International Determinants of Religiosity

53 Pages Posted: 11 Dec 2003 Last revised: 24 Sep 2022

See all articles by Robert J. Barro

Robert J. Barro

Harvard University - Department of Economics; National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER)

Rachel M. McCleary

Harvard Kennedy School

Date Written: December 2003

Abstract

Two important theories of religiosity are the secularization hypothesis and the religion-market model. According to the former theory, economic development reduces religious participation and beliefs. According to the latter theory, religiosity depends on the presence of a state religion, regulation of the religion market, suppression of organized religion under Communism, and the degree of religious pluralism. We assess the theories by using survey information for 61 countries over the last 20 years on church attendance and religious beliefs. In accordance with the secularization view, overall economic development represented by per capita GDP tends to reduce religiosity. Moreover, instrumental estimates suggest that this link reflects causation from economic development to religiosity, rather than the reverse. The presence of an official state religion tends to increase religiosity, probably because of the subsidies that flow to organized religion. However, in accordance with the religion-market model, religiosity falls with government regulation of the religion market, Communist suppression, and a reduction in religious pluralism. Although religiosity declines overall with economic development, the nature of the interaction varies with the dimension of development. For example, religiosity is positively related to education and the presence of children and negatively related to urbanization.

Suggested Citation

Barro, Robert J. and McCleary, Rachel M., International Determinants of Religiosity (December 2003). NBER Working Paper No. w10147, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=476104

Robert J. Barro (Contact Author)

Harvard University - Department of Economics ( email )

Littauer Center
Cambridge, MA 02138
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National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER)

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Rachel M. McCleary

Harvard Kennedy School ( email )

79 JFK Street
Cambridge, MA 02138
United States
617-496-2611 (Phone)

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