Catholicism declining in Latin America, Pew Research finds

The number of Catholics in Latin America is shrinking, while a growing percentage of Latinos are religiously unaffiliated, new research found. Despite this, Catholicism was still Latin America’s largest religion, according to a study from Pew Research published Wednesday. The 2024 study surveyed more than 6,200 adults in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, and Peru. While Catholics currently make up 46% to 67% of the adult population in each of these countries, these percentages have dropped by 9 points during the last decade, according to the Pew study. Catholicism has declined in the surveyed Latin American countries since the 1970s, according to the World Religion Database.

Shares of those who practice other religions were relatively low. The percentage of unaffiliated adults—who describe themselves as atheist, agnostic, or nothing in particular—has risen by 7 points or more. Sometimes called the religious “nones,” they made up 12% to 33% of the surveyed countries’ populations.

What else did Pew Research learn about Latin Americans’ beliefs?

• Many still believe in God. At least 9 out of 10 adults surveyed said they had this belief. Even the majority of religiously unaffiliated adults acknowledged a belief in God, according to the study.

• Half or more of adults in Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, and Peru reported that religion is very important in their lives.

• The majority of adults in Brazil, Colombia, and Peru said they pray at least once a day.

• Around 2 out of 10 adults said that while they were raised Catholic, they later left the religion. Many of these individuals reported being religiously unaffiliated now, according to Pew Research.

How many Protestants are in Latin America? Protestants ranged from 9% to 29% across the six surveyed countries, according to Pew Research. Brazil reported the largest population, and Mexico the smallest. Notably, the survey found that there were more religiously unaffiliated adults than there were Protestants in Argentina, Chile, Colombia, and Mexico. 

Dig deeper: Read Lauren Canterberry’s report on the church attendance of Millennial and Gen Z Americans.