Christianity, one of the world’s largest religions, boasts a vast number of churches across the globe. While certain countries stand out for their high concentration of churches, Nigeria’s position on this list might surprise many.
Here are the top five countries with the most churches in the world:
- United States
The United States leads the world with an estimated 350,000 to 400,000 churches. Despite not all churches being packed every Sunday, this is a significant number, reflecting the deep-rooted Christian culture in the country.
- Brazil
Brazil is home to over 124,529 religious institutions, with more than half being Pentecostal or neo-Pentecostal churches. The number of official places of worship for these denominations has quadrupled over the past two decades.
- Italy
Italy, with its rich Catholic heritage, has over 20,000 churches, though some estimates suggest the number could be as high as 65,000. Vatican City, located in Rome, is particularly notable, housing about 1,700 churches, making it the country with the most churches per capita.
- Spain
Spain’s strong Catholic tradition is evident in its approximately 23,000 parishes and 712 monasteries. Many towns and cities across Spain have their own parishes, contributing to the vast number of churches in the country.
- Nigeria
Nigeria, with a population exceeding 206 million, has an estimated 16,300 churches. This equates to roughly one church for every 3.6 million people. Despite its large population, Nigeria ranks among the top countries with the most churches, reflecting the significant presence of Christianity within the nation.
While the number of churches in a country can be influenced by its population size, Nigeria’s position among the top five countries with the most churches underscores the prominent role of Christianity in its society.
