What is the most atheist country?

Asked by: Dakota Oberbrunner  |  Last update: July 17, 2026
Score: 4.1/5 (69 votes)

China has the most atheists in the world by sheer numbers, with an estimated 400 to 500 million non-believers, largely due to the government's promotion of state atheism. By percentage, Japan has one of the highest atheist populations in the world, with estimates indicating that over 70% to 80% of citizens do not identify with any specific religion.

What countries are most atheist?

As of 2026, countries with the highest percentages of atheists, agnostics, and non-religious people are primarily located in East Asia and Northern/Western Europe, with China often cited as having the largest non-religious population. Top nations include China, Japan, Sweden, the Czech Republic, and South Korea, where high rates of secularization exist, frequently influenced by Confucian traditions or historic state policies.

What is the most atheist state in the USA?

Vermont has the highest percentage of atheists and non-religious residents in the U.S. Depending on the exact survey, the exact percentage of non-religious citizens in Vermont ranges from 34% to over 56%.

Who are the big 4 of atheism?

At the dawn of the new atheist movement, the thinkers who became known as “the four horsemen,” the heralds of religion's unraveling—Christopher Hitchens, Richard Dawkins, Sam Harris, and Daniel Dennett—sat down together over cocktails.

Which country is officially atheist?

China, North Korea, and Vietnam are frequently cited as officially atheist states, where the government promotes state atheism and often restricts religious practices. The People's Republic of China, in particular, is considered the world's largest officially atheist state, driven by the ideology of the ruling Communist Party.

25 Countries With The Highest Rate of Atheism.

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What countries are banned from atheism?

Atheists and religious skeptics can be executed in at least thirteen nations: Afghanistan, Iran, Brunei, Maldives, Mauritania, Nigeria, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Libya, the United Arab Emirates and Yemen.

Has any US president been an atheist?

No, the United States has never had an openly atheist president. While the Constitution explicitly bans religious tests for holding public office, every U.S. president to date has claimed a religious affiliation—predominantly within various Christian denominations.

Is Elon Musk non-religious?

Elon Musk stated that he no longer considers himself an atheist, marking a noticeable shift from his earlier public views on religion. He said he believes the universe came from a creator rather than emerging from nothing.

What race is majority atheist?

Globally, the highest number of religiously unaffiliated people (including atheists) reside in the Asia-Pacific region, primarily China, due to population size. In the United States, however, atheists and agnostics are predominantly non-Hispanic white, making up approximately 75–82% of that population.

Do high IQ people believe in God?

Yes, many high IQ people believe in God, but studies generally show a small, negative correlation between IQ and religiosity. While high intelligence is associated with higher rates of atheism or skepticism, it does not preclude religious belief; numerous highly intelligent scientists and thinkers have been, and are, religious.

What is Donald Trump's religion?

As of May 2026, Donald Trump identifies as a nondenominational Christian, having previously identified as Presbyterian. While he positions himself as a defender of religious liberty and has strong support from evangelical Christians, many Americans—about 70% in April 2026—view him as not particularly religious.

Is atheism growing or shrinking?

Globally, the exact definition matters: while the broader category of religiously unaffiliated people (the "nones") is growing, the specific identification as an "atheist" is growing much more slowly. On a worldwide scale, atheists make up roughly 4% to 7% of the population, with demographic trends indicating that higher-growth theistic religions are outpacing secular identification.

Did Albert Einstein believe in Jesus?

Albert Einstein did not believe in Jesus as a divine savior or the Son of God, but he did admire Jesus as a historical figure. While Einstein rejected a personal God and traditional religious doctrines, he expressed deep admiration for the personality and teachings of Jesus, describing himself as "enthralled by the luminous figure of the Nazarene".

What country is the least religious?

China and Estonia are the least religious countries in the world. Surveys indicate up to 90% of Chinese citizens claim no religious affiliation The 10 Least Religious Countries, Based on Worship Attendance and More, while in Estonia, a massive majority of the population openly identifies as non-religious or atheist Estonia ranks second and third, respectively, with just 16% and 17% of their populations feeling religious. Based on the data, the top 10 least religious countries are Denmark, the Czech Republic, Norway, Hong Kong, Japan, the United Kingdom, and Finland..

Which religion is declining the fastest?

Buddhism and Christianity are experiencing the fastest declines in terms of absolute numbers and net switching, respectively. Data indicates Buddhism saw the largest drop in followers over the past decade due to lower birth rates and disaffiliation, while Christianity is projected to face the largest net losses from religious switching through 2050.

Which country leader is atheist?

First known atheist head of state ever. François Hollande (1954–): President of France. Aristide Briand (1862–1932): French statesman who served eleven terms as Prime Minister of France during the French Third Republic. Anne Hidalgo (1959–): Spanish-French politician who has been serving as Mayor of Paris since 2014.

Who are the 4 famous atheists?

Major figures of New Atheism include Richard Dawkins, Daniel Dennett, Christopher Hitchens, and Sam Harris, sometimes collectively referred to as the "Four Horsemen" of the movement.

What are the 7 types of atheism?

The author identifies seven types of atheism, devoting one chapter to each: new atheism, secular humanism, science-religion, political religion, God-hatred, the unsentimental atheisms of George Santayana and Joseph Conrad, and mystical atheism.

Does Bill Gates believe in God?

Bill Gates leans toward agnosticism, describing his view as detached curiosity rather than devout belief. While he doesn't adhere to specific religious practices, he respects the moral systems of religion. He attends a Catholic church with his family and believes in the concept of a creator.

What is Elon Musk diagnosed with?

Elon Musk has publicly disclosed that he was diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome. He revealed this condition during his opening monologue while hosting Saturday Night Live in May 2021. Asperger's is a neurodevelopmental condition on the autism spectrum.

What is Elon Musk's IQ?

Elon Musk has not publicly released an official IQ score, so it is impossible to state an exact number. However, cognitive experts, biographers, and analysts generally estimate his IQ to fall somewhere between 130 and 160.

Does Donald Trump attend church?

Donald Trump does not attend church on a regular weekly basis. His attendance is generally infrequent and event-driven, primarily limited to major holidays (such as Christmas and Easter) or ceremonial and political occasions, like the traditional morning services held on Inauguration Day.

Who is the most famous atheist?

Richard Dawkins is frequently cited as the most famous living atheist, widely recognized for his prominent role in promoting scientific rationalism and critiquing religion, particularly through his book The God Delusion. Other highly influential, contemporary figures often referred to as the "Four Horsemen" of New Atheism include Christopher Hitchens, Sam Harris, and Daniel Dennett.

What US politicians are atheists?

Openly atheist or non-religious politicians remain rare in U.S. politics, with few serving at the federal level. While roughly 29% of Americans report no religious affiliation, Congress is overwhelmingly Christian. Notable exceptions include U.S. Rep. Jared Huffman (humanist) and former Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (religiously unaffiliated).