Dinâmica religiosa no Brasil: um estudo sobre a configuração religiosa com base em variáveis socieconômicas para o ano de 2010

Abstract

The main objective of this study was to investigate the possible relationships between the variable REC (Ratio between Protestants and Catholics), representing the religious configuration between the two largest religious groups in the country, and socioeconomic variables such as life expectancy, education, and social inequality. The rationale behind this investigation is that religion can be affected by the conditions and demands of the population. To conduct this analysis, data from the latest available demographic census at the time of this study were used, focusing on the year 2010. For the analysis, our dependent variable did not exhibit a normal distribution of residuals, requiring the use of quantile regression. The results indicate a negative influence of variables such as life expectancy, the proportion of the poor, expected years of education, and the illiteracy rate on REC, suggesting a process of greater Catholic hegemony. On the other hand, the proportion of the service sector, the unemployment rate, and the Gini index have a positive impact, indicating a higher number of Protestants compared to Catholics. These findings suggest that socioeconomic variables play a significant role in the religious landscape of Brazilian municipalities.