Rachel Evans
Europe is home to a large Catholic population, with about 35% of the continent's population identifying as Catholic. This equates to around 286 million people, according to Agenzia Fides in 2023. However, the number of Catholics in Europe has been declining, and in 2010, only about a quarter of all Catholics worldwide resided in Europe. This shift can be attributed to various factors, including historical immigration and missionary activity by Catholic Europeans, as well as the growth of other religious groups within Europe. The Catholic Church remains closely tied to Europe, with its headquarters in Vatican City, Rome, and Catholics continue to be the largest religious group in several of Europe's most populous countries, including France, Germany, Italy, Poland, and Spain.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Percentage of Catholics in Europe | 35% (2010), 39.58% (2023) |
| Number of Catholics in Europe | 286,063,000 (2023) |
| Percentage of Catholics worldwide in Europe | 65% (1910), 24% (2010) |
| Most Catholic countries in Europe | Poland (87%), Italy (78%), Portugal (77%), Ireland (72%), Lithuania (75%) |
| Catholic countries in Central and Eastern Europe | Ukraine (10%), Hungary (56%) |
| Catholic countries in Western Europe | Netherlands (19%), United Kingdom (19%) |
| Catholics attending church monthly in Central and Eastern Europe | 44% |
| Catholics attending church monthly in Western Europe | 33% |
| Catholics praying daily in Central and Eastern Europe | 36% |
| Catholics praying daily in Western Europe | 13% |
| Catholics believing in God in Central and Eastern Europe | 91% |
| Catholics believing in God in Western Europe | 80% |
| Catholics supporting legal gay marriage in Central and Eastern Europe | Minority |
| Catholics supporting legal gay marriage in Western Europe | Majority |
| Catholics accepting Muslims as family members in Central and Eastern Europe | Minority |
| Catholics accepting Muslims as family members in Western Europe | Majority |
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What You'll Learn
Catholic population decline in Europe
Europe has witnessed a decline in its Catholic population over the past century, with the share of global Catholics in the region dropping significantly. In 1910, Europe was home to 65% of the world's Catholics, amounting to 44% of the continent's population. However, by 2010, only about a quarter (24%) of Catholics resided in Europe, indicating a substantial shift. This decrease is attributed to various factors, including historical immigration and missionary activities by European Catholics to other regions, particularly the Americas and Australia.
The religious landscape in Europe has undergone notable changes, especially in Southern and Eastern European countries, where Catholics were once the predominant religious group. Today, they constitute one of the largest minorities, coexisting with believers of other faiths that have gained a presence in Europe. This shift has impacted the perception of the Catholic Church's role in public debates and the social and political context.
Several European countries with significant Catholic populations, such as Italy, Hungary, and Poland, have seen the Catholic constituency become a crucial voting bloc for populist leaders and ethno-nationalist movements. Scandals involving sexual abuse by clergy members have also impacted the Catholic Church in countries like Germany and France. Additionally, the Church continues to influence educational and legal policies in most European countries, including funding for private schools, religious education, and ethical and bioethical questions.
While the number of Catholics in Europe has declined, Catholics still represent the largest religious group in Europe, with about 35% of the continent's population identifying as Catholic. Countries with the highest shares of Catholics include Poland (87%), Italy (78%), Portugal (77%), Spain (60%), and Hungary (56%). In Central and Eastern European countries, Catholics tend to be more religious, with higher rates of church attendance, prayer, and belief in God compared to their Western European counterparts.
Despite the overall decline in the Catholic population in Europe, the region remains closely tied to the Catholic Church, with the Church's headquarters in Vatican City, Europe. Additionally, Europe still contributes significantly to the global Catholic population, with a plurality of the institution's cardinals (42%) hailing from the continent.
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Catholic social conservatism in Central and Eastern Europe
Catholicism remains closely tied to Europe, with about 35% of the population of Europe identifying as Catholic, making them the largest religious group in Europe. However, only about a quarter of all Catholics worldwide reside in Europe. This is a significant shift from 1910, when 65% of the world's Catholics lived on the continent. The Catholic Church is headquartered in Rome's Vatican City, and a plurality of the cardinals (42%) hail from Europe.
Catholics in Central and Eastern Europe are more socially conservative than those in Western Europe. They are more likely to attend church monthly, pray daily, consider religion very important in their lives, and believe in God. They are also more likely to oppose gay marriage and be less accepting of Muslims as family members. For instance, while majorities of Catholics in every Western European country analysed support legal gay marriage, most Catholics in Central and Eastern Europe oppose it. Far fewer Catholics across Central and Eastern Europe would accept a Muslim as a family member compared to those in Western Europe.
The resurgence of conservative and national sentiment in Eastern Europe has contributed to a revival of symbolic Christianity. In Hungary, for instance, the word "Christian" was adopted by members of the gentry around 1900 to advertise their conservative sympathies. In Poland, the Catholic constituency has become an important voter base for populist leaders and new forms of ethno-nationalism, leveraging fears of a loss of privileges due to the growth of other groups, particularly Muslims. Similarly, in Hungary, social conservative policies have gained traction, including pro-natalist tax subsidies and funding for religious schools.
While the Catholic Church in most European countries plays a significant role in influencing educational and legal policies, the changes in the European religious landscape have impacted the perception of the Church's presence in society. In most EU countries, over half of young adults do not identify with any particular religion, and the growth of other faiths has changed the institutional and political framework, especially in Southern and Eastern Europe, where Catholics used to be the majority.
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Catholic support for gay marriage in Western Europe
Catholicism is the largest religious group in Europe, with about 35% of Europeans identifying as Catholic. However, only about a quarter of all Catholics worldwide reside in Europe. This is partly due to the migration of largely Catholic European ethnic groups to other continents, such as the Americas and Australia.
In Western Europe, large majorities of Catholics have expressed support for legal same-sex marriage. In a 2017 survey, the following percentages of Catholics in these Western European countries supported gay marriage:
- The Netherlands (92%)
- The United Kingdom (78%)
- France (74%)
- Germany (70%)
- Belgium (83%)
- Austria (majority support, exact percentage unknown)
- Ireland (majority support, exact percentage unknown)
- Italy (57%)
- Portugal (majority support, exact percentage unknown)
- Spain (majority support, exact percentage unknown)
- Switzerland (76%)
Same-sex marriage is now legal across the vast majority of Western Europe. However, Italy and Switzerland only recognize same-sex civil unions and not marriage.
In contrast, Catholics in Central and Eastern Europe tend to be more socially conservative and largely oppose gay marriage. For example, nine-in-ten Catholics in Ukraine oppose same-sex marriage, as do 66% of Catholics in Hungary and 62% in Poland. The Czech Republic is the only country out of 19 surveyed in Central and Eastern Europe where a majority of adults (65%) support gay marriage.
While the Catholic Church explicitly denies its blessing for marital unions between two people of the same sex, there have been some signs of a shift in recent years. In 2023, Pope Francis voiced his support for same-sex civil unions, and blessings of two individuals with same-sex attraction were approved and published by the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith. Additionally, in 2022, all Roman Catholic bishops in Belgium allowed blessing ceremonies for same-sex couples, and over 80% of German Roman Catholic bishops called for similar ceremonies in their dioceses.
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Catholic attitudes towards Muslims in Europe
As of 2021, there are an estimated 228 million Catholics in Europe, representing about 28% of the continent's total population. This number has likely fluctuated slightly since then, but it gives us a sense of the significant Catholic presence in the region. Now, when it comes to Catholic attitudes towards Muslims in Europe, there are a few key points to consider.
Historically, relations between Catholics and Muslims in Europe have been complex and often shaped by geopolitical conflicts, cultural differences, and religious interpretations. The Crusades, the Ottoman Empire's expansion into Europe, and more recent immigration patterns have all influenced how Catholics perceive and interact with Muslims. It's important to recognize that attitudes can vary widely among Catholics, from those who are welcoming and supportive of interfaith dialogue to those who may hold more negative views shaped by fear, misinformation, or political ideologies.
In recent decades, with the increase in Muslim immigration to Europe due to various factors such as refugee crises and economic opportunities, the relationship between Catholics and Muslims has taken on new significance. On one hand, there have been efforts to promote interfaith understanding and cooperation. For example, the Catholic Church has officially encouraged dialogue and collaboration with Muslim communities, and there are numerous local initiatives across Europe where Catholics and Muslims come together for social and charitable causes. These efforts aim to build bridges, foster mutual understanding, and promote social cohesion.
However, there are also strains in the relationship, often fueled by cultural and political factors. Some Catholics in Europe view Muslim immigration as a threat to traditional European values and worry that it may lead to a dilution of their religious and cultural heritage. There are concerns about religious extremism and the potential influence of political Islam, which has sometimes led to suspicion and tension between communities. Additionally, socio-economic factors come into play, as competition for resources and opportunities can sometimes create or exacerbate negative attitudes.
Attitudes can also vary depending on the specific European country or region. For instance, in countries with a longer history of Muslim presence, such as Spain or the Balkans, Catholics may have a different perspective compared to regions with more recent and rapid immigration, such as Northern or Central European countries. Ultimately, Catholic attitudes towards Muslims in Europe are diverse and multifaceted. While there may be tensions and challenges, there are also many positive initiatives and efforts to promote understanding and cooperation between these two significant religious communities.
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Catholic political influence in Europe
Catholicism is the largest religious group in Europe, with about 35% of Europeans identifying as Catholic. However, only about a quarter of all Catholics worldwide reside in Europe. The Catholic Church is headquartered in Rome's Vatican City, and 42% of the institution's cardinals hail from Europe.
Historically, the Catholic Church followed a policy of strict neutrality, with thinkers like Eusebius of Caesarea believing the Church should not concern itself with political matters. However, Saint Augustine influenced the Church with his theory of minimal involvement in politics, whereby the Church accepted the legitimacy of governments that maintained a social order useful to Christians. In the 13th century, Thomas Aquinas discussed the concept of political Catholicism. In the early Church, the biblical passage Matthew 22:21 ("Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's") defined the dualism of Catholic political thinking. Unlike earlier religions, the Catholic Church became a separate, independent institution that was not part of any existing ethnic or political structures.
In the 19th century, Pope Leo XIII's encyclical Rerum novarum expanded the Church's interest in social, economic, political, and cultural issues, calling for a drastic conversion of Western society in the face of capitalist influences. This led to the flourishing of the labour movement in Europe and later in North America. Catholic political movements became very strong in Spain, Italy, Germany, Austria, Ireland, France, and Latin America.
In the 20th century, Catholic political movements in Austria promoted agrarian leagues and rural trade unions, reflecting the social model of the village. Political Catholic social movements spread from Germany to Austria-Hungary, Ukraine, Slovenia, and Croatia. Catholic Action was the name of many groups of lay Catholics attempting to encourage Catholic influence on political society.
Today, Catholic constituencies in countries like Italy, Hungary, and Poland have become important voter pools for populist leaders and new forms of ethno-nationalism. The Catholic Church in most European countries plays a significant role in defining educational policies and legal choices concerning ethical and bioethical questions, freedom of religion and belief, and sexuality.
While Catholics in Central and Eastern Europe tend to be more socially conservative, opposing gay marriage and abortion, Catholics in Western Europe are more accepting of Muslims and more supportive of legal abortion and gay marriage. The rise of populism and new European nationalists, such as Viktor Orbán, Jaroslaw Kaczynski, and Matteo Salvini, has publicly claimed the mantles of Christian Democracy and Catholic nationalism. These trends raise questions about the relationship between Catholicism and the future institutional and spiritual form of Europe.
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Frequently asked questions
There are 286,063,000 Catholics in Europe, constituting 39.58% of the region's population.
Only about a quarter (24%) of Catholics worldwide reside in Europe.
Europe used to be home to most of the world's Catholics. In 1910, 65% of Catholics lived on the continent, amounting to 44% of Europe's population. By 2010, the share of the world's Catholics living in Europe had dropped to 24%.
The countries with the largest shares of Catholics are mostly located in Southern and Central Europe, including Poland (87%), Italy (78%), Portugal (77%), Spain (60%), Hungary (56%), Ireland (72%), and Lithuania (75%).
Latin America now hosts more Catholics (39%) than Europe or any other region, followed by sub-Saharan Africa (16%) and the Asia-Pacific region (12%).
