Pew Research Center Acknowledgments
- adults identify as Christian, a significant decline from previous decades, while the religiously unaffiliated-those who identify as atheist, agnostic, or "nothing in particular"-now constitute 29% of the population.
- This shift represents a long-term trend documented by the Pew Research Centre, reflecting broader societal changes and declining rates of religious affiliation across generations.
- Such as,a 2021 Pew Research Center study found that 33% of Millennials and 36% of Generation Z identify as religiously unaffiliated,compared to 16% of Baby Boomers and 13%...
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Religious Demographics in the United states
Table of Contents
As of December 2023, approximately 63% of U.S. adults identify as Christian, a significant decline from previous decades, while the religiously unaffiliated-those who identify as atheist, agnostic, or “nothing in particular”-now constitute 29% of the population.
This shift represents a long-term trend documented by the Pew Research Centre, reflecting broader societal changes and declining rates of religious affiliation across generations. The decline in Christian affiliation is especially pronounced among younger adults, with Millennials and Generation Z exhibiting significantly lower rates of religious adherence compared to older generations.
Such as,a 2021 Pew Research Center study found that 33% of Millennials and 36% of Generation Z identify as religiously unaffiliated,compared to 16% of Baby Boomers and 13% of the Silent Generation. America is Becoming Increasingly Religiously Diverse,Pew Research Center,December 14,2021.
Breakdown of christian Affiliation
Christianity remains the dominant religion in the United States, but its composition is evolving. Currently, 24% of U.S. adults identify as Protestant, 13% as catholic, and 6% as members of other Christian denominations, such as Mormon, Orthodox, or Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).
The Protestant share of the population has decreased substantially over the past several decades, while the Catholic share has remained relatively stable. The rise of the religiously unaffiliated has contributed to the decline in both Protestant and Catholic affiliation.
Data from the Pew Research Center’s 2023 Religious Landscape Study shows that among those who identify as Protestant,31% are mainline Protestant,28% are evangelical Protestant,and 41% are historically Black Protestant churches. Religion in America: overview, Pew Research Center, May 3, 2023.
Growth of the Religiously Unaffiliated
The number of Americans who do not identify with any particular religion has grown rapidly in recent years. This group includes atheists (who do not believe in God), agnostics (who are unsure whether God exists), and those who describe their religion as ”nothing in particular.”
Several factors contribute to this trend, including increasing secularization, declining trust in religious institutions, and a growing emphasis on individual autonomy and personal values. The rise of the religiously unaffiliated is particularly noticeable among younger generations, who are less likely to have been raised in religious households.
In 2007, 16% of U.S. adults identified as religiously unaffiliated. By 2023,that number had risen to 29%. America’s Changing Religious Composition, Pew Research Center, December 14, 2023.
Other Religious Groups
While Christianity and the religiously unaffiliated represent the largest segments of the U.S. religious landscape, other religious groups also contribute to the country’s diversity. These include judaism (approximately 2.4% of the population), Islam (approximately 1.1%),Hinduism (approximately 0.9%), Buddhism (approximately 0.8%), and other faiths.
The growth of non-Christian religious groups is largely driven by immigration and demographic shifts. the United States has become increasingly diverse in recent decades, and this diversity is reflected in its religious composition.
According to the Pew research Center, the Muslim population in the United States is projected to more than double by 2050, reaching 8.1% of the total U.S. population.