Singapore – The Most Religiously Diverse Country in the World

Singapore takes pride in its religious diversity and tolerance. Considering the diversity of Singapore’s population, it was no surprise as per the report of the Pew Research Report in 2014 when it declared Singapore as the most religiously diverse country in the world.

Singapore Most Religiously Diverse 

As per the study conducted by the Pew Research Center in Washington, DC, it ranked countries on a scale of 1 to 10, where 10 is the most diverse. This study was based on the Religious Diversity Index (RDI) where the percentage of the population falling in diverse categories like Buddhists, Christians, Hindu, folk religions, Jews, Muslims, other religions and the religiously unaffiliated. As per this study, Singapore scored 9 on the RDI from 232 countries in the study.

Unique Amalgamation of Diverse Culture

As per the 2015 Singapore General Household Survey, Singapore comprises of 33% Buddhist, 19% Christian, 14% Islamic, 11% Taoist and 5% Hindu, and 18% claim no religious beliefs. This data does not include non-residents, who comprise 20% of Singapore’s population. You can see this diversity all over the island which includes – a three-block walk down South Bridge Street starting from Cross Street to Smith Street in Chinatown that passes the Masjid Jamae Mosque, the Sri Mariamman Temple and the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple – all on the same street.

Little India – A True Picture of Religious Diversity

Little India is yet another great neighborhood that appreciates Singapore’s religious diversity. Recently The National Heritage Board organized three Little India Heritage Trail walking tours to encourage visitors to have a glimpse of this place. The Walk of Faiths cross passes 11 religious buildings which include the Church of the True Light, Abdul Gafoor Mosque, the Foochow Methodist Church, many temples also.

Celebration of Diverse Festivals

Singapore also celebrates multiple festivals to mark religious diversity by celebrating dates and events significant to every culture. They celebrate public holidays from Easter to Hari Raya to Diwali, and community associations simultaneously organize large-scale events around holidays like Chinese New Year and Hari Raya Puasa.

Synopsis

It is quite evident that Singapore is a country of diverse cultures and beliefs that make it unique and stunningly attractive to visitors.