Young Men Surpass Women in Religious Importance: A Shift in U.S. Religiosity

Recent data from Gallup reveals a significant shift in religious sentiment among young adults in the United States, particularly among men. In the 2024-2025 survey, 42% of men aged 18 to 29 reported that religion is "very important" to them, a notable increase from 28% in 2022-2023. This marks the first time in 25 years that young men have surpassed young women in this measure of religiosity, as young women's attachment to religion has remained steady at around 30%. This reversal of the long-standing trend, where women were consistently more religious than men, highlights a growing gender gap in religious importance among young adults.

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Historically, young women have been more religious than their male counterparts, leading by as much as 16 percentage points in the early 2000s. However, the gap has narrowed significantly over the past decade, culminating in the current reversal. The latest findings indicate that while young men have returned to levels of religiosity not seen since the early 2000s, young women are now the least religious demographic among females.

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In addition to the increase in perceived importance of religion, young men's attendance at religious services has also risen, with 40% reporting monthly or more frequent attendance, compared to 39% of young women. This marks a seven-point increase for young men since the previous survey period. Despite these changes, the percentage of young men identifying with a specific religious faith has remained relatively stable at 63%, while young women's religious affiliation has decreased to 60%.

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The increase in religiosity among young men appears to be closely tied to political affiliations. Among young Republicans, attendance at religious services has risen significantly, contrasting with the decline observed among young Democratic men and women. In 2024-2025, 48% of young men identified as or leaned Republican, compared to only 27% of young women. This political divide suggests that the resurgence of religiosity among young men may be influenced by their alignment with Republican values, which often emphasize traditional religious beliefs.

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Critics argue that the rise in religiosity among young men may be a reaction to societal changes that they perceive as diminishing their status. Political scientist Ryan Burge notes that young men may find acceptance in religious spaces that they feel are less welcoming in other institutions. Conversely, young women are increasingly viewing religion as patriarchal and repressive, particularly regarding issues like abortion and LGBTQ rights.

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The implications of this shift in religiosity are profound, potentially affecting how future generations are raised and the overall religious landscape in the United States. As young men embrace religious identities, there is speculation about how this might influence family dynamics and societal values moving forward.

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• “represents a seismic change in society and the future of the church.” — Ryan Burge, Political Scientist

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• “It’s about being in a place of belonging and inspiration,” — Rabbi Nicole Guzik, Co-Senior Rabbi at Sinai Temple

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The Gallup findings suggest that while overall religiosity in America remains low, young men are emerging as a notable exception, prompting further investigation into whether this trend will persist or evolve in the coming years.

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