A new study by the Pew Research Center has showed that the decline in Christianity in the United States observed in previous decades is beginning to stabilize.
Since 2007, the share of Americans identifying as Christian fell from 78% to 62%, but this trend has remained relatively consistent since 2019.
Catholics represent 19% of the American population, maintaining steady numbers since 2014. However, the overall Catholic percentage dropped from 24% in 2007.
The study highlights significant demographic shifts too, especially among Hispanic Catholics, whose share fell dramatically from 58% in 2007 to 42% today. White Catholic identification also declined from 22% to 17%, while Black and Asian Catholics saw modest decreases.
However, Pew researchers cautioned that the apparent stabilization may be temporary. Younger generations remain significantly less religious, with only 46% of adults aged 18-24 identifying as Christian compared to 80% of those over 74.
Attendance at religious services continues to show low levels, with just 29% of Catholics attending weekly Mass. Only 44% of self-identified Catholics describe religion as very important to their lives, significantly lower than other Christian groups.
The report suggests that without increased religious participation among young people or generational shifts toward religious identification, the decline in US Christianity could resume in the future.
Pray for the Church in the US! 🇺🇸 🙏
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