Christianity’s Decline Slows in the US, but Young People’s Faith Is Fading

Clear Facts

• The decline in the number of U.S. adults identifying as Christians has slowed in the past five years, with current figures between 60% and 64%.
• The youngest American adults, aged 18-24, are significantly less religious, with only 46% identifying as Christian and 43% as religiously unaffiliated.
• Although religious practices have stabilized, the future of Christianity in the U.S. remains uncertain as younger generations are less religious than older ones.

In recent years, the decline in the number of American adults identifying as Christians has slowed, according to a comprehensive study. This trend, which has been ongoing for 17 years, shows a stabilization in the past five years, with the percentage of Christians hovering between 60% and 64%.

However, the future of Christianity in the United States remains uncertain, particularly among the nation’s youngest adults. Data reveals that young adults are significantly more likely to be unaffiliated with any religion compared to older generations. This suggests potential future declines in the “American religious landscape.”

The study, which surveyed over 36,000 respondents in its 2023-24 edition, highlights the religious identities, beliefs, and practices of U.S. adults. It shows that the largest share of American Christians identify as Protestants (40%), followed by Catholics (19%). Meanwhile, about 3% of Americans belong to other Christian subgroups, such as the Greek and Russian Orthodox Churches, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and Jehovah’s Witnesses.

In contrast, the group of religiously unaffiliated individuals, also known as the “nones,” constitutes approximately 29% of the population. Although this group had been growing, researchers noted that it has “plateaued” in recent years.

Despite lower rates than in 2007, the frequency of prayer and church attendance has stabilized. About 44% of Americans report praying at least once daily, while 33% attend religious services monthly.

The study also reveals that a significant majority of Americans hold spiritual beliefs. “Significant majorities of Americans believe people have a soul or spirit (86%), believe in God or a universal spirit (83%), believe there is something spiritual beyond the natural world, even if we can’t see it (79%); and believe in an afterlife (70%).”

However, belief in God as described in the Bible remains lower, particularly among younger generations. In 2018, a study found that while 80% of Americans believed in God, only a slim majority believed in the God of the Bible. Among those younger than 50, this belief was below 50%.

The latest study underscores the stark contrast between America’s oldest and youngest adults. Among those aged 18-24, only 46% identify as Christian, with just 27% praying daily and 25% attending religious services monthly. Notably, the share of religiously unaffiliated young adults is nearly equal to those identifying as Christian.

“Younger Americans are less likely than older adults to say they were raised in religious households,” researchers observed. “And, compared with older adults, fewer young people who were raised in religious households have remained religious after reaching adulthood.”

Data suggests that while the religiousness of most birth demographics has “remained relatively stable” since 2000, the youngest cohort is “no less religious than the second-youngest cohort in a variety of ways.”

“Americans born in 2000 through 2006 (those ages 18 to 24 in the 2023-24 study) are just as likely as those born in the 1990s (now ages 24 to 34) to identify as Christians, to say religion is very important in their lives, and to report that they attend religious services at least monthly,” the analysis states.

The future trajectory of religion in the U.S. remains uncertain. “Time will tell whether the recent stability in measures of religious commitment is the beginning of a lasting shift in America’s religious trajectory,” the study notes. However, with younger generations being less religious, any lasting stability would require a significant shift, such as young adults becoming more religious as they age or new generations emerging with stronger religious commitments.

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