Brazil's National Religion: None — But Catholicism Dominates

Brazil has no official religion at the federal level. The 1988 Constitution guarantees freedom of religion and separation of church and state (Article 5, VI; Article 19, I).

By the Numbers (2010 Census — Latest Comprehensive)

• Roman Catholic: 64.6% (123 million) — world's largest Catholic population
• Protestant/Evangelical: 22.2% (42 million) — mostly Pentecostal/Neopentecostal; rapid growth
• Spiritist (Kardecist): 2.0% (3.8 million) — unique to Brazil at this scale
• Other/Unaffiliated: 8%+ — including Afro-Brazilian (Candomblé, Umbanda), Buddhist, Jewish, Muslim, Indigenous, none

Trends Since 2010

• Catholic share declining ~1% per year (2020 est. ~50-55%)
• Evangelical growing rapidly — may become plurality by 2030
• "No religion" rising sharply (2010: 8% → 2020 est. 15%+)

Church-State Dynamics

• No state funding for religious institutions (unlike some European models)
• Religious education permitted in public schools (optional, non-proselytizing)
• Holidays: Catholic holidays national (Good Friday, Christmas, Corpus Christi); others optional
• Political influence: Catholic bishops' conference (CNBB) + Evangelical caucus (Frente Parlamentar Evangélica) both powerful

Regional Variation

• Northeast: Most Catholic (70%+), strong Afro-Brazilian traditions
• South/Southeast: More Protestant, more "no religion"
• Amazon: Catholic missions + Indigenous cosmologies
• Urban peripheries: Explosive Pentecostal growth

Cultural Catholicism

Even non-practicing Brazilians often identify culturally Catholic — baptism, marriage, festivals (Círio de Nazaré, Festa Junina), saints' days. The calendar is Catholic-shaped.

Brazil is a secular state with a Catholic soul and an Evangelical future—demographically speaking.