Southeast Asia is a vibrant mix of religions, with each country embracing a dominant faith that shapes its culture. In this diverse region, Buddhism leads in countries like Cambodia and Thailand, where it’s deeply woven into national identity, while Islam holds sway in Indonesia, the most populous Muslim nation in the world. Christianity, introduced by European missionaries, is strongest in the Philippines and has a significant presence in Indonesia. Discover which religion reigns supreme in each Southeast Asian nation and see how these faiths influence daily life and culture across this fascinating region!

Southeast Asian nations Singapore and Vietnam are among the most religiously diverse, according to a 2014 Pew Research study. Simultaneously, the region includes Timor-Leste, one of the least religiously diverse nations.

We plot the proportion of each Southeast Asian nation’s population that belongs to the main religious group.

The Religious Freedom Report (2022) published by the U.S. State Department provided the data for this map and article.

Islam, Buddhism, and Christianity in Southeast Asia

Buddhism, Islam, and Christianity are the three main religions practiced in Southeast Asian nations.

Between the first and third centuries, traders from China and India introduced Buddhism to the area. Though it arrived earlier, the religion is second in popularity to Islam in Southeast Asia, with 35–38% of the population practicing it.

The major religious group in each of the Southeast Asian nations is broken out here, along with the proportion of the population.

Note: Consists of all sects and denominations. Vietnam’s religious population is only 14%; of that, 6% practice Christianity, 5% Buddhism, and 3% other religions.

Nearly nine out of ten respondents to a Pew Research survey stated that their national identities were shaped by their Buddhist faith in countries like Thailand and Cambodia, where over 90% of the population practices Buddhism. Additionally, over 70% of Cambodians believe that Buddhism is a native ethnicity.

In the meanwhile, Arabian traders brought Islam to the world in the seventh century. The fourth most populous nation in the world, Indonesia, has more than 85% of its population of Muslim faith, contributing to Islam’s rise to prominence throughout Southeast Asia.

In the sixteenth century, Christian missionaries from Europe finally introduced Christianity to the area. Catholics make up the majority of the region’s Christians. Despite having a large Muslim population, Indonesia has the second-highest Catholic population in the world, behind the Philippines.

Recently, GreatGameInternational reported that, in a surprising trend, many young Indians from Generation Z are choosing temple visits over traditional nightlife and beach parties.