Catholicism Has Declined in Latin America Over the Past Decade
Growing numbers of Latin Americans are religiously unaffiliated, but belief in God remains high across the region.
Numbers, Facts and Trends Shaping Your World
35-country survey conducted from January 5 to May 22, 2024
Pew Research Center. 2025. “Spring 2024 Survey Data.” doi: 10.58094/dwf6-w702.
Growing numbers of Latin Americans are religiously unaffiliated, but belief in God remains high across the region.
Many religious “nones,” which include atheists and agnostics, in 22 countries hold religious or spiritual beliefs, such as in an afterlife or something beyond the natural world.
Belief in an afterlife, God and spirits in nature is widespread globally. Older adults are more likely than younger adults to believe in God.
Across 35 countries, there are some disconnects between how people rate the importance of free expression and how free they feel they actually are.
About one-fifth of Israeli Jews (22%) have switched from one Jewish group to another since childhood.
In many places surveyed, 20% or more of all adults have left their childhood religious group. Christianity and Buddhism have had especially large losses.
People in mostly middle-income survey countries say it’s ideal to start a family and own a home by 30, and retire by 60.
When asked what it takes to “truly” belong in a country, many people globally say speaking the local language is key.
We asked people in three dozen countries how they see religion’s role in society, government and national identity.
Across 36 countries, a median of 54% say the gap between the rich and poor is a very big problem in their nation.
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