Washington, D.C. — A new Gallup survey shows that fewer than half of Americans now say religion is an important part of their daily lives, marking one of the steepest drops measured worldwide in recent decades. Only 49% of U.S. adults consider religion essential — down from 66% in 2015 — placing the country closer to attitudes seen in wealthy European nations than in its own past. Gallup researchers described the decline as unusually large, noting that only a small number of countries have seen similar shifts.
In comparison with other members of the OECD, where a median of 36% say religion is important, the United States is rapidly moving toward the global average. Countries such as Greece and Italy have experienced comparable declines, while Chile, Turkey, and Portugal have followed similar patterns.
The decline comes as an estimated 15,000 U.S. churches are expected to close this year, far outpacing the number that will open. Meanwhile, Pew Research Center data shows 29% of Americans identify as religiously unaffiliated, and 62% identify as Christian, down sharply from 78% in 2007. Even with these trends, faith-based communities still exert major influence in national politics: former President Trump secured overwhelming support from white evangelical and Protestant voters in 2024.
Researchers say the United States now sits between global categories — retaining a largely Christian identity while showing only middling religiosity. Trends are especially pronounced among Gen Z women, who are moving away from organized religion faster than any other demographic.
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