[ad_1]
In this article, we look at the 25 countries with the largest Catholic populations in the world. If you want to skip the detailed analysis, you can go directly to the following link: 5 countries with the most Catholic populations in the world.
According to the CIA World Factbook, Catholics are one of the major groups of Christians. Roman Catholicism is one of the oldest established Western Christian churches and the largest religious group in the world. The hierarchical structure of religious organizations originates from the Pope, or Bishop of Rome, located in Vatican City. The entire population of Vatican City is made up of Roman Catholics. Catholicism consists of 23 churches or rites. This includes the Western (Roman or Latin Rite) and 22 Eastern Rites. The Latin Rite accounts for 98% of Catholics worldwide. People from all over the world make pilgrimages to these holy churches to fulfill their religious obligations.
Religious tourism: an overview
According to a report by Future Market Insights, the global faith-based tourism market was worth $15.07 billion in 2023. The global faith-based tourism market is projected to grow to $40.92 billion by 2033, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR). 10.5%. According to the report, more people are looking to add purpose to their lives by taking meaningful trips to strengthen their faith. Additionally, people around the world are investing significantly in time and resources to learn about other religions and cultures, which is a major contributor to the growth of faith-based travel and tourism. Other important factors include the growing popularity of faith-based health experiences such as yoga and meditation, and the subsequent availability of convenient travel and accommodation options.
The European faith-based tourism market dominates the industry, with a market share of 13% in 2022. The large influx of faith-based tourists to Europe was made up of Christians and Catholics, but also included people of other faiths, such as Islam, Judaism, and religion. Buddhists also visit Europe to experience other religions. One of the leading companies specializing in cultural and faith-based tourism is Regina Tours. Regina Tours offers great pilgrimages such as the “Footsteps of St. Paul” and “Our Lady of Fatima.” The company has been offering Catholic pilgrimages since 1985.
Some of the major travel agencies
Major travel companies include Booking Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:BKNG), Airbnb, Inc. (NASDAQ:ABNB), and Expedia Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:EXPE). Let’s discuss recent updates on these companies. Also see the best travel stocks to buy.
Booking Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:BKNG) is a leader in the travel industry. The company offers a variety of services through its subsidiaries, including Booking.com, Priceline, Agoda, Rentalcars, KAYAK, and OpenTable. Booking Holdings (NASDAQ:BKNG) was in 81 hedge funds’ portfolios at the end of Q3 2023. His total holdings in these hedge funds totaled $8.02 billion, up from his $6.59 billion in 78 positions last quarter. . Hedge fund sentiment towards the stock is positive. As of December 31, 2023, Riverpark Advisors was the largest shareholder in Booking Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:BKNG) with a position valued at $3.99 million. The stock accounts for 3.68% of the fund’s portfolio.
Airbnb, Inc. (NASDAQ:ABNB) is a global online marketplace for homestays. As an intermediary, the company charges a fee for each reservation. Not only is the company changing the landscape of travel, it’s also an active member of the community. On January 23, Airbnb, Inc. (NASDAQ:ABNB) announced that the Airbnb Community Fund will distribute $100 million to communities over 10 years. In his third year of the program, the company has awarded nearly $10 million to his 120 nonprofit organizations on six continents.
Wall Street is positive on Airbnb, Inc. (NASDAQ:ABNB). On January 22nd, Needham analyst Bernie McTernan reiterated his rating on Airbnb (NASDAQ:ABNB) as a “buy” and maintained his $100 price target. Over the past three months, 10 Wall Street analysts have given his Airbnb, Inc. (NASDAQ:ABNB) a Buy rating. Airbnb, Inc. (NASDAQ:ABNB) has an average price target of $138.16 and a high estimate of $175.
On December 5, 2023, Expedia Group (NASDAQ:EXPE) announced a variety of new travel partnerships in Europe. These partnerships aim to strengthen B2B technology, improve advertising and supply chains, and connect European partners with the company’s large customer base. Some of the company’s notable partners include Ryanair, Icelandair and ADAC. Ryanair plans to launch ‘Ryanair Rooms’. Ryanair Rooms leverages Expedia’s While label template technology to enable customers to book hotels along with their flights. Icelandair launches new platform “Saga Club”. The new travel site will allow customers to book additional features in addition to flights. ADAC is the Automobile Association. The partnership will give ADAC travel agents access to Expedia’s travel inventory.
On January 25, Expedia Group (NASDAQ:EXPE) reported its third quarter 2024 earnings. The company reported earnings per share of $3.72, beating expectations by $0.15. The company reported revenue worth $558.83 million for the quarter, which beat the market consensus by $21.25 million and increased 9.26% year-over-year.
Let’s take a look at the 25 countries with the largest Catholic populations in the world. Also read about the country with the world’s largest Muslim population.
25 countries with the most Catholic populations in the world
our methodology
We consulted the CIA World Factbook to arrive at the 25 countries with the largest Catholic populations. The CIA World Factbook provided us with the percentage of Catholics in each country. Note that in most countries, Roman Catholics make up all or the majority of the Catholic or Christian population.
Note: For some countries, the exact percentage of Roman Catholics is not defined in the CIA World Factbook. However, it does mention the percentage of Christians, emphasizing that the majority of the Christian population is Roman Catholic. Because exact figures for the Roman Catholic population of these countries were not available, we ranked them early on the list.
Incidentally, Insider Monkey is an investment site that tracks the movements of company insiders and hedge funds. Using a consensus approach, we identify the best stock picks of over 900 hedge funds investing in US stocks. The top 10 consensus stocks selected by hedge funds have outperformed the S&P 500 index by more than 140 percentage points over the past 10 years (Please see here for the detail). Whether you’re a novice investor or a professional looking for the best stocks to buy, you can benefit from the wisdom of hedge funds and company insiders.
25 countries with the most Catholic populations in the world
25. Italy
Percentage of Christians (mainly Roman Catholic): 80.8%
Italy has an overwhelmingly large Roman Catholic population. Although exact numbers are not defined, 80.8% of the population is Christian, the majority being Roman Catholic.
24. Andorra
Percentage of Christians (mainly Roman Catholic): 89.5%
Andorra is one of the countries with the largest Catholic population. 89.5% of Andorra’s population is Christian. Roman Catholics make up the majority of Christians.
23. Colombia
Percentage of Christians (mainly Roman Catholic): 92.3%
Colombia ranks as one of the countries with the largest Catholic population. In Colombia, 92.3% of the population is Christian. Most Christians in Colombia are Roman Catholics.
22. Guam
Percentage of Christians (mainly Roman Catholic): 94.2%
Guam is a U.S. island territory in Micronesia in the western Pacific Ocean. 94.2% of Guam’s population is Christian, the majority of whom are Roman Catholic.
21. Curacao
Percentage of Roman Catholics: 72.8%
72.8% of Curacao’s total population is Roman Catholic. This is followed by Pentecostalism, which makes up 6.6% of Curaçao’s population.
20. Liechtenstein
Percentage of Roman Catholics: 73.4%
Liechtenstein ranks 20th among the countries with the largest Catholic population in the world. Roman Catholics and Reformed Protestants make up 73.4% and 6.3% of the total population, respectively.
19. Lithuania
Percentage of Roman Catholics: 74.2%
Lithuania, also known as the Republic of Lithuania, is a country located in the Baltic region of Europe. In Lithuania, Roman Catholics make up 74.2% of the total population.
18. Aruba
Percentage of Roman Catholics: 75.3%
Aruba, officially known as the Republic of Alba, is a country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Her 75.3% of Alba’s total population is made up of Roman Catholics.
17. Seychelles
Percentage of Roman Catholics: 76.2%
Seychelles is a country in East Africa. The country is an archipelago of 115 islands. Her 76.2% of Seychelles’ population is Roman Catholic. 10.5% of the population is Protestant.
16. Cape Verde
Percentage of Roman Catholics: 77.3%
Cape Verde is a country in Africa. Cape Verde is also known as Cape Verde and is officially called the Republic of Cape Verde. 77.3% of the population is Roman Catholic.
15. Mexico
Percentage of Roman Catholics: 78%
Mexico ranks 15th among the countries with the most Catholic populations in the world. Her 78% of Mexico’s population is Roman Catholic. 11.2% of the total population is made up of Protestant/Evangelical Christians.
14. Philippines
Percentage of Roman Catholics: 78.8%
The Philippines ranks as one of the countries with the largest Catholic population in the world. 78.8% of the population of the Philippines is Roman Catholic, followed by Muslims who make up her 6.4% of the population.
13. Portugal
Percentage of Roman Catholics: 79.7%
Portugal is a country in southern Europe. This country is located on the Iberian Peninsula and shares a border with Spain. In Portugal, 79.7% of the population is Roman Catholic, followed by Protestants at 2.2%.
12. Paraguay
Percentage of Roman Catholics: 80.4%
Paraguay is a landlocked country in South America. Paraguay is located between Argentina, Brazil, and Bolivia. 80.4% of the population is Roman Catholic.
11. Poland
Percentage of Roman Catholics: 84.8%
The Republic of Poland, commonly referred to as Poland, is a country in Europe. 85% of Poland’s population is Christian. Roman Catholics make up 84.8% of the total population.
10. Croatia
Percentage of Roman Catholics: 86.3%
Croatia, officially known as the Republic of Croatia, is a country located on the Balkan Peninsula. 86.3% of the population is Roman Catholic.
9. Equatorial Guinea
Percentage of Roman Catholics: 88%
Equatorial Guinea is a country in Central Africa. 88% of Equatorial Guinea’s population is Roman Catholic. This is followed by Protestants and Muslims, who make up 5% and 2% of the population respectively.
8. Malta
Percentage of Roman Catholics: 90%
Malta, officially known as the Republic of Malta, is an archipelago in the central Mediterranean Sea. Roman Catholicism is Malta’s official religion. More than 90% of Malta’s population is Roman Catholic.
7. Monaco
Percentage of Roman Catholics: 90%
Monaco is a sovereign European state and one of the second smallest countries in the world. 90% of Monaco’s population is Roman Catholic. This province is home to the Cathedral of St. Nicholas.
6. Venezuela
Percentage of Roman Catholics: 96%
Venezuela is a country in South America. 96% of Venezuela’s population is Roman Catholic. This is followed by Protestants, who make up 2% of the population.
Click to keep reading to see the 5 countries with the largest Catholic populations in the world..
Recommended articles:
Disclosure: None. 25 countries with the most Catholic populations in the world Originally published on Insider Monkey.
[ad_2]
Source link