<p>There's the <a href="https://www.ancient-buddhist-texts.net/Maps/Growth-of-Buddhism/Growth-of-Buddhism.htm" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Maps of Ancient Buddhist Asia</a> and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Buddhism" rel="nofollow noreferrer">History of Buddhism</a> mentions some population figures for certain eras, but I don't know of any detailed census data particular to Buddhism prior to the last couple of centuries.</p>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/P6OXy.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/P6OXy.png" alt="enter image description here"></a></p>

<p>For recent data, there's the <a href="http://www.pewforum.org/uploadedFiles/Topics/Religious_Affiliation/globalReligion-full.pdf" rel="nofollow noreferrer">PEW Religious Affiliation Report</a></p>

<p>Hope this helps in some small way.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-10-31T23:37:19.137Z
2018-10-31T23:37:19.137Z
Codosaur
<p>I need some sources regarding the changes in the size of Buddhist populations since the death of Gautama Buddha, e.g. the number of Buddhists in what is modern day India from 410 BC until now, or just global historical data of Buddhist populations around the world since the religion started spreading. Exact sources would be great. This is part of a research paper I am doing, and partly out of pure curiousity as well. Thanks.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-11-11T21:02:41.383Z
It's possible you would get a better answer on History.SE, if this question would be on-topic there.
ChrisW
<history><india>
Where can I find sources for historical data on Buddhist populations in various regions around the world?
# Where can I find sources for historical data on Buddhist populations in various regions around the world?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2017-11-11)

I need some sources regarding the changes in the size of Buddhist populations since the death of Gautama Buddha, e.g. the number of Buddhists in what is modern day India from 410 BC until now, or just global historical data of Buddhist populations around the world since the religion started spreading. Exact sources would be great. This is part of a research paper I am doing, and partly out of pure curiousity as well. Thanks.

**Tags:** history, india

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: It's possible you would get a better answer on History.SE, if this question would be on-topic there.  

---

## 1 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2018-10-31. Score: 3

There's the [Maps of Ancient Buddhist Asia](https://www.ancient-buddhist-texts.net/Maps/Growth-of-Buddhism/Growth-of-Buddhism.htm) and [History of Buddhism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Buddhism) mentions some population figures for certain eras, but I don't know of any detailed census data particular to Buddhism prior to the last couple of centuries.

[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/P6OXy.png)](https://i.sstatic.net/P6OXy.png)

For recent data, there's the [PEW Religious Affiliation Report](http://www.pewforum.org/uploadedFiles/Topics/Religious_Affiliation/globalReligion-full.pdf)

Hope this helps in some small way.


---

