Global Catholic Population Growth and Distribution
The global Catholic population has seen a steady increase, rising by approximately 1.15% from 2022 to 2023, according to data from the Annuario Pontificio 2025 and Annuarium Statisticum Ecclesiae 2023, as reported by El Vaticano. This growth has brought the total number of Catholics to around 1,406 million.
Regional Breakdown
- Africa: With 20% of the world’s Catholics, Africa experienced a significant increase of 3.31% in the Catholic population, growing from 272 million to 281 million between 2022 and 2023. Countries with the highest Catholic populations in Africa include the Democratic Republic of Congo (55 million), Nigeria (35 million), Uganda, Tanzania, and Kenya.
- Americas: Home to 47.8% of the world’s Catholics, the Americas saw a growth rate of 0.9%. Southeast America, specifically Brazil, holds 13% of the global Catholic population with approximately 182 million followers. Argentina, Colombia, and Paraguay have over 90% of their populations identifying as Catholic.
- Asia: The Catholic population in Asia grew by 0.6%, accounting for 11% of the world’s Catholics in 2023. Filipinos (93 million) and Indians (23 million) make up the majority of Catholics in Southeast Asia.
- Europe: With 20.4% of the world’s Catholics, Europe experienced a mere 0.2% growth in 2023. Countries like Italy, Poland, and Spain have Catholic majorities exceeding 90% of their populations.
- Oceanía: The Catholic population in Oceanía reached over 11 million, marking a 1.9% increase from 2022.
Historical Context and Deceased Pontiff
The late Pope Francis, the first Latin American pontiff in nearly 2,000 years of Catholic history, left a legacy marked by his struggles against conservative factions within the Roman Catholic Church. His passing leaves over 1,400 million Catholics without a spiritual leader.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the current global Catholic population? Approximately 1,406 million.
- Which regions have experienced the most significant growth in Catholic population? Africa saw a 3.31% increase, while Asia grew by 0.6%. The Americas experienced a 0.9% rise.
- What are the top countries with the highest Catholic populations? Brazil leads with 105.3 million, followed by Mexico (91.2 million), the Philippines (86 million), and the United States (67 million).
- How has the percentage of self-identified Catholics changed since 2000? According to Gallup reports, the percentage of people identifying as Catholic has decreased by roughly 20% since 2000.
