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The biggest “religion” in Edinburgh is… having no religion at all.

Figures from the Annual Population Survey show the number of people with no religion grew from 211,000 in 2011 to 303,000 in 2018.

That is an increase of 43% in just seven years.

People with no religion now make up 60% of Edinburgh’s population, or three-fifths. That makes people without religion the largest group in the city.

Christians are the next biggest group and make up 33% of people living in the area. Their numbers are falling – dropping by 29% from 236,000 in 2011 to 167,000 in 2018.

There were 14,000 Muslims in Edinburgh in 2018, making up 3% of the local population. The number of Muslims has risen by 36% from 11,000 in 2011.

Edinburgh also has 3,000 Buddhists (up 14% since 2011), 4,000 Hindus (up 65%), 2,000 Jews (up 0%).

The ONS was not able to estimate the number of people in Edinburgh who said they were Sikh as the sample size was too small to provide a reliable estimate.

In Edinburgh, the number of people who identify as “other religions” has risen by 484% since 2011, to 12,000 in 2018.

This group includes those who follow other faiths from across the world, as well as spiritualist and pagan beliefs.

Estimates for local areas are based on small sample sizes and are therefore subject to a margin of uncertainty. They should therefore be treated with caution.

Across Britain, there are now 25 million people who identify as having no religion, making up 40% of the population.

This is a 46% increase from 17.1m in 2011.

A recent poll for the Humanist Society Scotland showed that 59% of Scottish adults identified as non-religious.

A spokesperson for Humanist Society Scotland said:

"Scotland is no longer a majority faith-based country – and has not been for some time - Edinburgh's new figures are more evidence that back this long term trend up.

"Some try to bemoan this demographic shift in the city being less religious than before as if there is something profound missing.

"But for the near 300,000 non-religious in Edinburgh they live good, honest and fulfilled lives with a positive Humanistic outlook.

"People who don't follow a faith are no less ethical, moral or content than those who do.

"It's no surprise then that more people and families than ever before are choosing mark to key life events, such as weddings or funerals, with a meaningful and personal Humanist celebration."

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