Joshua Bennett
Catholicism is the largest religion in the world and has its own country, Vatican City. Brazil has the largest Catholic population in the world, with 105.3 million adherents. The Philippines has a Catholic population of 86 million, and Mexico has 91.2 million Catholics. Italy is a predominantly Catholic country, with 78% of citizens practicing Catholicism. The United States has one of the highest Catholic populations globally, with approximately 51 million adults identifying as Catholic, making up about 21% of the population.
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What You'll Learn
Brazil has the highest number of Catholics
In contrast, Vatican City has the highest percentage of Catholics, with 100% of its population of 842 identifying as Catholic. However, this small population pales in comparison to Brazil's massive Catholic community.
Other countries with high Catholic populations include Mexico, the Philippines, the United States, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Italy, France, Colombia, Spain, Argentina, and Nigeria. Europe, once home to about two-thirds of the world's Catholics, has seen a decline in recent decades, with only about a quarter of Catholics (24%) residing there by 2010.
Latin America, including countries like Mexico, Colombia, and Brazil, has experienced a similar relative decline, though due to population growth, it has become the region with the largest Catholic population. Sub-Saharan Africa and the Asia-Pacific region have also witnessed rapid growth in their Catholic populations.
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Vatican City has the highest percentage of Catholics
Catholicism is a division of Christianity, the largest religion globally. The number of baptized Catholics in the world was about 1.376 billion at the end of 2021, according to the 2023 Annuario Pontificio (Pontifical Yearbook). This figure has more than tripled over the past century, from an estimated 291 million in 1910 to nearly 1.1 billion as of 2010. While the number of Catholics has increased, their share of the global Christian population has remained stable, constituting about half of all Christians.
In terms of the country with the highest percentage of Catholics, Vatican City tops the list. With a population of about 842 Catholics, the Catholic population makes up 100% of the microstate's residents. This is unsurprising given that Vatican City is the global headquarters of the Catholic Church. Outside of Vatican City, the nation with the next highest percentage of Catholics is Timor-Leste, where more than 97% of the population is Catholic.
Several other countries have high percentages of Catholics as well. For instance, in Italy, 78% of citizens practice Catholicism, and in France, approximately 63% to 66% of the population identifies as Catholic. Colombia has about 36 million Catholics, totaling approximately 75% of the population. In Poland, over 33 million citizens practice Catholicism, accounting for around 87% of the population.
In addition to these countries, Brazil is often cited as one of the most devout Catholic countries globally, with approximately 54.2% of its population identifying as Catholic. This equates to roughly 126.8 million Catholics in Brazil, making it the country with the highest number of Catholics in the world.
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Catholicism is growing in Sub-Saharan Africa
Catholicism is the world's largest religious communion, with approximately 1.376 billion baptised members across the globe. While the Vatican City has the highest percentage of Catholics in the world, with 100% of its population identifying as Catholic, the religion is also widespread in several other countries, including Brazil, Italy, France, and the United States. Notably, the presence of the Catholic Church has been growing in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Historically, Christianity in North Africa experienced a decline due to the Islamic conquests in the 7th century. However, in more recent times, the Catholic Church has witnessed significant growth in Sub-Saharan Africa, particularly during the 20th century. This growth is attributed to two main factors: the conversion of Sub-Saharan Africa to Christianity and the region's unprecedented population growth.
In the first half of the 20th century, the percentage of Catholics in Sub-Saharan Africa increased rapidly. In 1900, Catholics constituted only 2% of the region's population, but by 1970, this figure had increased sixfold. During this period, the total Christian population in Africa also saw a substantial rise, increasing from 9% to 38% of the continent's population.
The population growth in Sub-Saharan Africa has been particularly prominent in countries with larger Catholic populations. Between 1970 and 2020, nations with more than one million people and at least a 30% Catholic population experienced average population growth of 300%. In comparison, similar-sized countries with lower Catholic populations had a population growth of 275% during the same period. This trend is expected to continue, with demographers predicting a gradual increase in the number of Catholics in Africa over the coming decades.
The expansion of Catholicism in Sub-Saharan Africa has had a significant impact on the global perception of the religion. This growth has led to increased missionary activity originating from the region, contributing to a broader awareness of the Catholic Church's potential. Additionally, the rise of African clergy, theologians, and scholars has shaped the view of African Catholicism as an indigenous, cultural movement, fostering creativity and engagement within the Church.
The Catholic Church recognises the significance of Africa's growth and the importance of continued outreach to the continent. Pope Francis' visits to African nations and his message of hope and mercy have inspired fervour, particularly among the continent's youth. As a result of these factors, Africa is poised to become an even more prominent global centre of Catholicism in the future, with African cardinals, theologians, and scholars playing a crucial role in shaping the Church's direction.
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The US has one of the highest Catholic populations
The United States has one of the highest Catholic populations globally, with approximately 51 million adults identifying as Catholic. This accounts for about 20-21% of the country's population. The US Catholic population is diverse, with varying racial and ethnic compositions across different regions. For instance, in the Midwest, 78% of Catholics are White and 15% are Hispanic, while in the West, there are more Hispanic Catholics (58%) than White Catholics (27%). The US also has a relatively large population of Asian Catholics, who tend to be younger than their White counterparts.
The introduction of Catholicism to the United States can be traced back to the 1500s when the Spanish brought the religion to areas now known as Florida, Texas, and California. In the 1700s, the French established their own missions in states like Alabama, Louisiana, and Illinois. The Catholic population in the US continued to grow even after the country gained its independence.
The presence of the Catholic Church is significant in the daily lives of many Americans. The racial and ethnic makeup of this population varies across the country, influencing the social and political landscape of Catholic Americans. The US Catholic population also tends to be older, with nearly six in ten Catholic adults being 50 years old or older.
The United States is not alone in its large Catholic population. Brazil, for example, has approximately 54.2% of its population identifying as Catholic, which equates to about 126.8 million people. In Poland, Catholicism is the most prominent religion, with around 87% of its population or over 33 million citizens practicing the faith. Other countries with significant Catholic populations include Spain, France, Italy, and Colombia.
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Italy: a predominantly Catholic country
Italy is a predominantly Catholic country in Europe, with around 50.4 million Catholics living there. This equates to around 78% of citizens practicing Catholicism, making it the predominant religion in the country. Italy has a long relationship with Christianity, which was introduced to the nation in the first century. Rome, the global headquarters of the Catholic Church, is one of the most popular places for pilgrimage, allowing Catholics to deepen their spiritual beliefs and become closer to God.
In comparison, the country with the highest percentage of Catholics in the world is Vatican City, with 100% of its population of 842 practicing Catholicism. However, Italy has a much larger population, and thus a greater number of Catholics.
Other countries with a high percentage of Catholics include Timor-Leste (97%), Colombia (75%), Poland (87%), Spain (61.3%), and Brazil (54.2%-68.6%). The
Over the past century, the number of Catholics worldwide has more than tripled, from 291 million in 1910 to nearly 1.1 billion in 2010. As of the end of 2021, the number of baptized Catholics worldwide was estimated to be 1.376 billion. While the overall number of Catholics has increased, the geographic distribution has changed substantially. In 1910, Europe was home to about two-thirds of all Catholics (65%), but by 2010, only about a quarter (24%) resided in Europe. Latin America has seen a decrease in the share of Catholics, from 90% in 1910 to 72% in 2010, but due to higher population growth, it now has the largest Catholic population in sheer numbers (39%).
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Frequently asked questions
Vatican City has the highest percentage of Catholics, with 100% of its population identifying as Catholic.
Yes, Timor-Leste has the second-highest percentage of Catholics, with 97% of its population following the religion.
Brazil has the highest number of Catholics, with estimates ranging from 123 million to 140 million.
Yes, Mexico, the Philippines, the United States, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Italy, France, Colombia, Spain, Argentina, and Nigeria also have high Catholic populations.
Yes, the geographic distribution of Catholics has changed significantly over the past century. In 1910, Europe was home to about two-thirds of all Catholics, with nearly nine-tenths living in Europe (65%) or Latin America (24%). By 2010, only about a quarter of Catholics (24%) were in Europe, while Latin America and the Caribbean accounted for the largest share (39%).
