Analysis: Ranking Countries By Belief In Afterlife

Belief in life after death is a deeply ingrained aspect of many cultures and religions worldwide. This analysis reveals interesting details about the nations holding the strongest beliefs in an afterlife. Therefore, we have ranked the countries from the top based on rankings where the majority of the population believes in life after death, something most people call heaven.

Leading the rankings

Bangladesh tops the list with a staggering 98.8% of its population believing in life after death. This overwhelming belief can be attributed to the country’s strong Islamic faith, which emphasises the concept of an afterlife. Following closely are:

– Morocco (96.2%)
– Libya (95.2%)
– Turkey (91.8%)
– Iran (91.3%)

These countries also share a strong Islamic influence, where the belief in an afterlife is a core tenet.

High belief in afterlife

In Pakistan, Egypt, and the Philippines, belief in life after death remains high, with 89.3%, 88.1%, and 83.8% respectively. Nigeria also features prominently with 83.1%, showcasing its diverse religious backgrounds that include both Christianity, Islam, and traditional societies.

Other notable nations

Ethiopia (82.4%) and Malaysia (81.9%) also exhibit strong beliefs in an afterlife, likely influenced by their predominant religions—Christianity and Islam, respectively. Indonesia, the world’s most populous Muslim-majority country, shows a 73.5% belief rate, indicating substantial adherence to Islamic teachings about the afterlife.

Western perspectives

In contrast, Western countries like the USA (68.2%) and Mexico (70.8%) show lower but still significant belief rates. These numbers reflect a blend of religious influence, primarily Christianity, and a growing trend of secularism. Argentina (58.2%) and Iceland (58.0%) also show a moderate belief in life after death, while countries like Canada (56.9%), Brazil (56.7%), and Australia (53.8%) hover around the halfway mark.

Lower belief rates

Several countries show markedly lower percentages:

– UK (41.7%)
– Norway (39.3%)
– Russia (38.7%)
– Spain (38.1%)

These figures suggest a stronger secular influence and less emphasis on religious teachings about the afterlife.

Countries with low belief systems

At the lower end of the spectrum, countries like Vietnam (34.1%), Japan (32.2%), and China (11.5%) show minimal belief in life after death. These nations have significant secular or non-religious populations and different cultural views on life and death.

The belief in life after death varies significantly across the globe, heavily influenced by religious and cultural contexts. While some countries maintain a strong adherence to the concept of an afterlife, others reflect a more secular or diverse belief system. Understanding these differences provides a fascinating insight into how various cultures perceive life and what may come after.

The data is from the World Values Survey (2017-2022).

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