The youth are turning away fast.
A Pew Research study shows that while the percentage of U.S. adults identifying as Christian has consistently declined over the past 17 years, this trend has slowed in the past five years. However, the potential for future declines remains as younger generations are more likely to be unaffiliated with religion compared to older age groups.
The study, involving over 36,000 respondents in its 2023-24 edition, is the largest of its kind conducted by Pew Research Center. It examines the religious beliefs, practices, and affiliations of U.S. adults across various states and metropolitan areas. The percentage of adults identifying as Christian has dropped from 78% in 2007 to 62% in the latest study, with the largest groups being Protestants and Catholics. Meanwhile, around 29% of Americans identify as religiously unaffiliated, including atheists, agnostics, or those with no particular religious identity, though this group’s growth has plateaued.
The study also notes a stabilization in religious behaviors such as prayer and church attendance, though these rates remain lower than in previous years. Other key findings show that a significant majority of Americans still hold spiritual beliefs, with 83% saying they believe in God or a universal spirit, although fewer people believe in the God described in the Bible, particularly among younger adults.
Among the youngest adult demographic (ages 18-24), only 46% identify as Christian, and nearly half identify as religiously unaffiliated. This is a stark contrast to older generations, who tend to be more religious. Researchers suggest that while religious affiliation has remained stable within most age groups, the younger generation’s lower levels of religiosity may signal future shifts in the U.S. religious landscape unless factors like increased religious engagement with age or new religious trends emerge.