Why the estimates differ
The figure used across this site comes from the Gordon-Conwell Center for Study of Global Christianity 2026, which counts everyone who identifies with any Christian tradition. Pew Research Center's most recent comprehensive estimate reported about 2.3 billion Christians in 2020. The gap is mostly about method and date — how self-identification is measured, how children are counted, and how fast populations have grown since.
Both measure identity, not practice. Neither tells you how many people attend church, read Scripture or follow Jesus as disciples — which is why this site pairs every total with evangelical share, Gospel access and the state of the local church.
Where the world's Christians live
| Region | Christians | Share of population | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sub-Saharan Africa | 718 million | 59.8% | fastest growing |
| Latin America | 603 million | 90.7% | strong |
| Europe | 553 million | 73.9% | declining |
| North America | 278 million | 74.1% | declining |
| Asia-Pacific | 387 million | 8.2% | growing |
| Middle East / North Africa | 24 million | 4% | under pressure |
The largest Christian populations
Among the 50 nations profiled on this site, the largest Christian populations are in the United States, Brazil, Mexico, Nigeria and the Philippines.
Related questions
Is Christianity the largest religion in the world?
Yes. With about 2.6 billion adherents, Christianity is the largest religious group, followed by Islam.
Where do most Christians live?
69% of the world's Christians now live in the Global South — Africa, Latin America and Asia — up from 17.6% in 1900.