Religion in Brazil is a defining element of the country’s cultural identity and social structure. As the largest nation in Latin America, Brazil is home to a diverse and evolving religious landscape shaped by centuries of history, migration, and social change. Although Christianity remains the dominant faith, Brazil today reflects a complex mix of traditions, beliefs, and levels of religious affiliation.

Christianity is the predominant religion in Brazil, with Roman Catholicism historically playing the most influential role. According to the 2022 national census, approximately 56.8% of Brazilians identify as Catholic, making Brazil the country with the largest Catholic population in the world. Catholicism was introduced during Portuguese colonization in the 16th century and became deeply embedded in Brazilian society through education, governance, and cultural traditions. Catholic festivals, such as Carnival and celebrations honoring patron saints, continue to shape public life across the country.

Despite its historical dominance, Catholicism has experienced a steady decline in recent decades. One of the most significant developments in religion in Brazil has been the rapid growth of Protestantism, particularly Evangelical and Pentecostal movements. As of 2022, Protestants account for 26.9% of the population. These churches emphasize personal conversion, direct engagement with scripture, and emotionally expressive worship. Their expansion has been especially strong in urban and lower-income communities, where they often provide social support networks and a strong sense of belonging.

Protestant churches in Brazil have also gained increasing political influence. Evangelical leaders and organizations have become active participants in national debates, elections, and policymaking. This growing involvement has reshaped discussions around morality, education, and governance, making religion an important factor in contemporary Brazilian politics.

Beyond Christianity, Brazil is home to a variety of other religious traditions. Spiritism, particularly Kardecist Spiritism, represents about 1.84% of the population. This belief system, which combines Christian ethics with spiritual philosophy and reincarnation, has attracted followers across different social classes. Spiritist centers are known for charitable work and spiritual counseling.

Brazil also preserves rich Afro-Brazilian religious traditions, such as Candomblé and Umbanda, which developed from the religious practices of enslaved African peoples combined with Catholic elements and indigenous beliefs. These religions emphasize harmony with nature, ancestral spirits, and ritual ceremonies. Although they represent a smaller percentage of the population, their cultural influence is significant, particularly in regions like Bahia and Rio de Janeiro.

Another notable trend in religion in Brazil is the rise of people who identify with no religion. In 2022, about 9.28% of Brazilians reported having no religious affiliation. This group includes atheists, agnostics, and individuals who consider themselves spiritual but not religious. Irreligion is more common in large urban centers such as Rio de Janeiro, Salvador, and Boa Vista, reflecting global patterns linked to modernization and secularization.

Legally, Brazil is a secular state, guaranteeing freedom of religion in its constitution. However, religion continues to play an important public role. In 2010, Brazil formalized an agreement with the Vatican, recognizing the legal status of the Catholic Church, while still maintaining protections for religious pluralism.

In summary, religion in Brazil is marked by deep historical roots, growing diversity, and ongoing transformation. While Catholicism remains influential, the rise of Protestantism, the persistence of syncretic traditions, and the increase in irreligious populations reflect a society in transition. These religious dynamics continue to shape Brazilian culture, politics, and national identity in meaningful ways.

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Regional breakdown of the main religions in Brazil based on the 2022 Brazilian Census (IBGE) — showing how percentages vary across the five major regions of the country: North, Northeast, Southeast, South, and Central-West.

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Religion by Region in Brazil (2022 Census)

📍 Catholicism
Catholicism is the largest religious group in every region, but its prevalence varies:

• Northeast: ~63.9% — the highest concentration in the country.
• South: ~62.4% — also strongly Catholic.
• Central-West: ~52.6%.
• Southeast: ~52.2%.
• North: ~50.5% — the lowest among Brazil’s regions.

📍 Protestant / Evangelical Christianity
Protestants (mostly Evangelicals) are a significant minority in all regions, with highest shares in:

• North: ~36.8% — strongest Evangelical presence.
• Central-West: ~31.4%.
• Southeast: ~28.0%.
• South: ~26.7%.
• Northeast: ~22.5% — lowest among the regions.

📍 No Religion (Irreligion)
People self-declaring no religion are present across the country but most common in:

• Southeast: ~10.5% — above the national average.
• Central-West: ~8.9%.
• Northeast: ~8.9%.
• North: ~8.2%.
• South: ~7.1% — lowest share of irreligious people.

📍 Spiritism (Kardecism)
Spiritists are smaller but more concentrated in:

• Southeast: ~2.7% — highest regional concentration.
  The other regions have lower but non-zero proportion of Spiritists.

📍 Afro-Brazilian Religions (Candomblé & Umbanda)
Traditional Afro-Brazilian religions remain a minority overall but show variation:

• South: ~1.6%.
• Southeast: ~1.4%.
• Less than 1% in the North, Northeast and Central-West.

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Regional Patterns

• Catholicism tends to be strongest in the Northeast and South.
• Evangelical Protestantism is especially strong in the North and Central-West, where it approaches or exceeds one-third of the population.
• No Religion is most common in the Southeast, a region with large urban centers and more secular trends.
• Spiritists are most prevalent in the Southeast, while Afro-Brazilian religions show their highest shares in the South and Southeast.

These regional differences reflect Brazil’s social, historical, and cultural diversity: the Northeast’s strong Catholic heritage, the North and Central‐West’s evangelical growth, and the Southeast’s blend of secularism and religious pluralism.