Religion in Brazil: Major Faiths, Demographics & History

The main religion in Brazil is Roman Catholicism (64.6%). Other significant religions include Evangelical Protestantism (22.2%) and Spiritism (2%). Brazil has a population of 215 million, of which approximately 139 million are Catholic, making it the world's largest Catholic nation.

Major Religions & Demographics

Brazil is the world's largest Catholic country by population, though the Catholic share has been declining steadily. According to the most recent census, 64.6% identify as Catholic, down from over 90% in the 1970s. Evangelical Protestantism has surged to 22.2%, led by Pentecostal and neo-Pentecostal movements.

Spiritism, influenced by Allan Kardec's doctrines, is practiced by about 2% and has a much larger cultural influence. Afro-Brazilian religions including Candomblé and Umbanda are practiced by roughly 0.3% openly, though many more participate informally. About 8% declare no religion, a rapidly growing demographic.

History of Religion

Catholicism arrived with Portuguese colonizers in 1500 and was the official state religion until 1891. Jesuit and Franciscan missionaries converted indigenous populations and built a network of churches and missions across the country. The blending of Catholicism with indigenous and African beliefs created unique syncretic traditions.

Enslaved Africans brought their religious practices, which evolved into Candomblé, Umbanda, and other Afro-Brazilian traditions, often blending with Catholic saints. Evangelical Christianity began growing in the mid-20th century and has accelerated dramatically since the 1980s, particularly among urban and lower-income populations. Spiritism arrived from France in the 19th century and gained a uniquely Brazilian character.

Religious Sites & Landmarks

Christ the Redeemer atop Corcovado mountain in Rio de Janeiro is Brazil's most iconic religious landmark, standing 30 meters tall. The Basilica of Our Lady of Aparecida in São Paulo state is the world's second-largest Catholic basilica, dedicated to Brazil's patron saint and visited by over 12 million pilgrims annually.

The city of Salvador in Bahia is the spiritual center of Candomblé, with terreiros (houses of worship) throughout the historic center. The Solomon's Temple in São Paulo, built by the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God, is a massive neo-Pentecostal megachurch. The pilgrimage city of Juazeiro do Norte in Ceará draws millions of devotees annually.

Religion in Daily Life

Religion is woven into Brazilian culture and daily life. Catholic saints' days and feast celebrations occur year-round, with Carnival itself rooted in the Catholic calendar. Evangelical churches, often occupying storefronts and warehouses, have transformed urban neighborhoods, with services attended multiple times per week.

Religious expressions pervade Brazilian language and customs — greetings like "graças a Deus" (thanks to God) and the phrase "se Deus quiser" (God willing) are ubiquitous. New Year's Eve rituals on beaches, blending Catholic, Spiritist, and Candomblé traditions, reflect Brazil's religious syncretism. Televangelism and church-owned media empires have made Evangelical Christianity a major political and cultural force.