Christianity in South Africa

South African Christian bodies
South African Interchurch
Catholic & Anglican
Holiness & AIC
Pentecostal
Protestantism, Other
Reformed

Christianity is the dominant religion in South Africa, with almost 80% of the population in 2001 professing to be Christian. No single denomination predominates, with mainstream Protestant churches, Pentecostal churches, African initiated churches, and the Catholic Church all having significant numbers of adherents. Importantly, there is significant and sustained syncretism with African Traditional Religion among most of the self-professed Christians in South Africa. [1]

The following table shows the breakdown of Christian adherents according to the 2001 Census (the 2011 Census did not ask about religion). Of the total national population of 44.8 million, 35.8 million or 79.8% identified as members of a Christian denomination.[2]

Denomination Adherents % of Christians
Methodist 3,305,404 9.2%
Dutch Reformed 3,005,698 8.4%
Anglican 1,722,076 4.8%
Lutheran 1,130,987 3.2%
Presbyterian 832,495 2.3%
Baptist 691,237 1.9%
Congregational 508,825 1.4%
Other Reformed 226,495 0.6%
Total mainstream Protestant 11,423,217 31.9%
Pentecostal/Charismatic 3,422,749 9.6%
Apostolic Faith Mission 246,190 0.7%
Other Apostolic 5,609,070 15.7%
Total Pentecostal 9,279,009 25.9%
Zion Christian Church 4,971,932 13.9%
Other Zionist 1,887,147 5.3%
Ethiopian 880,414 2.5%
iBandla lamaNazaretha 248,824 0.7%
Other African Independent 656,644 1.8%
Total African Independent 8,644,961 24.2%
Catholic 3,181,336 8.9%
Orthodox 42,251 0.1%
Other Christian 3,195,477 8.9%
Total 35,765,251

See also

References

  1. ↑ http://ir.lib.uwo.ca/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1107&context=totem
  2. ↑ "South Africa's people" (PDF). Pocket Guide to South Africa (2011/2012 ed.). Government of South Africa. p. 12. Retrieved 4 April 2012.
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