Sarah Mitchell
Portugal is a secular state with a constitution that guarantees freedom of religion. However, it is also one of the most religious countries in Europe, with a large majority of its population identifying as Catholic. The percentage of Catholics in Portugal has been reported to be as high as 85.2% in 2013, with an average of 92.6% between 1960 and 2013. More recent estimates from 2021 place the percentage of Catholics in the country at around 80%. These numbers represent a decline in religious affiliation, as evidenced by the lower percentage of Catholics in 2001, when only about 19% regularly attended Mass and took the sacraments. Despite this, Catholicism remains deeply ingrained in Portuguese society and culture, with many traditions and festivals rooted in religious origins.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Percentage of Catholics in Portugal | 80.2% (2021 census), 81% (2011 census), 85.2% (2013), 77% (2018 survey) |
| Percentage of Catholics in Rural Areas | 87% |
| Percentage of Catholics in Urban Areas | 75.9% |
| Percentage of Catholics in the North | 60-70% |
| Percentage of Catholics in the South | 10-15% |
| Percentage of Catholics in the Greater Lisbon Area | 30% |
| Percentage of Catholics Among Portuguese Nationals | 82.6% |
| Percentage of Catholics Among Foreign Residents | 36.4% |
| Percentage of Catholics Who Are Women | 83.1% |
| Percentage of Catholics Who Are Men | 76.8% |
| Percentage of Catholics in the Diocese of Faro | 60.1% |
| Percentage of Catholics in the Diocese of Vila Real | 98.1% |
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What You'll Learn
Catholicism is strongest in rural areas
Portugal is a secular state that guarantees freedom of religion to its citizens. According to the 2021 Census, 80.2% of the population of Portugal is Catholic, making it the country's largest religion and former state religion. Catholicism is most concentrated in the northeast of the country and in the overseas diocese of Funchal, with the lowest percentage of Catholics being in Faro (60.1%) and the highest in Vila Real (98.1%).
Catholicism is strongest in the rural areas of Portugal, with 87.0% of residents claiming to belong to this denomination. In contrast, urban areas have a lower percentage of Catholics (75.9%) and higher percentages of members of other Christian denominations, other religions, and non-religious people. This divide may be due to the traditional importance of Catholicism in rural Portuguese life, with village churches occupying prominent locations in almost every village and religious festivals and saints' days being popular.
The history of Catholicism in Portugal dates back to the Roman Empire when the province of Lusitania, which comprised most of Portugal, was first Christianized. The Catholic Church played a significant role in the country's history, becoming the largest landowner during the reign of the first king, Alfonso D. Henriques, who granted it vast territories in exchange for help in ending Muslim rule. The Church also aided in the colonization of Portuguese territories, converting locals in Brazil and Mozambique to Christianity.
Even today, Catholicism remains a significant part of Portuguese culture, with many natives wanting their children baptized, seeking church weddings, and requesting Last Rites. While only 19% of Catholics attend Mass regularly, 40% pray daily, and 36% consider religion very important in their lives. The physical presence of the Church in Portugal is also notable, with churches occupying prominent positions in villages and receiving blessings during the opening of new buildings, bridges, or highways.
In conclusion, Catholicism remains a strong force in rural Portugal, with higher adherence and a deep-rooted presence in the country's history and culture. While urban areas show a more diverse religious landscape, the Catholic Church continues to play a significant role in the lives of many Portuguese, even among those who do not actively practice the faith.
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Regional differences in religious practice
Portugal is a secular state, and its constitution guarantees freedom of religion. While the country has a rich religious history, the practice of religion has declined in recent decades. The Catholic Church remains an important sociocultural factor in the country, with about 80.2% of the population identifying as Catholic according to the 2021 census. However, there are regional differences in religious practice within Portugal.
Catholicism is most prevalent in the traditionally Catholic North, where 60 to 70 percent of the population regularly attended religious services in the early 1990s. In contrast, the historically anti-clerical South has lower levels of religious attendance, with only 10 to 15 percent of the population regularly attending services during the same period. The Greater Lisbon Area falls somewhere in between, with about 30 percent of residents being regular churchgoers.
The rural-urban divide also plays a role in religious practice. Catholicism is stronger in rural areas, with 87.0% of rural residents claiming to belong to this denomination, compared to 75.9% in urban areas. Urban areas have higher percentages of members of other Christian denominations, other religions, and non-religious people.
The northeast of Portugal, including the overseas diocese of Funchal, has a high concentration of Catholics. The diocese of Vila Real has the highest percentage of Catholics (98.1%), while Faro has the lowest (60.1%).
The municipalities with the highest proportion of followers of non-Christian religions include Odemira (16.5%), Albufeira (4.1%), Lisbon (3.9%), Odivelas (3.4%), and Amadora (3.2%). The non-religious population is most prevalent in parts of the Alentejo and the Algarve, with Sines (35.5%) and Vila do Bispo (33.7%) having the highest percentages of non-religious residents.
In conclusion, while Catholicism is the dominant religion in Portugal, there are significant regional differences in religious practice. The North and rural areas have higher levels of religious attendance and a stronger Catholic presence, while the South and urban areas exhibit greater religious diversity and lower levels of religious participation.
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Catholics and their political influence
Catholicism is the predominant religion in Portugal, with an estimated nine million baptised Catholics, constituting 84% of the population. The country's former state religion, it has existed in the territory since the Roman Empire. The Catholic Church was one of the most powerful institutions in the country during the 19th century and the Salazar regime, with military, economic, governmental, and religious influences closely intertwined.
Historically, the Church and the State in Portugal maintained a mutually reinforcing relationship. During the Salazar regime, the Church's power was restored, and Catholicism was reinstated as the state religion. However, by the early 1990s, the Catholic Church's influence had waned, and it no longer held the same pre-eminence. The 1976 Constitution formally separated Church and State, and the Church's attempts to influence voting patterns became less common.
The practice of religion in Portugal varies regionally, with the traditionally Catholic North having higher church attendance rates than the historically anti-clerical South. Rural areas have higher percentages of Catholics (87%) compared to urban areas (75.9%).
In recent times, the Catholic Church in Portugal has taken a stance on certain political issues. For instance, the Church opposed the enactment of euthanasia laws and legislation liberalizing divorce and abortion, considering these issues within the realm of its moral responsibility. The Church also urged its followers to vote for centrist and conservative candidates during the revolutionary turmoil of the mid-1970s.
Despite the separation of Church and State, Catholicism continues to hold a significant presence in Portugal, influencing the country's culture, politics, and social landscape.
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Religious demographics in urban areas
Catholicism is the predominant religion in Portugal, with the country having a long history of Catholic observance. However, the percentage of Catholics varies between urban and rural areas. In urban areas, the percentage of Catholics is 75.9%, while in rural areas, 87% of residents identify as Catholic. Urban areas tend to have higher percentages of members of other Christian denominations, other religions, and non-religious people.
The practice of religion in Portugal has shown notable regional differences. Even in the early 1990s, the traditionally Catholic North had much higher rates of religious attendance, with 60 to 70% of the population regularly attending religious services, compared to 10 to 15% in the historically anti-clerical South. The Greater Lisbon Area, including the metropolitan areas of Lisbon and Porto, has a more mixed population, with about 30% regular churchgoers and a significant number of non-religious residents.
The municipalities with the highest proportion of followers of non-Christian religions are Odemira (16.5%), Albufeira (4.1%), Lisbon (3.9%), Odivelas (3.4%), and Amadora (3.2%). These areas are located in the Alentejo, Algarve, and Greater Lisbon regions. Lisbon and Porto, the two largest metropolitan areas in Portugal, are home to a diverse range of religious groups. The Hindu community, for example, is mainly concentrated in these two cities, with the Indian Embassy in Lisbon estimating the presence of Gujaratis, Punjabis, and Goans within the Hindu population. The Jewish community, though small, is also largely based in Lisbon, with around 500 to 1,000 members in the early 1990s. The Sikh community, which has grown since the 1990s due to immigration from Punjab, India, also has a significant presence in Lisbon and Porto, with Gurdwaras (Sikh places of worship) in both cities.
While Catholicism remains the largest denomination in Portugal, there has been a general decline in religious attendance and an increase in secularism. In 2001, only about 19% of Catholics attended Mass and took the sacraments regularly. At the same time, a growing number of people wish to incorporate Catholic rituals such as baptism, marriage, and Last Rites into their lives without necessarily being regular churchgoers. Among the youth, attendance at religious events is often occasional or non-existent, and non-Catholic Christian and non-Christian faiths have been gaining followers. For example, the number of Evangelical believers has been increasing, with Brazilian immigration playing a significant role in this growth.
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Foreign residents and religious affiliation
Foreign nationals make up about 5.2% of Portugal's population. While 80.2% to 82.6% of Portuguese nationals identify as Catholic, only 36.4% of foreigners living in Portugal belong to the Catholic Church.
Among foreign residents, 30% follow other Christian denominations, compared to just over 3% of Portuguese nationals. Foreign residents are also more likely to follow non-Christian religions, with 12.3% belonging to other faiths, compared to only 0.6% of Portuguese nationals.
Foreign residents are more likely to have no religious affiliation, with 21.5% identifying as non-religious, compared to 13.7% of Portuguese nationals. This is particularly true of foreign residents from China (59%), Germany (49%), and the United Kingdom (49%).
The religious composition of foreign residents varies by nationality. For example, 78% of Cape Verdeans, 65% of people from São Tomé and Príncipe, 64% of Spaniards, 60% of Italians, and 52% of Angolans identify as Catholic. In contrast, 77% of Romanians and 70% of Ukrainians are Orthodox Christians, and 75% of Nepalis are Hindu.
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Frequently asked questions
According to the 2021 Census, 80.2% of the population of Portugal is Catholic. However, other sources state that the percentage of the population that is Catholic is 77%, 81%, 82.6%, 85%, and 85.2%.
According to a 2001 statistic, only about 19% of Catholics in Portugal attended Mass and took the sacraments regularly. However, a 2023 survey by the Pew Research Center found that 40% of Portuguese Catholics pray daily.
With 80.2% of its population being Catholic, Portugal is one of the most religious countries in Europe. The world average is 43.2% based on data from 84 countries.
Yes, there are regional differences in the percentage of Catholics in Portugal. Catholicism is most concentrated in the northeast of the country and in rural areas, where 87% of residents are Catholic. In urban areas, the percentage of Catholics is 75.9%. In traditionally Catholic regions in the north, 60% to 70% of the population regularly attended religious services, compared to 10% to 15% in the historically anti-clerical south.
