Australia is definitely losing its religion

When the 2021 Census data was released in July, the number and proportion of the population claiming no religion attracted significant interest. Almost 10 million Australians, or 38.7% of the population, now claim they have no religion. This is an increase of 41% on the 2016 figure. The Census is the only reliable source of data on religion in Australia, and is typically used for planning schools and religious venues. What else does the data tell us about people with no religion?

The 2021 Census is almost upon us!

The 2021 Australian Census will be held on Tuesday, 10th August. While the Census provides us with a count of people and dwellings, it has other important uses. These include determining appropriate electoral boundaries and number of representatives, as well as the allocation of GST funding to the states. While the 2021 Census is being conducted during a global pandemic, with some parts of Australian in lockdown, the data will still provide a comprehensive picture of the size and characteristics of the population. It will establish new trends, dispel myths, but also provide insights into the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Although the data will not be released until mid 2022, what can we look forward to?

Is Australia the least religious country?

Australia is described as being a secular country, so it's not surprising that Census data shows a high proportion of people claiming no religion.  In 2016, for the first time, those claiming no religion outnumbered the most common religion (Western Catholic).  In effect, "no religion" is the most common religion in Australia.  But how does this compare internationally?  Is Australia the least religious country?  Read on to find out.