Joshua Bennett
Catholicism in Korea has a long and fascinating history, with the religion first being introduced during the late Joseon Dynasty period. While it has grown significantly over the years, with approximately 11% of South Korea's population identifying as Catholic, the percentage of Catholics attending Sunday Mass regularly is much lower, at around 15%. This discrepancy between the number of Catholics and active churchgoers is an intriguing aspect of the religious landscape in South Korea, which has the world's second-largest number of Christian missionaries.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Percentage of Catholics in South Korea | 11.4% (2024) |
| Number of Catholics in South Korea | 5.99 million (2024) |
| Percentage of Catholics attending Sunday Mass | 15% (2024) |
| Number of Catholic clergy in South Korea | 5,751 (2024) |
| Percentage of female Catholics in South Korea | 57% (2024) |
| Percentage of South Korean Catholics aged 65 and above | 27.5% (2024) |
| Percentage of South Korean Catholics under 29 | 16% (2024) |
| Percentage of Catholics in South Korea (2013) | 11.1% |
| Percentage of Catholics in South Korea (2022) | 11.3% |
| Number of Catholics in South Korea (2018) | 5.8 million |
| Percentage of Catholics in South Korea (2015) | 7.9% |
| Percentage of Catholics in South Korea (2005) | 10.9% |
| Number of Catholic missionaries dispatched by Korean Catholic churches (2018) | 1,083 |
| Number of Catholic missionaries dispatched by Korean Catholic churches (1999) | 356 |
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What You'll Learn
Catholics make up 11.4% of South Korea's population
Catholicism is a significant part of South Korea's population, with around 5.8 million Catholics in the country as of 2018. This number increased to 5.99 million in 2024, making up about 11.4% of the national population. South Korea has the world's second-largest number of Christian missionaries, only after the United States.
Catholicism was first introduced to Korea in the 18th century by Confucian scholars and intellectuals who encountered it in Beijing, China. However, it was outlawed by King Jeongjo of Joseon in 1787 as an "evil practice". Despite the initial persecution, Catholicism took root and grew in South Korea. By 1991, about 6.7% of the population identified as Catholic. The Catholic Church has seen substantial growth in membership, with a 70% increase in the ten years leading up to 2007.
Several factors have contributed to the growth of Catholicism in South Korea. The trauma of Japanese occupation from 1910 to 1945 may have played a role, as people sought solace and turned away from Confucian and Buddhist traditions. The work of missionaries, particularly in establishing schools and translating the Bible into the Korean alphabet, also contributed significantly to the spread of Catholicism.
In recent years, there has been a notable shift in the demographics of South Korean Catholics. Between 2003 and 2018, the number of Catholics under the age of nine and in their teens decreased significantly, while the population of Catholics in their 50s, 60s, 70s, and 80s expanded considerably. This rapid aging of the Catholic population is a trend that the Church is addressing.
While Catholicism constitutes a notable portion of South Korea's religious landscape, it is worth noting that the country also has a significant Protestant population, with approximately 8.6 million adherents. Additionally, South Korea boasts some of the world's largest churches, including the Yoido Full Gospel Church, which has 700,000 members.
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South Korea has 5.8 million Catholics
South Korea is home to approximately 5.8 million Catholics, according to a 2018 report by the Catholic Pastoral Institute of Korea. This figure represents a significant increase from 1999, when the country had around 3.9 million Catholics. The growth rate of the Catholic population in South Korea has fluctuated over the years, with a notable spike during Pope Francis' visit to the country in 2014.
Catholicism has a long and complex history in South Korea. It was first introduced during the late Joseon Dynasty period when Confucian scholars encountered it in China. Despite facing persecution and outlawing in the 18th century, Catholicism took root and grew. By the early 20th century, around 2% of Koreans were Christian, including both Catholics and Protestants. After Korea gained independence from Japanese occupation in 1945, Christianity experienced rapid growth.
South Korea's Catholic population continued to expand, and by 2005, it had reached approximately 5.14 million. This growth has been attributed to various factors, including the country's unique social and cultural context. Despite being a minority religion in a country where Buddhism and Protestantism have traditionally been more prevalent, Catholicism is regarded as the fastest-growing religion in South Korea.
The influence of Catholicism in South Korea extends beyond mere numbers. Catholics are overrepresented among the elite, and their influence in the country's social hierarchy is notable. South Korea also plays a significant role in global Catholic missionary efforts, ranking second only to the United States in the number of missionaries dispatched worldwide. The country's missionary organizations have sent thousands of missionaries to various countries, including those in the 10/40 Window region, which is often more hostile to Westerners.
While South Korea's Catholic population of 5.8 million is a substantial number, it is important to note that the percentage of Catholics as a proportion of the total population is around 11%third-largest religion in the country, after Protestantism and Buddhism. Nonetheless, the growth and influence of Catholicism in South Korea are noteworthy, especially considering the country's unique historical and cultural context.
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15% of South Korean Catholics attend Sunday Mass
According to a statistical report published by the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Korea, about 15% of South Korean Catholics—or 15 in every 100—attended Sunday Mass regularly in 2024. This figure represents a notable drop from previous decades, indicating a potential decline in active participation within the Catholic Church in South Korea.
The report, titled '2024 Statistics on the Catholic Church in Korea', revealed that at the end of 2024, the number of Catholics in the country stood at 5,997,654, constituting approximately 11.4% of the national population. This marks a steady increase in raw numbers, reflecting the continuous growth of the Catholic faith in South Korea.
However, the data also highlights a complex and evolving spiritual landscape influenced by demographic shifts, generational gaps, and a secularizing society. For instance, while female Catholics (57%) outnumbered male Catholics (43%), the percentage of Catholics under 29 years old was about 16%, with 27.5% aged 65 and above. This aging demographic trend is further evident in the clergy, with an increasing proportion of priests aged 65 or older.
The report also noted a downward trend in religious education attendance. In 2024, 53.8% of elementary school students, 29.2% of middle school students, and 14.6% of high school students participated in Sunday schools, indicating a potential decline in religious engagement among younger generations.
Despite these challenges, the Catholic Church in South Korea remains a resilient force. With nearly six million Catholics in the country as of 2024, it is a significant religious group that continues to grow and adapt to the rapidly modernizing and secularizing society of East Asia's most tech-driven nation.
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Catholicism is the fastest-growing religion in South Korea
The growth of Catholicism in South Korea has been explosive, especially in the last 30 years. In 1997, Catholics made up 7.9% of the population, and by 2016, this had increased to 11%. The growth of the Catholic Church in South Korea can be attributed to several factors. Firstly, the indigenous lay movement played a significant role, as the Church relied on its members to spread the faith rather than foreign missionaries. This personal aspect of sharing one's faith with others has been a driving force behind the conversion of many Koreans to Catholicism.
Additionally, the Catholic Church in South Korea is highly respected, and many Catholics have been exemplary citizens, such as Korea's only Nobel Prize winner and former President Kim Dae-jung. The Church also played a significant role in helping Korea gain its independence, further enhancing its reputation and influence in the country.
Furthermore, the period of rapid social change in the 1970s and 1980s, characterized by the ""movement to defeat the worship of gods," saw the decline of traditional shrines and the growth of Christian churches. This trend towards organized religions, combined with the high economic growth during this period, created an environment conducive to the spread of Catholicism.
While the number of baptisms in the Catholic Church has increased significantly, the number of Catholics attending Sunday Mass regularly is relatively low, with only about 15% of South Korean Catholics attending Mass weekly. Nonetheless, the explosive growth of Catholicism in South Korea demonstrates the resilience and adaptability of the religion in a rapidly changing society.
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South Korea has the world's second-largest number of Christian missionaries
South Korea has experienced significant growth in its Christian population since the Korean War. In 1945, only 2% of Koreans identified as Christian. By 1991, this figure had risen to 18.4% for Protestants and 6.7% for Catholics. As of 2024, 31% of South Koreans identify as Christian, with Protestantism and Catholicism being seen as the religions of the middle class, youth, intellectuals, and urbanites. South Korea has the world's second-largest number of Christian missionaries.
Christianity was first introduced to Korea during the late Joseon Dynasty period when Confucian scholars encountered it in China. In 1603, Korean politician Yi Su-gwang returned from Beijing with several theological books written by Italian Jesuit missionary Matteo Ricci. Yi Su-gwang began disseminating the books, introducing Christianity to Korea. In 1787, King Jeongjo of Joseon officially outlawed Catholicism as an "evil practice," and many of the religion's earliest followers in Korea were persecuted.
Protestantism came to Korea later, with the first Protestant church in Korea, Sorae Church, being built with contributions from Korean Christians. American missionary Horace G. Underwood was astonished by the sacrifices disadvantaged Koreans made to donate to churches and Christian missions. During the Korean War, United States servicemen and local converts shared the gospel, and thousands of Koreans were baptized in the following decades.
The growth of Christianity in South Korea has been attributed to several factors. Firstly, the Korean church maintains a tradition of generous and sacrificial giving, especially for missionary causes. Secondly, South Korea's economic growth and diplomatic ties with many nations have facilitated the conduct of missionary activities worldwide. South Korea ranks third on the 2024 'global passport power list', with visa-free travel to 191 countries. Additionally, the influence of Christianity on education has been significant, with Christian missionaries starting 293 schools and 40 universities, including three of the top five academic institutions in the country.
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Frequently asked questions
As of 2024, about 11.4% of South Korea's population is Catholic, which is approximately 5,997,654 people.
The practice of Christianity is marginal in North Korea, so there are likely very few, if any, Catholics in the country.
The number of Catholics in South Korea has increased over time. In 1995, there were 2.95 million Catholics in the country, which was 6.6% of the population. By 2018, the number of Catholics had increased to 5.8 million, making up 11.1% of the population. The year-to-year growth rate has since slowed to below 1%.
According to a 2024 study, about 15% of South Korean Catholics, or 15 in every 100, attend Sunday Mass regularly.
