Percentage of cultural/nominal Buddhists with its united religions (according to the highest estimates).

Percentage of formal/practicing Buddhists by the numbers of registered adherents (according to the least estimates).

Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism are one, a painting in the litang style portraying three men laughing by a river stream, 12th century, Song Dynasty. Confucianism ( is a Chinese ethical and philosophical system originally developed from the teachings of the fifth century B Taoism (pronounced /ˈdaʊɪzəm/ or /ˈtaʊɪzəm/ also spelled '''Daoism''') refers to a variety of related Philosophical and Religious traditions Buddhism is a family of beliefs and practices The Song Dynasty ( Wade-Giles: Sung Ch'ao was a ruling dynasty in China between 960&ndash1279 CE it succeeded the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms

Obtaining exact numbers of practicing Buddhists can be difficult and may be reliant on the definition used. Adherents of Eastern religions such as Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, Shinto and traditional religions or Shamanism, animism often have beliefs comprised of a mix of religious ideas^{[1][2][3][4][5][6][7]}. Eastern religion is a group of Religions originating in India, China, Japan and Southeast Asia. Buddhism is a family of beliefs and practices Taoism (pronounced /ˈdaʊɪzəm/ or /ˈtaʊɪzəm/ also spelled '''Daoism''') refers to a variety of related Philosophical and Religious traditions Confucianism ( is a Chinese ethical and philosophical system originally developed from the teachings of the fifth century B is the native religion of Japan and was once its State religion. Chinese folk religion is a collective label given to various folkloric beliefs that draws heavily from Chinese mythology. Animism (from Latin anima ( Soul, Life) commonly refers to a religious belief that Souls or Spirits exist in Animals While only a small proportion of the population may have taken the formal step of going for refuge (about 400 million), many more may practice an informal Buddhism or hold Buddhist beliefs mixed with those of related religions. In lay and monastic ordination ceremonies Buddhists take the Three Refuges in the Three Jewels and are said to "take refuge This is particularly the case in East Asia, where Buddhism has long been practiced alongside Taoism and Confucianism in an arrangement sometimes known as the "Triple Religion" or "Great Religion" ^[8]. The Religion in China, Vietnam, Japan, Korea; Vinegar tasters; Sinosphere; Neo-Confucianism; East Asian Buddhism and Buddhism and Eastern teaching articles discuss this phenomenon in greater detail. Religion in China has been characterized by Pluralism since the beginning of Chinese history. The earliest established religions in Vietnam are Mahayana Buddhism, Confucianism, and Daoism (called the "triple religion" or The primary religions in Japan are Buddhism and Shintō (神道 " the way of the gods " Religion in Korea encompasses a number of different traditions The Vinegar Tasters （嘗醋翁 vinegar tasting old-men 嘗醋圖 尝醋图 vinegar tasting picture is an allegorical image representing Confucianism Sinosphere, also known as Chinese world, Chinese cultural sphere or Chinese-character cultural sphere ( a term coined by linguist James Matisoff Neo-Confucianism (/( is a form of Confucianism that was primarily developed during the Song Dynasty, but which can be traced back to Han Yu and Li See also Chinese Buddhism, Korean Buddhism, Japanese Buddhism, Vietnamese Buddhism East Asian Buddhism is a collective term for

The estimations on the number of Buddhist in the world vary significantly, according to different sources available ^[9], between over 1. 5 billion ^[10][11][12] and over 350 million ^[13]. However, it was difficult to estimate accurately the number of Buddhists because they did not have congregational memberships and often did not participate in public ceremonies. ^[14]

An additional challenge in gathering accurate estimates regarding Buddhist adherents in many Asian countries is the presence of national governments (often Communist) that are hostile either to religion generally or to Buddhism specifically. Communist state is a term used by many Political scientists to describe a Form of government in which the State operates under a one-party system Government policies in these countries may encourage the under-reporting or non-reporting of religious adherence, resulting in official totals that may drastically under-estimate the number of religious practitioners in these countries. This phenomenon is a confounding factor in gathering data for countries such as China and North Korea. Similar historical policies, coupled with shortcomings of infrastructure, make census data for Laos and Vietnam difficult to assess^[15][16][17].

Most of the Buddhists live in Asia, and the provisional state of the numbers in governments who evolve from the Communism forces a constant revision, although each new annual revision shows an increase the very significant discharge of the Buddhism. The main reason for this enormous discrepancy in the present numbers is the combination of three types different from difficulties to give to a Chinese number on , the greatest country of population in World recently. The world population is the total number of living Humans on Earth at a given time "The world " is a proper noun for the planet Earth envisioned from an Anthropocentric or Human Worldview, as a place The Buddhism has a very important historical root in those countries, nevertheless is officially an atheist country, in which in addition it practices syncretist a very heterogeneous traditional religion popular and that, among others, it includes Buddhist elements, and that frequently are listed separately. Atheism Syncretism consists of the attempt to reconcile disparate or contradictory beliefs often while melding practices of various schools of thought

A recent study of the Global for Center the Study of the Chinese Contemporary made in the 2005 ^[18] reveals the little reliability of the previous data, simultaneously it says 52% of the Chinese still refuse to answer direct questions on their religious affiliation. Taking this in account, in 1995 only a 2% openly admitted to belong to some religion, in the 2005 5% did. Although on the other hand, 23% of Chinese to have trusted in Buddha during year. All this contradictory data gives an idea that it will be the own evolution in the opening in the Chinese society the one that will be polishing these numbers.

By country

Buddhism by country

Region	Country or Territory	Population(2007E)	% of Buddhists	Buddhist total
Central Asia	Afghanistan	31,889,923	0. Buddhism is a family of beliefs and practices Central Asia is a region of Asia from the Caspian Sea in the west to central China in the east and from southern Russia in the north to northern Pakistan in the south Buddhism in Afghanistan has a long history Many monuments such as the famous Buddhas of Bamyan, testify to the Buddhist culture in Afghanistan 2% (approx)	63,780
South America	Argentina	40,301,927	0. South America is a Continent of the Americas, situated entirely in the Western Hemisphere and mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a Buddhism in Argentina is well known since the early 1980s Even though this is a mainly Catholic country Chinese immigrants established the first Chinese 1% [19]	40,302
Caribbean	Aruba	100,018	1. The Caribbean (ˌkærəˡbiən kæ'rəbiən Cariben|Caraïben or Caraïben; Caraïbe or more commonly Antilles; Caribe is a Region consisting 2% (approx) [20]	1,200
Oceania	Australia	20,434,176	2. In Australia Buddhism is a small but growing religion. According to the 2006 census 2 1% [21]	429,118
Central Europe	Austria	8,199,783	0. Central Europe is the Region lying between the variously and vaguely defined areas of Eastern and Buddhism is a legally recognized religion in Austria and it is followed by more than 10000 Austrians 130%	10,660
Middle East	Bahrain	708,573	1% [22]	7,086
South Asia	Bangladesh	150,448,339	0. The Middle East is a Subcontinent with no clear boundaries often used as a synonym to Near East, in opposition to Far East. It is estimated that in the Middle East around 900000 people perhaps more profess Buddhism (Buddhist adherents make up just over 0 Buddhism is the third largest religion in Bangladesh with about 0 7% [23]	1,053,138
Western Europe	Belgium	10,392,226	0. Western Europe at its most general meaning means 'all the countries in the West of Europe ' Buddhism is a small religion in Belgium but despite lack of official recognition by the Belgian government has grown rapidly in recent years 3% [24]	31,177
Central America	Belize	294,385	0. Buddhism in Central America was primarily driven by the presence of Chinese immigrant workers in most of these countries during the earlier part of the 19th century 35% [25]	1,030
South Asia	Bhutan	2,327,849	66% - 75%[26] - 97% (approx)[27]	1,536,380 - 1,745,887 - 2,250,014
South America	Bolivia	9,119,152	0. Mahayana Buddhism is the State religion of Bhutan, and Buddhists comprise 98% of its population. South America is a Continent of the Americas, situated entirely in the Western Hemisphere and mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a 26% [28]	23,710
Balkans	Bosnia and Herzegovina	4,552,198	0. 01%	455
South America	Brazil	190,010,647	0. South America is a Continent of the Americas, situated entirely in the Western Hemisphere and mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a Buddhism in Brazil has practitioners of various Buddhist schools as well as a fair number of somewhat Buddhist-inspired Cults and " New Age 130% [29]	247,014
Southeast Asia	Brunei	374,577	14. Mahayana Buddhism is the most popular and alongside with Ancestor Worship, Taoism and Confucianism as one which is the traditional faith of general 4% [30]	53,939
Eastern Europe	Bulgaria	7,322,858	0. Eastern Europe is a general term that refers to the Geopolitical region encompassing the easternmost part of the European continent. Buddhism is a very tiny religion in Bulgaria, with about a thousand Buddhists in Bulgaria 015% (approx)	1,098
Southeast Asia	Cambodia	13,995,904	95% [31]	13,296,109
North America	Canada	33,390,141	3. History See also History of Buddhism in Cambodia Unconfirmed Singhalese sources assert that missionaries of King Asohka introduced Buddhism into There is a small growing Buddhist community in Canada. As of the 2007 estimate 1202045 Canadians identified their religion as Buddhist (about 3 6% [32]	367,292 - 1,202,045
South America	Chile	16,284,741	0. South America is a Continent of the Americas, situated entirely in the Western Hemisphere and mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a 04% [33][34]	6,514
East Asia	China	1,321,851,888	8% [35] - 21% [36][37] - 80% (approx)[38][39] [40]	105,748,151 - 277,588,896 - 1,057,481,510
South America	Colombia	44,379,598	0. Chinese Buddhism ( Pinyin fójiào refers collectively to the various schools of Buddhism that have flourished in China proper since ancient times South America is a Continent of the Americas, situated entirely in the Western Hemisphere and mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a 01% [41]	4,438
Central America	Costa Rica	4,133,884	2. Buddhism in Central America was primarily driven by the presence of Chinese immigrant workers in most of these countries during the earlier part of the 19th century 34% [42]	96,733
West Africa	Cote d'Ivoire	18,013,409	0. West Africa or Western Africa is the Westernmost Region of the African Continent. 06% [43]	10,808
Balkans	Croatia	4,493,312	0. The first Croatian Buddhist group was founded in Zagreb in the 80's 03%	1,348
Caribbean	Cuba	11,394,043	0. The Caribbean (ˌkærəˡbiən kæ'rəbiən Cariben|Caraïben or Caraïben; Caraïbe or more commonly Antilles; Caribe is a Region consisting 25% [44]	28,485
Middle East	Cyprus	788,457	1%	7,885
Central Europe	Czech Republic	10,228,744	0. The Middle East is a Subcontinent with no clear boundaries often used as a synonym to Near East, in opposition to Far East. Central Europe is the Region lying between the variously and vaguely defined areas of Eastern and The mixture of Ancestor Worship, Confucianism, Taoism and foremost Mahayana Buddhism is the predominant religion of Vietnamese people 5%	51,144
Western Europe	Denmark	5,468,120	0. Western Europe at its most general meaning means 'all the countries in the West of Europe ' 1% [45]	5,468
Caribbean	Dominica	72,386	0. The Caribbean (ˌkærəˡbiən kæ'rəbiən Cariben|Caraïben or Caraïben; Caraïbe or more commonly Antilles; Caribe is a Region consisting 25% [46]	181
Caribbean	Dominican Republic	9,365,818	0. The Caribbean (ˌkærəˡbiən kæ'rəbiən Cariben|Caraïben or Caraïben; Caraïbe or more commonly Antilles; Caribe is a Region consisting 1% [47]	9,366
Southeast Asia	East Timor	1,084,971	0. 1% (approx) [48]	1,085
South America	Ecuador	13,755,680	0. South America is a Continent of the Americas, situated entirely in the Western Hemisphere and mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a 2% [49]	27,511
South America	El Salvador	6,948,073	0. South America is a Continent of the Americas, situated entirely in the Western Hemisphere and mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a Buddhism in Central America was primarily driven by the presence of Chinese immigrant workers in most of these countries during the earlier part of the 19th century 03% [50]	2,084
East Africa	Eritrea	4,906,585	0. East Africa is the Easternmost Region of the African Continent. 1% [51]	4,907
Eastern Europe	Estonia	1,315,912	0. Eastern Europe is a general term that refers to the Geopolitical region encompassing the easternmost part of the European continent. Buddhism was brought to Estonia by beginning of 20th century – Karl Tõnisson (1882-1962and Friedrich Lustig alias Ashin Ananda (1912-1989 4% [52]	5,264
Oceania	Fiji	918,675	1%	9,187
Western Europe	Finland	5,238,460	0. Western Europe at its most general meaning means 'all the countries in the West of Europe ' 1% [53]	5,238
Western Europe	France	63,718,187	1. Western Europe at its most general meaning means 'all the countries in the West of Europe ' Buddhism is widely reported to be the fourth largest religion in France, after Christianity, Islam, and Judaism. 2%	764,618
South America	French Guiana	203,321	4% [54]	8,132
Oceania	French Polynesia	278,963	7. South America is a Continent of the Americas, situated entirely in the Western Hemisphere and mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a 5%	20,922
Caucasus	Georgia	4,646,003	0. The Caucasus ( also referred to as North Caucasus) is a geopolitical region located between Europe Asia & Middle East 1% (approx)[55]	4,646
Western Europe	Germany	82,400,996	1%	824,001
West Africa	Ghana	22,931,299	0. Western Europe at its most general meaning means 'all the countries in the West of Europe ' Buddhism in Germany looks back to a history of over 150 years West Africa or Western Africa is the Westernmost Region of the African Continent. 05% [56]	11,466
Balkans	Greece	10,706,290	0. Greco-Buddhism, sometimes spelt Graeco-Buddhism, refers to the cultural Syncretism between Hellenistic culture and Buddhism, which developed 1% (approx)	10,706
Central America	Guatemala	12,728,111	0. Buddhism in Central America was primarily driven by the presence of Chinese immigrant workers in most of these countries during the earlier part of the 19th century 1% [57]	12,728
West Africa	Guinea	9,947,814	0. West Africa or Western Africa is the Westernmost Region of the African Continent. 1% (approx) [58]	9,948
South America	Guyana	769,095	0. South America is a Continent of the Americas, situated entirely in the Western Hemisphere and mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a 25% [59]	1,923
Central America	Honduras	7,483,763	0. Buddhism in Central America was primarily driven by the presence of Chinese immigrant workers in most of these countries during the earlier part of the 19th century 1% [60]	7,484
East Asia	Hong Kong	6,980,412	10. Buddhism, an Indian Religion and Taoism, a traditional Chinese religion, have a considerable 1%[61] - 90% [62]	705,022 - 6,282,371
Eastern Europe	Hungary	9,956,108	0. Eastern Europe is a general term that refers to the Geopolitical region encompassing the easternmost part of the European continent. 05%	5,223 [63]
Western Europe	Iceland	301,931	0. Western Europe at its most general meaning means 'all the countries in the West of Europe ' Religion in Iceland was initially the Norse paganism that was commonly believed by Vikings (from 874 to 1000 15% [64]	453
South Asia	India	1,129,866,154	0. Buddhism is a world religion which arose in Bihar, India and is based on the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama, who is known as the Buddha (literally 8%[65]	9,038,929 - 16,947,992
Southeast Asia	Indonesia	234,693,997	1%[66]	2,346,940
Western Europe	Ireland	4,109,086	0. Among the five official religions of Indonesia, according to the state ideology of Pancasila According to Suharto, Buddhism and Hinduism were Indonesia's classical Western Europe at its most general meaning means 'all the countries in the West of Europe ' 2% [67]	8,218
Middle East	Israel	6,426,679	0. The Middle East is a Subcontinent with no clear boundaries often used as a synonym to Near East, in opposition to Far East. A Jewish Buddhist (also Jubu or Buju) is a person with a Jewish Ethnic or Religious background who practices forms of Buddhist 1% [68]	6,426
Western Europe	Italy	58,147,733	0. Western Europe at its most general meaning means 'all the countries in the West of Europe ' Buddhism is the third most widespread Religion in Italy, after Christianity and Islam: it has about 100 2% [69] [70][71]	116,295
Caribbean	Jamaica	2,780,132	0. The Caribbean (ˌkærəˡbiən kæ'rəbiən Cariben|Caraïben or Caraïben; Caraïbe or more commonly Antilles; Caribe is a Region consisting 3% [72]	8,340
East Asia	Japan	127,433,494	44% - 84% [73][74]	56,070,737 - 107,044,135
Central Asia	Kazakhstan	15,284,929	0. The history of Buddhism in Japan can be roughly divided into three periods namely the Nara period (up to 784 the Heian period (794–1185 and the post-Heian period Central Asia is a region of Asia from the Caspian Sea in the west to central China in the east and from southern Russia in the north to northern Pakistan in the south Although Buddhism never developed a missionary movement Buddha's teachings nevertheless spread far and wide on the Indian subcontinent and from there throughout 55% [75]	84,067
East Asia	North Korea	23,301,725	64. Korean Buddhism is distinguished from other forms of Buddhism by its attempt to resolve what it sees as inconsistencies in Mahayana Buddhism 5% (approx)[76]	10,000[77] - 15,029,613
East Asia	South Korea	49,044,790	23. Korean Buddhism is distinguished from other forms of Buddhism by its attempt to resolve what it sees as inconsistencies in Mahayana Buddhism 3%[78] - 50% [79]	11,427,436 - 24,522,395
Central Asia	Kyrgyzstan	5,284,149	0. Central Asia is a region of Asia from the Caspian Sea in the west to central China in the east and from southern Russia in the north to northern Pakistan in the south Although Buddhism never developed a missionary movement Buddha's teachings nevertheless spread far and wide on the Indian subcontinent and from there throughout 35% [80]	18,495
Middle East	Kuwait	2,505,559	4% [81]	100,222
Southeast Asia	Laos	6,521,998	96%[82]	6,261,118
Eastern Europe	Latvia	2,259,810	0. The Middle East is a Subcontinent with no clear boundaries often used as a synonym to Near East, in opposition to Far East. It is estimated that in the Middle East around 900000 people perhaps more profess Buddhism (Buddhist adherents make up just over 0 Buddhism is the primary religion of Laos. The Buddhism practiced in Laos is of the Theravada tradition Eastern Europe is a general term that refers to the Geopolitical region encompassing the easternmost part of the European continent. 004% [83]	90
Middle East	Lebanon	3,925,502	0. The Middle East is a Subcontinent with no clear boundaries often used as a synonym to Near East, in opposition to Far East. It is estimated that in the Middle East around 900000 people perhaps more profess Buddhism (Buddhist adherents make up just over 0 1% [84]	3,926
Southern Africa	Lesotho	2,125,262	0. Southern Africa is the Southernmost Region of the African Continent, variably defined by Geography or Geopolitics. 1% (approx)[85]	2,125
West Africa	Liberia	3,195,931	0. West Africa or Western Africa is the Westernmost Region of the African Continent. 1% [86]	3,196
North Africa	Libya	6,036,914	0. North Africa or Northern Africa is the Northernmost Region of the African Continent, separated by the Sahara from Sub-Saharan Recent years in Libya, as 2007's census with over 13000 workers from Sri Lanka and some from other Buddhist countries (about 12000 Koreans and over 3% [87]	18,120
Western Europe	Liechtenstein	34,247	0. Western Europe at its most general meaning means 'all the countries in the West of Europe ' According to the US State Department 's International Religious Freedom Report 2006 there are 72 Buddhists in Liechtenstein or 0 22% [88]	75
East Asia	Macau	456,989	17%[89] - 50%[90] - 85%[91][92]	77,688 - 228,495 - 388,441
East Africa	Madagascar	19,448,815	0. East Africa is the Easternmost Region of the African Continent. 1% [93]	19,449
Southeast Asia	Malaysia	24,821,286	22% [94]	5,460,683
South Asia	Maldives	369,031	0. Buddhism is the second largest religion in Malaysia after Islam, with 19 Although sources are not readily available but with a significant number of foreign workers from Sri Lanka[http //asia 45% [95]	1,661
East Africa	Mauritius	1,250,882	2. East Africa is the Easternmost Region of the African Continent. Sino-Mauritian or Chinese Mauritian are Overseas Chinese who reside in Mauritius. 5% [96]	31,272
North America	Mexico	108,700,891	0. Buddhism in Mexico possesses a minuscule demographic presence in the mostly- Roman Catholic country 1% (approx)[97]	108,701
Central Asia	Mongolia	2,951,786	50%[98] - 94%[99]	1,475,893 - 2,774,679
Southeast Asia	Myanmar	47,373,958	90% [100]	42,636,562
Southern Africa	Namibia	2,055,080	0. Central Asia is a region of Asia from the Caspian Sea in the west to central China in the east and from southern Russia in the north to northern Pakistan in the south Buddhism in Mongolia is essentially Tibetan Buddhism of the Gelugpa school History The history of Buddhism in Burmaextends nearly a millennium Southern Africa is the Southernmost Region of the African Continent, variably defined by Geography or Geopolitics. 1% [101]	2,055
South Asia	Nepal	28,901,790	11% [102]	3,179,197
Western Europe	Netherlands	16,570,613	0. Buddha was born in Shakya kingdom which lies in Rupandehi district Lumbini zone of Nepal Western Europe at its most general meaning means 'all the countries in the West of Europe ' Buddhism is a small minority religion in The Netherlands, but it has shown rapid growth in recent years 105%[103] - 1%[104]	17,399 - 165,706
Caribbean	Netherlands Antilles	223,652	0. The Caribbean (ˌkærəˡbiən kæ'rəbiən Cariben|Caraïben or Caraïben; Caraïbe or more commonly Antilles; Caribe is a Region consisting 7% (approx)	1,566
Oceania	New Caledonia	221,943	3% [105]	6,657
Oceania	New Zealand	4,115,771	1. 2% [106]	49,389
Central America	Nicaragua	5,675,356	0. Buddhism in Nicaragua has existed since the late 19th century after immigration from countries with Buddhist populations mainly China. 1% [107]	5,675
Western Europe	Norway	4,627,926	0. Western Europe at its most general meaning means 'all the countries in the West of Europe ' Buddhism in Norway has existed since the beginning of the 1970s after immigration from countries with Buddhist populations mainly Vietnam. 42% [108]	19,437
Middle East	Oman	3,204,897	1% [109]	32,049
South Asia	Pakistan	164,741,924	0. The Middle East is a Subcontinent with no clear boundaries often used as a synonym to Near East, in opposition to Far East. It is estimated that in the Middle East around 900000 people perhaps more profess Buddhism (Buddhist adherents make up just over 0 Buddhists live in Indian occupied Kashmir to the east of the Line of Control. 1% [110]	164,742
Central America	Panama	3,242,173	2. Buddhism in Central America was primarily driven by the presence of Chinese immigrant workers in most of these countries during the earlier part of the 19th century 1% [111]	68,086
Oceania	Papua New Guinea	5,795,887	0. 3% [112]	17,388
South America	Paraguay	6,669,086	0. South America is a Continent of the Americas, situated entirely in the Western Hemisphere and mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a 5% [113]	33,345
South America	Peru	28,674,757	0. South America is a Continent of the Americas, situated entirely in the Western Hemisphere and mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a 31% [114]	88,892
Southeast Asia	Philippines	91,077,287	2. See also Srivijaya is the historical center of Vajrayana Buddhism in Southeast Asia and not of Theravada Buddhism Buddhism, specifically Vajrayana 5% [115]	2,276,932
Western Europe	Portugal	10,642,836	0. Western Europe at its most general meaning means 'all the countries in the West of Europe ' 03%	3,193
Central Europe	Poland	38,518,241	0. Central Europe is the Region lying between the variously and vaguely defined areas of Eastern and roots of Buddhism in Poland can be found in the early 20th century in the nation's connections to the origin countries of the religion like China, 1%	38,518
Caribbean	Puerto Rico	3,944,259	0. The Caribbean (ˌkærəˡbiən kæ'rəbiən Cariben|Caraïben or Caraïben; Caraïbe or more commonly Antilles; Caribe is a Region consisting 03% [116]	1,183
Middle East	Qatar	907,229	5% (approx)[117]	45,361
East Africa	Reunion	784,000	1%	7,840
Eastern Europe	Romania	22,276,056	0. The Middle East is a Subcontinent with no clear boundaries often used as a synonym to Near East, in opposition to Far East. It is estimated that in the Middle East around 900000 people perhaps more profess Buddhism (Buddhist adherents make up just over 0 East Africa is the Easternmost Region of the African Continent. Buddhism is practised by the Chinese community, the belief in this religion became a tradition Eastern Europe is a general term that refers to the Geopolitical region encompassing the easternmost part of the European continent. 01% (approx)[118]	2,228
Eastern Europe	Russia	141,377,752	0. Eastern Europe is a general term that refers to the Geopolitical region encompassing the easternmost part of the European continent. Historically Buddhism was incorporated into Russian lands as early as the late 16th century, when Russian explorers travelled to and settled in 75%[119] - 1. 1% - 1. 45%[120]	1,060,333 - 1,555,155 - 2,049,977
Middle East	Saudi Arabia	27,601,038	1. The Middle East is a Subcontinent with no clear boundaries often used as a synonym to Near East, in opposition to Far East. It is estimated that in the Middle East around 900000 people perhaps more profess Buddhism (Buddhist adherents make up just over 0 5% [121]	414,016
West Africa	Senegal	12,521,851	0. West Africa or Western Africa is the Westernmost Region of the African Continent. In Senegal, Mahayana Buddhism is followed by a very tiny portion of the Vietnamese community, but it is informal Buddhism because they only worship their 01%	1,252
Balkans	Serbia	10,150,265	0. 01% (approx)	1,015
East Africa	Seychelles	81,895	1%	819
Southeast Asia	Singapore	4,553,009	42. East Africa is the Easternmost Region of the African Continent. Sino-Seychellois are Overseas Chinese who reside in the Seychelles. As of 2000 425% of the Singaporeans register themselves as Buddhist by religion 5%[122] 51% [123] - 61. 1% [124]	1,935,029 - 2,322,035 - 2,781,888
Central Europe	Slovakia	5,447,502	0. Central Europe is the Region lying between the variously and vaguely defined areas of Eastern and Buddhism is not officially recognized as a religion in Slovakia. 1% [125]	5,447
Central Europe	Slovenia	2,009,245	0. Central Europe is the Region lying between the variously and vaguely defined areas of Eastern and Buddhism is a legally recognized religion in Slovenia and it is followed by more than 1000 Slovenes though no official number are establish as the previous census 06% (approx)	1,206
Western Europe	Spain	40,448,191	0. Western Europe at its most general meaning means 'all the countries in the West of Europe ' 025% [126] - 0. 5% - 0. 75%	10,112 - 200,000 - 300,000[127]
Southern Africa	South Africa	43,997,828	0. Southern Africa is the Southernmost Region of the African Continent, variably defined by Geography or Geopolitics. Buddhism has recently been gaining ground in South Africa, and the country now comprises the largest Buddhist community in Africa. 1% [128]	43,998
South Asia	Sri Lanka	20,926,315	70% [129]	14,648,421
South America	Suriname	470,784	1%	4,708
Western Europe	Sweden	9,031,088	0. General Buddhism in Sri Lanka is primarily of the Theravada school and constitutes the religious faith of about 70% of the populationAccording to traditional South America is a Continent of the Americas, situated entirely in the Western Hemisphere and mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a Western Europe at its most general meaning means 'all the countries in the West of Europe ' Buddhism is a relatively small religion in Sweden. Most of the practicing Buddhists have various Asian (mostly Thai, Chinese and Vietnamese) 2% [130]	18,062
Western Europe	Switzerland	7,554,661	0. Western Europe at its most general meaning means 'all the countries in the West of Europe ' According to the 2000 census of Switzerland, 21305 Swiss residents (0 29% [131]	21,909
East Asia	Taiwan	22,858,872	35%[132] - 75%[133] - 93% [134]	8,000,605 - 17,144,154 - 21,258,751
Central Asia	Tajikistan	7,076,598	0. Buddhism is a major religion in Taiwan More than 90 percent of Taiwan's people practice the Chinese folk religion which integrates Buddhist elements alongside a basically Central Asia is a region of Asia from the Caspian Sea in the west to central China in the east and from southern Russia in the north to northern Pakistan in the south Although Buddhism never developed a missionary movement Buddha's teachings nevertheless spread far and wide on the Indian subcontinent and from there throughout 1% [135]	7,076
East Africa	Tanzania	39,384,223	0. East Africa is the Easternmost Region of the African Continent. 1% [136]	39,384
Southeast Asia	Thailand	65,068,149	95% [137]	61,814,742
Caribbean	Trinidad and Tobago	1,056,608	0. Buddhism in Thailand is largely of the Theravada school Nearly 95% of Thailand 's population is Buddhist of the Theravada school though Buddhism The Caribbean (ˌkærəˡbiən kæ'rəbiən Cariben|Caraïben or Caraïben; Caraïbe or more commonly Antilles; Caribe is a Region consisting 7% [138]	7,396
Middle East	Turkey	71,158,647	0. The Middle East is a Subcontinent with no clear boundaries often used as a synonym to Near East, in opposition to Far East. It is estimated that in the Middle East around 900000 people perhaps more profess Buddhism (Buddhist adherents make up just over 0 1% [139]	71,159
Central Asia	Turkmenistan	5,097,028	0. Central Asia is a region of Asia from the Caspian Sea in the west to central China in the east and from southern Russia in the north to northern Pakistan in the south Although Buddhism never developed a missionary movement Buddha's teachings nevertheless spread far and wide on the Indian subcontinent and from there throughout 1% [140]	50,970
Eastern Europe	Ukraine	46,299,862	0. Eastern Europe is a general term that refers to the Geopolitical region encompassing the easternmost part of the European continent. Buddhism in Ukraine has existed since the 19th and 20th century after immigration from countries with Buddhist populations mainly North Vietnam [http//www 1% (approx)[141]	46,300
Middle East	United Arab Emirates	4,444,011	5% [142]	222,201
Western Europe	United Kingdom	60,776,238	0. The Middle East is a Subcontinent with no clear boundaries often used as a synonym to Near East, in opposition to Far East. It is estimated that in the Middle East around 900000 people perhaps more profess Buddhism (Buddhist adherents make up just over 0 Western Europe at its most general meaning means 'all the countries in the West of Europe ' Buddhism has a small but growing number of adherents in The United Kingdom. 3%[143]	152,000 - 182,329 - 729,314
North America	United States	301,139,947	0. 5%[144]	1,505,700 - 6,022,799
South America	Uruguay	3,460,607	0. South America is a Continent of the Americas, situated entirely in the Western Hemisphere and mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a 1% [145]	3,461
Central Asia	Uzbekistan	27,780,059	0. Central Asia is a region of Asia from the Caspian Sea in the west to central China in the east and from southern Russia in the north to northern Pakistan in the south Although Buddhism never developed a missionary movement Buddha's teachings nevertheless spread far and wide on the Indian subcontinent and from there throughout 2% [146]	55,560
Oceania	Vanuatu	211,971	1% [147]	2,120
South America	Venezuela	26,023,528	0. South America is a Continent of the Americas, situated entirely in the Western Hemisphere and mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a 2% [148]	52,047
Southeast Asia	Vietnam	85,262,356	16%[149] - >50%[150] - 85% (approx)[151]	13,641,977 - >42,631,178 - 72,473,003
Southern Africa	Zimbabwe	12,311,143	0. Buddhism came to Vietnam in the first century CE By the end of the second century Vietnam developed a major Buddhist centre in the region commonly known as the Luy Lâu Southern Africa is the Southernmost Region of the African Continent, variably defined by Geography or Geopolitics. 1% [152]	12,311
Total		6,671,226,000	7. 335% – 10. 348% - 22. 665% (depending on extent of syncretism)	489,325,203 - 690,364,656 - 1,512,013,359

By region

These percentages were calculated by using the above numbers. Syncretism consists of the attempt to reconcile disparate or contradictory beliefs often while melding practices of various schools of thought The first percentage, 4th column, all but last row, is the percentage of population that is Buddhist in a region (Buddhists in the region * 100/total population of the region). The last row shows the Buddhist percentage compared to the total Buddhist population of the world (Buddhists in the region * 100/total Buddhist population of the world).

(Note: Egypt, Sudan, and other Arab Maghreb countries are counted as part of North Africa, not Middle East).

Top 20

Top 20 by population on the left and by percentage on the right.

Top 20

Rank	Country	Buddhist Population	% of Buddhists	Country	% of Buddhists	Buddhist Population
1	China	277,588,896 - 1,057,481,510	21% - 80%	Mongolia	98%	2,816,644
2	Japan	122,369,253	96%	Bhutan	97%	2,250,014
3	Vietnam	74,268,750	85%	Cambodia	96. Talk People's Republic of China) PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA ARTICLE GUIDELINES Mongolia (mɒŋˈɡoʊliə, literally Mongol country/nation,) is a Landlocked Country in East For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Japan topics. The Kingdom of Bhutan (buːˈtɑːn is a Landlocked nation in South Asia. Vietnam (ˌviːɛtˈnɑːm Việt Nam) officially The Kingdom of Cambodia ( formerly known as Kampuchea (, transliterated: Preăh Réachéanachâkr Kâmpŭchea) is a country in South East 5%	13,938,460
4	Thailand	61,814,742	95%	Japan	96%	122,369,253
5	Myanmar	43,918,200	90%	Taiwan	95. The Kingdom of Thailand (ˈtaɪlænd ราชอาณาจักรไทย, râːtɕʰa-ʔaːnaːtɕɑ̀k-tʰɑj For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Japan topics. Burma, officially the Union of Myanmar ( pjìdàunzṵ mjàmmà nàinŋàndɔ̀ is the largest country by geographical area in mainland Southeast Asia. REPUBLIC OF CHINA ARTICLE GUIDELINES 5%	22,131,451
6	South Korea	23,531,874	48%	Laos	95%	6,195,898
7	Taiwan	22,131,451	95. South Korea, officially the Republic of Korea and often referred to as Korea ( Korean: 대한민국 tɛː Laos (ˈlɑːoʊs or /ˈlaʊs/ officially the Lao People's Democratic Republic, is a Landlocked country in Southeast Asia, bordered by Burma REPUBLIC OF CHINA ARTICLE GUIDELINES 5%	Thailand	95%	61,814,742
8	Sri Lanka	16,050,484	76. The Kingdom of Thailand (ˈtaɪlænd ราชอาณาจักรไทย, râːtɕʰa-ʔaːnaːtɕɑ̀k-tʰɑj Sri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka ( Sinhalese:, இலங்கை known as Ceylon before 1972 is an Island 7%	Hong Kong	93%	6,701,580
9	North Korea	15,106,650	63. Hong Kong ( officially the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, is a territory located on China 's south coast on the Pearl River Delta, and borders North Korea is the commonly used short form name for the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (or DPRK) a State located in East Asia, 5%	Myanmar	90%	43,918,200
10	Cambodia	13,938,460	96. Burma, officially the Union of Myanmar ( pjìdàunzṵ mjàmmà nàinŋàndɔ̀ is the largest country by geographical area in mainland Southeast Asia. The Kingdom of Cambodia ( formerly known as Kampuchea (, transliterated: Preăh Réachéanachâkr Kâmpŭchea) is a country in South East 5%	Vietnam	85%	74,268,750
11	India	12,274,668	1. Vietnam (ˌviːɛtˈnɑːm Việt Nam) officially India, officially the Republic of India (भारत गणराज्य inc-Latn Bhārat Gaṇarājya; see also other Indian languages) is a country 05%	Macau	85%	408,850
12	Hong Kong	6,701,580	93%	China	21% - 80%	277,588,896 - 1,057,481,510
13	Laos	6,195,898	95%	Sri Lanka	76. For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Macau topics. Hong Kong ( officially the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, is a territory located on China 's south coast on the Pearl River Delta, and borders Talk People's Republic of China) PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA ARTICLE GUIDELINES Laos (ˈlɑːoʊs or /ˈlaʊs/ officially the Lao People's Democratic Republic, is a Landlocked country in Southeast Asia, bordered by Burma Sri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka ( Sinhalese:, இலங்கை known as Ceylon before 1972 is an Island 7%	16,050,484
14	Nepal	6,069,376	21%	North Korea	63. Nepal (नेपाल) is a Landlocked country in South Asia. North Korea is the commonly used short form name for the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (or DPRK) a State located in East Asia, 5%	15,106,650
15	United States	6,039,800	2%	Singapore	61%	2,777,335
16	Malaysia	5,970,800	22%	South Korea	48%	23,531,874
17	Indonesia	5,397,962	2. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the Singapore For the biogeographical region see Malesia Malaysia (məˈleɪʒə or /məˈleɪziə/ is a country that consists of thirteen states and South Korea, officially the Republic of Korea and often referred to as Korea ( Korean: 대한민국 tɛː The Republic of Indonesia ( (Republik Indonesia is a Country in Southeast Asia. 3%	Malaysia	22%	5,970,800
18	Mongolia	2,816,644	98%	Nepal	21%	6,069,376
19	Singapore	2,777,335	61%	Brunei	14. For the biogeographical region see Malesia Malaysia (məˈleɪʒə or /məˈleɪziə/ is a country that consists of thirteen states and Mongolia (mɒŋˈɡoʊliə, literally Mongol country/nation,) is a Landlocked Country in East Nepal (नेपाल) is a Landlocked country in South Asia. Singapore Brunei Darussalam, (bruːˈnaɪ in English officially the State of Brunei Abode of Peace (Negara Brunei Darussalam Jawi: برني دارالسلام 4%	54,600
20	Philippines	2,276,932	2. The Philippines ( Filipino: Pilipinas, officially known as the Republic of the Philippines (fil ''Republika ng Pilipinas'' RP 5%	United Arab Emirates	5%	219,000

External links

• http://www.buddhanet.net/ (English/Australia)
• http://www.buddhistchannel.tv/ (English/International)
• http://www.quangduc.com/ (English-Vietnamese/Australia-USA)
• http://www.buddhismtoday.com/ (English-Vietnamese/India-Vietnam)
• http://www.dharma-world.com/ (English/Canada)
• http://www.bswa.org/ (English/Australia)

See also

• List of religious populations
• Religions by country
• Islam by country
• Judaism by country
• Hinduism by country
• Christianity by country
• Sikhism by country
• No Faith by Country

References

• The US State Department's International Religious Freedom Report 2006 [6]
• CIA FactBook [7]
• adherents. Religious demographics and Religions by country. Four largest religions This article includes major religions only Others could include smaller popular religions as Judaism, Baha'i Faith, Sikhism, et cetera Listing of Muslims by country Important note Population counts by religious affiliation like most demographic characteristics of a Population This article deals with the practice of Judaism and the living arrangement of Jewish people in the listed countries The percentage of Hindu population of each country was taken from the US State Department's International Religious Freedom Report 2006. The following table pertains to Christianity by country, notably population statistics Sikhism throughout the world can be found dominantly in the Punjab region of India and Pakistan, but a significant Sikh community Irreligion is a lack of religion indifference to religion or hostility to religion com [8]
• Religious Freedom page [9]
• Religious Intelligence [10]
• census. gov[11]

Notes