Globally, the number of Hindus is around 1.1 billion (compared to 2.5 billion Christians and 1.9 billion Muslims) and is expected to rise to nearly 1.4 billion in mid-century (remaining fairly stable at 15 percent of the world’s total population, which is about 7.8 billion in 2020 and projected to be about 9.8 billion in 2050).
The five countries with most Hindus
Of the five countries that are home to the largest number of Hindus, only the first two (India and Nepal) have a Hindu-majority population.
• INDIA is the world’s second most populous country and is expected to surpass China within the next decade. Of India’s population of 1.4 billion, 80 percent is Hindu. Muslims, who number 195 million, make up 14 percent, thus making India the world’s second-ranking Muslim country.
• NEPAL is the only other country in the world with a majority Hindu population. About 81 percent (or 24 million) of Nepal’s total population of 29 million is Hindu.
• BANGLADESH has a Hindu population of about 15 million (9 percent of the total population of 165 million).
• INDONESIA, with more Muslims than any other country, also has a Hindu population of about 4.5 million or 1.7 percent of the total population of 274 million; most of the Hindus live on the island of Bali.
• PAKISTAN, which ranks third in the list of countries with the most Muslims, has a Hindu population of about 3.4 million (1.6 percent of the total population of 221 million).
Countries with a significant percentage of Hindus
48% Mauritius 28% Guyana 22% Trinidad & Tobago
30% Fiji 22% Bhutan 20% Suriname
Hindus in North America
The number of Hindus in North America is close to 3 million and is expected to nearly double by mid-century. By then:
• CANADA The country’s nearly half a million Hindus will increase to one million.
• USA The number of the USA’s nearly 2.3 million Hindus will rise to 4.8 million. Based on US Census data 2013–2017, India is reported to be the most common non-USA country of birth (excluding Mexico) in 21 US states.
From The Hindu World Prayer Guide
