GITNUX MARKETDATA REPORT 2024

Bible Popularity Statistics

The Bible is the most popular book in the world, with total sales of over 5 billion copies.

Last Updated: June 20, 2024

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In this post, we explore the popularity of the Bible in the United States through a collection of insightful statistics. From the frequency of Bible reading among Americans to the evolving trends in how the sacred text is accessed and interpreted, these numbers provide a fascinating glimpse into the enduring influence of the Bible in contemporary society. Let’s dive into the data and uncover the patterns that shape our relationship with this ancient text.

Statistic 1

"The combined Bible sales and distribution by U.S. publishers and organizations is more than 168 million annually."

Statistic 2

"48% of Americans report reading the Bible at least once a week, not including at religious services."

Statistic 3

"Only about 20% of American adults read the Bible daily."

Statistic 4

"42% of those reading the Bible less frequently blame busyness."

Statistic 5

"Protestants are more likely (30%) than Catholics (25%) to say they read scriptures at least once a week."

Statistic 6

"The Bible has been translated in its entirety into over 700 languages."

Statistic 7

"65% of American adults have read at least some parts of a Bible in their lifetime."

Statistic 8

"The percentage of Christians who say they read the Bible daily drops significantly for each subsequent generational group: Boomers 30%, Gen X 23%, Millennials 17%, Gen Z 12%"

Statistic 9

"Approximately 89% of American households own a Bible, averaging 4.7 Bibles per household."

Statistic 10

"41% of Americans are reading the Bible on electronic devices."

Statistic 11

"56% of Bible users search Scripture on a smartphone or tablet."

Statistic 12

"87% of American homes contain a Bible."

Statistic 13

"87% of Millenials who own a Bible believe it to be sacred."

Statistic 14

"In 2020, “Bible” was the most popular keyword searched in the Apple App Store."

Statistic 15

"35% of regular Bible readers have reduced their engagement with Bible since the pandemic began."

Statistic 16

"In 2020, the word “healing” emerged as the top keyword search in the Youversion Bible App."

The statistics presented on Bible popularity in the United States paint a complex and multifaceted picture. While Bible sales and distribution numbers remain strong, there is notable variation in reading habits among Americans, with a significant portion reading the Bible regularly but a sizable percentage citing busyness as a barrier. The generational shift in daily Bible reading among Christians is also evident, with lower rates reported in younger groups. The technological shift towards electronic devices for Bible reading is apparent, with a considerable proportion of Americans engaging with the Bible in this format. Despite the challenges, the Bible continues to hold significance for a majority of Americans, with high rates of ownership, engagement, and belief in its sacredness. The data underscores the enduring popularity and relevance of the Bible in contemporary American society.