Religion in Estonia

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Religion in Estonia (2011)[1][2]

  Non-religious (54.1%)
  Undeclared (16.5%)
  Eastern Orthodoxy (16.2%)
  Lutheranism (9.9%)
  Other religions (3.3%)
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Estonia is one of the least religious countries in world, with only 14% of the population declaring religion an important part of their daily life.[3] Among the religious population there are followers of 90 affiliations, Orthodox Christians and Lutheran Christians are the most prevalent.[4]

According to the Eurobarometer Poll 2010,[5] 18% of Estonian citizens responded that "they believe there is a God", whereas 50% answered that "they believe there is some sort of spirit or life force" and 29% that "they do not believe there is any sort of spirit, god, or life force". This, according to the survey, would have made Estonians the most non-religious people in the then 25-member European Union. A survey conducted in 2006–2008 by Gallup showed that 14% of Estonians answered positively to the question: "Is religion an important part of your daily life?", which was the lowest among 143 countries polled.[6]

Less than a third of the population define themselves as believers; of those, the majority are Lutheran, whereas the Russian minority is Eastern Orthodox. There are also a number of smaller Protestant, Jewish, and Buddhist groups. The organisation Maavalla Koda (Taaraism) unites adherents of animist traditional religions.[7][8] The Russian neopagan organisation "Vene Rahvausu Kogudus Eestis" is registered in Tartu.[9]

Censuses

Religion 2000 Census[10] 2011 Census[1]
Number % Number %
Orthodox Christians 143,554 12.8 176,773 16.2
Lutheran Christians 152,237 13.6 108,513 9.9
Baptists 6,009 0.5 4,507 0.4
Roman Catholics 5,745 0.5 4,501 0.4
Jehovah's Witnesses 3,823 0.3 3,938 0.4
Old Believers 2,515 0.2 2,605 0.2
Christian Free Congregations 223 0.02 2,189 0.2
Earth Believers 1,058 0.1 1,925 0.2
Taara Belivers 1,047 0.1
Pentecostals 2,648 0.2 1,855 0.1
Muslims 1,387 0.1 1,508 0.1
Adventists 1,561 0.1 1,194 0.1
Buddhists 622 0.05 1,145 0.1
Methodists 1,455 0.1 1,098 0.1
Other religion 4,995 0.4 8,074 0.7
No religion 450,458 40.2 592,588 54.1
Undeclared 343,292 30.6 181,104 16.5
Total1 1,121,582 100.0 1,094,564 100.0

1Population, persons aged 15 and older.

See also

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "PC0454: AT LEAST 15-YEAR-OLD PERSONS BY RELIGION, SEX, AGE GROUP, ETHNIC NATIONALITY AND COUNTY, 31 DECEMBER 2011". Statistics Estonia. 31 December 2011. Retrieved 9 January 2014. 
  2. ↑ "PHC 2011: over a quarter of the population are affiliated with a particular religion". Statistics Estonia. 29 April 2013. Retrieved 9 January 2014. 
  3. ↑ "Estonians least religious in the world". EU Observer. 11 February 2009. Retrieved 9 January 2014. 
  4. ↑ "Eestis on 90 usuvoolu: lilla leegi hoidjad, kopimistid, tulekummardajad..." [Estonia has 90 religious affiliations: Keepers of the violet flame, Kopimists, Fire worshipers]. Postimees. 29 April 2013. Retrieved 9 January 2014. 
  5. ↑ Biotechnology report 2010 p.383
  6. ↑ Crabtree, Steve; Pelham, Brett (February 9, 2009). "What Alabamians and Iranians Have in Common". Gallup. Retrieved 21 February 2010. 
  7. ↑ Ahto Kaasik. "Old estonian religions". Maavalla Koda. Retrieved 3 January 2013. 
  8. ↑ Barry, Ellen (2008-11-09). "Some Estonians return to pre-Christian animist traditions". The New York Times. 
  9. ↑ Uut usuühendust juhib ülemvaimulikuna Vene Erakonna Eestis poliitik
  10. ↑ "PC231: POPULATION BY RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION AND ETHNIC NATIONALITY". Statistics Estonia. 31 March 2000. Retrieved 9 January 2014. 
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