Grace Thompson
Catholicism is the predominant religion in Mexico, but its dominance has been declining over the last century. In 2020, 77.7% of Mexicans identified as Catholics, down from 99% in 1910. Meanwhile, the percentage of Mexicans who are religiously unaffiliated has grown, with 8.2% of the population reporting no religion at all in 2020. In the United States, Latinos are twice as likely as non-Latino adults to identify as Catholic, and Catholicism remains the largest faith group among Latinos. However, the share of Latino Catholics has declined, with 43% of Latino adults identifying as Catholic in 2022, down from 67% in 2010. In California, Latino Catholics accounted for more than 20% of all people with a religious affiliation in 2022, surpassing the share of white evangelicals in the state.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Percentage of Mexican Catholics in California | More than 20% of all people with a religious affiliation in California in 2022 |
| Percentage of U.S. Latinos who are Catholic | 43% as of 2022 |
| Percentage of U.S. Latino adults who were raised Catholic | 65% |
| Percentage of U.S. Latinos who are religiously unaffiliated | 30% |
| Percentage of U.S. Latino Catholics who identify as Democrats | 72% |
| Percentage of U.S. Latino Catholics who identify as Republicans | 21% |
| Percentage of Mexicans who are Catholic | 77.7% as of 2020 |
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What You'll Learn
California's Latino Catholics outnumber white evangelicals
This trend is also observed in other states in the American Southwest, including New Mexico and Texas, where Latino Catholics accounted for more than 20% of religiously affiliated individuals. Despite the overall decline in religious affiliation across the United States, the number of Latinos who identify as Catholic remains substantial.
Among Latinos in the United States, Catholicism continues to be the largest faith group, although its share has been steadily declining over the past decade. As of 2022, 43% of Latino adults identify as Catholic, a decrease from 67% in 2010. In contrast, the percentage of Latinos who are religiously unaffiliated has grown significantly, rising from 10% in 2010 to 30% in 2022.
Latino Catholics exhibit varying levels of religious commitment, with older Latinos and those born outside the United States being more likely to identify as Catholic. While religious affiliation among Latinos is shifting, it is important to note that Latinos remain about twice as likely as the overall US adult population to identify as Catholic.
The political landscape is also influenced by religious affiliation among Latinos. Latino Catholics tend to lean towards the Democratic Party, with 72% identifying as Democrats, while Latino evangelical Protestants show a more balanced distribution between Democrats and Republicans. Despite the growing number of Latinos who identify as Catholic, their representation in positions of power, especially in the US Senate, remains relatively low compared to white evangelicals.
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Catholicism is declining among Latinos
While Catholicism remains the primary religion in Mexico, its dominance has steadily declined over the last century. In 1910, 99% of Mexicans identified as Catholic. This number gradually decreased to 98.2% in 1950, 92.6% in 1980, 87.9% in 2000, and 82.7% in 2010. By 2020, the percentage of Catholics in Mexico had dropped further to 77.7%. This decline is not unique to Mexico, as Latin America as a whole has experienced a similar trend, with a 4-percentage-point drop in people identifying as Catholic between 2013 and 2017.
In the United States, Latinos are the largest source of growth for the Catholic Church. However, this does not negate the fact that there has been a decline in Catholicism among Latinos in the US. Latinos are increasingly identifying as religiously unaffiliated, with the percentage of those who are unaffiliated doubling from 15% in 2013 to 30% in 2022. Among Latino adults, there has been a notable shift away from Catholicism, with only 43% identifying as Catholic in 2022, compared to 67% in 2010. This decline is particularly pronounced among younger Latinos, with nearly half of those aged 18 to 29 identifying as religiously unaffiliated.
Several factors have contributed to the decline of Catholicism among Latinos in the US. One reason is the various scandals that have plagued the Catholic Church over the years, causing some Latinos to lose trust in the institution. Additionally, the rise of secularism and changing social norms have made it easier for individuals to leave the Church or identify as non-believers. The growth of other religious groups, such as Protestant denominations, has also contributed to the decline of Catholicism among Latinos.
Despite the overall decline, it is worth noting that Latinos remain about twice as likely as US adults overall to identify as Catholic. Additionally, the Catholic Church in the US continues to benefit from Latino immigration, as many Latino immigrants bring their Catholic faith with them when they arrive in the country. However, the Church faces the challenge of retaining these Latino Catholics, especially the younger generation, as they may be more likely to switch religious affiliations or become unaffiliated over time.
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Latino Catholics are more likely to be Democrats
While Catholicism is still Mexico's primary religion, its dominance has steadily declined over the last century. In 2020, 77.7% of Mexicans identified as Catholics, down from 99% in 1910. In the United States, Latinos are the largest group of Catholics, even though their share among Latino adults has been declining over the past decade. As of 2022, 43% of Hispanic adults identify as Catholic, down from 67% in 2010.
There are several reasons why Latino Catholics may be more likely to identify as Democrats. One factor could be the Democratic Party's perceived support for the interests of Latinos. According to a Pew Research Center survey, 60% of Latino adults believe that the Democratic Party represents their interests somewhat or very well, while only 34% say the same about the Republican Party. Latino Catholics are also less likely to identify as conservative today than they were a decade ago. Additionally, the Catholic Church's stance on certain issues may influence Latino Catholics' political preferences. For example, the Church supports immigration reform and opposes mass deportations, which aligns more closely with Democratic policies.
However, it is important to note that political views among Latinos, including Catholics, can vary and are influenced by a range of factors beyond religion. While Latinos may generally have a more positive view of the Democratic Party, this does not always translate into voting behavior. In the 2016 presidential election, 52% of Catholics backed Republican Donald Trump, while 44% voted for Democrat Hillary Clinton. Additionally, there has been a recent shift among Hispanic Catholics, with some moving away from the Democratic Party and towards the Republican Party, possibly due to concerns about the economy and immigration. Despite this shift, a majority of Hispanic Catholics still voted for Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election.
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Latino Catholics are less religious than Protestants
While Latinos in California and the United States are predominantly Catholic, the percentage of those who identify as Catholic has been steadily declining over the past decade. In 2022, 43% of Hispanic adults identified as Catholic, down from 67% in 2010. During the same period, the percentage of Latinos who are religiously unaffiliated has grown substantially, rising from 10% in 2010 to 30% in 2022. This group, known as "religious nones," is the fastest-growing group in surveys of Americans' religious identity.
Despite the decline in the number of Latino Catholics, they still constitute the largest religious group among Latinos in California and the United States. Latinos are about twice as likely as U.S. adults overall to identify as Catholic. However, when it comes to religious commitment and observance, Latino Catholics fall somewhere in the middle of the spectrum. They are less religious than Latino Protestants, particularly evangelical Protestants, who express especially high levels of religious commitment. Nearly three-quarters (73%) of Latino evangelical Protestants say religion is very important to them, compared to 56% of non-evangelical Protestants and 46% of Latino Catholics.
The decline in Catholicism among Latinos in California and the United States mirrors a broader trend within the Catholic Church worldwide. Young people, in particular, are participating less in their parishes. This shift in religious affiliation among Latinos is complex and influenced by various factors, including patterns in religious switching since childhood, areas of agreement and disagreement with the Catholic Church, and the continuing appeal of Pentecostalism.
In contrast to the decline in Catholicism, the share of Latinos who identify as Protestants, including evangelical Protestants, has remained relatively stable. Latino immigrants are slightly more likely than U.S.-born Latinos to be evangelical (19% vs. 12%). Evangelicalism is especially prevalent among Latinos with Central American origins, with roughly three-in-ten (31%) saying they are evangelical Protestants. However, it's important to note that the growth of Protestantism among Latinos has been more modest compared to the increase in religious unaffiliation.
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Latino Catholics are underrepresented in politics
While Catholicism remains Mexico's primary religion, its dominance has steadily declined over the last century. In 1910, 99% of Mexicans identified as Catholic, but by 2020, that number had dropped to 77.7%. This decline is also evident among Mexicans in California, although specific data on their religious affiliation is limited.
Turning to political representation, Latinos are significantly underrepresented in elected offices across the United States. Despite comprising 20% of the general U.S. population, Latinos hold only 2% of all elected offices nationwide. In the 118th Congress, there were 49 Latino representatives and six Latino senators, accounting for 11% and 6% of each chamber, respectively.
Among Latino Catholics, political underrepresentation is also evident. While Latinos are twice as likely as U.S. adults overall to identify as Catholic, they face barriers to obtaining political representation. Socioeconomic and political factors, such as redistricting, poverty levels, educational qualifications of voters, and voter turnout, contribute to this disparity.
Latino Catholics tend to lean towards the Democratic Party, with 72% identifying as Democrats, compared to 21% who are Republicans. Their political preferences are reflected in their voting choices, with 53% of Latino Catholics approving of Biden's presidency and only 22% supporting Trump's reelection.
To address the underrepresentation of Latino Catholics in politics, efforts are being made to nurture leadership skills among young Latinos and promote inclusive policies that address the needs of this diverse community. Despite these initiatives, Latino Catholics continue to be underrepresented in elected offices, highlighting the persistent disparities within the political system.
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Frequently asked questions
In 2022, Hispanic Catholics accounted for over 20% of all people with a religious affiliation in California.
According to the 2020 Mexican government census, approximately 78% of Mexicans identify as Roman Catholic.
Yes, the Catholic population in Mexico has dropped by more than 10% in the last 20 years. In the US, the percentage of Latino adults who identify as Catholic has also steadily declined over the past decade, dropping from 67% in 2010 to 43% in 2022.
