Do 85% of the worlds population practice a religion?

Published: Sept. 21, 2024, 5 a.m.

We don\u2019t 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 \u201cThought for the Day\u201d 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 \nProducer: Natasha Fernandes \nSeries producer: Tom Colls \nProduction co-ordinator: Katie Morrison\nSound mix: Nigel Appleton\nEditor: Richard Vadon