--- title: "Religion by the Numbers" description: "The global decline of religion in charts and data. How the world is becoming less religious — by generation, by country, and over time." canonical: https://opendoubt.com/data source: html --- # Religion by the Numbers > The global decline of religion in charts and data. How the world is becoming less religious — by generation, by country, and over time. Data & Evidence # _Religion by the Numbers_ The world is becoming less religious. The data is clear, the trend is accelerating, and no country has reversed it once it begins. Global Trend ## _Global Religious Decline_ The share of the world’s population identifying as non-religious has grown steadily over the past quarter century. What was once a fringe position is becoming mainstream. % of global population identifying as non-religious 2000 13% 2010 16% 2015 18% 2020 20% 2024 23% Sources: Pew Research Center, WIN/Gallup International Global Index of Religiosity and Atheism United States ## _The Rise of “Nones”_ In the United States, the religiously unaffiliated — those who describe their religion as “nothing in particular,” agnostic, or atheist — have quadrupled in three decades. Meanwhile, the Christian share has fallen steadily. Religiously unaffiliated (“Nones”) 1990 7% 2000 14% 2010 20% 2015 23% 2020 26% 2024 30% Identifying as Christian 1990 86% 2000 78% 2010 73% 2015 70% 2020 65% 2024 62% Sources: ARIS 1990, Pew Research Center Religious Landscape Studies, Gallup By Generation ## _The Generational Divide_ Each successive generation is less religious than the last. Among Gen Z, the non-religious now outnumber Christians. This is not a phase — it is a structural shift. Christian Non-religious Silent 84% 10% Boomers 70% 20% Gen X 63% 26% Millennials 49% 36% Gen Z 34% 44% Sources: Pew Research Center, PRRI Census of American Religion By Country ## _The Most Secular Nations_ Secularization is not an American phenomenon. Across the developed world, large shares of the population have moved away from religious identification entirely. % of population identifying as non-religious Czech Republic 72% China 67% Estonia 60% Japan 57% Sweden 55% Netherlands 51% United Kingdom 48% Germany 44% France 40% Australia 39% Sources: WIN/Gallup International, Eurobarometer, national census data Analysis ## _What’s Driving the Shift?_ **Education.**Higher education is the single strongest predictor of non-religious identification. Exposure to comparative religion, philosophy, and the scientific method gives people frameworks for evaluating religious claims — and many find those claims wanting. **The internet.**For the first time in human history, a teenager in a devout household can encounter counter-arguments to their family’s beliefs without leaving the room. The internet broke the information monopoly that religious communities once held over their members. **Urbanization.** Cities are less religious than rural areas, everywhere in the world. Urban life exposes people to diversity of belief, reduces social pressure to conform, and provides secular community alternatives. **Social liberalization.**As societies become more accepting of LGBTQ rights, gender equality, and reproductive autonomy, the gap between progressive social values and conservative religious doctrine widens. Many leave rather than reconcile the two. None of these factors alone explains the shift. But together, they form a powerful current — one that shows no sign of reversing. Quick quiz Not sure where you land? Take a one-minute quiz and get a read on your faith footprint — where you've been, where you are, and where to go next. [Find my path →](/quiz) Continue exploring [ Atheism What atheism actually is, what it isn't, and why it matters. ](/atheism)[ Secular humanism A positive worldview grounded in reason, ethics, and human flourishing. ](/secular-humanism)[ Deconversion How and why people leave religion behind — the process, the cost, and the freedom. ](/deconversion)[ Philosophy The intellectual traditions that offer meaning without mythology. ](/philosophy) --- _Canonical HTML version: https://opendoubt.com/data_