Religion Data of Census 2011: XLVII Asia 3 Maps

The changing religious profile of Asia: 
Maps of Other Religions and the Irreligious

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In this graphic appendix to the previous note, we give maps of the distribution of Ethnic Religions and New Religions in different regions and countries of Asia in 1900 and 2010. We also give maps of the distribution and share of the Irreligious in 1970 and 2010. Since, there were less than 6 million of the Irreligious in Asia in 1900 forming only about 0.01 percent of the population, we have not given maps of the Irreligious for 1900. 

It would be instructive to look at those maps while reading through the description of the changes given in the previous note.

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Ethnic Religionists

Notice the intense presence of Ethnic Religionists in the Koreas, Indonesia, Vietnam and Laos in 1900 and their continuing presence in the Koreas and Vietnam. Also notice, the increased presence of Ethnic Religionists in China and India, and even more so in Nepal and Myanmar.

New Religionists

Notice that in 1900, New Religions are confined almost entirely to Indonesia and Japan. In 2010, their presence has become even more intense in Japan and they have acquired considerable numbers in Vietnam, South Korea and also North Korea. Their influence in Indonesia seems to have waned in recent past.

The Irreligious

Between 2000 and 2010, there has been some decline in number of the Irreligious in China, but their number in 2010 is still larger than in 1700. The noticeable number of the Irreligious in India in 2010 is not confirmed by the Census data. Maps of the share of the Irreligious in different countries give a better appreciation of the changes.

Notice the decline in the share of the Irreligious in China and the rise in North Korea. Decline in their share in Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan is also very noticeable. Also notice a rise in the share of the Irreligious in most other countries, including those of the Arabian Peninsula.

Religion Data of Census 2011: XLV Asia Maps 2

The changing religious profile of Asia: 
Maps of Hindus, Buddhists and Chinese Religionists  

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In this graphical appendix to the preceding note on Asia, we present maps of the distribution and share of Hindus, Buddhists and Chinese Religionists across different regions and countries of Asia. Though this note can be read on its own, it would be instructive to consult these maps while reading the preceding note. A remarkable feature of the maps below is that Hindus, Buddhists and Chinese Religionists all are restricted to South, Southeast and East Asia. They have little presence in West and Central Asia. Compare these maps with the earlier maps of the distribution of Christians and Muslims given in our earlier note XLIII. As those maps show, both those religions have a presence in nearly every part of Asia. 

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Maps of Hindus, Buddhists and Chinese Religionists

In the course of the last 110 years, Hindus have gotten confined to the truncated boundaries of India. They have been nearly completely eliminated from Pakistan and largely from Bangladesh. But their share has declined and their presence become sparser in Nepal, Bhutan and Sri Lanka also.

Notice the lowering of the share of Hindus between 1900 and 2010 in India and its surroundings, including Nepal, Bhutan and Sri Lanka. Also notice the near complete elimination of Hindus from Pakistan and drastic lowering of their share in Bangladesh.

Unlike Hindus, Buddhists have expanded their presence to newer areas including India, South Korea and Mongolia.

Notice that the Buddhists have improved their share in China and have expanded considerably in Mongolia and South Korea. Their share has also improved in India, Sri Lanka, Nepal and Bhutan. Share of Hindus has declined in all four of the latter countries.

Chinese Religionists are confined mainly to China. During the last 110 years, their share in China has declined precipitously. Their presence has become less intense in Malaysia and Singapore also. But their presence has improved in South Korea. 

Share of Chinese Religionists has distinctly declined in all countries of East Asia except South Korea and there is some declined in Singapore and Malaysia also. But the decline in China, which accommodates nearly all of the Chinese Religionists, has been mainly because of the rise of irreligion. That process has now begun to reverse.