Catholics in Africa outnumber those in Europe, Vatican says
- On Friday, the Vatican released updated Catholic Church statistics confirming that Africa now has more Catholics than Europe, marking a historic demographic shift.
- According to the latest Fides News Agency figures, the global Catholic population reached 1.422 billion by mid-2024, representing 17.8% of the world's almost 8 billion people.
- For the first time in five years, the number of priests increased to 407,421, while totals for women religious and major seminarians continued to fall.
- Africa led this global growth with 7.58 million more Catholics, while the Americas added 6.99 million, according to continental data from the Fides dossier.
- The Church will celebrate the 100th World Mission Sunday on Oct 18 under the theme 'One in Christ, united in mission,' showcasing its 101,110 healthcare and charitable facilities.
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According to the latest statistics published by the Vatican, the number of Catholics in Africa has now exceeded that of European Catholics, Reuters reports.
Catholics increase worldwide as number of priests edges upward
Ahead of World Mission Sunday, the Vatican’s Fides news agency releases the 2026 Church Statistics report, recording a rising number of Catholics on every continent, more priests, and fewer religious sisters and major seminarians. Read all
There are now more Catholics in Africa than in Europe, the Vatican said on Friday in its latest statistics for the Catholic Church. The total number of Catholics worldwide at the end of June 2024 stood at 1.422 billion,...
The number of Catholics continues to grow in the world and confirms its rebound in Europe for the second year in a row. Published on the occasion of the 100th World Mission Day, in mid-October 2026, however, the statistics of the Catholic Church show a sharp decline in the number of priests in Europe.
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