For decades, Latin America was the global heart of the Catholic Church. However, a new study by the Pew Research Center reveals a dramatic shift in the region’s spiritual landscape. While Catholicism remains the largest religion in the region, its share of the population has plummeted significantly over the last ten years.
The rise of the religiously unaffiliated—those who identify as atheist, agnostic, or “nothing in particular”—is reshaping several of the continent’s most populous nations. In some countries, these “religious nones” now even outnumber Protestants.
The Numbers: A Decade of Decline
A new survey conducted in early 2024 highlights a steady trend away from the Catholic Church. Just ten years ago, countries like Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, and Peru all boasted strong Catholic majorities. Today, that dominance is fading.
According to the data, the Catholic share of the population has dropped by 9 percentage points or more in all six of these countries since 2014.
Current Catholic vs. Unaffiliated Shares (2024):
Mexico: 67% Catholic | 12% Unaffiliated
Peru: 67% Catholic | 15% Unaffiliated
Colombia: 60% Catholic | 21% Unaffiliated
Argentina: 58% Catholic | 25% Unaffiliated
Chile: 46% Catholic | 33% Unaffiliated
Brazil: 46% Catholic | 14% Unaffiliated.
Furthermore, estimates from the World Religion Database suggest this decline is not a new phenomenon; Catholicism has been losing ground in these nations since at least the 1970s.
The Rise of the “Religious Nones”
While the Church loses members, the percentage of adults who describe themselves as religiously unaffiliated has risen by at least 7 points in each surveyed country over the last decade. In Chile, nearly one-third (33%) of the population now identifies as unaffiliated.
However, “unaffiliated” does not necessarily mean “unbelieving.” In a fascinating contrast to secular trends in Europe, Latin Americans remain deeply religious even without a church.
Belief Without Belonging: The Persistence of Faith
Despite the exodus from organized religion, Latin Americans are about as likely to believe in God today as they were a decade ago. Approximately nine-in-ten adults across the region still affirm their belief in a higher power.
Where Do Latin America’s Former Catholics Go?
The religious landscape of Latin America is undergoing a profound transformation. While the region remains one of the most religious in the world, the traditional dominance of the Catholic Church is giving way to a new reality of religious switching.
Approximately two-in-ten adults across six major Latin American countries—Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, and Peru—say they were raised Catholic but no longer identify with the faith. This movement out of Catholicism is the primary driver behind the shrinking Catholic population and the surge of the religiously unaffiliated.
The Destinations: “Nones” and Protestants
When adults leave the Catholic Church, they generally follow one of two paths: they either become religiously unaffiliated (often called “nones”) or they join Protestant denominations.
In most of the surveyed countries, those who leave the Church are more likely to become “nones”—a group that includes atheists, agnostics, and those who identify as “nothing in particular.”
Religious Commitment and Daily Practice
The importance of religion varies by country, but it remains a cornerstone of life for millions:
Very Important: 79% of Brazilians and 57% of Colombians say religion is “very important” in their lives. However, this drops to 37% in Argentina and 40% in Chile.
Church Attendance: In Mexico, 59% of adults attend services at least monthly. Brazil, Colombia, and Peru also show high rates of monthly attendance.
Religious Symbols: Carrying or wearing religious items is common, with 45% of Mexicans and 31% of Chileans practicing this tradition.
Comparative Data: The Shift Away from Catholicism
| Country | % Raised Catholic who Left | Top New Identity |
| Colombia | 22% | Unaffiliated (13%) |
| Brazil | 20%+ | Protestant (13%) |
| Peru | 16%+ | Protestant (9%) / Unaffiliated (7%) |
| Mexico | 12%+ | Unaffiliated (High Majority) |
Key indicators of continued religiosity include:
Daily Prayer: The majority of adults in Brazil, Colombia, and Peru report praying at least once a day.
Importance of Religion: Roughly half or more of those surveyed in Mexico, Brazil, Colombia, and Peru state that religion is “very important” in their lives.
The Unaffiliated Faithful: Remarkably, majorities of even the religiously unaffiliated still say they believe in God.
In comparison to Europe, where many have abandoned Christianity and belief in God entirely since childhood, Latin Americans maintain a high level of spiritual practice and conviction.
Q&A: Understanding the Religious Shift
Q: Is Catholicism still the dominant religion in Latin America? A: Yes. Despite the declines, Catholicism remains the largest single religious group in the six countries surveyed by Pew Research Center.
Q: Which countries have seen the biggest shift? A: Brazil and Chile have seen the most significant changes, with only 46% of adults in both nations now identifying as Catholic.
Q: Do “religious nones” believe in God? A: Yes. Unlike many secular groups in other parts of the world, majorities of religiously unaffiliated adults in Latin America still report a belief in God.
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Catholicism declining in Latin America? While the survey identifies the trend, the shift is part of a long-term decline starting in the 1970s. People are increasingly moving toward being religiously unaffiliated (atheist, agnostic, or “nothing in particular”) or joining other denominations.
What are religious “nones”? “Nones” is a term used for people who are religiously unaffiliated. This includes atheists and agnostics, but the largest portion is usually those who describe their religion as “nothing in particular”.
How do Latin American religious trends compare to Europe? Latin Americans are significantly more religious. While many Europeans have left both the church and their belief in God, Latin Americans who leave the church generally maintain their belief in God and continue to value religion.
When was this data collected? The most recent data comes from a Pew Research Center survey conducted in the spring of 2024, involving more than 6,200 adults across six countries.
