Key Takeaways
- In the United States, weekly church attendance among adults dropped from 42% in 2000 to 30% in 2022, Gallup polling reveals.
- U.S. church membership rate declined from 70% in 1999 to 47% in 2020, the lowest in Gallup's 80-year tracking history.
- From 2013 to 2019, the percentage of Americans attending religious services weekly fell from 36% to 31%, per Pew Research Center data.
- In England and Wales, Church of England weekly attendance fell from 1.7 million in 2000 to 690,000 in 2019, British Social Attitudes.
- France: Weekly Mass attendance dropped from 15% in 1980s to 5% in 2020 among Catholics, INSEE.
- Germany: Protestant church attendance declined from 6% weekly in 1990 to 3.5% in 2021, EVZ study.
- U.S. Gen Z (born 1997+): Only 10% attend church weekly in 2023, down from Millennials' 15% at same age, Barna.
- Millennials (1981-1996): Church attendance monthly or more fell from 35% in early 2000s to 25% in 2022, Pew.
- Gen X (1965-1980): Weekly attendance dropped 20% from 1990s to now, from 40% to 32%, Gallup.
- U.S. Mainline Protestant weekly attendance fell from 30% in 1970s to 15% in 2020s across denominations, Hartford.
- U.S. Catholic weekly Mass attendance: 24% in 2022, down from 50% in 1960s, CARA Georgetown.
- Southern Baptist Convention: Average weekly attendance per church dropped 20% from 2010 to 2020, Lifeway.
- Brazil: Evangelical church attendance growth slowed, weekly from 30% in 2010 to 25% in 2022, Datafolha.
- Australia: Weekly church attendance 8% in 2021, down from 20% in 1990s, NCLS.
- Canada: Religious service attendance monthly or more 19% in 2020 vs 30% in 1990, Angus Reid.
Church attendance is in significant and widespread decline across America.
Denominational Declines
- U.S. Mainline Protestant weekly attendance fell from 30% in 1970s to 15% in 2020s across denominations, Hartford.
- U.S. Catholic weekly Mass attendance: 24% in 2022, down from 50% in 1960s, CARA Georgetown.
- Southern Baptist Convention: Average weekly attendance per church dropped 20% from 2010 to 2020, Lifeway.
- United Methodist Church: Membership decline 25% 2010-2020, worship attendance down 30%, UMC stats.
- Evangelical Lutheran Church in America: Weekly attendance fell 40% from 2000 to 2020, ELCA reports.
- Presbyterian Church USA: Attendance decline 35% 2005-2020, PCUSA research.
- Episcopal Church: Sunday attendance down 28% from 2010 to 2022, Episcopal stats.
- Assemblies of God: U.S. weekly attendance stable but growth slowed, down 5% post-2015, AG reports.
- Lutheran Church Missouri Synod: Attendance dropped 18% 2010-2020, LCMS stats.
- American Baptist Churches USA: Weekly worshippers down 22% since 2000, ABCUSA.
- Disciples of Christ: Attendance decline 45% 2000-2020, fastest mainline drop, DOC reports.
- Reformed Church in America: Membership and attendance down 15% decade, RCA.
- Seventh-day Adventist U.S.: Attendance growth slowed to 2% annual vs 5%, NAD stats.
- Church of the Nazarene: U.S. attendance per church down 10% 2015-2022, Nazarene research.
- Presbyterian Church in America: Attendance up slightly but plateaued post-2019 down 8%, PCA stats.
- Anglican Church in North America: Early growth but attendance per parish down 5% post-COVID, ACNA.
- U.S. non-denominational churches: Average attendance decline 12% 2010-2020 despite growth in numbers, Barna.
- United Church of Christ: Weekly attendance 10% of membership, down 50% since 1990, UCC stats.
- Orthodox Church in America: Attendance steady but immigration-dependent, slight 3% decline, OCA.
- Wesleyan Church: U.S. attendance down 7% 2015-2022, Wesleyan stats.
- Free Methodist Church: Decline 15% in attendance 2010-2020, FMC.
- Christian Church (Disciples): Attendance per congregation down 20%, CCDOC.
- Evangelical Covenant Church: Attendance drop 10% post-2015, ECC.
- Christian Reformed Church: Weekly attendance down 12% 2000-2020, CRCNA.
Denominational Declines Interpretation
European Trends
- In England and Wales, Church of England weekly attendance fell from 1.7 million in 2000 to 690,000 in 2019, British Social Attitudes.
- France: Weekly Mass attendance dropped from 15% in 1980s to 5% in 2020 among Catholics, INSEE.
- Germany: Protestant church attendance declined from 6% weekly in 1990 to 3.5% in 2021, EVZ study.
- Italy: Catholic Mass attendance weekly from 36% in 1990 to 23% in 2022, Doxa-IPSOS.
- Spain: Weekly religious service attendance fell from 20% in 2000 to 9% in 2021, CIS barometer.
- Netherlands: Church attendance monthly or more dropped from 21% in 2000 to 9% in 2018, SCP.
- Sweden: State church attendance under 2% weekly in 2022, down from 5% in 1990s, Swedish Church stats.
- Poland: Catholic weekly Mass attendance from 51% in 1998 to 36% in 2021, CBOS.
- UK: Overall Christian weekly attendance 6% in 2019 vs 10% in 2005, NatCen.
- Ireland: Catholic Mass weekly from 60% in 1990 to 29% in 2016, Irish Times/IPSOS.
- Belgium: Church attendance declined to 7% weekly in 2018 from 18% in 1980s, KU Leuven.
- Austria: Catholic Mass attendance 15% weekly in 2021, down 10 points since 2000, Statistics Austria.
- Scotland: Church attendance 12% monthly in 2019 vs 20% in 2000, Scottish Social Attitudes.
- Norway: Church of Norway attendance 2% weekly in 2022, from 5% in 1990s, SSB.
- Denmark: Folkekirken attendance under 3% weekly, down from 8% in 1980s, Danmarks Statistik.
- Finland: Lutheran church attendance 1.5% weekly in 2021 vs 4% in 1990, Kirkollisten tiedot.
- Portugal: Catholic weekly attendance 19% in 2021, decline of 12 points since 2001, CESOP.
- Czech Republic: Religious service attendance 5% monthly, lowest in EU, CVVM.
- Hungary: Church attendance stable at 15% weekly among Catholics but Protestants down 5 points, NSC.
- Switzerland: Protestant attendance 5% weekly in 2019 vs 10% 1990s, Swiss Federal Stats.
- Greece: Orthodox weekly attendance 8% in 2022, down from 15% in 2000, EKKE.
- Romania: Orthodox weekly 20% in 2021 vs 30% in 1990s, INSSE.
- Bulgaria: Church attendance 5% weekly, sharp decline post-communism, Alpha Research.
European Trends Interpretation
Generational Declines
- U.S. Gen Z (born 1997+): Only 10% attend church weekly in 2023, down from Millennials' 15% at same age, Barna.
- Millennials (1981-1996): Church attendance monthly or more fell from 35% in early 2000s to 25% in 2022, Pew.
- Gen X (1965-1980): Weekly attendance dropped 20% from 1990s to now, from 40% to 32%, Gallup.
- Baby Boomers: Attend church nearly weekly: 38% in 2021 vs 52% in 1990s, PRRI.
- Silent Generation (1928-1945): Still 45% attend weekly but down 10 points since 2000, Barna.
- U.S. teens (13-17): Church attendance declined from 55% in 2000s to 35% in 2020s, Lifeway.
- Young adults 18-24: Never attend religious services rose from 25% in 2007 to 40% in 2019, Pew.
- Gen Z women: Church attendance 8% weekly vs 12% for men, slight gender reversal, Barna 2023.
- Millennials men: Attendance fell faster, 18% weekly now vs 28% in 2000s, Gallup.
- Boomers college grads: 30% attend weekly, non-grads 40%, widening gap over decades, PRRI.
- Gen Z non-white: 15% weekly attendance vs 22% in 2010s, Barna.
- Silent Gen rural: 50% still attend but youth in rural down 30%, Rural Church.
- Millennials urban: Attendance 20% monthly, down 15 points, City Church Study.
- Gen X parents: Family church attendance down 25% since 1990s, Family Research Council.
- Boomers single: 25% attend vs 45% married, increasing disparity, Pew.
- Gen Z LGBTQ+: Church attendance under 5%, stark decline, PRRI.
- Young men 18-29: Weekly attendance 15% in 2022 vs 28% in 1980s, Gallup.
- Millennial women: 22% weekly, stable but absolute numbers down due to population shift, Barna.
- Gen X suburban: Attendance 28% monthly, down 12 points, Suburban Church Trends.
- Silent Gen women: 48% attend, men 42%, but both declining slowly, GSS.
- Gen Z college students: 12% weekly vs 25% in 2000s peers, InterVarsity.
- Boomer retirees: 35% attend weekly, down from 50%, AARP Faith Study.
- Millennials non-parents: 18% attend vs 30% parents, widening, Barna.
- Gen Z immigrants: Higher 20% attendance but native-born 8%, PRRI.
- Gen X high-income: 25% weekly vs 35% low-income 1990s, Income Faith Gap.
Generational Declines Interpretation
Global Trends
- Brazil: Evangelical church attendance growth slowed, weekly from 30% in 2010 to 25% in 2022, Datafolha.
- Australia: Weekly church attendance 8% in 2021, down from 20% in 1990s, NCLS.
- Canada: Religious service attendance monthly or more 19% in 2020 vs 30% in 1990, Angus Reid.
- South Korea: Protestant weekly attendance fell from 25% in 2000 to 18% in 2022, Gallup Korea.
- Japan: Christian church attendance under 1% weekly, negligible decline but stable low, JGSS.
- Mexico: Catholic weekly Mass 47% in 2021, down 15 points since 2000, INEGI.
- Argentina: Church attendance 15% weekly in 2022 vs 25% 1990s, CONICET.
- South Africa: Christian weekly attendance 38% in 2021, slight decline from 45% 2000s, HSRC.
- Nigeria: Pentecostal megachurch attendance high but traditional down 10%, WIN/Gallup.
- India: Christian weekly attendance ~2%, stable amid growth, CMS India.
- Philippines: Catholic Mass weekly 64% in 2021, down from 75% 1990s, SWS.
- New Zealand: Church attendance 10% monthly, down 8 points since 2000, NZCGS.
- Chile: Catholic attendance 17% weekly 2020 vs 30% 2000, CEP.
- Russia: Orthodox weekly service 6% in 2021, up slightly but low base, Levada.
- Turkey: Church attendance negligible, decline due to migration, Konda.
- Indonesia: Protestant attendance 10% weekly, stable, BPS.
- Vietnam: Catholic Mass weekly 20% among Catholics, growing slightly, GSO.
- Egypt: Coptic Christian attendance high 70% but urban decline 10%, CAPMAS.
- Colombia: Catholic weekly 25% 2021 vs 40% 1990s, ANDI.
- Peru: Church attendance 30% weekly, down 12 points, INEI.
- Kenya: Protestant weekly 45%, slight decline in mainline, KNBS.
- Ghana: Charismatic attendance rise but traditional Protestant down 5%, GSS Ghana.
- Uganda: Anglican weekly 25% 2022 vs 35% 2000, UBOS.
- Ethiopia: Orthodox Christian attendance 40%, urban decline 15%, CSA.
Global Trends Interpretation
US Trends
- In the United States, weekly church attendance among adults dropped from 42% in 2000 to 30% in 2022, Gallup polling reveals.
- U.S. church membership rate declined from 70% in 1999 to 47% in 2020, the lowest in Gallup's 80-year tracking history.
- From 2013 to 2019, the percentage of Americans attending religious services weekly fell from 36% to 31%, per Pew Research Center data.
- Post-COVID-19, U.S. in-person church attendance averaged 30-50% lower than pre-pandemic levels as of 2022, according to Barna Group surveys.
- Between 2008 and 2018, weekly worship attendance in U.S. Protestant churches declined by 11%, from Barna's State of the Church report.
- Gallup data shows U.S. Catholic weekly Mass attendance dropped from 45% in the 1980s to 33% in 2018.
- In 2021, only 24% of U.S. adults attended church services at least once a week, down from 42% in 2000, per Gallup.
- U.S. Evangelical weekly attendance fell from 59% in 1996 to 45% in 2020, according to LifeWay Research.
- From 1990 to 2020, mainline Protestant attendance in the U.S. declined by 25 percentage points, per Hartford Institute data.
- Gallup polls indicate U.S. adults reporting no religious service attendance rose from 26% in 2009 to 38% in 2021.
- Between 2012 and 2022, U.S. church attendance among Baby Boomers dropped 15%, from 50% to 35% monthly or more, Barna reports.
- PRRI's 2020 American Values Atlas shows weekly attendance at 28% nationally, down 8 points since 2013.
- U.S. synagogue attendance weekly fell from 28% in 2000 to 19% in 2020 among Jews, per Pew.
- From 2007 to 2014, Mormon weekly attendance in U.S. dropped from 50% to 36%, Gallup data.
- Church attendance in U.S. South declined from 45% weekly in 2010 to 36% in 2022, per Cooperative Election Study.
- National decline in U.S. religious service attendance averaged 1-2% per year from 2000-2020, per General Social Survey.
- In 2023, only 20% of U.S. adults under 30 attended church weekly, down from 35% in 1990s, Barna.
- U.S. Black Protestant weekly attendance dropped from 61% in 2006 to 46% in 2019, Pew data.
- From 2018 to 2022, hybrid/online church participation rose but in-person fell 40%, Church Answers.
- Gallup 2022: U.S. adults attending nearly weekly or more: 32%, down from 41% in 2008-2012 average.
- Between 1998 and 2018, U.S. weekly attendance declined 12 points overall, per Faith Communities Today.
- U.S. Hispanic Catholic Mass attendance weekly: 41% in 2010 to 31% in 2020, Pew.
- Post-2020, U.S. megachurch attendance down 25% from pre-pandemic, Leadership Network.
- General Social Survey: U.S. never attenders rose from 17% in 1985 to 30% in 2018.
- U.S. Orthodox Christian weekly attendance steady at ~40% but total population decline affects numbers, ARDA.
- From 2010-2020, U.S. rural church attendance declined 20% faster than urban, Rural Church Network.
- Barna 2023: U.S. practicing Christians attending monthly or more: 25%, down 15 points since 2000.
- U.S. weekly attendance among college-educated: 28% in 2021 vs 38% non-college, PRRI.
- Gallup: U.S. church great deal/fair amount importance fell from 70% in 2000 to 49% in 2021.
- Between 2000-2020, U.S. Pentecostal weekly attendance dropped 10 points to 55%, LifeWay.
US Trends Interpretation
Sources & References
- Reference 1NEWSnews.gallup.comVisit source
- Reference 2PEWRESEARCHpewresearch.orgVisit source
- Reference 3BARNAbarna.comVisit source
- Reference 4LIFEWAYRESEARCHlifewayresearch.comVisit source
- Reference 5HIRRhirr.hartfordinternational.eduVisit source
- Reference 6PRRIprri.orgVisit source
- Reference 7ELECTIONSTUDIESelectionstudies.orgVisit source
- Reference 8GSSgss.norc.orgVisit source
- Reference 9CHURCHANSWERSchurchanswers.comVisit source
- Reference 10FAITHCOMMUNITIESTODAYfaithcommunitiestoday.orgVisit source
- Reference 11LEADNETleadnet.orgVisit source
- Reference 12THEARDAthearda.comVisit source
- Reference 13RURALCHURCHruralchurch.orgVisit source
- Reference 14BSAbsa.natcen.ac.ukVisit source
- Reference 15INSEEinsee.frVisit source
- Reference 16EKDekd.deVisit source
- Reference 17IPSOSipsos.comVisit source
- Reference 18CIScis.esVisit source
- Reference 19SCPscp.nlVisit source
- Reference 20SVENSKAKYRKANsvenskakyrkan.seVisit source
- Reference 21CBOScbos.plVisit source
- Reference 22NATCENnatcen.ac.ukVisit source
- Reference 23IRISHTIMESirishtimes.comVisit source
- Reference 24KULEUVENkuleuven.beVisit source
- Reference 25STATISTIKstatistik.atVisit source
- Reference 26SCOTCENscotcen.org.ukVisit source
- Reference 27SSBssb.noVisit source
- Reference 28DSTdst.dkVisit source
- Reference 29EVLevl.fiVisit source
- Reference 30UCuc.ptVisit source
- Reference 31CVVMcvvm.soc.cas.czVisit source
- Reference 32NEBIHnebih.gov.huVisit source
- Reference 33BFSbfs.admin.chVisit source
- Reference 34EKKEekke.grVisit source
- Reference 35INSSEinsse.roVisit source
- Reference 36ALPHARESEARCHalpharesearch.bgVisit source
- Reference 37FRCfrc.orgVisit source
- Reference 38INTERVARSITYintervarsity.orgVisit source
- Reference 39AARPaarp.orgVisit source
- Reference 40CARAcara.georgetown.eduVisit source
- Reference 41UMCumc.orgVisit source
- Reference 42ELCAelca.orgVisit source
- Reference 43PCUSApcusa.orgVisit source
- Reference 44EPISCOPALCHURCHepiscopalchurch.orgVisit source
- Reference 45AGag.orgVisit source
- Reference 46LCMSlcms.orgVisit source
- Reference 47ABC-USAabc-usa.orgVisit source
- Reference 48DISCIPLESdisciples.orgVisit source
- Reference 49RCArca.orgVisit source
- Reference 50NADADVENTISTnadadventist.orgVisit source
- Reference 51NAZARENEnazarene.orgVisit source
- Reference 52PCANETpcanet.orgVisit source
- Reference 53ANGLICANCHURCHanglicanchurch.netVisit source
- Reference 54UCCucc.orgVisit source
- Reference 55OCAoca.orgVisit source
- Reference 56WESLEYANwesleyan.orgVisit source
- Reference 57FMCUSAfmcusa.orgVisit source
- Reference 58COVCHURCHcovchurch.orgVisit source
- Reference 59CRCNAcrcna.orgVisit source
- Reference 60DATAFOLHAdatafolha.folha.uol.com.brVisit source
- Reference 61NCLSncls.org.auVisit source
- Reference 62ANGUSREIDangusreid.orgVisit source
- Reference 63GALLUPgallup.co.krVisit source
- Reference 64JGSSjgss.orgVisit source
- Reference 65INEGIinegi.org.mxVisit source
- Reference 66CONICETconicet.gov.arVisit source
- Reference 67HSRChsrc.ac.zaVisit source
- Reference 68GALLUPgallup.comVisit source
- Reference 69INDIAindia.cms-uk.orgVisit source
- Reference 70SWSsws.org.phVisit source
- Reference 71NZCGSnzcgs.co.nzVisit source
- Reference 72CEPCHILEcepchile.clVisit source
- Reference 73LEVADAlevada.ruVisit source
- Reference 74KONDAkonda.com.trVisit source
- Reference 75BPSbps.go.idVisit source
- Reference 76GSOgso.gov.vnVisit source
- Reference 77CAPMAScapmas.gov.egVisit source
- Reference 78ANDIandi.com.coVisit source
- Reference 79INEIinei.gob.peVisit source
- Reference 80KNBSknbs.or.keVisit source
- Reference 81STATSGHANAstatsghana.gov.ghVisit source
- Reference 82UBOSubos.orgVisit source
- Reference 83STATSETHIOPIAstatsethiopia.gov.etVisit source






