Scripture Engagement Sparks Growth In Young Generations
An increasing number of younger Americans who actively engage with the Bible are reporting better overall well-being, according to the American Bible Society’s 2025 State of the Bible report. The study highlights that Gen Z and millennial Scripture readers tend to experience greater life satisfaction compared to others in their age groups.
The findings show that young adults who regularly read the Bible scored an average of 8.1 on the Human Flourishing Index, a tool developed by Harvard University to measure six key aspects of life such as happiness, mental and physical health, and life meaning. This score stands well above the overall Gen Z average of 6.8, which was the lowest among all age groups surveyed. Baby Boomers, meanwhile, led in overall flourishing with an average score of 7.5. The report also found that people who feel a strong sense of divine presence in their lives tend to flourish more than those who do not.
Higher levels of well-being were especially evident among individuals who read the Bible daily or attend church regularly. Those who engage with Scripture every day reported an average flourishing score of 7.9, while those who never read it averaged 6.8. The data was collected through 2,656 online interviews conducted in January with adults from all 50 states and Washington, D.C.
This year’s report noted improvements in nearly all measured domains, particularly among Gen Z, who showed a rise in the area of close relationships—from 6.6 in 2024 to 7.0 in 2025. This development is noteworthy for a generation often viewed as socially disconnected. A related global study ranked the U.S. 15th out of 22 nations in flourishing, with countries like Indonesia, Mexico, and the Philippines ranking highest.
The study also found a rebound in national Bible engagement, marking the first rise in four years. Around 11 million more Americans are now reading the Bible compared to the previous year, especially among millennials, Gen X, and men. Engagement also grew regionally, with the Northeast and West showing an 18% increase and the Midwest up by 15%. In contrast, the South remained steady. Interestingly, young adults in the San Francisco Bay Area — despite the region’s generally low religious identification — reported higher-than-average Scripture use, with 40% of millennials and 37% of Gen Z reading the Bible, both slightly above national averages.