In 2021, Manggarai had the largest Catholic population in East Nusa Tenggara.

Catholicism is the largest religion in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT). More than half of NTT's population is Catholic.

The Directorate General of Population and Civil Registration (Dukcapil) of the Ministry of Home Affairs recorded that the number of NTT residents who practice Catholicism was 2.94 million (53.59%) out of a total population of 5.49 million in December 2021.

The Catholic population in Manggarai Regency reached 310,290 at the end of last year. This number accounts for 95.25% of the total population in the regency and 10.55% of the total Catholic population in NTT.

The next regencies/cities with the largest Catholic populations are Sikka Regency with 287,640 people (9.78% of the total Catholic population in NTT) and East Manggarai Regency with 255,800 people (8.7%).

Meanwhile, the Catholic population in Sabu Raijua Regency is the smallest, at only 2,400 (0.08%). Following this are Rote Ndao Regency with 2,670 (0.09%), and Alor Regency with 6,810 (0.23%).

Christianity is the second largest religion in NTT, with a share of 36.21%, followed by Islam at 9.36%. Other religions, such as Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, and followers of indigenous beliefs, account for less than 1% of the total population.