What Countries Have a National Religion / National Religion by Country 2023

Russia

National Religion: Eastern Orthodox Lutheran

Germany

National Religion: Lutheran

Finland

National Religion: Lutheran

England

National Religion: Anglican

Scotland

National Religion: Reformed

Switzerland

National Religion: Reformed

Some cantons of Switzerland

National Religion: Old Catholic

Algeria (Sunni)

National Religion: Islam

Comoros (Sunni)

National Religion: Islam

Iran (Shi'a)

National Religion: Islam

Jordan (Sunni)

National Religion: Islam

The Maldives, Mauritania (Sunni)

National Religion: Islam

Somalia (Sunni)

National Religion: Islam

Russia

National Religion: Islam

Russia

National Religion: Judaism

Russia Kalmykia

National Religion: Buddhism

There are also many countries that claim no national or state religion. Countries like the US also support and maintain the right to religious freedom. That simply means that people and citizens of the US are free to choose any religion they wish to follow.

Religion has been the backbone of many countries, and it has been the impetus behind many backs being broken too. There are also some places and some countries where certain religions are not only unsupported but forbidden. In some of those states, certain religions are even deemed illegal or outside the law.

There are also many much smaller sects and religious groups that aren't listed, but that have organized structures. In some countries like Russia too, there is more than one recognized national religion. Russia, for example, has at least three.

Notes:
- While some countries founding documents clearly designate an official state religion, others are more vague. This can result in differences between a list created by one source and another.
- For example, El Salvador's constitution specifically prohibits restrictions based on differences of nationality, race, sex, or religion, but also states that the country recognizes the Catholic Church and gives it legal preference.
- Similarly, the Dominican Republic's constitution specifies that there is no state church, but the country also has an agreement with the Holy See that establishes Catholicism as the official religion.
- A 2017 Pew Research poll separated countries into those with clear official religions, those with "preferred" religions that stopped just short of being official, and those which had no official or preferred religion.

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How many countries have a National Religion?

There are 54 countries with a National Religion, although many of these countries have complex situations.

What Countries Have a National Religion / National Religion by Country 2023

Cantons of Switzerland

Germany

Finland

England

Scotland

Switzerland

Some cantons of Switzerland

Algeria (Sunni)

Comoros (Sunni)

Iran (Shi'a)

Jordan (Sunni)

Malaysia (Sunni)

The Maldives, Mauritania (Sunni)

Pakistan (Sunni)

Somalia (Sunni)

Russia

Russia

Russia Kalmykia

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How many countries have a National Religion?

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