Ethan Walker
The number of Catholics worldwide has increased to 1.36 billion as of 2020, with further reports in 2025 claiming the figure has risen to 1.4 billion. However, this growth is not evenly distributed. While the number of Catholics has increased in Africa and Asia, there has been a decline in Europe, North America, and Latin America. In the US, the percentage of Americans who identify as Catholic has decreased from 24% in 2007 to 19% in 2025. This is reflected in the number of priests, with a decline in Europe, North America, and Oceania, and a corresponding increase in Africa and Asia.
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What You'll Learn
- The number of priests is decreasing in Europe, Asia, and the Americas
- The Catholic population is growing in Africa and Asia
- The US Catholic population is shrinking
- There is a shortage of priests in South America, Africa, and Central America
- The Catholic Church is losing members to other religions and secularization
The number of priests is decreasing in Europe, Asia, and the Americas
While the number of Catholics worldwide has been increasing, the number of priests has been decreasing in Europe, Asia, and the Americas. In 2023, there were 406,996 Catholic priests globally, a decrease of 734 from 2022. This decline was particularly significant in Europe (-1.6%), Asia (-1.3%), and the Americas (-0.7%).
In Europe, the number of priests has been decreasing, while the number of Catholics has either remained stable or declined slightly. For example, in 2022, the Catholic population in Europe fell by nearly half a million people, coinciding with a total population reduction on the continent. Additionally, countries like Poland, which historically had high ordination rates, have seen a steady decrease in ordinations since the 1970s.
In Asia, the number of priests has also been decreasing, despite the rapid growth of the Catholic Church in the region. The decline in the number of priests has not kept pace with the growth of congregants, resulting in a lower priest-to-people ratio than in the global North.
In the Americas, the decrease in the number of priests is particularly notable in South America, Central America, and North America. In South America, there is a significant shortage of priests, with only 12.4% of priests serving 27.4% of Catholics. Central America has also experienced a decline in priests, though it has slowed compared to previous years. North America, including the United States, faces a dwindling supply of priests, with an increasing number of "priestless" parishes.
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The Catholic population is growing in Africa and Asia
While the number of Catholics has decreased in some countries, the Catholic population is growing in Africa and Asia. In Africa, the number of Catholics has increased significantly over the past century, driven by the conversion of Sub-Saharan Africa in the first half of the 20th century and the continent's unique demographic trends. In 1900, only 2% of Africa's population was Catholic, but by 2000, this number had grown to 140 million, with an estimated 158 million in 2009. Africa's Catholic population is expected to continue growing, with estimates that African Catholics will make up 32% of the Catholic Church by 2050.
The growth of Catholicism in Africa is also reflected in the increasing number of priests and religious institutions on the continent. Africa produces a large percentage of the world's priests, and the world's largest seminary is located in Nigeria. Catholic schools and hospitals play an important role in local communities and contribute to the social fabric of many African countries.
In Asia, the Catholic population is also growing, albeit from a smaller base. While the Philippines has long been considered the most Catholic country in Asia, Timor-Leste now has a higher percentage of Catholics, with 97% compared to 83% in the Philippines. Catholicism in Timor-Leste is not solely due to Western colonization, as less than 20% of the population was Catholic when Portugal left in 1975. Indonesia, while only 3% Catholic nationally, has several islands and regions that are overwhelmingly Catholic, such as Flores and parts of Papua.
In other Asian countries, such as Thailand, Japan, India, and China, Catholicism operates as an alternative means of identity formation and plays a role in shaping collective identities and political models. Catholics have established educational and medical institutions across many subregions of Asia, influencing local societies and politics. While the number of Catholics in Asia remains relatively small compared to other religions, the influence of Catholicism goes beyond quantitative statistics and is a powerful force in the region.
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The US Catholic population is shrinking
While the global Catholic population has increased to 1.4 billion, the US Catholic population is shrinking. In 2025, only 19% of Americans self-identified as Catholic, a decrease from 24% in 2007. This represents a 20% decline. The recent decline in the US Catholic population is part of a broader trend of secularization in the country. Americans are becoming increasingly secular, with religious "nones" increasing by 81%.
The US Catholic Church is facing significant challenges, including the clergy sex abuse crisis and teachings on birth control, which have led many to leave the Church. The Church's teachings are increasingly at odds with the beliefs of its members, such as on abortion, which 59% of Catholics believe should be legal. The ethnic and geographic distribution of the Catholic population in the US has also changed, with the Church now relying on immigrant populations to bolster its numbers.
The decline in the US Catholic population is also reflected in the number of priests. In 2020, there were a total of 410,219 Catholic priests worldwide, a decrease from the previous year. The number of priests in North America has continued to decline, while Africa and Asia have seen increases. This has resulted in a serious mismatch in how priests are allocated globally, with more than 50% of priests living and ministering in the global North, despite two-thirds of Catholics living elsewhere.
The US Catholic Church must adapt to the changing needs of its members to stem the tide of people leaving. This includes engaging with young people and addressing the spiritual needs of its congregation. With the right strategies, the Church can work to reverse the decline and reconnect with those who have left.
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There is a shortage of priests in South America, Africa, and Central America
While the number of Catholics worldwide has increased, there is a notable shortage of priests in South America, Africa, and Central America. In 2023, the number of priests worldwide decreased by 0.2% compared to 2022, with a decline in Europe, Oceania, and America, and an increase in Africa and Asia. South America, Africa, and Central America face the most evident priest shortages, with 12.4%, 13.5%, and 5.4% of priests, respectively, despite having 27.4%, 20%, and 11.6% of the world's Catholics.
The Catholic population in Africa has grown by 238% since 1980, reaching nearly 200 million, while the number of priests increased by only 131% in the same period. Africa has one priest for every 5,089 Catholics, while Europe has one priest for 1,746 Catholics. In the US, the number of parishes without a priest climbed from 549 in 1965 to 3,496 in 2012, and more than 3,500 parishes lacked a resident pastor as of 2020.
The priest shortage is attributed to various factors, including the clergy sex abuse crisis, teachings on birth control, and secularization influenced by affluence and busyness in modern culture. To address the shortage, dioceses in the US and Europe have recruited priests from Africa and other parts of the world. However, these foreign priests often face culture shocks and communication challenges in their new communities.
While the number of priests worldwide has remained relatively stable since 1970, the Catholic population has nearly doubled, contributing to the priest shortage in certain regions. The mismatch in the allocation of priests worldwide has resulted in a higher priest-to-people ratio in the Global South compared to the Global North. This imbalance has led to concerns about meeting the spiritual needs of Catholics in affected areas.
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The Catholic Church is losing members to other religions and secularization
The Catholic Church is facing a decline in membership, with people leaving for other religions or embracing secularization. This trend is particularly evident in the United States, where the percentage of Americans who identify as Catholic has dropped significantly. For every 100 new Catholics, more than 800 people leave the Church, according to a survey. This results in a net loss for the Church, despite the overall number of Catholics globally increasing.
In the US, the Catholic population has remained at around 20% since 2014, after dropping from 24% at the turn of the century. A 2025 survey revealed that only 19% of Americans identify as Catholic, down from 24% in 2007, representing a 20% decrease. This decline is not limited to the Catholic Church, as Protestants have also experienced a 21% decrease in membership. However, the rate of decline for Catholics is more pronounced.
Several factors contribute to this decline. One significant reason is the issue of secularization, as people move away from religious beliefs and practices. This trend is observed especially among second- and third-generation Hispanic Catholics, who are embracing secular culture. The busy nature of modern life also plays a role, with people having to work on Sundays and engage in various activities that compete with religious practices.
Additionally, the Church's teachings on birth control and other issues, as well as the clergy sex abuse crisis, have led many to become disenchanted with the Catholic Church. Many former Catholics have joined Protestant congregations, particularly evangelical and Pentecostal groups. The growth of these groups in Hispanic neighborhoods has attracted a significant number of former Catholics.
To address these challenges, the Catholic Church needs to focus on retaining and engaging its members, especially immigrant populations, and adapting to cultural and societal changes. The allocation of priests and the ratio of priests to Catholics also need to be addressed, as there is a notable mismatch in different regions.
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Frequently asked questions
According to a 2025 report, the number of Catholics worldwide has increased to 1.4 billion. However, there are regional disparities, with a decrease in Europe, Asia, and the Americas, and an increase in Africa.
In 2025, 19% of Americans identified as Catholic, a decrease from 24% in 2007. Catholicism is still the largest denomination in the country, with around 20% of the population since 2014.
There are various reasons why people are leaving the Catholic Church. Some join Protestant congregations, especially evangelical and Pentecostal groups, while others leave religion altogether. The church's teachings on birth control and the clergy sex abuse crisis have also been cited as reasons for leaving.
