Christianity in Canada

The 2011 National Household Survey was recently released in Canada. The tables below show key trends in religious affiliation over the last 20 years.

Although the total Christian population has declined only slightly, the share of the population identifying as Christian has dropped by 10% in the last ten years due to immigration and growth in those with no religious affiliation.

Table 1: Religious affiliation - total population

Affiliation	1991 (000)	2001 (000)	2011 (000)	1991 (%)	2001 (%)	2011 (%)
Christian	22,503	22,852	22,103	83%	77%	67%
Muslim	253	580	1,054	1%	2%	3%
Hindu	157	297	498	<1%	1%	2%
Sikh	147	278	455	<1%	1%	1%
Buddhist	163	300	367	<1%	1%	1%
Jewish	318	330	330	1%	1%	1%
No religion	3,397	4,900	7,851	13%	17%	24%
Other	6	102	194	-	<1%	<1%
Total	26,944	29,639	32,852	100%	100%	100%

The second table shows the breakdown of Christian respondents by major denomination:

Table 2: Religious affiliation - Christian denominations

Affiliation	1991 (000)	2001 (000)	2011 (000)	1991 (%)	2001 (%)	2011 (%)
Catholic	12,204	12,793	12,729	54%	56%	58%
United	3,093	2,839	2,008	14%	12%	9%
Anglican	2,188	2,035	1,632	9%	9%	7%
Baptist	663	729	636	3%	3%	3%
Orthodox	387	480	551	2%	2%	2%
Pentecostal	436	369	479	2%	2%	2%
Lutheran	636	607	478	3%	3%	2%
Presbyterian	636	409	472	3%	2%	2%
Other	2,260	2,591	3,118	10%	11%	14%
Total	22,503	22,852	22,103	100%	100%	100%

Catholics significantly outnumber Protestants in Canada due to a large Catholic community in Quebec. Anglicans represent 7% of all Christians in Canada (vs. 28% in Australia), while Lutherans represent 2% (similar to Australia).