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In Niger, for example, a Gallup Inc. survey asked people what religion means to them and found a strong correlation between religious identification and income. As societies modernize and improve their living standards, they become increasingly secular. Sociologists argue that the benefits of religion increase when people have less control over their lives and fewer resources. Nonetheless, it is difficult to quantify the social benefits of religion in poor countries.

Religions in poor nations

The relationship between religion and poverty is complex and often interconnected. Giving to the poor is seen as a religious duty, and faith-based organizations have a vital role to play in combating global poverty. This article explores the relationship between religion and poverty and how it might affect the lives of the poor in different countries. This is a complex topic, and the author declares no competing interests. The following paragraphs provide a brief overview of the issues at stake.

Protestants

The ReformationReformation began in the early 1500s when a German monk named Martin Luther criticized the teachings of the Catholic Church. This religious ReformationReformation spread across Europe and spawned numerous groups that rejected the Catholic faith. These new groups grouped under the umbrella term Protestantism. Today, over 1 billion people worldwide identify as Protestant. The Protestant Reformation has had a profound impact on society, especially in poor nations.

Catholics

According to a Gallup Inc. survey, the poorest nations have the highest proportion of people who identify as religious. These countries are compared to Switzerland and Canada, where the ratio is just 42 percent. The highest positive responses were in Bangladesh, Niger, Malawi, and Yemen, with the lowest percentages in Sweden, Denmark, and Estonia. Those with the most inadequate positive responses identified as atheists or non-religious. The highest positive response was among those with at least a high school education.

Jews

The world's religions are divided into several groups. Christianity is the largest, with over two billion adherents, and the Muslim faith has about half the world's population. Other religious groups are more widely practiced, but most supporters live in Muslim-majority countries. Buddhists and Hindus are the second-largest, with over half a billion adherents.

Muslims

A study from Gallup Inc. showed that religious affiliation positively correlates with income. The poorest countries, those with average per capita incomes under $2,000, are among the least religious. In contrast, the most religious nations are those with higher incomes, as they have more people identifying as Christian. The same trend holds true for residents of oil-rich Persian Gulf countries. In contrast, high-income countries are further down the spectrum, with only 10 nations having a religious majority.

Hindus

The number of people identifying as religious is growing in many developing nations, including Zambia. According to the 2010 World Population Prospects, the number of religiously affiliated individuals in Zambia increased to 66 percent. Most people identify as Christian, but non-Christian religions are also growing. There are 14 mother bodies, including seven Christian groups and one non-Christian group. The largest bodies are the Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops and the Council of Churches in Zambia.

Sikhs

Despite their low income, poor nations are the most religious countries in the world. According to a Gallup poll, 99 percent of Malawians identify as religious, the highest of all countries. This makes them a beautiful destination for Westerners, who find religion a moving and meaningful part of their lives. However, their low incomes often make it challenging to maintain this level of religiosity.

Buddhists

Despite the world's rising secularization, many poor countries are still very religious. Gallup conducted a study in 114 countries and found that the global median proportion of people who identify religiously is 84%. Only ten countries are more religious than the rest, though. These ten nations are among the poorest in the world. However, despite their relative poverty, these countries have the highest proportions of people who identify religiously.

Less religious in China

Although the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is officially atheist, the government has embraced five religions and continues to monitor unregistered groups closely. There are also more than a dozen banned religions. There is also a high rate of religious persecution in China and a large number of religious prisoners. The government also prohibits religious organizations from conducting activities, but there is a growing number of believers. However, it's unclear how much religious observance takes place in China.

Least religious in China

The most recent Pew Research Center survey on religion in China found that more than 50% of the population is not religious. This number is staggering, given that the country is the world's largest and has one of the lowest percentages of religious believers. While China has only a small percentage of religious believers, it does boast the most significant number of "converted atheists."