China is the most irreligious country on Earth. As of 2015, a whopping 90.0% of residents claim no interest or relevance in religion whatsoever.
China has the world's greatest irreligious population.[3] The Chinese government is officially atheist.[4] Despite limitations on certain forms of religious expression and assembly,[5] religion is not banned, and religious freedom is nominally protected under the Chinese constitution. Among the general Chinese population, there are a wide variety of religious practices.[6] The Chinese government's attitude to religion is one of skepticism and non-promotion.[6][7][8][9] According to a 2012 Gallup poll, 47% of Chinese people were convinced atheists, and a further 30% were not religious. In comparison, only 14% considered themselves to be religious.[10] More recently, a 2015 Gallup poll found the number of convinced atheists in China to be 61%, with a further 29% saying that they are not religious compared to just 7% who are religious.[11] Since 1978, the constitution provides for religious freedom: "No state organ, public organization or individual may compel citizens to believe in, or not to believe in, any religion; nor may they discriminate against citizens because they do, or do not believe in religion" (article 36).[12] The Chinese state officially recognizes five religions: Buddhism, Taoism, Islam, Catholicism, and Protestantism.[13] In order to be a member of the Communist Party of China an individual must not have religious affiliation.[14]
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