Religions for Peace Australia

Australia's Religious Profile from

the 2011 Census
News (/Index.php/News-And-Events/News)

! Super User

" Saturday, 11 August 2012 # 8935

The 2011 Census revealed changes are occurring in the

religious profile of Australia. We can say the overall trend is very
clear: a more secular humanist, less Christian and more
multifaith Australia, writes Des Cahill, Chair of Religions for
Peace Australia.

AUSTRALIAN RELIGIOUS PROFILE

- 2012 CENSUS PRELIMINARY
RESULTS
by Desmond Cahill
School of Global, Urban and Social Studies, RMIT University
The following is a preliminary analysis of the 2011 census results released by the Australian Bureau of
Statistics on 21 st June 2012 and focused on the religious profile with some emphasis on the profile of
the largest religious groups. It is important to emphasize that at this stage we have only the overall
results, and as yet we cannot drill deep down into the data though the overall trends are reasonably clear.
In particular, we do not have the cross-tabulation, religion X country of birth though we can make
educated guesses.
The 2011 census results reinforces the paradoxical trend first identified in the 2001 census in the report
Religion, Cultural Diversity and Safeguarding Religion (Cahill, Bouma, Dellal & Leahy 2004) (available on
the website www.religionsforpeaceaustralia.org.au
(http://religionsforpeaceaustralia.org.au/projects/freedom-of-religion-and-belief.html)) sponsored by the
Commonwealth Department of Immigration and Citizenship.
Australian society has become more polarized insofar as Australia has simultaneously become more
secularist humanist but also more religious but religious in a dierent way. Whilst neglecting the second
aspect, most press reports have emphasized the first aspect by highlighting the rise in the 'no religion'

category (includes agnostics, atheists, humanists and rationalists).

This category jumped from 3,706,555 (18.67%) in 2006 to 4,796,785 (22.30%) in 2011 though this is
partially oset by the decline in those in the 'not stated' category (from 2,223,957 (11.18%) to 1,839,648
(8.55%) in 2011, a decline of 17.28 per cent. Whilst it is important to underline the point that the two 'no
religion' and 'not stated' categories are quite dierent in their attitude to religion and spirituality, the
combined figure in 2011 was 30.85 per cent in 2011 compared to 29.86 per cent in 2006.
It is of note that the 'no religion' category is the largest religious/humanist grouping in every state and
territory except, albeit very importantly, for the three largest states of New South Wales, Victoria and
Queensland. In Western Australia and the ACT, the 'no religion' category has displaced the Catholics as
the largest group and the Anglicans in Tasmania.

Christian Profile
Regarding the Christian profile, in the five year intercensal period, its proportion has declined from 62.1
per cent to 61.14 per cent. Leaving aside the Uniting Church, which continues to be in sharp decline, the
other mainstream churches were surprisingly more numerous than expected. The Anglican Church
declined by only 1.00 per cent whereas the Presbyterians increased very marginally. This seems to be a
result of the great longevity of the mainstream Australian population. Other churches to show a decline
were the Salvation Army (-6.29%) and the Churches of Christ (-9.37%) and there was a big increase in
those describing themselves as Christian (+50.37%) and Other Protestant (+14.03%).
Longevity was also one, though limited, factor in the surprising rise in the Catholic population. Its
population has increased by 313,017 or by 6.11 per cent though declining proportionally from 25.81 to
25.29 per cent of the total population. The number of Catholics aged over 75 has increased from 254,214
in 2001 to 350,267 in 2011, a fact of critical pastoral importance. However, much more important was the
immigration factor in the 2006 - 2011 period led by the Philippines, India, Ireland and Iraq and, to a lesser
extent, Sri Lanka, South Korea, Viet Nam and, probably also, Indonesia, U.K, New Zealand and possibly
Malaysia.
Over the past 15 years since 1996, the Catholic population has increased by 13.38% with State territory
increases in NSW (+8.31%), Victoria (+13.21%), Queensland (+23.58%), South Australia (+7.40%),
Western Australia (+12.45%), ACT (+4.86%) and the Northern Territory (+7.55%). The only decline in raw
numbers was in Tasmania (+0.35%).

Growth of the Other Religions

Balancing the rise in the no religion/not stated categories and the decline in the numbers of Christian
adherents is the rise of Australia's emerging religions, most especially Hinduism which grew from
148,119 in 2006 to 275,536 in 2011, an increase of 86.02 percent and reflecting the huge Indian influx
over the past five years. Buddhism as Australia's largest non-Christian religious group grew by 26.32 per
cent to 528,977, as did Islam by 39.92 per cent to 476,290. Judaism grew by 9.57 per cent to 97,335 and
there was a big growth in the Sikh numbers. Altogether the other religions represent 7.19 per cent of the
Australian population, that is, one in fourteen persons, though heavily concentrated in Sydney and
Melbourne.

The Age Profile and Australia's Religious Future

Professor Gary Bouma of Monash University has provided an analysis of the age profile of Australia's
population. This is useful because it enables us to peer into the future and make empirically based
predictions, and it enables us to assess the amount of decline that may be occurring. The following
tables which he has developed are useful. Table One looks at the figures for the main religious groups for
those aged 0 - 14, whereas Table Two focuses on the 0 - 34 age group.
Table One: Selected Religious Cohorts for 0 -14 Year Range for 2001- 2011 Censuses
Religious Group

2001 Census 2006 Census 2011 Census % dierence

2001- 2011

Catholic

1,112,729

707,855

677,935

-39.07%

Anglican

631,826

379,743

339,359

-39.90%

Presbyterian/Reformed 83,393

44,922

44,552

-46.58%

Buddhist

63,803

66,375

98,605

+54.55%

Muslim

86,766

63,495

98,943

+14.05%

Hindus

20,786

25,569

94,722

+355.705%

Jewish

14,452

10,601

11,094

-23.24%

No Religion

737,676

619,968

849,674

+15.18%

Not Stated

448,566

479,422

365,323

-18.56%

In the 0 - 14 age group, the decrease is occurring in all the mainstream Christian groups, especially in the
2001 - 2006 period, and in the not stated group, which rose in the first intercensal period, but dropped
massively in the 2006 - 2011 period. In the 0 -34 age group (Table Two), the trends are similar with the
exception of the Catholics who have maintained their numbers after a dip at the 2006 census, suggesting
the benefit of migration in the last five years. Both tables highlight the massive rise in the Hindu numbers
as had been anticipated and in the Muslim numbers, especially in the 15 - 34 age group.
Table Two: Selected Religious Cohorts for 0 - 34 Year Range for 2001 - 2011 Censuses
Religious Group

2001 Census 2006 Census 2011 Census % dierence

2001- 2011

Catholic

2,523,441

2,440,814

2,521,603

-0.01%

Anglican

1,545,400

1,340,783

1,235,516

-20.05%

Presbyterian/Reformed 183,584

151,900

145,319

-20.84%

Buddhist

188,777

209,010

254,822

+34.99%

Muslim

190,608

229,031

320,270

+68.03%

Hindus

55,846

91,776

183,639

+228.83%

Jewish

34,481

36,392

38,814

+12.57%

No Religion

1,756,848

2,175,796

2,758,003

+56.99%

Not Stated

971,273

1,119,098

894,155

-7.94%

In conclusion, quite clear changes are occurring in the religious profile of Australia. Until, we gain more
detailed figures, we will not be able to make definitive conclusions but the overall trend is very clear: a
more secular humanist, less Christian and more multifaith Australia in a more polarised society with

history on the side of a multifaith Australia if Australia continues to accept more immigrants and refugees.
The cultural and political implications are indeed quite profound.

Map of Australia with religion symbols

Professor Desmond Cahill, OAM.

Prof. Des Cahill, OAM, Chair of Religions for Peace Australia has been an active participant in interfaith
activities and has been the Chair of Religions for Peace for 11 years. He is also Professor at the School
of Global Studies, RMIT University, Melbourne.
Educated in Australia and Italy, Des Cahill, Professor of Intercultural Studies at RMIT University, has been
a world leading researcher and teacher in the areas of immigrant, cross-cultural and international studies
for more than three decades.

Since the events of September 11th 2001, he has

played a major role in researching and bringing together
the various faith communities in Australia and across
the world through his research and community
activities. He currently chairs the Australian chapter of
Religions for Peace International, the world's largest
interfaith organization, and represents Australia on the
executive committee of the Religions for Peace Asia - in
October 2008, he was elected its Deputy Moderator by
the Governing Board representing the 18 member
nations including Bangladesh, China, India, Indonesia,
Japan and the two Koreas. He is a member of the
Australian Partnership of Religious Organisations (APRO) and of the Victoria Police Multifaith Advisory
Council.
In 2006, he led Melbourne's successful bid, in competition against Delhi and Singapore, to host the
Parliament of the Worlds Religions during 3rd - 9th December 2009, the world's largest interfaith
gathering. As a consequence, he has been made an Ambassador for Club Melbourne, a group of 100
leading scientists and academics, to promote the image of Melbourne around the world.
In the 2010 Queen's Birthday Honours List, he was awarded the Order of the Medal of Australia for
"services to Intercultural Education and to the Interfaith Movement". Professor Cahill is Chair, Religions
for Peace Australia.
Source: Desmond P. Cahill
Photo Credit: Poonsri; Image Religions for Peace Australia

< Prev (/index.php/news-and-events/news/350-confusions-about-multiculturalism)

Next > (/index.php/news-and-events/news/348-report-on-acrp-executive-meeting-korea)

Religions for Peace

Multifaith Education Australia

The Recent Victorian Education

Department
Ministerial
Direction 141 requires the
posting of instruction program
materials for Special Religious
Instruction in Victoria to the
public domain so that parents
may overview the instruction
program. Program materials will
be
posted
to
Multifaith
Education
Australia
(http://multifaitheducation.com.au/),
the new website for Special
Religious
Instruction
(and
multifaith
education)
in
Australia. This website is
administered by Religions for
Peace Australia under its
contractural requirements with
the Victorian Department of
Education and Early Childhood
Development. SRI Instruction
Program Content is found on
this
website
here
(http://religionsforpeaceaustralia.org.au/index.php/ri/curriculumcontent)

The Golden Rule

An Australian Version of the Golden Rule Poster (/news-and-events/news/452-the-golden-rule-posterl) is

available

Multifaith Australia - Reimaging our Common Future

Religions for Peace Australia, with RMIT Chaplaincy, present Multifaith Australia Reimagining Our
Common Future (/victoria/799-video-reimaging-our-common-future) public lecture by Religions for Peace
for World Interfaith Harmony Week. Watch a video of this lecture by Prof. Joe Camillerie and the response
by Maria Vamvakinou, MP.

Oer a Meal Movement

(/index.php/826-oer-a-meal-movement)

Religions for Peace Australia invites you to join the worldwide Oer a Meal Movement (/index.php/826oer-a-meal-movement) a movement which skips a meal a couple of times a month in solidarity with
and prayer for those suering from hunger, extreme poverty or violent conflict.

G20 Interfaith Summit: Religious Freedom and Economic Development

Grith University Centre for Interfaith & Cultural Dialogue held the first G20 Interfaith Summit on the Gold
Coast during the weekend of November 16 - 18. This Interfaith Summit explored Religious Freedom and
Economic Development.
An archive of all presentations at the G20 Interfaith Summit can be found here
(http://www.grith.edu.au/conference/g20-interfaith-summit/media-and-resources).

Interaction
(http://interaction.org.au/)
Aiated with Religions for Peace Australia, InterAction is Interfaith Youth building a generation-wide
movement of young people. Inspired by individual spiritual traditions, InterAction works together to build
a better world. Visit Interaction (http://interaction.org.au/)

Anti Racism

(http://itstopswithme.humanrights.gov.au/)

Religions for Peace has partnered with the Australian Human Rights Commission Anti Racism Strategy
(http://itstopswithme.humanrights.gov.au/)

9th World Assembly

The 9th World Assembly of Religions for Peace was held in Vienna during November, 2013. Theme
Papers and Resources are available (/71-worldwide/780-9th-world-assembly-resources).

Latest News
Ethnicity, Religions and Harmony: Exploring Christian Muslim Relations in Iraq Today
(/index.php/1085-ethnicity-religions-and-harmony-exploring-christian-muslim-relations-in-iraq-today)
Perceptions of Mary in Christianity, Judaism and Islam (/index.php/1084-perceptions-of-mary-inchristianity-judaism-and-islam)
South Australia: Special Viewing of Mush and Me Play (/index.php/1082-south-australia-specialviewing-of-mush-and-me-play)
Victoria: Intergenerational Interfaith Seder (/index.php/1081-victoria-intergenerational-interfaith-seder)

Victoria: Understanding the Head Covering (/index.php/1080-victoria-understanding-the-headcovering)

Royal Commission: The Forgotten Australians (/index.php/1079-royal-commission-the-forgottenaustralians)
NSW: In Conversation : Religious Freedom In A Secular & Multicultural Society (/index.php/1078-nswin-conversation-religious-freedom-in-a-secular-multicultural-society)
Victoria: Molly Hadfield Social Justice Oration (/index.php/1077-victoria-molly-hadfield-social-justiceoration)
Queensland: Who is My God series (/index.php/1076-queensland-who-is-my-god-series)
G20 Interfaith Summit 2015 (/index.php/1075-g20-interfaith-summit-2015)
Grief Lecture 2015 for the Australian Centre for Grief and Bereavement (/index.php/1074-grief-lecture2015)
Nonviolent Conflict Transformation Program (/index.php/1073-nonviolent-conflict-transformationprogram)
Victoria: The Fall and Original Sin: (/index.php/1072-victoria-the-fall-and-original-sin)
NSW - February 2015 (/index.php/1071-nsw-february-2015)
Jewish Leadership Dissociates Community from statements of Rabbi Yossi Feldman
(/index.php/1069-jewish-leadership-dissociates-community-from-statements-of-rabbi-yossi-feldman)
Jewish Leadership Again Condemns Child Abuse Perpetrators and Their Protectors (/index.php/1068jewish-leadership-again-condemns-child-abuse-perpetrators-and-their-protectors)
Victoria: Interfaith Lecture at Monash University (/index.php/1067-victoria-interfaith-lecture-atmonash-university)
Tasmania - February 2015 (/index.php/1066-tasmania-february-2015)
Jewish 'code of silence' examined by Royal Commission (/index.php/1065-jewish-code-of-silenceexamined-by-royal-commission)
Victoria: Listening to the Land - Tea Tree Creek, Flinders (/index.php/1064-victoria-listening-to-theland-tea-tree-creek-flinders)
South Australia: Mush and Me (/index.php/1063-south-australia-mush-and-me)
Denied & Deported: Responding to Australias treatment of asylum seekers (/index.php/1062-denieddeported-responding-to-australia-s-treatment-of-asylum-seekers)
The Gift of Love - Interfaith Anthem (/index.php/1061-the-gift-of-love-interfaith-anthem)
Victoria: Women and the challenges of their faith (/index.php/1060-victoria-women-and-thechallenges-of-their-faith)
Victoria: Abraham our Father Lectures (/index.php/1059-victoria-abraham-our-father-lectures)

You are here: / Home (/) / News and Events (/index.php/news-and-events)

/ News (/index.php/news-and-events/news) / Australia's Religious Profile from the 2011 Census

Religions for Peace Australia is a global, community-based organization working for global
peace across the world and for social cohesion in Australia in other countries, and for peace
and co-operation between the religions of the world. It works for an understanding of the
benefits that religion and religious moderation brings to society, and works against religiously
based extremism that is violent. Religions for Peace Australia has aliates and branches in all
states of Australia.

 Religions for Peace Australia

Please note the Terms and Conditions (/../57-rfpa/site/219-terms-and-conditions.html) and Disclaimer (/../57-rfpa/site/221disclaimer) statements relating to the use of the information on this site and our site Privacy Policy (/../57-rfpa/site/220privacy-policy.html) statements. Users of these web pages are deemed to have read and accepted the conditions
described in the Terms and Conditions, Disclaimer, and Privacy statements. No unsolicited commercial email.