Hinduism in Italy

Hinduism is practised by 0.3% of the people in Italy. It is practised by 0.1% of the Italian citizens and 2.9% of the immigrant population.[1] In 2012, there were about 90,000 Hindus in Italy.[2] In 2015, the population increased to 120,000. As of 2022, the population is around 200,000 - the second largest Hindu community in Europe after the United Kingdom, and the largest Hindu community in the European Union.

Italian Hindus
ISKCON devotees in Venice, Italy
Total population
180,000 (2021)
(0.3%) of total population
Regions with significant populations
Rome, Milan, Venice
Religions
Hinduism
Languages
Sacred
Sanskrit
Majority
Hindi, English, Tamil and other Indian diaspora languages, some also speak Italian
Hinduism by country
Africa
Asia
Europe
North America
Caribbean
Oceania
South America
Full list
Hare Krishnas Mandir in Albettone, Vicenza.

Demographics
Hindu population in Italy
YearPop.±%
2012 90,000—    
2015 120,000+33.3%
2021 180,000+50.0%
Year Percent Increase
2012 0.1% -
2015 0.2% +0.1%
2021 0.3% +0.1%

Official recognition as a religion

Hindus are pressing for official recognition in Italy. Unione Induista Italia has signed in 2007 an Intente with the Italian government. The document was then waiting for approval by the Italian Parliament. Hinduism was granted official recognition by the Italian Parliament in 2012 alongside Buddhism.[3] On 11 December 2012, the Italian Parliament ratified an official agreement (Intesa) with the Italian Hindu Union (L.31/12/2012 n. 246). As declared in Article 24 of the Law of agreement, Dipavali or Diwali, the Festival of Lights, is recognized in Italy as the official Hindu religious festival of the Hindu organization.[4]

Matha Gitananda Ashram

It is one of the three Hindu monasteries in Europe. The Hindu monastery Matha Gitananda Ashrama is located in Località Pellegrino in the Municipality of Altare. It stands on a hill 520m high, in the inland of Savona.[5]

See also

References
  1. "Il pluralismo religioso italiano nel contesto postmoderno | le Religioni in Italia".
  2. Table: Religious Composition by Country, in Numbers Pew Research Center (December 2012)
  3. "Italian Parliament Grants Offical [sic] Recognition to Hinduism and Buddhism". Hinduism Today. December 14, 2012. Retrieved July 19, 2015.
  4. "About us – Unione Induista Italiana".
  5. "About us – matha".
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