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Religion in Paraguay (2018 estimate)[1]
| Religion by country |
|---|
 Religion portal |
Christianity is the predominant religion in Paraguay, with Catholicism being its largest denomination. Before the arrival of Spanish missionaries, the people residing in the territory of modern day Paraguay practiced a variety of religions.[2]
Paraguay is often classified as the most religious country in South America.[3] However, the state is officially secular, and freedom of religion is guaranteed by its constitution.[4]
Current situation
According to article 27 of the Paraguayan Constitution of 1992, freedom of religion is recognised and there is no official religion. Relations between the State and the Catholic Church are to be based on independence, co-operation and autonomy. The independence of religious organisations is guaranteed.[5]
As can be seen below, the majority of Paraguayans are Roman Catholic, although the percentage of Paraguayans who identify themselves as Catholic has dropped slightly. There has been a corresponding growth in the influence of Evangelical churches in recent years. There are a number of Indigenous religions and there are also Buddhist (probably due to immigration from Korea), Jewish and Muslim communities in the country.
In 2023, the country was scored 4 out of 4 for religious freedom.[6]
Religions in Paraguay according to 2002 and 1992 censuses
The 2002 census counted 5,163,198 people in Paraguay but the question about religion was meant only for those aged 10 or older, namely 3,892,603 persons.[7]
| Religion | Number of followers 2002 | Percentage 2002 | Number of followers 1992 | Percentage 1992 | Change 1992–2002 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Catholicism | 3,489,531 | 89.64% | 2,749,888 | 93.24% | −3.60% |
| Indigenous & Catholic | 223 | 0.01 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Orthodox | 25 | <0.00% | N/A | N\A | N/A |
| Orthodox (Russian) | 470 | 0.01% | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Other Orthodox | 950 | 0.02% | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Anglicanism | 1,858 | 0.05% | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Indigenous & Anglican | 29 | <0.01% | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Lutheran | 8,849 | 0.23% | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Presbyterian | 276 | 0.01% | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Mennonites | 8,445 | 0.22% | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Indigenous & Mennonite | 8 | <0.01% | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Traditional Christianity* (excl. Catholicism) | 21,133 | 0.54% | 14,497 | 0.49% | +0.05% |
| Christian and Missionary Alliance | 87 | <0.01% | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Assemblies of God | 9,879 | 0.25% | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Maranatha Baptist Church | 10,355 | 0.27% | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Centro familiar de adoración aposent. | 513 | 0.01% | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Comunidad Cristiana | 1,046 | 0.03% | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Plymouth Brethren – Open Brothers | 665 | 0.02% | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Independent | 7 | <0.01% | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Church of God (Pentecostal) | 1,550 | 0.04% | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Church of God of Prophecy (Pentecostal) | 149 | <0.01% | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Methodists | 451 | 0.01% | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Free Methodists | 156 | <0.01% | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Church of the Nazarene | 86 | <0.01% | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Neotestamentaria (Baptist) | 276 | 0.01% | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Pentecostal | 8,631 | 0.22% | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Other Evangelical | 186,107 | 4.78% | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Seventh Day Adventist | 7,804 | 0.20% | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Dios es Amor (Pentecostal) | 1,290 | 0.03% | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Universal Church of the Kingdom of God | 714 | 0.02% | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Unification Church | 116 | <0.01% | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Mormons) | 9,374 | 0.24% | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Pueblo de Dios | 12,114 | 0.31% | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Jehovah's Witnesses | 11,805 | 0.30% | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Mount Zion Church | 233 | 0.01% | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Other pseudo-Christian groups | 825 | 0.02% | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Post-16th-Century Christian denominations** | 264,233 | 6.79% | 138,573 | 4.70% | +2.09% |