Religion in Edinburgh
Edinburgh is one of Scotland's most secular local authorities. In the 2022 Census, 56.35% of residents reported no religion, compared with 30.10% identifying as Christian. Islam was the largest non-Christian religion at 3.50%, followed by Hinduism at 1.64%, Buddhism at 0.54%, Paganism at 0.40%, Sikhism at 0.27%, Judaism at 0.25% and other religions at 0.32%; 6.62% did not state a religion. The city's no-religion population increased substantially from 44.83% in 2011, while Christian affiliation fell from 43.34%.
Religion Percentages in Edinburgh
Census 2011 to 2022 Demographic Trends
Community & Cultural Highlights
- In Scotland's 2022 Census, 30.1% of Edinburgh residents identified as Christian, with the Church of Scotland accounting for 13.5%, Roman Catholics 10.1%, and other Christian denominations 6.5%.
- Islam represents Edinburgh's largest non-Christian religious affiliation at 3.5% (18,034 residents), centered around institutions like Edinburgh Central Mosque in Potterrow.
- Hinduism is represented by 1.6% (8,459 residents) of Edinburgh's population, supported by Edinburgh Hindu Mandir and Cultural Centre on Leith Walk.
- Edinburgh's no-religion share increased from 44.83% in 2011 to 56.35% in 2022, making it the largest religious response by a very substantial margin.
- Christian affiliation fell from 43.34% in 2011 to 30.10% in 2022, a decline of more than 13 percentage points.
- Muslim affiliation increased from 2.61% to 3.50%, while Hindu affiliation nearly doubled from 0.84% to 1.64%.
- Paganism should be represented separately in a 2022 Scotland entry because Pagan was introduced as a distinct census response option. It accounted for 0.40% of Edinburgh's population.
- St Giles' is accurately described as the mother church of Presbyterianism, but calling it simply the 'Mother Church of World Presbyterianism' is unnecessarily broad; the cathedral itself uses the formulation 'mother church of Presbyterianism'.
- Leith is genuinely diverse and contains major Hindu and Sikh institutions, but it should not be presented as Edinburgh's only or dominant faith district because the city's religious communities are distributed across multiple neighbourhoods.
- The large no-religion figure does not mean that Edinburgh is uniformly non-religious; the city retains substantial Church of Scotland, Roman Catholic and other Christian communities alongside Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, Jewish, Sikh and Pagan communities.
Community Geographic Distributions in Edinburgh
Edinburgh's Muslim population is distributed across the city, with major institutions and community activity especially visible in the Southside and other inner-city areas. The 2022 Census recorded 18,034 Muslim residents.
Edinburgh has one of Scotland's more substantial Hindu communities by local-authority population share. The Hindu Mandir in Leith provides an important focal point for worship and cultural activity.
Edinburgh has a longstanding Jewish community with religious and cultural institutions in the south of the city. Edinburgh Hebrew Congregation is based on Salisbury Road in Newington.
The city's Sikh community is supported by gurdwaras and community organisations, including Guru Nanak Gurdwara Edinburgh on Sheriff Brae.
Christian affiliation remains widespread but has declined considerably since 2011. Within Christianity, Church of Scotland and Roman Catholic identification are the two largest denominational categories.
Edinburgh Religious Landscape & Demographic Analysis
According to official figures from the Scotland's Census 2022, Ethnic Group, National Identity, Language and Religion, Edinburgh (total population: 514,543 across Scotland) exhibits a distinct religious profile. Christianity represents 30.1% of the population. A substantial 56.35% of residents report having no religious affiliation. The Muslim community comprises 3.5% of local residents. Hindu residents account for 1.64%. Buddhist residents represent 0.54%.
Local Places of Worship & Community Centers
Spiritual and community life in Edinburgh is supported by recognized places of worship across various neighborhoods, including St Giles' Cathedral (Church of Scotland High Kirk located in Royal Mile / High Street), Edinburgh Central Mosque (Mosque and Islamic Centre located in Potterrow / Southside), Edinburgh Hindu Mandir & Cultural Centre (Hindu Mandir and Cultural Centre located in Leith), Edinburgh Hebrew Congregation (Modern Orthodox Jewish Synagogue located in Newington), and Guru Nanak Gurdwara Edinburgh (Sikh Gurdwara located in Leith / Sheriff Brae).
Neighborhood & Diaspora Insights in Edinburgh
In Scotland's 2022 Census, 30.1% of Edinburgh residents identified as Christian, with the Church of Scotland accounting for 13.5%, Roman Catholics 10.1%, and other Christian denominations 6.5%. Islam represents Edinburgh's largest non-Christian religious affiliation at 3.5% (18,034 residents), centered around institutions like Edinburgh Central Mosque in Potterrow. Hinduism is represented by 1.6% (8,459 residents) of Edinburgh's population, supported by Edinburgh Hindu Mandir and Cultural Centre on Leith Walk. Edinburgh's no-religion share increased from 44.83% in 2011 to 56.35% in 2022, making it the largest religious response by a very substantial margin. Christian affiliation fell from 43.34% in 2011 to 30.10% in 2022, a decline of more than 13 percentage points. Muslim affiliation increased from 2.61% to 3.50%, while Hindu affiliation nearly doubled from 0.84% to 1.64%. Paganism should be represented separately in a 2022 Scotland entry because Pagan was introduced as a distinct census response option. It accounted for 0.40% of Edinburgh's population. St Giles' is accurately described as the mother church of Presbyterianism, but calling it simply the 'Mother Church of World Presbyterianism' is unnecessarily broad; the cathedral itself uses the formulation 'mother church of Presbyterianism'. Leith is genuinely diverse and contains major Hindu and Sikh institutions, but it should not be presented as Edinburgh's only or dominant faith district because the city's religious communities are distributed across multiple neighbourhoods. The large no-religion figure does not mean that Edinburgh is uniformly non-religious; the city retains substantial Church of Scotland, Roman Catholic and other Christian communities alongside Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, Jewish, Sikh and Pagan communities.
Practical Living & Community Guidance in Edinburgh
- •Scotland's Census measures religious affiliation and explicitly does not indicate whether respondents practise their religion.
- •The religion question in the UK Census is voluntary; respondents who chose not to answer are recorded separately under 'not answered' and are distinct from 'no religion'.
- •Halal, Kosher, and vegetarian food products are widely accessible in major supermarkets and independent community grocery stores across the city.
- •Under the UK Equality Act 2010, religious belief and practice are protected characteristics against discrimination in workplaces, education, and housing.
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