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Christianity is the predominantreligion in Tuvalu, withCalvinism being the single largest denomination.
Approximately 86% of the population belonged to theChurch of Tuvalu (Tuvaluan:Te Ekalesia Kelisiano Tuvalu,EKT) in the 2022 census and it is thestate church ofTuvalu, although in practice this merely entitles it to "the privilege of performing special services on major national events";[1] it isCalvinist in orientation and has aCongregationalist polity.
Adherents of theChurch of Tuvalu comprise about 86% of the 10,632 inhabitants of Tuvalu.[2]
Allnine islands of Tuvalu, encompassing a combined land area of 26 square kilometres (10 sq mi), have traditional chiefs (alikis) who are members of the Church of Tuvalu.[1]
The most prominent building onFunafuti is theFētu'ao Lima (Morning Star Church) of the Church of Tuvalu.
Most followers of other religions or denominations, making up small populations of members of theSeventh-day Adventist Church (2%), the Tuvalu Brethren Church (acharismatic Protestant denomination) (3%), theJehovah's Witnesses (1%) andCatholics (1%),[2] are found in the capital city,Funafuti.
TheBaháʼí Faith constitutes 1% of the population.[2] The Baháʼís are mainly found onNanumea,[3] and alsoFunafuti.[4]
The Catholic community is served by theMission Sui Iuris of Funafuti. The sole Catholic church in the country isTeone Church inVaiaku.
There are also smaller numbers ofMuslims,Baptists, members ofthe Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints andatheists.[1] As of 2010, theAhmadiyya Muslim Community had approximately 50 members in the country, representing 0.5% of the population.[5]
The population of Tuvalu was 11,500 as of 2022 estimates,[1] up from 10,837 in the 2012 census.[6]
As of 2022[update], the various denominations followingChristianity make up roughly (rounding errors with small overall population) 96% of the population. Overall, the largest faith groups were:[2]
TheConstitution of Tuvalu was amended in 2023, its preamble states that the people of Tuvalu are "thankful that our islands and oceans, known by its ancient name as the Tuvalu Islands, were given by God as our home in the Pacific Ocean", and later affirms "our identity as a Christian nation", and reaffirmsTuvalu as a "free and democratic sovereign nation based on Christian Principles, Tuvaluan values and culture and the Rule of Law".[7] Section 23 (2) of the Constitution specifically establishes the freedom of belief, which is stated as including –
"(a) freedom of thought, religion and belief; and
(b) freedom to change religion or belief; and
(c) freedom, either alone or with others, to show and to spread, both in public and in private, a religion or belief, in worship, teaching, practice and observance."
Section 23 (8) states that: "The protection given by this section to freedom of religion or belief applies equally to freedom not to have or hold a particular religion or belief, or any religion or belief."
In 2003, some members of the Tuvalu Brethren Church onNanumanga reported that discrimination, including acts and threats of violence, hindered their religious freedom on that island, which prompted them to commence proceedings in theHigh Court of Tuvalu in 2004;[8] the case moved through the courts, and in 2009 theCourt of Appeal of Tuvalu determined that the constitutional rights of these members had been breached.
In 2008, four members of the Tuvalu Brethren Church on Nanumaga sued in the High Court claiming unlawful dismissal from their employment on grounds that included unlawful discrimination on the basis of religion and that their constitutional right to freedom of belief, expression and association had been denied. Three of the claims were dismissed, with a fourth plaintiff being awarded general damages and aggravated damages.[9]
