Singapore - Christianity is increasingly attracting followers of the Chinese religion Taoism, with young Christian converts finding an extended family at church, hip music and opportunities to socialize, a published study said on Saturday.

Census figures revealed the Taoist share of the population plunged from 30 per cent in 1980 to 22.4 per cent in 1990 to 8.5 per cent in 2000.

Christianity has seen its flock grow to 14.6 per cent in 2000 from 12.7 per cent in 1990, said the breakdown in The Straits Times.

Buddhism is holding strong. More than 80 per cent who were born Buddhist are staying Buddhist, said the newspaper's survey. It also is the fastest growing religion.

"There's a leakage from traditional Chinese religions, which don't seem to have the same appeal to younger people," National University of Singapore sociologist Alexius Pereira was quoted as saying.

Of the 112 Christians in the newspaper study, more than half had converted from their birth religion. Half of the conversions came in their teens and 20s.

Buddhism is the top choice among those in search of spirituality, gaining converts among those seeking "time out" from stressed lives.

Three-quarters of those queried who abandoned Taoism said they felt disconnected to the religion or perceived a "lack of meaning" in following it, the report said. (dpa)