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62 EASTERN HORIZON | NEWS

Buddhism and Christianity Lead Global

Trend in Religious Switching

By Justin Whitaker April 3, 2025

Significant numbers of adults around
the world are leaving their childhood
religions, with Christianity and
Buddhism experiencing notable
losses, according to data from recent
Pew Research Center surveys released
last week. Conducted across 36
countries and with nearly 80,000
respondents, the studies reveal
a widespread trend of religious
switching, primarily toward non-
affiliation.

Religious switching, as defined by the
Washington, DC-based Pew Research
Center, refers to a witch by individuals
from the religious tradition they were
raised in to a new religious identity the surveyed countries, has seen the Pew Research Center. For instance,
as adults. Unlike conversion, which substantial declines, particularly in in Japan, about 40 per cent of adults
typically implies adopting a new faith, European nations such as Germany, raised Buddhist are now religiously
religious switching encompasses where nearly 20 individuals leave unaffiliated, and smaller percentages
movements toward religious non- Christianity for every new adherent have converted to Christianity,
affiliation, including atheism, gained. Similarly, in Sweden 29 per especially in countries such as South
agnosticism, or no particular belief. cent of adults raised as Christian now Korea (18 per cent) and Singapore
identifying as religiously unaffiliated. (12 per cent).
Rates of switching vary significantly.
Countries such as India, Israel, Buddhism, predominant in Japan, However, not all religious switching
Nigeria, and Thailand exhibit very low Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka results in secularization. South
rates, with more than 95 per cent of and Thailand, also faces considerable Korea presents a unique case, with
adults maintaining their childhood declines due to switching, especially 9 per cent of adults previously
religious affiliation. In contrast, South in East Asia. In Japan, 23 per cent of unaffiliated now identifying with a
Korea (50 per cent), the Netherlands adults surveyed reported being raised religion, predominantly Christianity.
(36 per cent), the United States (28 Buddhist but now identifying with no Additionally, in countries such as
per cent), and Brazil (21 per cent) religion. South Korea reports a similar Singapore and South Africa, around
report substantial percentages of trend, with 13 per cent raised as 10 per cent of adults have switched
adults who no longer identify with Buddhists “but don’t identify with any between religious traditions rather
their initial religions. religion today.” (Religion Unplugged) than becoming unaffiliated.

Christianity and Buddhism have Many individuals leaving Buddhism Retention rates vary widely for
witnessed the largest net losses from are shifting toward religious non- Buddhism. Sri Lanka and Thailand
religious switching. Christianity, affiliation rather than adopting report high retention rates, around 98
the predominant religion in 25 of another formal religion, according to per cent, reflecting strong cultural and