10 Most Secular Countries In The World: Know Where India Ranks

Secular Countries:  Secularism is a principle which allows people to keep their religion as their personal matter, and it is also about keeping religion away from political, cultural and economic aspects of life. Over the past few years, there has been a significant rise in countries following secular law. Especially in European and some Asian countries. The policy of secularism puts more focus on equal treatment, policy, and personal identity, irrespective of religion. Here’s a ranking of the top 10 countries according to their secularism score, to highlight how the multi-cultural societies are finding the perfect middle way to balance tradition and progress.

List Of Top 10 Most Secular Countries In The World:

Which Is The Most Secular Country In The World? 

1. Sweden

Sweden is the most secular country in the world. Surprisingly, the majority of its citizens have formal membership in the Lutheran Church, but active religious practice is exceptional here. Religion has always been about cultural heritage, rather than individual identity. Additionally, public life is highly secular here. The progressive social policies and focus on individual liberty in the country have also reduced the influence of religion in Swedish society.

2. Denmark

Just like Sweden, Denmark is heavily Lutheran in its roots, but attendance at church and individual religious belief are low. The Evangelical Lutheran Church is still the state church, but most Danes regard it as a cultural institution and not a spiritual authority. Matters of religion have rarely influenced public policy, and secular values are significantly highlighted through education and politics.

3. Iceland

Iceland's small population is also very secular. The state church is Lutheran, although religious beliefs have little impact upon everyday life. Icelanders attend church ceremonies for cultural rather than religious purposes, including baptisms and weddings.

4. Norway

Norway got separated from the state church in 2017, which was an important step toward secularism. Most Norwegians are still members of the Lutheran Church, but active religious practice is rare. Secular values pervade the political and social life of the nation, with religion often influencing public affairs.

Also Read: Which Are The Top 10 Most Populated States In India?

5. Estonia

Estonia is one of the least religious nations globally. The reason for widespread secularisation here is mainly due to the historical significance of Soviet domination, which made Estonians nonreligious or atheist. Religious practices have no significant impact on politics or the day-to-day life of the citizens.

6. Bahamas

As per the World Population Review report, the Bahamas is among the most secular countries in the world. However, only little information is available on the country’s religious practices. The country has a traditional Christian heritage, but the rising secularisation is also on the verge of growth here.

7. Netherlands

The Netherlands stands out for being highly liberal in social policies and tolerant of religion. The rates of church attendance dropped drastically over the past few years, and a significant portion of the Dutch are classified as nonreligious here. In this nation the secularism is deeply rooted in public life, from schools to hospitals.

8. Hong Kong

Hong Kong's population is religiously mixed, with most of its residents following a combination of Buddhism, Taoism, and folk religions. Nevertheless, the majority of the population is nonreligious, and secularism is also a dominant aspect of the modern identity of the city.

9. Liechtenstein

Liechtenstein is primarily historic to a Catholic heritage, and there has been secularisation in recent years. Although many of the inhabitants are officially aligned with the church but religious observance in practice is low here.

10. Japan

Japan combines traditional religious customs with contemporary secularism. Although Shinto and Buddhist observances continue to pervade cultural existence, the majority of Japanese are not religious in the doctrinal sense. Secularism is reflected in the nation's educational system and public institutions.

Also Read: List Of Countries Where Hijab Is Mandatory

India’s Rank On The List Of Most Secular Nations:

India has a secularism score of 77.8, ranked far below the world's most secular nations. While India's Constitution promises secularism, its model permits state intervention in religious matters, unlike complete separation in states like France. 5% of Indians are non-religious, as reported by WIN-Gallup 2017, and the Pew 2012 poll discovered only 0.1% unaffiliated, demonstrating the strong presence of religion in everyday life. Increasing religious polarisation and government policies targeting minorities have made India's secular credentials more complex than before, which is the prime reason for India being far away from the table of top secularism league.

The world's most secular countries show that religion's place in society is multifaceted and ever-changing. However, in recent times, the power of education, economic development, and political changes has moved nations toward secularism. Each nation's path is distinct, but the overall trajectory is toward a future where individual belief becomes more private and public life is based on secular values.