In a secular state like India, several religions have thrived — and, so is the case with Goa. In Goa, the more important religions followed by its population are: Hindus, Christians, Muslims, Sikhs and Buddhists.
By and large, Hindus and Christians form more than 95% of the State's population while the other religions comprise the remaining segment of Goa's population. In terms of the Census 1971, the decadal growth rate in 1960-71 and the percentage of each religious community to the total population makes interesting reading .
From the Provisional Population Totals relating to the Census 1991, Goa's growth rate had declined sharply from 26.74% in 1971-81 to 15.96% in 1981-91: this could lead to an inference that the first two leading religious communities and also the third have retained their respective ranks in regard to Goa's total population i.e. Hindus occupying the No. 1 position, followed by Christians and quite some distance below, the Muslims (at the 3rd place) among Goa's 1991 population of 1,168,622 persons
