In these countries, most residents think religion does more harm than good

Does religion have a negative effect on the world? In these countries, the popular opinion is that religion DOES, in fact, do more harm than good.

Researchers with global market researcher Ipsos asked 17,401 adults aged 16-64, across 23 countries, whether they agree with the statement: “Religion does more harm in the world than good.”

A majority of residents from countries including Belgium, Germany, Spain, Australia, Sweden and Great Britain agreed with that statement.

Data visualization group Statista compiled that data into one chart:

Overall, 49% of respondents to the survey said they agreed that religion does more harm than good in the world, while 51% disagreed. And the country LEAST likely to say that religion does more harm than good? Japan.

However, people in Japan are also least likely to agree with the statement that “religious people make better citizens,” and are also least likely to agree with the statement “my religion defines me as a person.”

See the full breakdown of the results here:

Country	Percent of residents who agree with the statement “Religion does more harm in the world than good”
Belgium	68%
Germany	63%
Spain	63%
Australia	63%
India	62%
Sweden	62%
Great Britain	62%
France	61%
Canada	55%
Hungary	53%
Argentina	49%
Poland	49%
Italy	47%
Serbia	43%
Mexico	43%
Turkey	40%
United States	39%
South Africa	39%
Peru	38%
Brazil	37%
South Korea	36%
Russia	36%
Japan	26%
	Source: Ipsos

And while that’s only the popular opinion in 10 countries now, the trend is growing. A number of studies show that younger people are less religious than older people, and religiosity has declined with each successive generation. In a 2015 Pew Research Center report on religion and public life, 36% of 21-to-27-year-olds were classified as unaffiliated, a far higher proportion than among their parents’ (17%) or grandparents’ (11%) generations.