The Top 20 Buddhist Countries in Asia

Source: Insider Monkey, The Buddhist Channel, 16 April 2024

Bangkok, Thailand -- Finance based website Insider Monkey have compiled a list of the 20 most Buddhist countries in Asia. The list was compiled using data sources from the Pew Research Center and Data Pandas. The ranking is based on the latest Buddhist percentage of the total population.

1. Cambodia

Buddhist Percentage of Total Population = 96.8%
Buddhist Population = 15,690,000

       
Buddhism is a pillar of cultural and spiritual life in Cambodia, deeply influencing the country’s art, festivals, and social customs. Cambodia is the most Buddhist country in Asia, with 96.8% of its population identifying as Theravada Buddhists. It also has the fifth-largest Buddhist population in the world, making it one of the biggest Buddhist countries globally.

2. Thailand

Buddhist Percentage of Total Population = 92.6%
Buddhist Population = 66,120,000     

  
Buddhism is central to Thai identity, influencing its art, architecture, and daily practices, with a significant portion of the population practicing Theravada Buddhism. Thailand has the second-highest Buddhist population in Asia, with about 93% of the population being Buddhist. The legal framework of Thailand formally acknowledges five religious denominations: Buddhism, Islam, Brahmin-Hinduism, Sikhism, and Christianity. Although there isn’t a designated state religion, the constitution mandates the monarch to adhere to Buddhism.

3. Myanmar

Buddhist Percentage of Total Population = 79.8%
Buddhist Population = 41,440,000  

     
Buddhism is integral to Myanmar’s cultural and social fabric, influencing its literature, art, and national holidays. With over 41 million Buddhists, Myanmar has the third-highest Buddhist population in the world. Consequently, almost 80% of the country’s population is Buddhist. The popular form of Buddhism in Myanmar is Theravada Buddhism, which is a mixture of astrology, numerology, and fortune-telling.

One distinctive feature of Buddhism in Myanmar is the increasing popularity of meditation among ordinary individuals. In the past, meditation was predominantly practiced by monks, while laypeople typically focused on offering alms to monks during their rounds. However, during the period of British colonial rule, meditation began to be introduced to laypeople on a broader scale for the first time. This tradition has continued to the present day

4. Bhutan

Buddhist Percentage of Total Population = 74.7%
Buddhist Population = 620,000

Bhutan’s identity is deeply intertwined with Buddhism, particularly Vajrayana Buddhism, which influences governance, art, and daily life. The official state religion of Bhutan is Buddhism, and almost 75% of the country’s population is Buddhist, making it one of the most Buddhist countries in the world.

5. Sri Lanka

Buddhist Percentage of Total Population = 68.6%
Buddhist Population = 15,440,000     

Buddhism is pivotal in Sri Lanka, shaping its cultural heritage and national identity and playing a key role in social and religious practices. Sri Lanka has one of the highest Buddhist populations in the world, making up 68.6% of the country’s total population. The official religion of Sri Lanka is also Buddhism.

6. Laos

Buddhist Percentage of Total Population = 64.0%
Buddhist Population = 4,630,000       

In Laos, Buddhism is a cornerstone of daily life and cultural identity, influencing everything from art to community events and rituals. It is a Buddhist-majority country, with 64% of the population identifying as Buddhist.

7. Mongolia

Buddhist Percentage of Total Population = 54.2%
Buddhist Population = 1,730,000      

 
Buddhism is central to Mongolian cultural and spiritual life, with Tibetan Buddhism having a profound impact on its art, music, and festivals. Buddhists are the majority in Mongolia, making up 54.2% of the country’s population.

8. Japan

Buddhist Percentage of Total Population = 33.2%
Buddhist Population = 41,380,000    

 
Buddhism, intertwined with Shintoism, significantly shapes Japanese traditions, arts, and societal norms, contributing to the country’s unique cultural identity. Japan is also a developed Asian country, with almost one-third of the population being Buddhists. With 41 million Buddhists, Japan has the fourth largest Buddhist population in the world.

9. Singapore

Buddhist Percentage of Total Population = 32.2%
Buddhist Population = 1,890,000      

Singapore's multicultural society includes a significant Buddhist population, contributing to the country’s diverse religious landscape and cultural practices. Singapore is one of the most developed Asian countries, with Buddhists making up almost 32% of the country's population. Singapore is among the top 10 most Buddhist countries in Asia.

10. South Korea

Buddhist Percentage of Total Population = 21.9%
Buddhist Population = 10,950,000   

South Korea is home to almost 11 million Buddhists, making up 21.9% of the country's total population. Buddhism in South Korea has a rich history, influencing cultural traditions, arts, and meditation practices despite the growing influence of Christianity and secularism. South Korea has one of the largest Buddhist populations in the world, ranking 8th worldwide.

11. Taiwan

Buddhist Percentage of Total Population = 21.2%
Buddhist Population = 4,930,000         

 
Taiwan is home to a vibrant Buddhist community, with Buddhism playing a significant role in shaping social values, traditions, and festivals across the country. Around one-fifth of the country’s population identifies as Buddhist.


12. China

Buddhist Percentage of Total Population = 18.3%
Buddhist Population = 254,700,000    

China is home to 254 million Buddhists, making up 18.3% of the total Chinese population. Buddhism has profoundly influenced philosophy, art, literature, and social customs in China, making it a pivotal component of Chinese cultural identity. China is at the twelfth position on our list of the most Buddhist countries in Asia.

13. Vietnam

Buddhist Percentage of Total Population = 16.2%
Buddhist Population = 15,560,000       

Buddhism is deeply engrained in Vietnamese culture and society, influencing art, architecture, and daily practices, reflecting the country's spiritual diversity. Around 16.2% of the country’s population is Buddhist. Vietnam is home to over 15 million Buddhists, making it the 7th largest Buddhist population in the world. However, Vietnam is officially an atheist state, with its citizens following Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism.

14. Malaysia

Buddhist Percentage of Total Population = 15.6%
Buddhist Population = 5,220,000

In Malaysia, Buddhism is practiced by a substantial portion of the Chinese community, contributing to the country's multicultural and multi-religious mosaic. Despite being a Muslim country, 15.6% of Malaysia’s population is Buddhist. With 5.2 million Buddhists residing in Malaysia, it is one of the top 10 countries with the largest Buddhist populations in the world.

15. Nepal

Buddhist Percentage of Total Population = 10.0%
Buddhist Population = 3,540,000

Buddhism holds a significant place in Nepal, being the birthplace of Buddha. It shapes the cultural and spiritual fabric of the country alongside Hinduism. However, despite the strong ties with the origin of Buddhism, only 10% of the Nepalese population is Buddhist. Hinduism is the dominant religion in Nepal, followed by Buddhism.

16. Brunei

Buddhist Percentage of Total Population = 8.9%
Buddhist Population = 40,000  

While Brunei has a small Buddhist community, primarily of Chinese descent, the nation's identity is strongly defined by Islam, overshadowing Buddhist cultural influences. Around 8.9% of the total population of Brunei is Buddhist, making it one of the most Buddhist countries in Asia.

17. Kuwait

Buddhist Percentage of Total Population = 5.4%
Buddhist Population = 180,000

Like the other Middle Eastern countries, Kuwait has a Muslim majority, with Buddhists making up only 5.4% of the total population. Buddhism has negligible influence on the country’s predominantly Islamic cultural landscape.

18. Qatar

Buddhist Percentage of Total Population = 3.9%
Buddhist Population = 90,000  

With over 90,000 Buddhists residing in Qatar, the country hosts a modest Buddhist community, primarily expatriates, with minimal influence on the country's rich Islamic heritage and cultural practices. Buddhists make up almost 4% of the population of Qatar.

19. Bahrain

Buddhist Percentage of Total Population = 3.4%
Buddhist Population = 50,000  

In Bahrain, Buddhism is present among a minority of immigrants and has little impact on the national culture, which is deeply rooted in Islamic traditions. Around 3.4% of the country’s population is Buddhist.

20. United Arab Emirates

Buddhist Percentage of Total Population = 2.5%
Buddhist Population = 210,000

Buddhism in the United Arab Emirates is practiced by a small segment of expatriates, with no significant cultural influence on the predominantly Islamic identity of the country. Buddhists just make up 2.5% of the country’s population.