how many religion are in the world

There are approximately 4,200+ distinct religions worldwide as of 2025, according to estimates from multiple sources. The number of religions in the world can vary depending on the criteria used, but expert estimates range from about 4,000 to 10,000 or more when including all recognized religious bodies, denominations, and spiritual traditions. Most of the world's population adheres to a small number of major religions such as Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism, but many smaller religions also exist globally.