Freemasonry is one of the oldest and largest Fraternal organizations dating back to the 17th century.
The infamous Masonic symbols and rituals have long intrigued outsiders, leading to legitimate concerns about the actual numbers and the possibility of Masonic influence on world events.
Despite estimates suggesting over six million Freemasons worldwide, determining the exact number of members remains challenging due to the organization’s secretive nature.
However, one can find some Grand Lodges with published membership statistics, providing us with some vague insight into the popularity of Freemasonry in those regions.
In this article, we examine the membership numbers of 20 countries, but we’ll add more to the list as we find (and confirm) the numbers with trusted sources.
| Country | Est. Members | Est. Pop. % |
|---|---|---|
| United States | 2,000,000 | 0.6% |
| Brazil | 215,000 | 0.1% |
| United Kingdom | 200,000 | 0.3% |
| Canada | 200,000 | 0.5% |
| France | 170,000 | 0.2% |
| Australia | 45,000 | 0.2% |
| Mexico | 30,000 | 0.02% |
| India | 25,000 | 0.002% |
| Italy | 22,000 | 0.04% |
| Sweden | 16,000 | 0.16% |
| Germany | 12,000 | 0.01% |
| Argentina | 10,000 | 0.02% |
| South Africa | 10,000 | 0.02% |
| Romania | 10,000 | 0.05% |
| New Zealand | 8,000 | 0.2% |
| Belgium | 7800 | 0.07% |
| Netherlands | 6,000 | 0.03% |
| Portugal | 6,000 | 0.06% |
| Switzerland | 3,500 | 0.04% |
| Spain | 3,000 | 0.006% |
Disclaimer: For every number we cite, we also a link to the source to confirm for yourself. However, this still doesn’t mean the number is entirely accurate. Sources can also be wrong/outdated, and membership numbers fluctuate over the years.
United States
The United States is home to the largest number of Freemasons in the world. According to estimates, there are just under 2 million Freemasons in the country.
Brazil
Brazil has the third-largest Masonic community in the world, with an estimated 215,000 members. Freemasonry has a long and storied history in Brazil, with the first Grand Lodge being established in Rio de Janeiro in 1822.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom has a long and rich history of Freemasonry, with the first Grand Lodge being established in London in 1717. Today, there are over 200,000 Freemasons in the country, making it one of the largest Masonic communities in the world.
Canada
Canada has a strong and active Masonic community, with an estimated 200,000 members. Freemasonry has been present in Canada since the 18th century, and today there are over 1,000 lodges in the country.
France
France has a rich history of Freemasonry, with the first Grand Lodge being established in Paris in 1728. Today, there are over 170,000 Freemasons in the country, making it one of the largest Masonic communities in Europe.
Australia
Australia has a long history with Freemasonry, with the first lodge established in Sydney in 1820. Today, there are around 45,000 Freemasons in Australia, with lodges in every state and territory. The Grand Lodge of Australia is the governing body for Freemasonry in the country.
Mexico
Mexico has a large and active Masonic community, with an estimated 30,000 members. Freemasonry has a long history in Mexico, with the first lodge being established in Veracruz in 1806.
India
Freemasonry was introduced to India in the early 18th century by the British, and today there are over 25,000 Freemasons in the country. The Grand Lodge of India is the governing body for Freemasonry in the country, with lodges in major cities such as Mumbai, Delhi, and Kolkata.
Italy
Italy has a strong and active Masonic community, with an estimated 22,000 members. Freemasonry has been present in Italy since the 18th century, and today there are over 842 lodges in the country.
Sweden
Freemasonry has a long history in Sweden, with the first lodge established in Stockholm in 1735. Today, there are over 16,000 Freemasons in the country, with lodges in major cities such as Stockholm, Gothenburg, and Malmö.
Germany
Germany has a long and storied history of Freemasonry, with the first Grand Lodge being established in Berlin in 1737. Today, there are over 12,000 Freemasons in the country, making it one of the largest Masonic communities in Europe.
Argentina
Argentina has a significant Masonic community, with an estimated 10,000 members. Freemasonry has been present in Argentina since the early 19th century, and today there are over 400 lodges in the country.
South Africa
Freemasonry was introduced to South Africa in the early 19th century, and today there are over 10,000 Freemasons in the country. The Grand Lodge of South Africa is the governing body for Freemasonry in the country, with lodges in major cities such as Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Durban.
Romania
Freemasonry was introduced to Romania in the early 18th century, and today there are over 10,000 Freemasons in the country. The Grand Lodge of Romania is the governing body for Freemasonry in the country, with lodges in major cities such as Bucharest, Cluj-Napoca, and Timișoara.
New Zealand
Freemasonry has a long history in New Zealand, with the first lodge established in Auckland in 1842. Today, there are over 8000 Freemasons in New Zealand, with 230 active lodges in major cities such as Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch.
Belgium
Freemasonry has been active in Belgium since the early 18th century, with the first lodge established in Brussels in 1721. Today, there are over 7800 Freemasons in Belgium, with 112 lodges in major cities such as Brussels, Antwerp, and Ghent.
Netherlands
Freemasonry has a long history in the Netherlands, with the first lodge established in The Hague in 1734. Today, there are over 6,000 Freemasons in the country, with lodges in major cities such as Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and Utrecht.
Portugal
Freemasonry has been active in Portugal since the early 18th century, with the first lodge established in Lisbon in 1733. Today, there are over 6,000 Freemasons in the country, with lodges in major cities such as Lisbon, Porto, and Coimbra.
Switzerland
Freemasonry has been active in Switzerland since the early 18th century, with the first lodge established in Geneva in 1736. Today, there are over 3,500 Freemasons in the country, with lodges in major cities such as Zurich, Geneva, and Basel.
Spain
Spain has a vibrant Masonic community with an estimated 3,000 members. Freemasonry has a long and complex history in Spain, with the fraternity being banned during the Franco regime. Today, Masonry is legal in Spain and has a significant presence in the country.
Freemasonry is a worldwide organization with millions of members across the globe.
While it is difficult to determine the exact number of Freemasons in each country, we can look at estimates and membership statistics to get a general idea of which countries have the most members.
However, it is important to note that membership numbers can fluctuate over time and may not always be accurate due to the secretive nature of the organization.
Overall, Freemasonry has a rich history and continues to attract members from all walks of life.
While there may be varying opinions and beliefs about the organization, it remains a fascinating subject for those interested in history, philosophy, and secret societies.
I have Been a member since 1963, revised in Boston mass, moved to Michigan in 1980, served as worshipful master in 1990, This year is my 60 th year as a mason, it has, and continues to be a very important part of my life.