How the Catholic World Is Changing

Since Vatican II, Catholicism has experienced a dramatic shift in allegiance by region. Here is a global look at the demographics of the faith since 1965.

By Francis X. Rocca, Yelin Hong and Josh Ulick
Religion at Home

How Catholicism has changed in the United States since 1965

The U.S. View
Around the World

The demographics of Catholicism since 1965

The World View
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Historical Trend
Shifting Popularity
Losing Ground
Gaining Ground
In Old Strongholds, a Diminished Presence

Followers:

Numbers Worldwide | As percentage of global population
Catholics
Muslims
Other Christians
Hindus
Buddhists
1965'70'75'80'85'90'95'00'05'1000.40.81.21.6 billion

Change in percentage of population that is Catholic, 1965-2010

N/A
<-10
-5
0
5
10
>10 percentage points
Where Catholicism Is Gaining Ground
Sub-Saharan Africa: Race For Recruits

Share of Kenya’s population

Catholics
Islam
Traditional African religions
1965'70'75'80'85'90'95'00'05'10010203040%
China: Small, but Strong Minority

China's Catholics population, in millions

1975'80'85'90'95'00'05'10036912
Where Catholicism Is Losing Ground
Middle East: Competition from Islam

Share of Lebanon’s population

Islam
Catholics
Other Christians
1965'70'75'80'85'90'95'00'05'100102030405060%
Europe: The Rise of Agnosticism, Atheism

Percentage change in each group, 2000-2015

SpainPopulation of each group in 2015
AgnosticsAtheistsCatholics3,667,466719,86342,700,000+35%+46%+13%
Ireland
AgnosticsAtheistsCatholics283,39212,7903,584,400+178%+89%+13%
Latin America: Pressure from Protestantism

Share of Brazil’s population

Catholics
Protestants
1965'70'75'80'85'90'95'00'05'10020406080100%
Sources: Association of Religion Data Archives; Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate
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