Michael Brooks
Catholicism is a division of Christianity, the largest religion in the world. The Catholic Church, the oldest continuously functioning international institution, is the largest non-government provider of education and healthcare globally. As of 2023, there were 1.375 billion Catholics in the world, with Brazil having the highest population of Catholics. In 2024, the number rose to 1.389 billion. The number of Catholics has been increasing worldwide, except in Europe. The Vatican's Fides news agency releases an annual report with statistics on the Catholic Church, including the number of churches, healthcare and welfare centres, and educational institutions.
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What You'll Learn
- There are 1.272 billion Catholics worldwide, making up 48.1% of all Christians
- Brazil has the largest Catholic population, with 123 million or more
- The US is home to 7% of the world's Catholics, with 23% of US adults identifying as Catholic
- The number of Catholics has tripled since 1910, but their share of the global population is stable
- The Catholic Church runs 74,368 kindergartens, 100,939 primary schools, and 49,868 secondary schools
There are 1.272 billion Catholics worldwide, making up 48.1% of all Christians
Catholicism is a global religion, with 1.272 billion adherents worldwide. This makes it the largest Christian denomination in the world, accounting for 48.1% of all Christians. The Catholic Church is organised into various dioceses and parishes, with the Pope as its leader.
In the United Kingdom, the Catholic Church is organised into five provinces: Birmingham, Cardiff, Liverpool, Southwark, and Westminster. There are 21 dioceses within these provinces, including two Eastern Catholic dioceses: the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of the Holy Family of London and the Syro-Malabar Catholic Eparchy of Great Britain. The Catholic Church in the UK has seen a recent increase in attendance, particularly among younger generations, with Catholics now outnumbering Anglicans among Gen Z. This growth is attributed to immigration and a more intentional practice of religion among those who identify as Christian.
Historically, the Catholic Church in England included about 50,000 traditional Catholic families, who kept a low profile. The Catholic Relief Act of 1829 lifted major disabilities against Catholics, and in 1850, the Pope restored the Catholic hierarchy in England. Irish immigration during the Great Famine significantly increased the Catholic population in England and Scotland, with numbers rising from 224,000 in 1841 to 419,000 in 1851.
Today, the Catholic Church in the UK continues to grow and adapt to modern social issues, reflecting the dynamic nature of the global Catholic community.
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Brazil has the largest Catholic population, with 123 million or more
Brazil has the largest Catholic population in the world, with 123 million or more. This number constitutes around 65% of the country's population. While the percentage of Brazilians identifying as Catholic has declined in recent years, the country still boasts the highest number of Catholics globally.
The Catholic Church is the world's oldest continuously functioning international institution, and its reach extends far beyond Brazil. With over 1.2 billion adherents worldwide, the Catholic Church constitutes a significant portion of the global population. The Church's presence is felt in various regions, including Latin America, Europe, and beyond.
Historically, the distribution of Catholics was concentrated in Europe and Latin America. In 1910, Europe was home to about two-thirds of all Catholics, while nearly nine-tenths were found in Europe (65%) and Latin America (24%) combined. However, the geographic landscape of Catholicism has transformed over the past century.
By 2010, Europe's share of the Catholic population had decreased significantly, with only about a quarter of all Catholics (24%) residing in the region. In contrast, Latin America and the Caribbean witnessed substantial population growth, with their combined share of Catholics rising to 39%. This shift highlights the changing demographics and the expanding reach of the Catholic Church in different parts of the world.
While Brazil stands out for its high numbers, other countries also contribute significantly to the global Catholic population. Mexico, for instance, has the second-largest Catholic population, and the United States is home to about 7% of all Catholics worldwide. The Catholic Church's influence extends far and wide, with a diverse array of cultures and communities embracing its teachings.
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The US is home to 7% of the world's Catholics, with 23% of US adults identifying as Catholic
Catholicism is a division of Christianity, the largest religion globally. There are 1.272 billion Catholics worldwide as of 2025, constituting 48.1% of 2.645 billion Christians. Over the past century, the number of Catholics has more than tripled, from 291 million in 1910 to nearly 1.1 billion as of 2010. Despite the growth in the Catholic population, Catholics have maintained a relatively stable share of the world's population, comprising about 16% in 1910 and 17% in 2010.
The United States is home to about 7% of all Catholics in the world. As of 2010, an estimated 23% of US adults and 24% of the total US population (including adults and children) are Catholic. This amounts to approximately 59 million Catholic adults out of a total US adult population of 257.7 million. The US Catholic population has undergone significant demographic shifts, with more members leaving than joining the religion. Despite this, the US Catholic population has remained relatively stable, hovering around a quarter of the total population for several decades.
The US Catholic population is largely made up of non-Hispanic whites (60%) and Hispanics (33%), with other minorities, including Asians, making up about 7%. Three-quarters (76%) of Catholic immigrants in the US are from Latin America and the Caribbean, while about 10% are from Asia-Pacific and another 10% are from Europe. The US is among the top ten countries with the largest Catholic populations, along with Brazil, Mexico, the Philippines, Italy, France, Colombia, Poland, Spain, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
While the number of Catholics continues to grow globally, the number of bishops and priests is decreasing. As of 2023, there were around 407,872 priests worldwide, a decline of 2,347 from the previous year. The average number of Catholics per priest has increased to 3,373. The Catholic Church remains the largest non-government provider of education and healthcare worldwide, running numerous schools, hospitals, and care homes.
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The number of Catholics has tripled since 1910, but their share of the global population is stable
While it is difficult to find exact numbers for how many Catholics there are in the UK, it is clear that the number has been increasing in recent years. This is particularly true among younger generations, with one study finding that among Gen Z in the UK, Catholics outnumber Anglicans 2 to 1. This is part of a wider pattern of increasing participation in Catholicism and decline in Anglicanism. The study, based on YouGov surveys, also found that many young people are seeking community and belief in God, and that in an age of poor mental health and distraction caused by social media, there is a growing interest in prayer and the Bible.
The Catholic Church in the UK is organised into the Catholic churches in England and Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, which is part of the Catholic Church in Ireland. There are 21 dioceses in England and Wales, which are divided into parishes, and four dioceses covering England and Wales for specific groups. The Catholic Church in England included about 50,000 people in traditional ("recusant") Catholic families, who generally kept a low profiles. Their priests usually came from St Edmund's College, a seminary founded in 1793 by English refugees from the French Revolution.
In addition to these traditional Catholic families, there were also large numbers of poor Irish immigrants escaping the Great Irish Famine in the mid-19th century. Their numbers rose from 224,000 in 1841 to 419,000 in 1851, and they were concentrated in ports and industrial districts in England and Scotland. More recently, there has been large-scale Polish immigration to the UK since Poland joined the European Union in 2004, with up to 900,000 people arriving as of 2017. However, only about 10% of these newly arrived Poles attend church regularly. There has also been an influx of people from India, where there is a significant number of Catholics.
Despite these increases in the number of Catholics in the UK, Mass attendance has significantly decreased over the past several decades. In 2019, Mass attendance across England, Wales, and Scotland on a "typical Sunday" was around 829,000, and attendance has not yet returned to pre-pandemic levels. However, there are signs of growth in some areas of UK Catholic life, with Mass attendance increasing by almost 50,000 people between 2022 and 2023. This has been attributed in part to the "steady stream of churchgoing immigrants" to the UK.
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The Catholic Church runs 74,368 kindergartens, 100,939 primary schools, and 49,868 secondary schools
The Catholic Church has a significant presence in the United Kingdom, with a long history dating back to the 6th century. While there is no official data on the number of Catholics in the UK, various polls and studies provide insights into the size and impact of the Catholic population.
The Catholic Church has an extensive network of educational institutions worldwide, including kindergartens, primary schools, and secondary schools. Specifically, the Church runs 74,368 kindergartens with 7.565 million pupils, 100,939 primary schools with 34.7 million students, and 49,868 secondary schools with 19.48 million pupils. These numbers showcase the Church's significant role in providing education to millions of children globally.
In the United Kingdom, the Catholic Church is organised into five provinces: Birmingham, Cardiff, Liverpool, Southwark, and Westminster. Within these provinces are 21 dioceses, which are further divided into parishes. The Church has a presence in England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, with a rich history that has included periods of discrimination and restoration.
While there may not be precise data on the number of Catholics in the UK, studies suggest a growing participation in Catholicism, especially among younger generations. A 2024 study by the Bible Society found that among Gen Z in the UK, Catholics outnumber Anglicans 2 to 1. This trend is observed across all age groups, indicating a rise in Catholic participation and a decline in Anglicanism. The study also highlights that many young people seek community and belief in God, and they are interested in prayer and the Bible.
In addition to education, the Catholic Church in the UK has a presence in other areas. For example, the Church has set up parochial schools subsidised by the government to serve the Irish community in urban areas. The Church has also established dioceses for specific groups, such as the Bishopric of the Forces and the Eparchy for Ukrainians. These efforts reflect the Church's focus on community and inclusion.
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Frequently asked questions
As of 2025, there are 1.272 billion Catholics worldwide, according to the World Christian Database. This number constitutes 48.1% of 2.645 billion Christians.
Brazil has the largest Catholic population in the world, with estimates ranging from 123 million to 140 million or higher.
An estimated 23% of US adults and 24% of the total US population are Catholic, as of 2010. A more recent estimate suggests that one-fifth of US people are Catholic.
