The analysis, based on surveys in 24 countries, shows Catholicism lost more adherents than it gained in 21 nations, with Italy and Chile reporting net losses of 21 and 19 percentage points respectively.
Disaffiliation is especially common in Europe and Latin America, while Hungary is the only country with net Catholic gains. Protestantism, meanwhile, shows mixed trends, with net gains in Brazil and losses in parts of Europe.
Despite these losses, Catholicism remains the majority faith in countries like Poland and the Philippines. Former Catholics often become unaffiliated or convert to Protestantism, reflecting a broader global trend of religious identity change.
Why is Latin America, once a Catholic stronghold, now a hotspot for Protestant growth?
What are the 1.9 billion 'religiously unaffiliated' finding to replace traditional faith?
As Christianity wanes in the West, is its growth in Africa reshaping the faith globally?
Is the decline of Western Christianity irreversible, or could recent revivals signal a change?
With conflicting reports on religious trends, which data can we actually trust in 2026?
Why do some switch to Catholicism for its history while so many others are leaving it?