Religion in Glasgow
Glasgow's 2022 Census profile shows a substantial shift away from traditional Christian affiliation. No religion was the largest response at 43.23%, followed by Christianity at 38.72% and Islam at 7.86%. Hinduism accounted for 1.32%, Sikhism 0.56%, Buddhism 0.46%, Judaism 0.16%, Paganism 0.32% and other religions 0.29%; 7.10% did not state a religion. Christianity remains culturally important, particularly through Roman Catholic and Church of Scotland traditions, but no religion is now the largest single response in Glasgow.
Religion Percentages in Glasgow
Census 2011 to 2022 Demographic Trends
Community & Cultural Highlights
- The 57.4% no-religion figure does not describe Glasgow City in Scotland's Census 2022 and should not be used for this local-authority profile.
- Glasgow's largest individual religious denomination in 2022 was Roman Catholicism at 20.74%, followed by Church of Scotland at 13.30%.
- No religion increased from 30.99% in 2011 to 43.23% in 2022, an increase of more than 12 percentage points.
- Christian affiliation declined from 54.44% in 2011 to 38.72% in 2022, with the largest falls occurring among Church of Scotland and Roman Catholic identification.
- Muslim affiliation increased from 5.41% to 7.86%, reaching 48,766 residents in the 2022 Census. Glasgow had the largest Muslim population of any Scottish council by number.
- Hindu affiliation nearly doubled as a share of the Glasgow population, rising from 0.69% in 2011 to 1.32% in 2022.
- Jewish affiliation was 0.16%, rather than 0.2% when expressed to two decimal places. The city recorded 973 Jewish residents by religion.
- Paganism needs its own field because Scotland's 2022 Census introduced Pagan as a distinct response option. It accounted for 0.32% of Glasgow's population.
- Glasgow's religious profile is strongly shaped by its historic Christian institutions as well as substantial migration and community formation involving Muslim, Hindu, Sikh and other populations.
- Pollokshields and Govanhill are particularly diverse parts of south Glasgow, with substantial South Asian, Muslim, Sikh, Hindu and other migrant communities as well as longstanding Scottish communities.
- The Gorbals is home to Glasgow Central Mosque and remains an important location in the city's contemporary Muslim community landscape.
- Glasgow's historic Catholic identity remains especially visible in the east and south of the city, while Church of Scotland institutions remain distributed across neighbourhoods throughout Glasgow.
Community Geographic Distributions in Glasgow
Glasgow has Scotland's largest Muslim population by local-authority count, with 48,766 residents identifying as Muslim in 2022. The Southside and inner-city areas contain especially visible Muslim community institutions.
Glasgow's Sikh community is supported by multiple gurdwaras, including Central Gurdwara Singh Sabha on Berkeley Street and Glasgow Gurdwara on Albert Drive.
Glasgow's Hindu community has grown significantly since 2011, reaching 8,166 people in the 2022 Census, or 1.32% of the city population.
Christianity remains Glasgow's largest broad religious family, although it is fragmented among Roman Catholic, Church of Scotland and other Christian traditions. Roman Catholic affiliation alone accounted for 20.74% of residents.
Glasgow has a longstanding Jewish community, although the 2022 Census recorded a relatively small citywide Jewish religious affiliation of 0.16%.
Glasgow Religious Landscape & Demographic Analysis
According to official figures from the Scotland's Census 2022, Ethnic Group, National Identity, Language and Religion, Glasgow (total population: 620,756 across Scotland) exhibits a distinct religious profile. Christianity represents 38.72% of the population. A substantial 43.23% of residents report having no religious affiliation. The Muslim community comprises 7.86% of local residents. Hindu residents account for 1.32%.
Local Places of Worship & Community Centers
Spiritual and community life in Glasgow is supported by recognized places of worship across various neighborhoods, including Glasgow Cathedral (St Mungo's) (Medieval Christian Cathedral located in Cathedral Precinct / Castle Street), Glasgow Central Mosque (Mosque and Islamic Centre located in Gorbals), Central Gurdwara Singh Sabha (Sikh Gurdwara located in Anderston / Berkeley Street), Glasgow Gurdwara (Sikh Gurdwara located in Pollokshields), Guru Nanak Sikh Temple (Sikh Gurdwara located in Otago Street / West End), and Glasgow Hindu Mandir (Hindu Temple located in Glasgow).
Neighborhood & Diaspora Insights in Glasgow
The 57.4% no-religion figure does not describe Glasgow City in Scotland's Census 2022 and should not be used for this local-authority profile. Glasgow's largest individual religious denomination in 2022 was Roman Catholicism at 20.74%, followed by Church of Scotland at 13.30%. No religion increased from 30.99% in 2011 to 43.23% in 2022, an increase of more than 12 percentage points. Christian affiliation declined from 54.44% in 2011 to 38.72% in 2022, with the largest falls occurring among Church of Scotland and Roman Catholic identification. Muslim affiliation increased from 5.41% to 7.86%, reaching 48,766 residents in the 2022 Census. Glasgow had the largest Muslim population of any Scottish council by number. Hindu affiliation nearly doubled as a share of the Glasgow population, rising from 0.69% in 2011 to 1.32% in 2022. Jewish affiliation was 0.16%, rather than 0.2% when expressed to two decimal places. The city recorded 973 Jewish residents by religion. Paganism needs its own field because Scotland's 2022 Census introduced Pagan as a distinct response option. It accounted for 0.32% of Glasgow's population. Glasgow's religious profile is strongly shaped by its historic Christian institutions as well as substantial migration and community formation involving Muslim, Hindu, Sikh and other populations. Pollokshields and Govanhill are particularly diverse parts of south Glasgow, with substantial South Asian, Muslim, Sikh, Hindu and other migrant communities as well as longstanding Scottish communities. The Gorbals is home to Glasgow Central Mosque and remains an important location in the city's contemporary Muslim community landscape. Glasgow's historic Catholic identity remains especially visible in the east and south of the city, while Church of Scotland institutions remain distributed across neighbourhoods throughout Glasgow.
Practical Living & Community Guidance in Glasgow
- •Scotland-wide 2022 figures should not be substituted for Glasgow City figures. Nationally, 51.1% had no religion, but Glasgow City's corresponding figure was 43.23%.
- •Scotland's Census states that religion data do not determine whether a person is a practising member of a 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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