Buddhism is the majority religion in Myanmar and Theravāda Buddhism is the most widespread. According to the 2014 Myanmar Census, 87.9% of the population identifies as Buddhists. Most Bamar, Shan, Mon, Rakhine, Karen, and many ethnic groups of Myanmar follow Theravada Buddhism. Some Chinese people follow Mahayana Buddhism. Burmese folk religion is practiced by many Bamars alongside Buddhism.

Chrisanity in Myanmar

Chrisanity is the second largest religion in Myanmar and 6.2% of the population identifies as Christian. Christianity is the majority religion in Chin State, and there’s a significant Christian population in Kachin State and Kayah State. Most Chin, Kachin, and Karenni people follow Christianity.

Islam in Myanmar

Islam is a minority religion in Myanmar, practiced by about 2.1% of the population. Muslims are spread across the country in small communities. The British Indian-descended Muslims live mainly in Yangon.  Rohingyas, a minority Muslim ethnic group in northern Rakhine State, Western Burma. The Rohingya population is mostly concentrated in five northern townships of Rakhine State: Maungdaw, Buthidaung, Rathedaung, Akyab, Sandway, Tongo, Shokepro, Rashong Island and Kyauktaw. The Muslim population faces religious persecution in Myanmar. Since independence, successive governments (both democratic and military) did not grant citizenship to the Muslim Rohingya of Northern Rakhine (Arakan) and forbid missionary activities. 

Hinduism in Myanmar

Although Hinduism is practiced by 0.5% of the population, it was a major religion in Myanmar’s past. Several strains of Hinduism existed alongside both Theravada Buddhism and Mahayana Buddhism. 0.8% as followers of tribal religions; 0.2% as followers of other religions; and 0.1% follow no religion.

Religion percentage in Myanmar 

Source: Census 2014