Belief in life after death remains an important part of how people understand existence, spirituality and human destiny. However, the strength of this belief differs considerably across countries, reflecting diverse religious traditions, cultural influences and personal worldviews.

Figures attributed to the World Values Survey for the 2017–2022 period show substantial differences among the countries listed. Bangladesh records the highest percentage in this selection, at 98.8%, while China has the lowest, at 11.5%.

Countries With the Highest Reported Belief

According to the figures, Bangladesh leads at 98.8%, followed by Morocco at 96.2% and Libya at 95.2%. Türkiye and Iran also report high levels, at 91.8% and 91.3%, respectively.

Pakistan records 89.3%, followed by Egypt at 88.1%. The Philippines, Nigeria and Ethiopia report 83.8%, 83.1% and 82.4%, respectively. Malaysia stands at 81.9%, while Indonesia records 73.5%.

These figures illustrate the strong presence of belief in an afterlife in several countries where religious traditions play an important role in social and cultural life. Nevertheless, individual beliefs can differ significantly within every country.

Where Belief Falls Around the Middle of the Range

Mexico records 70.8%, while the United States stands at 68.2%. Argentina reports 58.2%, closely followed by Iceland at 58.0%. Venezuela records 57.2%, Thailand 57.1%, Canada 56.9% and Brazil 56.7%.

Australia stands at 53.8%, while Mongolia records 51.1%. These figures place the countries near the middle of the range represented in the list, although they do not explain why individual respondents hold particular beliefs.

Lower Percentages in Several Countries

The United Kingdom records 41.7%, followed by Norway at 39.3%, Russia at 38.7% and Spain at 38.1%. Vietnam stands at 34.1%, while Japan records 32.2%.

China has the lowest reported percentage in the selection, at 11.5%. This figure indicates that comparatively few respondents in the cited data expressed belief in life after death, but it should not be interpreted as evidence that everyone in China rejects spiritual or religious ideas.

What Influences Belief in an Afterlife?

Beliefs about life after death can be shaped by religious teachings, family traditions, cultural practices, philosophical ideas and personal experiences. Some faiths describe an afterlife in terms of heaven, hell or spiritual existence, while others emphasise rebirth or different understandings of existence beyond death.

Social change, education and personal interpretation may also influence how people answer questions about spiritual beliefs. A survey percentage captures responses to a particular question; it cannot fully represent the complexity of an individual’s worldview.

Understanding the Survey Figures

The percentages presented here are attributed to the World Values Survey for 2017–2022. They should be understood as survey findings rather than definitive measurements of every person’s beliefs in each country. Results can vary according to the survey question, sampling methods, the countries and populations covered, and the way responses are classified.

The figures offer a useful starting point for exploring international differences in beliefs about the afterlife. They also demonstrate why cultural and religious attitudes are best examined through careful comparisons rather than broad assumptions about entire populations.