More or Less, Do 85% of the world’s population practice a religion?

More or Less

Do 85% of the world’s population practice a religion?

21 September 2024

Available for over a year

We don’t usually do god on More or Less, but one listener got in touch to ask us to investigate a stat used by an Anglican priest on a BBC radio programme.

Speaking on the “Thought for the Day” slot, Reverend Lucy Winkett said that around 85% of the world's population practice a religion.

Is this true? We speak to Conrad Hackett, from the Pew Research Center, and the person whose research is the source for the claim.

Presenter: Tim Harford

Producer: Natasha Fernandes

Series producer: Tom Colls

Production co-ordinator: Katie Morrison

Sound mix: Nigel Appleton

Editor: Richard Vadon