• Hindu population grew from 1.07 billion (2010) to 1.2 billion (2020), maintaining ~15% global share.

• Growth closely matched overall world population increase (~12%).

• Most geographically concentrated major religion: 95% in India, 99% in Asia-Pacific.

• Growth driven mainly by natural increase, not conversion.

• Youthful Indian demographic sustains momentum despite declining fertility rates.

  
  

A new global demographic analysis from the Pew Research Center reveals that Hinduism is expanding at nearly the same pace as the world’s overall population — a pattern that reflects remarkable stability amid sweeping religious changes worldwide.

The findings come from Pew’s report, “How the Global Religious Landscape Changed From 2010 to 2020,” which tracks shifts in religious populations over the past decade.

Steady Growth, Stable Share

Between 2010 and 2020, the global Hindu population increased from approximately 1.07 billion to about 1.2 billion — a rise of roughly 126 million people. Yet despite this significant numerical growth, Hindus continued to represent about 15% of the world’s population, virtually unchanged from a decade earlier.

During the same period, the global population grew by roughly 12%, closely matching the growth rate among Hindus. This near-parallel expansion stands out in a global religious landscape marked by sharper changes elsewhere.

Muslims increased their share of the global population over the decade, while Christians experienced a proportional decline. Hindus, by contrast, maintained a steady global footprint, neither gaining nor losing ground relative to the world as a whole.

Highly Concentrated Geography

One of the most striking features of Hinduism’s demographic profile is its geographic concentration. About 99% of the world’s Hindus live in the Asia-Pacific region, and roughly 95% reside in India alone. Nepal accounts for most of the remainder.

This makes Hinduism the most geographically concentrated of the world’s major religions. Unlike Christianity and Islam, which are spread widely across continents, Hinduism remains overwhelmingly rooted in a single civilizational region. As a result, India’s demographic trajectory largely determines the future growth of nearly a billion Hindus worldwide.

Growth Driven by Birth Rates, Not Conversion

The study also found that Hindu population growth is driven almost entirely by natural increase — births minus deaths — rather than religious switching.

Globally, rates of conversion into or out of Hinduism are relatively low compared with other major religions. Most Hindus continue to identify with the religion in which they were raised, making it one of the least mobile religious identities demographically.

Additionally, about 97% of Hindus live in countries where they form the religious majority, primarily India and Nepal — the highest majority concentration among major faith groups.

A Youthful Demographic Base

Hinduism’s demographic outlook is closely tied to India’s age structure. India has a median age of around 28, significantly younger than regions such as Europe, where the median age exceeds 40.

Because India accounts for the overwhelming majority of Hindus globally, this relatively young population base continues to support steady growth, even as fertility rates decline. Although India’s total fertility rate has fallen sharply over the past several decades, demographic momentum from its large youth population is expected to sustain expansion in absolute numbers for years to come.

Looking Ahead

Experts suggest that the future of Hinduism will remain closely linked to India’s ongoing demographic transition. As fertility rates continue to fall and the population gradually ages, growth is expected to slow relative to the past. However, total numbers are projected to continue rising for decades.

In a world where many religious communities are experiencing significant gains or declines, Hinduism’s trajectory stands out for its consistency. Its growth has been steady, predictable and closely aligned with that of humanity itself — a demographic stability that is increasingly rare in today’s rapidly changing global religious landscape.