Rachel Evans
Catholicism is a division of Christianity, the largest religion in the world. While the Catholic Church is the world's oldest continuously functioning international institution, the number of Catholics as a percentage of the global population is declining. This is particularly true in Spain, which has historically been a Catholic country, but where the percentage of believers has decreased in recent years. In this paragraph, we will explore the percentage of global Catholics who are from Spain and the factors contributing to the changing religious landscape in the country.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Percentage of global Catholics from Spain | 18.5% |
| Percentage of the Spanish population who are Catholic | 56.1% (June 2025) |
| Percentage of the Spanish population who are Catholic believers | 88.3% (2013) |
| Percentage of the Spanish population who are non-believers or atheists | 37% (2025) |
| Percentage of Spanish Catholics who attend Mass | 47% (June 2025) |
| Percentage of Spanish Catholics who attend Mass regularly | 20% (in larger cities) |
Explore related products
$48.43 $54.99
What You'll Learn
Catholicism in Spain is declining
Catholicism in Spain is on a downward trend. While the country has historically been predominantly Catholic, recent years have seen a shift away from the religion, with a notable decline in church attendance and an increase in atheism.
In 2013, 88.3% of Spaniards identified as Catholic, a decrease from 88.8% in 2012 and a significant drop from the historical average of 95.5% between 1960 and 2013. By June 2025, the number of Catholics in Spain had dropped to 56.1%, with around 47% of those individuals rarely, if ever, attending Mass. This is a stark contrast to previous years, such as in 2011, when over 70% of Spaniards identified as Catholic. The share of atheists in Spain is on the rise, with 13.3% of respondents in a June 2025 survey identifying as such, and around 37% stating they were non-believers.
The decline in Catholicism can be attributed to various factors. One significant influence was the end of Franco's dictatorship in 1975, which was closely tied to the Catholic Church. The Church's association with the regime, including its support for oppressive policies, has played a role in pushing Spaniards away from the religion. Following the dictatorship, Spain experienced La Movida Madrileña, a counter-cultural movement that aligned with an economic boom and a shift towards a new Spanish identity. This movement impacted all aspects of life, including a reduction in the influence of the Catholic Church.
Additionally, the younger generations in Spain are less inclined to attend Mass regularly, even if they still identify as Catholic. The Catholic Church is attempting to appeal to these younger individuals to maintain its numbers, but it faces the challenge of being associated with traditionalism and past divisions within families. As a result, the Church risks losing potential followers who are generally more open to change and progressive ideas.
Respectfully Discarding Catholic Religious Items
You may want to see also
Explore related products
18.5% of Spaniards still practice Catholicism
Spain has historically been a Catholic country, with the religion playing a significant role in the nation's history and culture. However, recent trends indicate a decline in the number of Spaniards who identify as Catholic and practice the faith regularly.
As of 2023, only 18.5% of Spaniards are reported to still practice Catholicism, a significant decrease from previous years. This shift can be attributed to various factors, including the growing secularization of Spanish society and a move away from the legalistic and exclusionary structure of the Catholic Church. Additionally, the separation of religion and state, as well as increasing materialism and declining religious beliefs among the youth, have contributed to this change.
While the number of practicing Catholics has declined, it is important to note that Catholicism continues to hold cultural significance in Spain. Many Spaniards may not actively practice the faith but still associate themselves with Catholicism due to its deep roots in the country's history and traditions. Additionally, the Catholic Church remains influential in certain aspects of Spanish life, such as religious weddings, baptisms, and burials.
The decline in Catholicism is not unique to Spain, and other European countries are experiencing similar trends. However, the rate of decline in Spain is notable, with a decrease from 72.9% to 68.3% of the population identifying as Catholic between 2012 and 2019. This shift has also had financial implications for the Catholic Church, leading to changes in tax laws and a reduction in direct state aid.
Despite the decline, Spain remains one of the countries with the highest number of Catholics, reflecting the religion's enduring presence and influence in the country. While the percentage of practicing Catholics may be low, Catholicism continues to shape Spain's cultural landscape and hold significance for a portion of its population.
Courageous Catholics: Alcoholism and the Path to Recovery
You may want to see also
Explore related products
21% of Spaniards practice any religion
Spain has historically been a Catholic country, with the religion previously serving as the official state religion. However, in recent years, there has been a notable decline in the number of believers. According to a 2019 survey by the Pew Research Center, only 54% of Spaniards had a favorable view of Muslims, while 76% had a favorable view of Jews. As of 2025, believers of a religion other than Catholicism accounted for approximately 3.6% of the Spanish population.
A 2023 post on Reddit highlighted that only 21% of Spaniards practice any religion at all, with just 18.5% of the population still practicing Catholicism. This is a significant decrease from previous years, with 88.3% of Spaniards identifying as Catholic in 2013 and a historical average of 95.5% from 1960 to 2013. The Eurobarometer Poll from 2005 supports this trend, showing that only 59% of Spaniards believed in God, while 21% believed in some form of spirit or life force, and 18% did not believe in any spiritual or divine entity.
A separate analysis by the communication agency apablo.com, based on barometers of the Center for Sociological Research (CIS) from September 2023 to July 2024, revealed that 80.4% of Spaniards do not practice any religion. Of those, 36% consider themselves non-practicing Catholics, 16.8% identify as atheists, 14.2% as agnostics, and 13.4% as indifferent or non-believers. This indicates a shift away from organized religion, with many Spaniards choosing not to follow religious teachings in their daily lives, especially the younger generation.
The liberal turn in contemporary Spain is evident in the widespread support for issues such as the legalization of same-sex marriage, which received backing from over 70% of Spaniards in 2004. Additionally, the number of parish priests has decreased, with an average age of 65.5 years as of 2018. While Catholicism remains the largest religion in Spain, the country now ranks 16th out of 34 European countries in terms of religiosity, with only 3% of Spaniards considering religion as one of their top three most important values.
Understanding Matthew 23:9 in the Catholic Faith
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Spain is a 'non-confessional' state
While Spain has traditionally been a Catholic country, it is now a non-confessional state. In 1967, Spain, which was then a Catholic confessional state, adopted a new Organic Law of the State, which modified the provisions of paragraph 20 of article 6 of the Fuero of 1945. This new law renounced any legal discrimination against non-Catholics and recognised the right to religious freedom "based on the dignity of the human person". The law also ensured "immunity from any coercion in the legitimate exercise of this right".
In 1978, the ratification of the democratic constitution ended nearly five centuries of official relations with the Roman Catholic Church. The 1978 Constitution abolished Catholicism as the official religion of the state, while recognising "the religious beliefs of all Spaniards" and providing that religious liberty for non-Catholics is a state-protected legal right. The Constitution does not affirm that the majority of Spaniards are Catholics or that the state should consider the teachings of Catholicism. However, it does state that the authorities should take the religious beliefs of Spanish society into account and maintain consequent relations of cooperation with the Catholic Church and other confessions.
Since the transition to democracy, Spain has experienced a tremendous growth in religious freedom and an increase in religious pluralism. Spaniards have become less religious, with a decline in the number of believers over the years. In 2011, the share of believers accounted for slightly over 70% of the Spanish population, but by 2025, the Catholic community had lost approximately 15 percentage points, with a share of 56.1% of the surveyed population. In 2025, around 37% of the surveyed population identified as non-believers or atheists, and 3.6% believed in a religion other than Catholicism.
Despite the increase in religious pluralism, traditional biases toward Catholicism remain, and there are challenges to achieving complete tolerance and understanding of religious minorities. The methods for negotiating the relationship between the state and religious groups also remain challenging.
Chile's Catholic History: Hurtado's Influence
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Catholicism is the world's largest religion
Catholicism is not just a denomination but the root from which all other Christian denominations have branched off. It is the only Christian group, along with Eastern Orthodoxy, that can trace apostolic succession back to Christ. The Catholic Church is also the world's oldest continuously functioning international institution. It is the largest non-governmental provider of education and healthcare, with a vast network of charities, including 5,000 hospitals, 10,000 orphanages, 95,000 elementary schools, and 47,000 secondary schools.
While the number of Catholics worldwide has more than tripled in the past century, its share of the global population has remained relatively stable due to overall population growth. The percentage of Catholics varies by country, with higher concentrations historically found in countries like Spain, where 88.3% of the population identified as Catholic in 2013, though this has declined in recent years. In Brazil, the percentage of Catholics over 16 years old is estimated to be 57%, while the 2010 Mexican Census reported a figure of 83.9%.
Catholic Beach Weddings: Are They Allowed?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
While I cannot find the exact percentage of global Catholics that are from Spain, it is known that Spain has one of the highest Catholic populations in the world. In 2013, 88.3% of Spain's population identified as Catholic, though this number has been decreasing over the years.
It is difficult to determine the exact global Catholic population as it is constantly changing. However, Brazil has the highest number of Catholics in the world, with an estimated 123 million to 140 million people.
As of June 2025, 56.1% of the surveyed Spanish population identified as Catholic. This is a decrease from 2011, when the share of believers accounted for over 70% of the population.
The number of Catholics in Spain has been steadily declining over the years. In 2012, 88.8% of Spaniards identified as Catholic, and in 1969, this number was even higher at 98.5%.
There could be several reasons for the decline in Catholicism in Spain. One reason could be the increasing secularization of Spanish society, with more people identifying as non-believers or atheists. Additionally, there has been a move away from the legalistic and exclusionary structure of the Catholic Church, and its influence on the government in Europe.
