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Gallup’s most recent polling data indicates that the frequency with which Americans attend religious services is on a downward trend. Catholic participation has particularly seen a notable decrease.
A report released on March 25th by Gallup reveals that just about 30% of U.S. adults are attending religious services consistently, with 21% doing so weekly and an additional 9% almost every week.
About 11% of people attend services monthly, and a significant portion of the population attends infrequently, with 25% doing so seldomly and 31% not at all.
The data is compiled from various Gallup polls conducted over telephone, both cellular and landline, surveying 32,445 adults across all states and the District of Columbia between 2021-2023.
According to the results, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints reports the highest rates of attendance, with two-thirds of its members attending weekly. Protestants and members of nondenominational Christian churches follow with 44%, Muslims with 38%, and Catholics with 33%.
Gallup highlights that the majority of Jews, Orthodox Christians, Buddhists, and Hindus seldom or never attend religious services.
Looking at the past two decades, weekly attendance has dropped from an average of 42%. Notably, Catholics have experienced one of the steepest declines, from 45% down to 33%.
The overall drop in attendance can be significantly attributed to the rise of those with no religious affiliation—from 9% in the early 2000s to 21% in recent years—a group which predominantly does not regularly attend services.
However, Muslims and Jews have actually demonstrated slight increases in service attendance over the years.
The projection for the future points to a sustained decline in church attendance, especially with the younger generation expressing weaker ties to religious practices.
The Gallup data shows that among the younger population—those aged 18 to 29—religious preference or affiliation is considerably lower, with 35% claiming no religious preference at all, 32% identifying as Protestant, and just 19% as Catholic.
The report concludes that younger adults across all affiliations are much less inclined to attend religious services, sitting at a full 8 points below the national average.
The patterns detected in this poll align with other Gallup measurements of religious attitudes and actions, including the significance of religion in American lives and formal membership in religious institutions.
Reporting by Gina Christian, OSV News multimedia journalist. Connect with her on X (previously known as Twitter) at @GinaJesseReina.
FAQ Section
What percentage of U.S. adults attend religious services regularly according to the Gallup poll?
Approximately 30% of U.S. adults attend religious services regularly.
Which religious group reports the highest rate of attendance?
Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have the highest reported attendance rates, with two-thirds attending weekly.
What are the attendance rates among young adults (18-29 years)?
Only 22% of young adults attend religious services regularly, which is 8 points below the national average.
How has religious service attendance changed for Catholics over the past two decades?
Catholic attendance at religious services has declined from 45% to 33%.
Does the Gallup poll predict an increase or decrease in church attendance in the future?
The Gallup poll predicts that church attendance is likely to continue to decline in future years.
Conclusion
The recent Gallup poll paints a clear picture of the declining rates of religious service attendance in the United States. Despite the potential for seasonal upticks during religious holidays like Easter, the overall trend is downward across various denominations, with a significant slump among Catholics. The rise in non-religious affiliation is a key factor in this trend, especially among younger generations, pointing to a future where religious services play a diminished role in American society. The steadfast importance of religious identity and practices will likely face challenges as these shifts manifest in the coming years, reshaping the landscape of American spirituality and community life.