Global Catholic Population Grows While Number of Pastoral Workers Declines

Vatican City, March 25, 2025: The Catholic Church’s global population is on the rise, but the number of pastoral workers, including priests and religious sisters, continues to decline, according to the 2025 Annuario Pontificio and Annuarium Statisticum Ecclesiae 2023. Released by the Vatican’s Central Office of Church Statistics on March 21, the two reports provide detailed insights into the Church’s demographics and pastoral workforce for 2022–2023.

Increase in Global Catholic Population

According to the reports, the global Catholic population grew by 1.15%, increasing from 1.39 billion in 2022 to 1.406 billion in 2023. Africa recorded the highest growth rate at 3.31%, with the Democratic Republic of Congo leading with nearly 55 million Catholics.

The Americas, home to 47.8% of the world’s Catholics, saw moderate growth, with Brazil remaining the country with the largest Catholic population at 182 million.

Asia experienced a 0.6% growth, primarily driven by increases in the Philippines (93 million) and India (23 million). Europe, despite hosting 20.4% of the Catholic population, saw minimal growth of 0.2%, while Oceania recorded a 1.9% increase.

More Bishops, Fewer Priests

The number of bishops increased by 1.4%, rising to 5,430 worldwide. Africa and Asia saw the highest growth rates, while Oceania remained unchanged. However, the number of priests declined by 0.2%, with losses primarily in Europe (-1.6%), Oceania (-1.0%), and the Americas (-0.7%). Africa and Asia saw increases of 2.7% and 1.6%, respectively.

Despite a decline in total numbers, Europe still accounts for the largest share of priests (38.1%), while Africa and South America struggle with fewer clergy members relative to their Catholic populations.

Permanent Deacons on the Rise

Permanent deacons saw the highest growth among clergy, increasing by 2.6% to 51,433 in 2023. The Americas, especially North America (39% of all deacons globally), and Oceania (+10.8%) recorded the most significant growth. In contrast, Africa and Europe saw slight declines.

Decline in Religious Vocations

The number of professed religious sisters fell by 1.6%, dropping to 589,423 in 2023. Africa was the only continent to see growth (+2.2%), while Europe (-3.8%) and North America (-3.6%) saw the steepest declines. The number of religious brothers who are not priests also continued to decline, with only Africa showing an increase.

The decline in major seminarians persists, continuing a downward trend since 2012. The number fell by 1.8% in 2023, with Africa being the only continent to see an increase (+1.1%), while Europe (-4.9%), Asia (-4.2%), and the Americas (-1.3%) recorded declines. This indicates ongoing challenges in priestly vocations, particularly in Europe and the Americas.

Despite the decline in pastoral workers, the Catholic Church continues to grow worldwide, particularly in Africa and Asia, underscoring a shift in its global presence and highlighting the need for renewed vocational efforts in traditionally Catholic regions.

Courtesy: Vatican News