Religion in Brazil

Religion in Brazil

Catedral - interior
Brasilia Cathedral Image credit: Leandro's World Tour.

Religion in Brazil Fast Facts

  • Roman Catholic (nominal) 73.6% (many accepting the label "Catholic" practices religions common to Brazil such as Umbanda and Candomble)
  • Protestant 15.4%
  • Spiritualist 1.3%
  • Bantu/voodoo 0.3%
  • Other 1.8%
  • Unspecified 0.2%
  • None 7.4%

Summary of Religion in Brazil

Religion in Brazil is diverse.

Brazil’s constitution establishes a secular government, where citizens are free to choose their religion.

Although there are a number of minority religions in Brazil, the country is mostly made up of adherents to Roman Catholicism, practitioners of religious activities brought from Africa by slaves centuries ago, and native religions to Brazil. Many who identify as "Catholic" practice religions common to Brazil such as Umbanda and Candomble.

In some cases, people combine these three religions, but often still identify with the label “Roman Catholic.”

Protestant Christianity is also growing in the country, especially Neo-Pentecostalism.

Sources

CIA Factbook