Rachel Evans
Italy is often considered the cradle of the Catholic faith, with the Vatican City, the headquarters of the Catholic Church, located within Rome. While the majority of Italians are Catholic, there is a growing trend of secularization, with many individuals retaining only a nominal affiliation with the religion. Recent estimates of the percentage of Italians who identify as Catholic range from the mid-60s to nearly 80%, with the latest Eurobarometer poll from 2021 placing the figure at 79.2%. However, church attendance is relatively low, with only about 19% of Italian Catholics attending services weekly, and this number is expected to decline further as the older generation passes away.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Percentage of Italians who are Catholic | 71.1% (2016), 74.5% (2021), 79.2% (2021), 76.5% (2010), 87.8% (2006), 80% (2023) |
| Percentage of Catholic women in Italy | 80% (2014) |
| Percentage of Catholic men in Italy | 69% (2014) |
| Percentage of Italians aged 55+ who are Catholic | 80% (2014) |
| Percentage of Italians aged 15-34 who are Catholic | 68% (2014) |
| Percentage of Italians in Southern Italy who are Catholic | 85% (2014) |
| Percentage of Italians in the North-West who are Catholic | 62% (2014) |
| Number of Catholic dioceses in Italy | 225 |
| Percentage of Italians who are observant Catholics | 36.8% (2006), 24.4% (2010), 25.4% (2016) |
| Percentage of Italians who are regular churchgoers | 15.3% |
| Percentage of Italians who attend services occasionally | 34.9% |
| Percentage of Italians who are non-practicing Catholics | 20.9% |
| Percentage of Italians who pray or address God/a higher power | 66% |
| Percentage of Italians who pray during fear | 33.5% |
| Percentage of Italians who pray during heightened emotions | 39.4% |
| Percentage of Italians who pray within a liturgical context | 8.8% |
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What You'll Learn
Between 74.4% and 87.8% of Italians identified as Catholic in 2006
Italy has a long history of Catholicism, with the Church of Italy producing and harbouring some of the most influential leaders in Catholic Christianity. The country is divided into 225 Catholic dioceses, and the Vatican City, the headquarters of the Catholic Church, is located within the city of Rome. The Church's world leader, the Pope, is the Bishop of Rome, which has led to a special relationship between Italians and the Church.
However, despite the high percentage of Italians who identify as Catholic, religious practice and attendance at Mass have been declining. In 2023, it was reported that only around 10% of Catholics in Italy regularly attended Mass, and that many Italians saw their Catholic faith as an affiliation in name and tradition rather than a strict adherence to doctrine or practice. This decline in religious practice has been attributed to various factors, including the impact of scandals, a perception of the Church as outdated, and the rise of individualism and secularization.
The changing religious landscape in Italy has also been accompanied by the growth of other religious denominations, particularly among immigrant populations. Buddhists, Hindus, Sikhs, and Mormons have been reported as some of the fastest-growing faiths in the country, while Jehovah's Witnesses have also gained a significant following, with around 414,000 members in 2023.
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78% of Italians identified as Catholic in 2016
The percentage of Italians who identify as Catholic varies depending on the source and the year. According to Eurispes, an Italian research centre, 71.1% of Italians were Catholic in 2016, down from 76.5% in 2010. However, other sources provide different estimates. For example, a 2021 study by the Center for Studies of New Religions (CESNUR) estimated that 74.5% of Italians and foreigners living in the country were Catholic. Additionally, the 2018 Eurobarometer survey showed that 78.9% of Italy's population was Catholic, while the 2021 Eurobarometer estimated that 79.2% were Catholic.
It is worth noting that the percentage of Italians who are Catholic has been generally declining over time. For instance, according to Eurispes, the percentage of Italians who were Catholic fell from 87.8% in 2006 to 76.5% in 2010 to 71.1% in 2016. This decline may be due to several factors, including the impact of scandals, particularly related to abuse, within the Church, and the perception that the Church is "too outdated" or lacking a "clear direction". Additionally, the rise of individualism and the view of faith as a personal journey rather than a communal commitment may also contribute to the decline.
Despite the decline in affiliation with the Catholic Church, Italy still has a strong Catholic presence. The country is divided into 225 Catholic dioceses, and the headquarters of the Catholic Church, the State of Vatican City, is located within Rome. Additionally, Italy's patron saints, Francis of Assisi and Catherine of Siena, are revered figures in the Catholic tradition.
While the majority of Italians may identify as Catholic, it is important to note that church attendance and religious practice are relatively low. For example, according to one source, only 15.3% of Italians who identify as Catholic consider themselves regular churchgoers, while the largest share, 34.9%, attend services only occasionally, and 20.9% consider themselves "non-practicing". This trend of "internalized faith" or "spiritual but not religious" is common among young Italians, who may still hold Catholic beliefs but do not necessarily participate in traditional religious practices or attend church regularly.
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68% of Italians identified as Catholic in 2023
The percentage of Italians who identify as Catholic has been on a downward trajectory over the past two decades. In 2006, 87.8% of Italian citizens identified as Catholic, according to a survey by Eurispes, an Italian research centre. This figure fell to 76.5% in 2010 and 71.1% in 2016, according to the same research centre.
The 2018 Eurobarometer survey showed that 78.9% of Italy's population was Catholic, while the 2021 Eurobarometer estimated this figure to be 79.2%. However, other sources suggest that the percentage of Italians who identify as Catholic in 2023 is lower, at 68%. This decline could be attributed to various factors, including the impact of scandals, particularly related to abuse, and the perception of the Catholic Church as "too outdated" and lacking a "clear direction".
It is worth noting that the percentage of Italians who regularly attend Catholic Church services is significantly lower than the percentage who identify as Catholic. In 2024, only 15.3% of Italians who identified as Catholic described themselves as regular churchgoers, while 34.9% attended services only occasionally, and 20.9% considered themselves "non-practicing". This shift in religious practice could be due to Italians increasingly seeing faith as a personal journey rather than a communal commitment.
Despite the decline in affiliation with the Catholic Church, Italy still has strong historical and cultural ties to Catholicism. The country is divided into 225 Catholic dioceses, and the headquarters of the Catholic Church, the State of Vatican City, is an enclave within the Italian city of Rome. The Church's world leader, the Pope, is also the Bishop of Rome, which further highlights the special relationship between Italians and the Catholic Church.
In conclusion, while the percentage of Italians who identify as Catholic has been decreasing, as of 2023, 68% of Italians still identify with this religious group. This decline in identification with the Catholic Church has prompted discussions and efforts within the Church to address its relevance in modern Italian life.
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79.2% of Italians identified as Catholic in 2021
According to the 2021 Eurobarometer survey, 79.2% of Italians identified as Catholic. This is a slight increase from the 2018 Eurobarometer survey, which showed that 78.9% of Italy's population was Catholic. The Catholic Church has a long history in Italy, dating back to the first century when Christianity is believed to have arrived in the country. Over the centuries, the Church of Italy has produced and sheltered some of the most influential leaders in Catholic Christianity, including Ignatius of Antioch, Polycarp, Ambrose of Milan, and Gregory the Great.
While the majority of Italians identify as Catholic, there are also significant numbers of followers of other religions in the country. The 2021 Eurobarometer survey found that 3.2% of Italians followed a religion other than Christianity, while 11.6% were agnostic or atheist. The Italian territory is divided into 225 Catholic dioceses, and the country is home to the headquarters of the Catholic Church, the State of Vatican City.
Despite the high number of Italians who identify as Catholic, church attendance is relatively low. According to a 2024 study, only 15.3% of Catholics in Italy described themselves as regular churchgoers, while 34.9% attended services only occasionally, and 20.9% considered themselves "non-practicing." This trend of ""internalized faith"" is particularly common among young Italians, who are increasingly seeing faith as a personal journey rather than a communal commitment.
The Catholic Church in Italy has faced several challenges in recent years, including a credibility crisis due to scandals and a perception that the institution is outdated and lacking clear direction. However, spiritual connection persists in unique ways, with many Italians praying or addressing God during intense personal moments, even if they do not adhere to the doctrine or practice of the Catholic Church.
In conclusion, while 79.2% of Italians identified as Catholic in 2021, the relationship between Italians and their faith is evolving. The Catholic Church faces waning engagement and must address its relevance in modern life to maintain its place in Italian culture.
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Fewer Italians are regularly attending Mass
Italy has long been associated with Catholicism, with the Vatican City, the headquarters of the Catholic Church, situated within Rome. The country is dotted with centuries-old churches, and religious processions and sanctuaries continue to draw crowds. According to a 2021 Eurobarometer survey, 79.2% of Italians identify as Catholic, though other polls put this figure slightly lower at 71.1%.
However, the relationship between Italians and their traditional religion is evolving. While Catholicism remains pervasive in Italian life, with its symbols and rituals deeply ingrained in the culture, fewer Italians are regularly attending Mass. Indeed, the majority of Italians who identify as Catholic do so in name and tradition, with little adherence to doctrine or practice. This is reflected in the fact that, among those identifying as Catholic, only 15.3% describe themselves as regular churchgoers, while 34.9% attend services only occasionally, and 20.9% consider themselves "non-practicing".
This shift in religious practice has been attributed to several factors. Firstly, there is a perception that the Church is outdated and lacking clear direction, with many Italians, particularly women, viewing it as overly patriarchal. The impact of scandals, particularly those related to abuse, has also added to a credibility crisis for the Church. Furthermore, Italians are increasingly seeing faith as a personal journey rather than a communal commitment, with more than half of those who step away from regular practice stating that they live out their faith privately.
The changing dynamics of Italian society, including the presence of growing immigrant populations of different faiths, as well as the rise of individualism, are also reshaping the religious landscape. As a result, the Catholic Church in Italy is facing waning engagement and is seeking to address its relevance in modern life.
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Frequently asked questions
Estimates vary depending on the source and the year of the survey. According to the 2021 Eurobarometer survey, 79.2% of Italians are Catholic. Other estimates include 71.1% in 2016, 76.5% in 2010, 87.8% in 2006, and 74.5% in 2021.
While many centuries-old churches dot the Italian landscape, and nearly 80% of Italians profess themselves Catholic, only a small percentage regularly attend church services. According to a 2024 study, only 15.3% of Italians who identify as Catholic describe themselves as regular churchgoers, with 34.9% attending services only occasionally, and 20.9% considering themselves "non-practicing."
The Catholic Church in Italy has acknowledged the evolving relationship Italians have with their faith and the need to adapt to modern dynamics to remain relevant in Italian culture. The Church leadership has gathered delegates from dioceses across the country to discuss ways to create a church environment that meets the needs of its changing flock.
