What is the religion practiced in Peru?
Peru is predominantly Catholic, with over 90% of the population practicing this religion. Catholicism, inherited from Spanish colonization, remains the country's official and dominant religion.
Catholicism, the dominant religion
Over 90% of Peruvians declare themselves Catholic, making Peru one of the most Catholic countries in Latin America. This predominance is explained by the legacy of Spanish colonization, which imposed Catholicism from the 16th century onwards.
Other faiths present
The remaining 10% are distributed among:
- Evangelical Protestantism: growing since the 1980s
- Indigenous religions: Andean ancestral practices still vibrant in certain communities
- Other minority religions: Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, mainly in major cities
Religious syncretism
In the Andes, Catholicism often blends with pre-Columbian beliefs. Many religious celebrations incorporate elements of Andean cosmovision, creating a unique syncretism between Christian and indigenous traditions.