Catholicism Faces Net Losses from Religious Switching in Global Survey

A Pew Research Center analysis of 24 nations released in April 2024 shows Catholicism suffered net losses in 21 countries, while Protestantism gained in several, especially in Latin America. In the United States, the share of adults raised Catholic fell from 30 % to 17 %. The net loss was observed despite Catholic majorities persisting in several nations.

More adults quit Catholic Church than enter it in most countries Pew surveyed

The study defines religious switching as adopting a different faith in adulthood than the one in which a person was raised. Pew notes that Christianity has experienced some of the largest losses from this phenomenon compared with other world religions. This phenomenon is measured across multiple continents.

Global Study Finds Catholicism Facing Big Losses From ‘Religious Switching’

• Catholics remain majority in eight nations: Poland (92 %), Philippines (80 %), Italy (69 %), Mexico (67 %), Peru (67 %), Hungary (63 %), Colombia (60 %), Argentina (58 %).

Global Study Finds Catholicism Facing Big Losses From ‘Religious Switching’

• In Poland, 96 % were raised Catholic; 92 % still identify as Catholic, 4 % have left.

Global Study Finds Catholicism Facing Big Losses From ‘Religious Switching’

• Italy shows a 22 % departure rate and a 1 % entry rate, a net loss of 21 points.

Global Study Finds Catholicism Facing Big Losses From ‘Religious Switching’

• Chile has the highest disaffiliation, with 19 % of former Catholics now identifying as atheist, agnostic, or “nothing in particular.”

Global Study Finds Catholicism Facing Big Losses From ‘Religious Switching’

• In Kenya, Brazil, Ghana, Nigeria and the Philippines, former Catholics are more likely to join Protestant churches than become religious “nones.”

More adults quit Catholic Church than enter it in most countries Pew surveyed

The shift reshapes Christianity’s demographic balance, reducing Catholic dominance in historically strong regions and expanding Protestant presence. Pew suggests the trend reflects a broader global movement of individuals rethinking religious identity. The pattern may influence how religious institutions allocate resources and engage with younger generations.

Global Study Finds Catholicism Facing Big Losses From ‘Religious Switching’

The report, titled “Catholicism Has Lost People to Religious Switching in Many Countries, While Protestantism Has Gained in Some,” combines data from the 2023-24 U.S. Religious Landscape Study and spring-2024 international surveys covering 24 nations.

More adults quit Catholic Church than enter it in most countries Pew surveyed

• “We’re measuring [conversions] over the lifetime of a respondent … not the last year or the last five years,” — Alan Cooperman, Director, Pew Research Center

Global Study Finds Catholicism Facing Big Losses From ‘Religious Switching’

• “Religious switching refers to when people identify with a different religion in adulthood than they were raised in as a child,” — Pew Research Center report

Global Study Finds Catholicism Facing Big Losses From ‘Religious Switching’

• “Disaffiliation is especially common in parts of Europe and Latin America,” — Pew Research Center analysis

Global Study Finds Catholicism Facing Big Losses From ‘Religious Switching’

• “That includes Chile, where 19% of all adults are former Catholics who now identify as atheist, agnostic or ‘nothing in particular.’” — Pew Research Center analysis

Global Study Finds Catholicism Facing Big Losses From ‘Religious Switching’

The analysis covers only 24 countries, leaving many regions unexamined, and provides no longitudinal data on individual conversion pathways.

More adults quit Catholic Church than enter it in most countries Pew surveyed