Catholic Decline in Latin America - Paganism Flourishes
The report, Catholicism Has Declined in Latin America Over the Past Decade is based on surveys of more than 6,200 adults in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, and Peru conducted in spring 2024. Comparing the results with a similar 2013–14 survey, Pew found that the Catholic share fell by at least 9 percentage points in all six countries.
Today, Catholics make up 46% of adults in Brazil and Chile, 58% in Argentina, 60% in Colombia, and 67% in both Mexico and Peru. A decade ago, all six countries had Catholic majorities of roughly six-in-ten or more adults.
The Rise of the “Believing Nones”
The share of religiously unaffiliated adults - those identifying as atheist, agnostic, or “nothing in particular” - rose by at least 7 points in every country surveyed. In Argentina, Chile, Colombia, and Mexico, the unaffiliated now outnumber Protestants.
Despite these shifts, Latin Americans remain highly "religious". Large majorities in every country say they believe in God, ranging from 89% in Chile to 98% in Brazil - levels that Pew says have remained relatively stable over the past decade.
Pew finds that large majorities of Latin American nones still affirm belief in God — for example, about 92% in Brazil and 69% in Chile — levels comparable to or higher than belief among Christians in several European countries.
Magic and Superstition Remain Widespread
Beliefs associated with folk religion remain common, including belief in spells or curses, spiritual energies in nature, ancestor spirits, and reincarnation.
In Brazil, about six-in-ten "Catholics" and a similar share of religiously unaffiliated adults say parts of nature, such as mountains, rivers, or trees, have spiritual energies.
"Catholic" identity often coexists with elements drawn from Indigenous, Afro-descendant, and popular traditions, and in some countries "Catholics" are more likely than Protestants to hold these beliefs.
Pentecostalism Is Also Fragmenting
Overall Protestant affiliation has remained relatively stable. In Brazil, 29% of adults now identify as Protestant, up from 26% in 2013–14. Pentecostalism remains widespread.
The share of Protestants identifying as Pentecostal has declined in several countries as other Protestant traditions have grown.
More Ex-Catholics Become “Nones” Than Pentecostals
Across the six countries, about two-in-ten or more adults say they were raised Catholic but no longer identify as Catholic.
Brazil is the only country where former Catholics are more likely to now identify as Protestant (13%) than unaffiliated (7%). In Peru, roughly equal shares have become Protestant (9%) or unaffiliated (7%).
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