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%[1] and up to 1%[2] of the total population) registered Buddhists in Norway. Around 5% of them are Norwegians.[3]
In 2017, it was estimated that there are approximately 2,000 ethnic Norwegians who have converted to the religion.[4] Buddhism is Norway's third-largest religion, after Christianity and Islam.[5]
| 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% |
| 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% |