37% of U.S. adults now say religion is gaining influence, the highest share since 2002
% of U.S. adults who say religion is __ in American life
Note: Dotted line indicates a change in survey mode between 2016 and 2019. Data from 2019 and after comes from Pew Research Center’s American Trends Panel (ATP); 2016 and earlier used telephone surveys. The wording of the question on the telephone surveys was slightly different than on the ATP. Refer to the topline for details.
Source: Survey of U.S. adults conducted April 6-12, 2026.
Source: Survey of U.S. adults conducted April 6-12, 2026.
“How Americans Feel About Religion’s Influence in Government and Public Life”
PEW RESEARCH CENTER
37% of U.S. adults now say religion is gaining influence, the highest share since 2002
% of U.S. adults who say religion is __ in American life
| Losing influence | Gaining influence | |
|---|---|---|
| Mar 2002 | 52% | 37% |
| July 2003 | 56% | 30% |
| Jul 2006 | 59% | 34% |
| Jul-Aug 2010 | 67% | 23% |
| Jun-Jul 2012 | 66% | 25% |
| Sep 2014 | 72% | 22% |
| Jan 2016 | 68% | 26% |
| Mar-Apr 2019 | 78% | 20% |
| Sep 2022 | 74% | 23% |
| Feb 2024 | 80% | 18% |
| Feb 2025 | 68% | 31% |
| Apr 2026 | 61% | 37% |
Note: Dotted line indicates a change in survey mode between 2016 and 2019. Data from 2019 and after comes from Pew Research Center’s American Trends Panel (ATP); 2016 and earlier used telephone surveys. The wording of the question on the telephone surveys was slightly different than on the ATP. Refer to the topline for details.
Source: Survey of U.S. adults conducted April 6-12, 2026.
Source: Survey of U.S. adults conducted April 6-12, 2026.
“How Americans Feel About Religion’s Influence in Government and Public Life”
PEW RESEARCH CENTER
