Freedom of religion in Taiwan

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Freedom of religion in Taiwan is guaranteed by the Constitution and is generally respected in daily life. There is no state religion, and people can worship freely. The government protects this right and does not tolerate discrimination based on religion.

Taiwan covers about 36,000 square kilometers and has a population of around 23 million. About one-third identify as Buddhist and about one-third as Taoist, with many people combining practices from both faiths. A large portion of the population also follows traditional Chinese folk religion, which can include ancestor worship and beliefs in spirits. Some people are nonreligious. Falun Gong in Taiwan is usually viewed as a spiritual movement rather than a religion. Smaller numbers belong to Protestant, Catholic, or Muslim communities, and there are several foreign missionary groups and other Christian denominations working in the country. Among Indigenous groups, a significant portion of the 475,000 Aborigines is Christian.

Religious organizations can register with the Ministry of the Interior; many do not, but registered groups receive tax exemptions and must submit annual financial reports. Taiwan does not require religious education in public schools, though high schools may offer elective courses in religious studies, and universities may have religious studies departments. Since 2004–2006, the government has created an accreditation process for university-level religious education, with the Dharma Drum Buddhist College among the first accredited institutions.

The government promotes interfaith understanding through symposiums and information about major faiths. It recognizes religious groups for their social contributions and supports dialogue among different traditions. There have been no widespread reports of religious oppression or discrimination, and leaders from various faiths participate in public life. Taiwan has received high international rankings for religious freedom: joint top placement in the 2018 Freedom of Thought Report and a top score from Freedom House in 2018, with a 4 out of 4 rating in 2022.