What percent of Albania is atheist?

2.5 per cent
According to the latest census figures from 2011, over half (56.7 per cent) of Albania’s 2.8 million population are self-declared Muslims, the majority of which are Sunni, ten per cent are Catholics, almost 7 per cent identify as Orthodox, 5.5 per cent say they do not have a religion, 2.5 per cent identify as atheist …

Is Albania an atheist country?

Albania became the first officially atheist country in the world in 1967. Its ruler, Enver Hoxha, ordered all churches and mosques demolished or converted into sports arenas, warehouses or other secular facilities.

Why is Albania the first atheist country?

Albania: The First Atheist State. Albania is a small country that prides itself on its fierce national identity and long Christian history. But after the communist takeover 1946 tens of thousands of common people perished for religious reasons. The faith came early to Albania with St. Paul.

What is the main religion in Albania?

Irreligion, atheism and agnosticism are present among Albanians (see religion in Albania), along with the predominant faiths of Islam and Christianity. The majority of Albanians lead a secular life and reject religious considerations to shape or condition their way of life.

Is Albania a secular country?

Albania is constitutionally a secular country since 1967, and as such, “neutral in questions of belief and conscience”: The former Communist dictatorship declared Albania as the world’s first and only ” Atheist state “. Believers faced harsh punishments, and many clergymen were killed.

What happened to the Albanian Church?

The Albanian Church triumphed at a high price. Of 156 priests before the persecution began, 65 were martyred, 64 died during or after imprisonment. Tens of thousands of common people perished for religious reasons. No people passed through a worse trial in the 20th century.