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Infographic: The Decline of Buddhism in East Asia

While Christianity added 121 million adherents between 2010 and 2020, and Islam saw a surge of 188 million, Buddhism shed an estimated 18.6 million followers —

Akhyari Hananto

June 6, 2026 8:55 AM GMT+7

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Data Sources

Buddhism’s Recent Decline in East Asia - Pew Research Center

While Christianity added 121 million adherents between 2010 and 2020, and Islam saw a surge of 188 million, Buddhism shed an estimated 18.6 million followers — making it the sole major world religion in absolute numerical decline.

This is not a story of conversion or spiritual competition. The Buddhism that is disappearing is not being replaced by another faith. It is dissolving, quietly, into secularity — particularly in the densely populated nations of East Asia where the tradition has been rooted for centuries.

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