Four countries are no longer predominantly Christian, according to new research. Which ones are they? Here are the facts
Christian majorities are gradually eroding in countries historically linked to the faith, according to a Pew Research Center report. As of 2020, Christians remained the majority in 120 out of 201 countries, a decrease from 124 in 2010. Several countries, including France, Australia, the United Kingdom, and Uruguay, saw their Christian populations fall below 50% between 2010 and 2020. Uruguay became the only country in the Americas where a majority of the population claimed no religious affiliation. The number of countries with religiously unaffiliated majorities increased from 7 in 2010 to 10 in 2020, reflecting a global shift.
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Recent research from the Pew Research Center indicates a significant global trend: a decline in Christian majorities in several countries between 2010 and 2020 1. While Christianity remains dominant in many regions, the number of countries where Christians constitute a majority dropped from 124 to 120 out of 201 surveyed nations and territories 1. This shift reflects a broader change in religious identification, with millions moving away from Christianity, often towards no religious affiliation at all 1.
Four countries, long associated with Christian heritage, have seen their Christian populations fall below the 50 percent threshold by 2020 1. These include France, where Christians comprised 46 percent of the population; Australia, at 47 percent; the United Kingdom, at 49 percent; and Uruguay, which recorded 44 percent 1. Uruguay's case is particularly notable as it became the only country in the Americas where the majority of the population (52 percent) claimed no religious affiliation 1.
The primary driver behind the decline in Christian majorities is the increasing number of people identifying as "unaffiliated," a category encompassing atheists, agnostics, and those with no particular religious identity 1. This rise is most visible in Western societies but is a global phenomenon 1. Between 2010 and 2020, Uruguay (52 percent), the Netherlands (54 percent), and New Zealand (51 percent) joined countries like China, Japan, and the Czech Republic in having religiously unaffiliated majorities, bringing the total to 10 countries from just 7 in 2010 1.
Despite losing ground in some areas, Christians maintained majorities in 60 percent of countries surveyed in 2020 1. This widespread presence is notable given that Christians made up only 29 percent of the global population, largely because Christianity spans regions with diverse population sizes, from microstates to large nations 1. In contrast, other major religious groups are more geographically concentrated; for instance, Hindus, representing 15 percent of the global population, formed majorities in only two countries (India and Nepal), while Islam had majorities in 53 countries 1.
The data portrays a world where religion, particularly Christianity, is no longer the social default in many developed nations 1. This trend challenges long-held assumptions about religion's cultural permanence 1. For the Catholic Church and other Christian traditions, this loss of majority status in historically Christian nations may necessitate a renewed evangelizing approach, moving away from presuming cultural Christianity 1. It also raises critical questions about secularization, generational shifts, and the perceived credibility of religious institutions in postmodern societies 1.
What is the Church's mission regarding declining Christianity?
The Church's mission regarding declining Christianity, particularly in societies marked by secularization, individualism, and consumerism, is centered on a "new evangelization" . This mission is seen as essential for reawakening and nourishing the faith life of the People of God .
The core aspects of this mission include:
The Church is tasked with proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ always and everywhere . This involves making Christ known and loved as "the way, and the truth and the life" (Jn 14:5) . The goal is to propose once again the entire Gospel of salvation in Jesus Christ to contemporary society . This proclamation is not merely through proselytism but by attraction, aiming to awaken, reawaken, and preserve hope .
In an increasingly secularized world where the sense of God has diminished, the Church needs to address practical indifference to religious truths and values . This requires a return to the sense of the sacred and an awareness of God's centrality in human existence . The Church's mission is to ensure that faith in Christ is transmitted within cultures undergoing profound change, rather than impeding cultural transformation .
The Church is encouraged to engage in dialogue with non-believers and those who are religiously indifferent . This includes being present in public debate on issues concerning humanity, such as family, marriage, and the end of life, to make God's mercy and tenderness visible . Dialogue also extends to ecumenism, seeking elements of truth and goodness with other Christian denominations .
A crucial aspect of evangelization is the witness and commitment of the laity . All baptized Christians are called to be disciples and missionaries in their daily lives . The witness of life makes words about God more compelling, and it is unthinkable for someone to accept the Word without bearing witness to it . This involves showing, especially by example, the gift of sacramental grace and the strength derived from it, particularly for those alienated by illusory lifestyles .
The mission of evangelization is not a specialized activity but belongs to the whole Church . It is transversal, encompassing catechesis, teaching, liturgy, and ordinary pastoral activity in families, parishes, seminaries, and universities . It requires a profound renewal of the missionary and prophetic sense of the entire People of God and the conscious mobilization of the Church's resources . Investing in the missionary direction of the Church can counter ongoing processes of secularization .
Providing a sound education, especially in Catholic schools, is vital for nourishing human and spiritual formation in a spirit of dialogue and fraternity . High-quality catechesis is important for young Christians to support their faith and lead them to an encounter with Christ .
In essence, the Church's mission in the face of declining Christianity is to re-propose the Gospel with renewed vigor, adapting to contemporary challenges while remaining faithful to its core identity as a community grounded in lived-out faith and centered on Christ .