Religion in Papua New Guinea

Citizen population in Papua New Guinea by religion, based on the 2011 census^[1]

Catholicism (26%)
Lutheranism (18.4%)
Seventh-day Adventist (12.9%)
Pentecostal (10.4%)
United Church in Papua New Guinea (10.3%)
Evangelical Alliance Papua New Guinea (5.9%)
Anglican Church of Papua New Guinea (3.2%)
Baptist (2.8%)
Salvation Army (0.4%)
Kwato Church (0.2%)
Other Christian (5.1%)
Non Christian (1.4%)
Not stated (3.1%)

Religion in Papua New Guinea (2020)^[2]

Catholicism (25.7%)
Protestant (47.8%)
Other Christian (21.5%)
Traditional (3.4%)
Other religion (1%)
No religion (0.7%)

St Andrews Lutheran Church in Malahang, Morobe Province. Christianity is the main religion in Papua New Guinea

Religion in Papua New Guinea is dominated by various branches of Christianity, with traditional animism and ancestor worship often occurring less openly as another layer underneath or more openly side by side with Christianity. The Catholic Church has a plurality of the population. The courts, government, and general society uphold a constitutional right to freedom of speech, thought, and beliefs. A constitutional amendment in March 2025 recognised Papua New Guinea as a Christian country, with specific mention of "God, the Father; Jesus Christ, the Son; and Holy Spirit", and the Bible as a national symbol.^[3] The government openly partners with several Christian groups to provide services, and churches participate in local government bodies.

A large majority of Papua New Guineans identify themselves as members of a Christian church (96% in the decennial 2000 census); however, many combine their Christian faith with traditional indigenous practices, known as religious syncretism.^[4]

Other religions represented in the country include the Baháʼí Faith, Hinduism and Islam.^[4]

^ Koloma. Kele, Roko. Hajily. "PAPUA NEW GUINEA 2011 NATIONAL REPORT-NATIONAL STATISTICAL OFFICE". sdd.spc.int.
^ Cite error: The named reference thearda.com was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ Waide, Scott (13 March 2025). "Papua New Guinea declares Christian identity in constitutional amendment". RNZ.
^ ^a ^b Cite error: The named reference :2022 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[1] Koloma. Kele, Roko. Hajily. "PAPUA NEW GUINEA 2011 NATIONAL REPORT-NATIONAL STATISTICAL OFFICE". sdd.spc.int.

[thearda.com-2] Cite error: The named reference thearda.com was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[3] Waide, Scott (13 March 2025). "Papua New Guinea declares Christian identity in constitutional amendment". RNZ.

[:2022-4] Cite error: The named reference :2022 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

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