African Catholics Outnumber Europeans, Vatican Says

Africa has surpassed Europe in Catholic population, according to new global Church statistics released by the Vatican’s Fides news agency on Friday.

At the end of June 2024, the global Catholic population rose 0.1 per cent year-on-year to reach 1.422 billion, accounting for 17.8 per cent of the world’s population.

Africa now holds 20.3 per cent of the global Catholic population, officially overtaking Europe, which claims 20.2 per cent.

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The Americas continue to host the largest share at 47.7 per cent, while Asia and Oceania account for 11 per cent and 0.8 per cent, respectively.

The latest numbers highlight a continuing demographic shift from the previous year’s report, when Europe held 20.4 per cent, and Africa represented 20 per cent of the world’s 1.405 billion Catholics.

African Catholics outnumber Europeans, Vatican says (News Central TV) — African Catholics outnumber Europeans, the Vatican says. Credit: Reuters

Fides also recorded 5,525 bishops and 407,421 priests worldwide.

Notably, the total number of priests grew by 425—marking the first global increase in priest numbers in five years.

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Abisoye Adeyiga

Abisoye Adedoyin Adeyiga holds a PhD in Languages and Media Studies and a Master’s in Education (English Language). Trained in digital marketing and investigative journalism, she is passionate about new media’s transformative power. She enjoys reading, traveling, and meaningful conversations.