Religious distribution

The principal religions practiced in Germany are Protestantism (Lutheran, Reformed, United) where the churches are grouped together under one federal body, the Evangelische Kirche in Deutschland (EKD) and Roman Catholicism organized in the Deutsche Bischofskonferenz (DBK). The Catholic Church is made up of 7 archdioceses and 20 dioceses, while the EKD has 20 Churches. They represent together almost 63% of the population. About a third of the population, found mainly in East Germany, do not practice any religion.
The Jewish population, which was almost eradicated during the Nazi genocide, is very much in the minority even if it recently recorded increased numbers due to immigration from the former Soviet Union. There is also a sizeable Muslim population, resulting mainly from Turkish immigration, which has increased considerably. The religious landscape also displays other minority religions – the Baha’i Faith, Buddhism, Hinduism, Sikhism, etc, and religious associations like the Hare Krishnas, Church of Scientology, Jehovah Witnesses, etc.

Official data on religious membership in Germany is provided only for the Catholic Church, the EKD and some Jewish communities. Only estimations are available for the other religions

Official data on Churches in 2010 (Statistisches Bundesamt)

Source: Statistisches Bundesamt (ed.), Statistisches Jahrbuch 2011: Für die Bundesrepublik Deutschland, Wiesbaden 2011; Sekretariat der Deutschen Bischofskonferenz (DBK), Katholische Kirche in Deutschland – Statistische Daten 2010, Bonn 2010; Evangelische Kirche in Deutschland (EKD), Statistik über die Äußerungen des kirchlichen Lebens in den Gliedkirchen der EKD im Jahr 2010, Nov. 2011.
* Others include those not affiliated with any religion.

Estimations on minority religious groups in 2005 (REMID)

Source: Religionswissenschaftlicher Medien- und Informationsdienst (REMID), Religionen in Deutschland, 2005.

More recent information can be found on Statistisches Bundesamt.