Although the Philippines is a secular country and the constitution guarantees freedom of religion, for the vast majority of Filipinos religion is very important. One of the most widely practiced religions there is Christianity (over 90% of the population), particularly Catholicism, which is practiced by some 80.6% of the Philippine population. Catholicism was introduced to the Philippines by Spanish missionaries during the colonial era.
The country's second-largest religion is Islam, at 6.4 percent. Most Muslims live in Mindanao and nearby islands. Most belong to the Sunni Shafi'i school of Islam.
About 0.2% of the population adheres to indigenous religions, whose practices and folk beliefs are often related to Christianity and Islam.
