Most former Catholics in Latin America now identify as religiously unaffiliated or Protestant | Pew Research Center

January 14, 2026

Catholicism Has Declined in Latin America Over the Past Decade

Most former Catholics in Latin America now identify as religiously unaffiliated or Protestant

Most former Catholics in Latin America now identify as religiously unaffiliated or Protestant

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Most former Catholics in Latin America now identify as religiously unaffiliated or Protestant

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Infographic Gallery

Catholicism Has Declined in Latin America Over the Past Decade
Catholic share of Latin American populations has fallen since 2013-14
Despite declines, Catholicism is still the most common religion in Latin America
Long-term drop in Catholic share of the population in 6 Latin American countries
Decline since 2010 in the share of U.S. Hispanics who identify as Catholic
Most former Catholics in Latin America now identify as religiously unaffiliated or Protestant
Majorities in Brazil, Peru and Colombia say religion is very important to them
About a third or more of Latin American adults wear or carry religious items or symbols
Latin American Protestants more likely than Catholics, ‘nones’ to say religion is very important, but less likely to say nature can have spirits
Latin American Protestants more likely than Catholics to attend religious services weekly, while Catholics more likely to wear or carry religious items
‘Nones’ in Latin America are similar to Christians in Europe on some measures of religiousness