Buddhism in Norway has existed since the beginning of the 1970s, after immigration from countries with Buddhist populations, mainly Vietnam. Buddhistforbundet (The Buddhist Federation) in Norway was established as a religious society in 1979 by two Buddhist groups (The Zen School and Karma Tashi Ling buddhistsenter) who wanted to create a common organization to preserve issues of common interest. As of 2013, there are between 30.000 and 50.000 (between 0.7% and up to 1%Eurobarometer Biotechnology report 2010 p.381 of the total population) registered Buddhists in Norway. Around 5% of them are Norwegians.
In 2017, it was estimated that there are approximately 2,000 ethnic Norwegians who have converted to the religion. Buddhism is Norway's third-largest religion, after Christianity and Islam.
Population
By Electoral districts
Electoral districts Total population Buddhist population Percent buddhist Oslo 575,475 2,912 0.5% Akershus 527,625 1,767 0.3% Østfold 268,584 1,143 0.4% Hordaland 469,681 952 0.2% Rogaland 420,574 844 0.2% Sør-Trøndelag 286,729 801 0.2% Buskerud 254,634 774 0.3% Vestfold 229,134 538 0.2% Vest-Agder 168,233 512 0.3% Telemark 167,548 379 0.2% Hedmark 190,071 350 0.1% Oppland 184,288 274 0.1% Møre og Romsdal 248,727 246 0.0% Aust-Agder 107,359 227 0.2% Troms 155,553 177 0.1% Nordland 235,380 131 0.0% Nord-Trøndelag 130,708 104 0.0% Finnmark 72,492 81 0.1% Sogn og Fjordane 106,457 40 0.0%
By region
County Total population Buddhist population Percent buddhist Eastern Norway 2,397,359 8,137 0.3% Western Norway 1,245,439 2,082 0.1% Trøndelag 417,437 905 0.2% Southern Norway 275,592 739 0.2% Northern Norway 463,425 389 0.0%
Year Buddhists Percent 1990 3,012 0.07% 2000 7,031 0.16% 2005 9,471 0.20% 2010 13,376 0.27% 2019 21,555 0.40%
References
External links Buddhist Federation of Norway (European Buddhist Union) Buddhism in Norway BUDDHISTFORBUNDET Buddhism Today - Buddhism in Norway, by Haavard Lorentzen