☸️ ☪️ ✝️ The Three Major Religions of Southeast Asia

What We’re Showing

A map of Southeast Asia, color-coded by the largest religious group in every country, per data from the U.S. State Department (2022).

Key Takeaways

• Southeast Asian countries predominantly follow one of three major religions: Buddhism, Islam, and Christianity
• Buddhism arrived first in the region, between the 1st–3rd centuries, brought by Indian and Chinese traders
• Islam came next, around the 7th century, along with Arabian traders
• Christianity arrived last, brought by European missionaries in the 16th century