaller proportion of the population (8.2%), with the most commonly reported
being lslam (2.6%), closely followed by Buddhism (2.4%). Nearly a third (30%) of Australians reported that
they had no religion in 2016.
Compared with the 2011 Census, the proportion of the population with a Christian affiliation decreased from
61% to 52% in 2016. Conversely, the proportion of the population with a religion other than Christianity
increased from 7.2% in 2011 to 8.2% in 2016. The proportion reporting to have no religion also increased
from 22% in 2011 to 30% in 2016 (over an additional 2 million persons).

RELIGIOUS AFFILIATIONS, 2011 AND 2016

2011(a) 2016

Religious Affiliations Populations Population Populations Population

('000) (%) ('000) (%)

Christian 13 149.3 61.1 12 201.6 52.1

Catholic 5 439.3 25.3 5 291.8 22.6
Anglican 3 679.9 17.1 3 101.2 13.3
Uniting Church 1 065.8 5.0 870.2 3.7
Presbyterian and Reformed 599.5 2.8 526.7 2.3
Eastern Orthodox 563.1 2.6 502.8 2.1
Other Christian 1 801.8 8.4 1 908.9 8.2

Other Religions 1 546.3 7.2 1 920 .8 8.2

Islam 476.3 2.2 604.2 2.6
Buddhism 529.0 2.5 563.7 2.4
Hinduism 275.5 1.3 440.3 1.9
Sikhism 72.3 0.3 125.9 0.5
Judaism 97.3 0.5 91.0 0.4
Other 95.9 0.4 95.7 0.4

No Religion(b) 4 804.6 22.3 7 040.7 30.1

Australia(c) 21 507.7 100 23 401.9 100

(a) 2011 data has been calculated using the 2016 definitions.
(b) No religion includes secular beliefs (e.g. Atheism) and other spiritual beliefs (e.g. New Age).
(c) As religion was an optional question, the total for Australia will not equal the sum of the items above it.

Source: ABS Census of Population and Housing, 2011 and 2016

CHANGES OVER TIME
Australians are becoming less religious and more religiously diverse. There has been an increase in migration
from countries where religions other than Christianity are common. This has influenced the increase in the
proportion of Australians affiliated with non-Christian religions. There has also been a marked increase in the
proportion of Australians reporting to not have a religion.

Christian
Christianity was the main religion reported 50 years ago, as it was in 2016. However the proportion has
dropped, from 88% in 1966 to 52% in 2016.
Since 1966, the proportion of Australians identifying as Catholics has remained steady at around 26% until
2016 when it dropped to 23%. Over the same period, the proportion of the population identifying as Anglicans
more than halved (33% to 13%). Since 1966, the proportion affiliating with other Christian denominations has
also decreased and continues to trend downwards.

Other religions
In 1966, less than 1% of the population reported having a religion other than Christianity compared with 8.2%
in 2016. Islam and Buddhism were the main contributors to this increase, although the proportion of
Australians reporting Hinduism also increased over this period. These trends reflect changes in the countries
of origin of recent migrants, where these religions are more predominant.

No religion
The proportion of people reporting to have no religion in Australia has increased steadily and substantially
over the past 50 years. In 1966, 0.8% said they had no religion, while in 2016, 30% of people reported they
had 'No religion', now placed at the top of the list of response options on the Census form. Following changes
in social attitudes, a number of modifications have been made to the religion question over time to more
accurately reflect Australia's beliefs.

Footnote(s): (a) No
religion includes
secular beliefs (e.g.
Atheism) and other
spiritual beliefs (e.g.
New Age). (b) Some
religions may not be
completely comparable
over time due to
changes in the
Religious Groups
Classification.
Source(s): ABS Census
of Population and
Housing, 1966 - 2016
EMERGING RELIGIONS

There has been a downward trend in the proportion of people identifying with Christianity as a whole in the
last 10 years. There also does not seem to be an emergence in any particular Christian denomination in that
time. However the story is different for the major non-Christian religions.

The proportion of people reporting a religion other than Christianity in the Census increased from 5.6% in
2006 to 8.2% in 2016. Although the increase spreads across most non-Christian religions, it was mainly driven
by Hinduism (0.7% in 2006 to 1.9% in 2016), Islam (1.7% to 2.6%) and Sikhism (0.1% to 0.5%). The
increase in the proportion of Hinduism and Sikhism is as a result of the increase in the number of migrants
born in India.

Source(s): ABS Censuses of Population and Housing, 2016

RELIGION, AGE AND SEX

The age profile of a religious group in Australia can be a reflection of historic patterns of different waves of
migration. The 2016 Census showed that Christians are more likely to be relatively old, non-Christians are
likely to be relatively young and the younger population tend not to be affiliated with any religion.

Christian

In 2016, Brethren and Latter-day Saints had the youngest age profile of Christian denominations, with more
than half (both 56%) of their population being under 35 years. Both denominations also had small proportions
aged 65 years and over (14% and 10% respectively). The Catholic population was also relatively young with
44% aged less than 35 years. Of the larger Christian denominations, Presbyterian and Reformed had the
highest proportion aged 65 years and over (34%).

There is some difference in the rates of men and women affiliated with Christian denominations. In the 2016
Census, women were more likely than men to report being Christian (55% compared with 50%).

Source(s): ABS Census of Population and Housing, 2016

Other religions

In 2016, Sikhs had the youngest age profile with almost three quarters (74%) aged less than 35 years. Islam
and Hinduism also had a young age profile with 66% and 64% respectively under the age of 35.

In comparison, the Jewish population had one of the lowest proportions of people under 35 years (38%) and
the largest proportion of people aged 65 years and over (23%) as a result of the high rate of Jewish migration
associated with World War II.1

A similar proportion of men (8.3%) and women (8.1%) said they had a religion other than Christianity in the
2016 Census.

Source(s): ABS Census of Population and Housing, 2016

No religion

Overall, men were more likely to report no religion (32%) than women (28%). However, there were
differences when age was examined.

Before the age of 25, there was very little difference between the sexes, with males just as likely as females to
report having no religion or have no religion reported on their behalf. From the age of 25, the difference
between men and women gradually widens and continues until the age of 74. The difference decreases slightly
from the age of 75 but remains fairly steady.

Young adults (aged 18-34 years) were more likely to report not having a religion (39%) compared with those
aged 65 years and over (16%).

Footnote(s): (a) No religion includes secular beliefs (e.g. Atheism) and other spiritual beliefs (e.g.
New Age).
Source(s): ABS Census of Population and Housing, 2016
WHERE PEOPLE OF DIFFERENT RELIGIONS LIVE

States and territories

In 2016, Queensland and New South Wales had the highest proportions of Christians (56% and 55%
respectively), and Victoria and New South Wales the highest proportions of non-Christians (10.6%
and 10.1% respectively). Tasmania had the highest proportion of people who reported that they had
no religion (38%) and the lowest proportion of people reporting religions other than Christianity
(2.3%). The settlement patterns of migrants is partly reflected in the religious composition within
each state and territory.

Footnote(s): (a) No religion includes secular beliefs (e.g. Atheism) and other spiritual beliefs (e.g.
New Age).
Source(s): ABS Census of Population and Housing, 2016
Capital cities

The relative proportions of Christians, non-Christians and those with no religion within each capital
city reflects the relative proportions in each of their states/territories.

More than half of Brisbane and Sydney's populations were likely to report being Christian in 2016
(54% and 52% respectively), a higher proportion than in other capital cities. People living in Sydney
(14%) were also more likely to be affiliated with religions other than Christianity than other capital
cities, although Melbourne was similar (13%).

Four out of every 10 people living in Hobart reported they had no religion.

Footnote(s): (a) No religion includes secular beliefs (e.g. Atheism) and other spiritual beliefs (e.g.
New Age).
Source(s): ABS Census of Population and Housing, 2016
RELIGION FOR THOSE BORN OVERSEAS

In 2016, nearly half (47%) of those born overseas said they were affiliated with Christianity while
58% of the people born in Australia reported being a Christian. Reflecting the variety of countries
from which migrants come, the proportion of those with a religion other than Christianity was
considerably more for those born overseas than for those born in Australia (21% and 3.7%
respectively). A larger proportion of the Australian-born population (34%) reported that they did not
have a religion compared with the overseas-born population (27%).

Footnote(s): (a) No religion includes secular beliefs (e.g. Atheism) and other spiritual beliefs (e.g.
New Age).
Source(s): ABS Census of Population and Housing, 2016

Of the overseas-born population in 2016:

47% were Christians
6.5% were Buddhist
6.0% were Islamic
5.8% were Hindu
1.6% were Sikh
27% did not have a religion.
Country of birth

People of different religions come from a variety of countries. In 2016, nearly one in five Christians
born overseas had been born in England (18%) while more than nine in ten Sikhs (94%) born
overseas were born in India. People from Vietnam, Pakistan and China were also significant
contributors to different religious beliefs.

BIRTHPLACE OF OVERSEAS-BORN PEOPLE AND RELIGION, 2016

Religion Main Source Countries Contribution by main source country(a) (%)

Christian England 17.7

New Zealand 8.4
Buddhism Vietnam 25.9
China 13.8
Islam Pakistan 14.7
Afghanistan 11.5
Hinduism India 62.9
Nepal 12.6
Sikhism India 93.6
Malaysia 2.0
No Religion(b) China 22.4
England 19.8

(a) Excludes those who did not state their country of birth.
(b) No religion includes secular beliefs (e.g. Atheism) and other spiritual beliefs (e.g. New Age).

Source: ABS Census of Population and Housing, 2016

RELIGION AND THE YEAR OF ARRIVAL

The majority of the overseas-born population reported an affiliation with Christianity. However, the
proportion of those with another religion has been steadily increasing since the 1950's, corresponding
with the decrease in those with a Christian religion. Five percent of people who arrived in Australia
from 1966 to 1975 reported that they had a religion other than Christianity compared with 17% who
arrived from 1976 to 1985. This change was mainly driven by the overseas-born Buddhist population
(1.2% arrived 1966 to 1975 and 10% arrived 1976 to 1985).

While the overseas-born population was still predominantly Christian in 2016, more recent arrivals
were less likely to identify as Christian. Of those who have arrived in the ten years from the
beginning of 2007 to August 2016:
34% identified with a Christian religion
31% identified with another religion
30% reported no religious affiliation

The proportion of those who stated they did not have a religion has also been gradually increasing
among the overseas-born population. The proportion has doubled from 15% in the 1900's to 30% in
the early 21st century. This is similar to the Australian-born population (34%).

Footnote(s): (a) No religion includes secular beliefs (e.g. Atheism) and other spiritual beliefs (e.g.
New Age).
Source(s): ABS Census of Population and Housing, 2016
RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION OF ABORIGINAL AND TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER PEOPLES

The 2016 Census showed that there were broad similarities in the religious affiliation of Australia's
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population and the non-Indigenous population. Overall, 54% of
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples reported a Christian affiliation, almost the same
proportion as the non- Indigenous population (55%).

In 2016, less than 2% of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population reported adherence to
Australian Aboriginal Traditional religions or beliefs. This has remained steady over the last 20
years.

The proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who reported they had no religion has
increased gradually since 2001. The largest increase occurred between 2011 (24%) and 2016 (36%).
These proportions are higher than for the non-Indigenous populations (22% and 30% respectively).

Footnote(s): (a) Other religions excludes Australian Aboriginal Traditional Religions. (b) No
religion includes secular beliefs (e.g. Atheism) and other spiritual beliefs (e.g. New Age).
Source(s): ABS Census of Population and Housing, 1996 - 2016

EXPLANATORY INFORMATION
'No religion' is equivalent to 'Secular Beliefs and Other Spiritual Beliefs and No Religious
Affiliation'. For further details, see the Census of Population and Housing: Census Dictionary (cat.
no. 2901.0).