A sweeping study from Pew Research that spanned from 2010 to 2020 highlights monumental growth for Christianity in Africa. But in the five years since 2020 (especially the post-pandemic years), others surveys are pointing to a more surprising trend.
A June 9 Pew Research report reveals that while the number of Christians worldwide grew from 2.1 to 2.3 billion between 2010–2020, their share of the global population decreased from 31% to 29%, largely due to rising disaffiliation. Sub‑Saharan Africa is now a main global epicenter of Christianity: in 2020, 30.7% of all Christians lived there — up from just 24.8% in 2010 — surpassing Europe.
The region’s population grew by 31%, with 62% self‑identifying as Christian, and countries like Mozambique even saw a rise of 5 percentage points. High birth rates, a youthful demographic, and fewer exits from the faith have driven this growth.
Western Christianity: Decline pauses, youth renew faith
Parallel to the African growth, Western nations — once decreasing sharply in Christian affiliation — have stopped losing ground. In the U.S., after decades of decline, Christian identification has stabilized around 62% since roughly 2020. Remarkably, among Generation Z Americans, church affiliation rose from 45% to 51% between 2023 and 2024. “Nones” correspondingly fell from 45% to 41%, according to The Economist.
This trend is mirrored in Canada, the UK, France, Ireland, and several other Western European countries, where the growth of the non‑religious has slowed dramatically, coinciding with a plateau in Christian affiliation.
Some sociologists credit the COVID‑19 pandemic — and its associated isolation and existential crisis — for catalyzing a spiritual search, especially among young people. Young men, in particular, are showing renewed interest in structured religious life — a surprising counter‑trend after decades of female predominance in church attendance.
Catholic converts on the rise in Australia and Europe
This Western resurgence isn’t limited to the U.S. or Europe.
In Australia, Archbishop Anthony Fisher reports a 26% increase in adult Catholic converts in Sydney for five straight years. He describes a “hunger for spiritual meaning” post‑COVID and in uncertain economic times .
Ireland, France, Austria, Belgium, and England have all seen significant increases in adult baptisms — Easter 2025 in France registered the highest number in two decades, with a whopping 40% of those baptized coming from Gen Z (those born from 1995-2012).
In England, Catholics are on track to outnumber Anglicans — an unprecedented shift.
A tale of two movements
Worldwide, sub‑Saharan Africa is now home to over 30% of the world’s Christians and leads the charge in growth, while Western declines have halted.
This dual movement — expanding churches in Africa and reinvigorated faith among Western youth — highlights a global Catholic Church at work. The challenge now lies in holding onto this momentum, blending deep conviction with openness to secular audiences, and building bridges between vibrant communities across continents.
