Religion in the Central African Republic
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Christianity is the predominant religion in the Central African Republic, with significant minorities adhering to Islam and traditional African religions.
- Christianity (89.0%)
- Islam (9.00%)
- Traditional faiths (1.00%)
- Others / None (1.00%)
The country is officially secular and freedom of religion is enshrined in its constitution. Christmas and Easter are recognized as public holidays.[2] Conflicts are frequently split along religious lines in the CAR.
Overview
Christianity
Christianity is practiced by 75–89 percent of the population.[1][3] According to a 2019 study Protestants outnumber Catholics in the Central African Republic.[4] Accordingly, 61% of the population is Protestant and 28% is Catholic.[5] Some Christians are influenced by animist beliefs and practices.[6]
Islam
Islam is the second largest religion in the country, practiced by 9–15 percent of the population.[7][1] The vast majority of Muslims are Malikite Sunni. It is believed that many of these followers incorporate traditional indigenous elements into their faith practices.[8] In 2021, there were around 703,373 refugees from the Central African Republic in bordering countries, with most of them adhering to Islam.[5]
Demographics
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Censuses
The last population and housing census in 2003 recorded a population of 3,895,139, of whom 80.3% were Christian, 10.1% Muslim, 4.5% practised other faiths, 3.6% had no religion, and 1.5% chose not to declare their religious affiliation.[9]
| Religion | 2003 census[9] | |
|---|---|---|
| # | % | |
| Christian | 3,127,797 | 80.3 |
| —Protestant | 2,002,102 | 51.4 |
| —Catholic | 1,125,695 | 28.9 |
| Muslim | 393,409 | 10.1 |
| No religion | 140,225 | 3.6 |
| Other | 175,281 | 4.5 |
| Non-Declared | 58,427 | 1.5 |
| Total | 3,895,139 | 100 |
Religious geography
Although the Central African Republic government did not release detailed official religious matrix data per prefecture in the last census, Reports from the United States Department of State and spatial studies of religion show consistent distribution patterns based on geographic location.[10][11]
The following is an estimate of the percentage characteristics and distribution of religion at the prefecture level in the Central African Republic:
| Prefecture | Proportion estimation (%) |
|---|---|
| Bangui | 70% Christian (Protestant & Catholic), 20–25% Muslim. The largest Muslim community is in the Third District (PK5 area). |
| Vakaga | Muslim majority (~75%–85%). The prefecture has the highest Muslim percentage because it borders the Muslim-majority countries of Sudan and Chad. Christian (~15%). |
| Bamingui-Bangoran | The majority are Muslims (~60%–70%) followed by animists and a Christian minority (~30%). |
| Haute-Kotto | 50%–55% Christian and 35%–45% Muslim. The town of Bria has a significant Muslim population due to the gem trading sector. |
| Ouham | Absolute Christian majority (~85%). The Muslim population has drastically decreased in rural areas after the 2013 conflict. |
| Ouham-Pendé | Absolute Christian majority (~85%–90%). Dominated by Protestant denominations (Baptist & Lutheran). |
| Lim-Pendé | Absolute Christian majority (~90%). A area with a strong Christian Gbaya ethnic base. |
| Ouham-Fafa | Absolute Christian majority (~75%). Christian enclave under the northern transition zone. |
| Nana-Grébizi | Majority Christian (~60%), with a Muslim minority (~35%) along the transhumance trade routes. |
| Kémo | Absolute Christian majority (~85%). |
| Nana-Mambéré | Absolute Christian majority (~90%–95%). Bouar is known as the historical center of Christian missionary spread in the RCA. |
| Mambéré-Kadéï | Absolute Christian majority (~85%). The minority Muslim community is concentrated in the commercial district of Carnot. |
| Mambéré | Absolute Christian majority (~85%–90%). |
| Sangha-Mbaéré | The majority are Christians (~70%), followed by adherents of traditional/animist beliefs (~25%). |
| Lobaye | Absolute Christian majority (~85%). This southern region has a very strong Roman Catholic influence. |
| Ombella-M'Poko | Majority Christian (~65%–70%). Buffer zone around the capital Bangui. |
| Basse-Kotto | Absolute Christian majority (~85%). |
| Ouaka | Majority Christian (~65%–70%). The town of Bambari is a demographic meeting point with a significant Muslim population (~25%–30%). |
| Mbomou | Majority Christian (~65%). It is the base of a large Roman Catholic diocese in the eastern region. There is a sizable indigenous Muslim population, mainly centered in the town of Bangassou (~30%). |
| Haut-Mbomou | The majority are Christian (~80%), with strong syncretism of local traditional beliefs (Zande ethnicity). |
Freedom of religion
In 2026, the country scored 1 out of 4 for religious freedom according to Freedom House.[12]