About Mongolia

Mongolia's most recent national census (2020) found that 51.7% of the population identifies as Buddhist, 40.6% report no religious affiliation, 3.2% are Muslim (mostly ethnic Kazakhs in western Mongolia), 2.5% practice traditional Shamanism, and 1.3% are Christian. Tibetan-influenced Buddhism has been the dominant religious tradition since the 16th century, though it was heavily suppressed during the socialist period before reviving after Mongolia's 1990 democratic transition.

Tibetan Buddhism, specifically the Gelug or "Yellow Hat" school, began spreading into Mongolia from Tibet in the second half of the 16th century, and it remains the country's dominant religious tradition today. Mongolian Buddhism developed its own distinct character over the centuries, closely woven into traditional nomadic life rather than existing separately from it.

At its core, Mongolian Buddhism teaches that good deeds produce good outcomes and harmful deeds produce harmful outcomes, a principle often explained through the "ten virtuous deeds" and "ten non-virtuous deeds," covering actions of body, speech, and mind. Central to this teaching is the idea that thought precedes both speech and action, meaning genuine transformation starts with cultivating a clear, compassionate mind rather than simply avoiding bad behavior. Buddhism in Mongolia also places strong value on mercy toward animals, and sparing an animal's life is traditionally considered to generate merit.

A history of dramatic swings: Before 1930, as much as a third of Mongolia's male population lived as Buddhist monks (lamas), and monasteries held enormous social, economic, and political power. During the communist purges of the 1930s, Mongolian and Soviet forces destroyed roughly 700 monasteries and temples, and virtually all religious practice was suppressed until Mongolia's 1990 democratic revolution reopened the door to religious life nationwide.

Key monasteries today:

For more detail on these and other historic religious sites, see our guide: 5 Architectural Landmarks You Can't Miss in Mongolia

Shamanic tradition in Mongolia predates Buddhism by centuries and is documented in classical texts including The Secret History of the Mongols, which describes male and female shamans serving as healers, exorcists, rainmakers, and spiritual advisors to clan leaders.

Traditional Mongolian shamanic belief held a complex spiritual hierarchy, including 99 tengri (sky spirits, divided between benevolent and fearsome), earth-mother spirits, and layered ranks of ancestral and guardian spirits tied to specific mountains, rivers, and territories.

Shamanic practice never fully disappeared and has seen a genuine revival since the 1990s, sometimes called Mongolian neo-shamanism. It remains especially significant among the Buryat Mongols, for whom the shamanic revival has become closely tied to reconnecting with historical and ethnic identity. Today, shamans in larger towns sometimes formalize their practice, offering services like healing and fortunetelling, and public shamanic ceremonies, including gatherings tied to the summer solstice, still take place on the steppe outside Ulaanbaatar.

Islam is practiced by an estimated 3.2% of Mongolia's total population as of the 2020 census, making it the country's second-largest religious group. Mongolian Muslims are concentrated almost entirely among the ethnic Kazakh population of western Mongolia, particularly in Bayan-Ölgii Province, where the large majority of residents are Muslim, and to a smaller extent in Khovd Province.

Travelers visiting western Mongolia for the Golden Eagle Festival or Altai Tavan Bogd National Park will find a religious and cultural atmosphere distinct from the rest of the country, shaped by this Kazakh Muslim community's own traditions.

Christianity was almost nonexistent in Mongolia before 1990 but has grown steadily since, now representing an estimated 1.3% of the population. Growth has come mainly through Protestant and evangelical missionary activity, with the largest concentrations of Christian communities found in Ulaanbaatar. Smaller Catholic and Russian Orthodox communities also exist, the latter connected to Mongolia's historical ties with Russia.

Mongolia's constitution guarantees freedom of religion, and the state maintains a generally tolerant stance toward all faiths, while formally recognizing Buddhism's special role in the country's national heritage. Interfaith cooperation is genuinely visible: Buddhist monasteries and Christian churches in Ulaanbaatar have jointly organized public events promoting religious tolerance, and government and diplomatic officials regularly engage with leaders across Mongolia's Buddhist, Muslim, Shamanist, and Christian communities.

Discover Mongolia Travel has operated since 2004 and can arrange visits to Mongolia's major religious sites, from Ulaanbaatar's monasteries to mosques in Bayan-Ölgii Province, with guidance on respectful visiting etiquette.

What is the main religion in Mongolia?

Buddhism is the dominant religion, practiced by an estimated 51.7% of the population according to the 2020 census, primarily in the Tibetan Gelug tradition.

Is Shamanism still practiced in Mongolia?

Yes, Traditional Shamanism, practiced by an estimated 2.5% of the population, has seen a genuine revival since the 1990s and remains especially significant among the Buryat Mongols.

Where do most Muslims live in Mongolia?

Mongolia's Muslim population, mostly ethnic Kazakhs, is concentrated in Bayan-Ölgii Province in western Mongolia, along with a smaller community in Khovd Province.

How many people in Mongolia have no religious affiliation?

bout 40.6% of the population reported no religious affiliation in the 2020 census, a legacy in part of decades of state-enforced atheism during the socialist period.

Why were so many Mongolian monasteries destroyed?

During communist purges in the 1930s, Mongolian and Soviet forces destroyed roughly 700 monasteries and temples as part of a broader suppression of religion that lasted until 1990.

What is the most important Buddhist monastery to visit in Mongolia?

Gandantegchinlen Monastery in Ulaanbaatar is the country's most significant active Buddhist center, while Erdene Zuu Monastery near Kharkhorin is the oldest surviving monastery in Mongolia.

Is Mongolia religiously tolerant today?

Yes, Mongolia's constitution guarantees religious freedom, and the country has a generally tolerant record, including visible cooperation between Buddhist, Christian, and other religious communities.

What should I know before visiting a Buddhist monastery in Mongolia?

Dress modestly, walk clockwise around stupas and prayer wheels, ask before photographing monks or ceremonies, and follow any instructions about removing shoes when entering temple buildings.