Data from the 2022 IBGE Census confirm that Foz do Iguaçu remains one of the largest religious mosaics in Brazil, but also reveal important changes in the population's faith profile. In just over a decade, the city has seen a decrease in the proportion of Catholics and an increase in the number of Evangelicals.
READ TOO: 2022 Census: infographics reveal data from Foz do Iguaçu and Western Paraná
In the survey, which considered the population over 10 years old, Catholics remain the majority in Foz do Iguaçu. There are 127.834 followers, which represents 51,7% of the local population. However, the group lost ground in relation to the 2010 Census, when it represented 58,5% of residents — a drop of 6,8 percentage points in 12 years. In Paraná, the Catholic rate is 62,8% (it was 70,6% in 2010), above the national average (56,7%, compared to 65,1% 12 years ago).
The evangelical segment has grown and now accounts for 29,4% of Iguaçu residents. The 1,9 percentage point increase compared to 2010 confirms the trend of evangelical growth. The statewide proportion is 26,1%, compared to 21,2% in 2010. On the national scene, evangelicals account for 26,9% of the total, compared to 21,6% in 2010.
In summary, the difference between the number of Catholics and Evangelicals in Foz do Iguaçu decreased from 31 to 22,3 percentage points in these twelve years.
Islam, African matrix and spiritualism
Furthermore, Foz do Iguaçu has a significant proportion of followers of other religions (6,9%), much higher than Paraná (3,2%) and Brazil (4%). This group includes Muslims, who in 2010 totaled 5,6 people.
In the current survey, it is not possible to specify how the numbers evolved in relation to Islam, as the religion was included in the category of other religions. Religions of African origin (Umbanda and Candomblé) also grew, rising from 0,1% to 0,9% of the population between 2010 and 2022. Spiritism remained stable, with 1,5% of residents, close to the national average (1,8%).
More people without religion
The number of people without religion rose from 7,1% to 8,6% in Foz do Iguaçu, in line with the increase observed in Brazil (9,3%). In Paraná, this group represents 6% of the population.
Foz do Iguaçu: city of temples and coexistence
The religious plurality of Foz do Iguaçu goes beyond numbers. Finally, the city is home to 450 religious temples, according to data from the same Census 2022. Christian churches, mosques, spiritualist centers and African-origin temples make up the spiritual mosaic of the city, which is nationally recognized as an example of harmony and respect between faiths.
