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Religion in Guinea-Bissau is diverse, with no particular religion comprising an absolute majority of the population. Islam is the most widely professed faith, and significant populations of Christians and adherents of traditional African religions are also present in the country.[2]
Religion in Guinea-Bissau (2020 est.)[1]
The CIA World Factbook (2020 estimate) states that around 46.1% of the population are Muslims, 30.6% adhere to traditional faiths, 18.9% are Christians, and 4.4% are non-religious or practice other religions.[1] Meanwhile, the US State Department mentions that estimates vary greatly and cites the Pew Forum data (2020) of 46% Muslim, 31% indigenous religious practices, and 19% Christian.[3]
Christians are mostly found along the coastal regions, and belong to the Roman Catholic Church (including Portuguese Bissau-Guineans) and various Protestant denominations.[4] In 2017, Sunni Islam, including that of Sufi-oriented, were most concentrated in the northern and northeastern parts of the country, while practitioners of traditional indigenous religious beliefs generally live in all but the northern parts of the country.[5]
Most of Guinea-Bissau's Muslims belong to Sunni Islam and follow Sufi orders.[6] Islam is practiced most widely by the Fula, Soninke, Susu and Mandinka ethnic groups, and Muslims generally live in the north and northeast.[5][7]
Islam arrived in Guinea-Bissau before the 12th-century with trans-Saharan traders.[8] Initial growth of Islam was limited to the rulers and trading elites of Guinea-Bissau. Major expansion of Islam among the mainstream happened in the 18th and 19th centuries, after the invasion by Biafada kingdom, and the waves of Fulani jihads that arrived from the north led by Musa Ibrahim, Ibrahim Sori, El Hadj Umar Tall and Koli Tenguella.[8]
Christianity arrived in Guinea-Bissau with Portuguese traders and missionaries in the 15th century, but only in its coastal regions.[7] Active missionary efforts started only in the 20th century, and in 1977 it became a diocese of the Holy See.[7] Protestant mission arrived in Guinea-Bissau in 1939, and Evangelical churches have been active through the second half of the 20th century. The Christian missions became a target of destruction during the 1999 civil war in Guinea-Bissau.[7]
According to the 2009 and 1991 censuses of Guinea-Bissau, the practice of Christianity has grown from 15% in 1991 to 22.1% of the total population in 2009; however, Christianity remains concentrated in the coastal regions of the country[9] and the Christian community predominantly consists of the Papel, Manjak, and Balanta ethnic groups. Catholics make up over half of the Christian population, whereas Brazilian Protestant denominations and other Protestant groups maintain numerous congregations and missions across the nation.[10] Christianity is perceived to be expanding in Guinea-Bissau, particularly among adherents of traditional religions. It is projected that by 2050, Christians will constitute approximately 30% of the population in Guinea-Bissau.[11]
The Constitution sees freedom of conscience and religion as inviolable and provides for freedom of worship.[12]
In 2023, the country scored 3 out of 4 for religious freedom.[13]
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