Key Findings from the Global Religious Futures Project

How is religious affiliation shifting in Western nations (e.g., U.S., Western Europe, Australia)?

Affiliation, prayer frequency, and service attendance are steadily declining (secularization).

Why is the global percentage of religiously unaffiliated people projected to shrink by 2050 despite Western secularization?

Highly religious regions (such as Sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle East) have significantly higher birth rates than more secular/developed regions.

By 2050, what share of the global population is projected to identify as Christian or Muslim?

About 60% combined (~31% Christian and ~30% Muslim). The unaffiliated share will drop to around 13%.

Which major religious group is projected to grow the fastest worldwide?

Muslims, projected to potentially equal or surpass Christians by the end of the 21st century.

How is the geographic distribution of global Christianity projected to shift by 2060?

Over 40% of the world's Christians are projected to live in Sub-Saharan Africa.

How has religious affiliation changed in former Soviet countries since 1991?

Christianity experienced a major resurgence after the collapse of the USSR, with institutions like the Russian Orthodox Church regaining strong cultural and political prominence.

What is the global trend regarding government restrictions on religion?

Government restrictions on religion have been increasing globally (with 57 countries having "very high" restrictions as of 2020, up from 40 in 2007).

What is the global relationship between national wealth (GDP per capita) and religious commitment?

There is generally an inverse correlation: higher GDP per capita typically corresponds to lower levels of religious commitment.

What is the "age gap" in religiosity observed across dozens of surveyed countries?

Younger adults (ages 18-39) generally report that religion is less important to them compared to adults ages 40 and older.

In the U.S., how does higher education affect the religious practices of practicing Christians?

Highly educated U.S. Christians are just as devout as less-educated Christians, and they actually attend weekly religious services at higher rates.