When Pew Research Center released its 2014 report “Religion in Latin America,” the findings sent a ripple through churches, governments and scholars alike. Conducted between October 2013 and February 2014, the survey spanned 18 Latin American nations plus the U.S. territory of Puerto Rico, drawing on more than 30,000 face‑to‑face interviews in respondents’ homes. Alan Cooperman, director of religion research at Pew, and James Bell, director of international survey research, oversaw the project, which was funded by the John Templeton Foundation and The Pew Charitable Trusts.
What the Pew Study Covered
The study asked adults about current affiliation, the faith they were raised in and a suite of doctrinal and ritual practices. Countries surveyed included Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, Venezuela and Puerto Rico.
Key Findings: Shifts in Catholic and Protestant Affiliation
Overall, 69 % of adults now identify as Catholic – a drop of roughly 15 percentage points from the 84 % who said they were raised Catholic. By contrast, Protestants have surged to 19 % of the adult population, double the 9 % who grew up in a Protestant tradition. The religiously unaffiliated have also doubled, from 4 % to 8 %.
- 425 million Catholics remain in the region, accounting for about 40 % of the world’s Catholic total.
- Protestant growth is driven mainly by Pentecostal denominations.
- Uruguay is the only country where the unaffiliated outnumber Catholics.
These numbers signal a historic shift: in 1970, more than 90 % of the region’s population was Catholic, according to the World Religion Database and national censuses.
Regional Patterns and Social Conservatism
Central American nations – Honduras, Nicaragua, Guatemala and El Salvador – remain the most religiously committed and socially conservative. Their populations tend to endorse traditional stances on marriage, abortion and gender roles.
In contrast, the Southern Cone – especially Argentina, Chile and the starkly secular Uruguay – exhibit lower levels of religious participation and more liberal social attitudes. Brazil, the region’s largest country, sits somewhere in the middle, with a Catholic majority but a sizeable Pentecostal minority.
Afro‑Caribbean and indigenous spiritual practices still leave a mark. In Panama, for instance, 58 % of respondents reported engaging in at least three of eight indigenous or Afro‑Caribbean rituals, such as offering food or candles to spirits.
Beyond the Numbers: Qualitative Insights
Parallel to Pew’s quantitative work, Gustavo Morello, an associate professor of sociology at Boston College, led a three‑year ethnographic project titled “Lived Religion in Urban Context.” Funded by the same Templeton foundation, Morello’s team interviewed over 250 people in Lima, Córdoba and Montevideo. The goal was to capture how everyday Latin Americans “do” religion when Catholic, Protestant and unaffiliated family members share the same kitchen table.
Participants described a “negotiated faith” – a blend of traditional sacraments, charismatic worship and, in many cases, ancestral rituals. The research suggests that the statistical decline of Catholicism does not simply translate into secularism; rather, it fuels a more pluralistic religious marketplace where personal spirituality can coexist with institutional belief.
Implications for the Church and Society
The emergence of the first Latin American Pope (Jorge Martínez de Albornoz) was already reshaping global Catholic optics, but the Pew data adds a sobering layer: the very region that supplies the Pope now houses a shrinking Catholic base. Analysts warn that the Church may need to rethink pastoral strategies, especially in Central America where religious commitment is high but so is social conservatism.
For policymakers, the shift matters because religious affiliation often correlates with voting patterns, social policy support and even public health outcomes. Countries with growing Pentecostal populations have, in recent elections, seen evangelical groups swing the balance in legislative assemblies.
Ultimately, the report underscores a broader global trend: while the world’s overall religious “pie” is fragmenting, belief in a higher power remains robust across the continent, even among those who label themselves unaffiliated.
What to Watch Next
Future Pew waves, scheduled for 2020 and beyond, will track whether the Protestant surge stabilizes or accelerates, and whether secularization continues in the Southern Cone. Observers will also be eyeing how the Catholic Church’s new emphasis on social justice under Pope Francis interacts with a region that is simultaneously becoming more pluralistic and more politically polarized.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the decline in Catholic affiliation affect education in Latin America?
Many private schools in the region are run by Catholic orders. A shrinking Catholic base could lead to lower enrollment at those institutions, prompting a shift toward secular or Protestant‑run schools. Early data from Brazil and Mexico already show a modest rise in non‑religious charter schools where Catholic enrollment has dropped.
What are the main reasons people are leaving the Catholic Church?
Survey respondents cited a perceived disconnect between church teachings and everyday life, disappointment with clergy scandals, and the appeal of more emotive worship styles offered by Pentecostal churches. Younger adults especially pointed to a desire for personal spiritual experience over institutional ritual.
Which countries show the fastest growth of Protestantism?
Guatemala, Honduras and Brazil recorded the steepest year‑over‑year increases, largely driven by Pentecostal megachurch networks that combine dynamic preaching with community‑based social services.
Are indigenous spiritual practices disappearing?
Not at all. In fact, the Pew survey highlighted that in Panama and parts of the Andes, more than half of Catholics and Protestants incorporate indigenous rituals such as offering candles to ancestral spirits. This syncretism suggests resilience rather than decline.
What does the report mean for the future of the Catholic Church globally?
With 425 million adherents, Latin America remains a powerhouse for the Vatican. However, the shrinking share of Catholics implies the Church must adapt its pastoral approach, likely emphasizing social justice, youth engagement and inter‑faith dialogue to retain relevance in a diversifying religious market.
Anand mishra
October 11, 2025 AT 00:50Wow, looking at those Pew numbers really makes you feel like you’re watching a continent in slow motion.
The fact that Catholic affiliation slipped from 84 % to 69 % is not just a statistic, it’s a cultural tremor that echoes through every barrio and city square.
I’ve grown up hearing the Sunday mass bells in Delhi, but I can see how, over there, the same bells might be fading into the background.
What’s fascinating is that the rise of Pentecostal churches seems to be tied to a desire for a more vibrant, emotional worship experience, something that many younger folks crave.
At the same time, the data showing that 8 % now identify as unaffiliated tells us that secular ideas are making inroads, even in traditionally devout societies.
If you compare the Central American nations with the Southern Cone, the contrast is almost like night and day, the former holding tight to traditional stances while the latter relaxes its grip.
The fact that Uruguay is the only place where the unaffiliated outnumber Catholics is a striking illustration of how regional histories shape belief.
And let’s not forget the indigenous rituals that still survive, woven into the fabric of Catholic and Protestant practice like secret threads.
This syncretism shows that religion in Latin America is less about rigid doctrine and more about lived experience.
From a sociological perspective, the “negotiated faith” that Morello describes is a perfect example of how people adapt institutions to fit personal narratives.
The growth of Pentecostal megachurches also brings social services, which can be a game‑changer in poorer neighborhoods.
Meanwhile, the Catholic Church’s emphasis on social justice under Pope Francis may be an attempt to re‑engage those who feel left out.
Yet the sheer size of the Catholic base-425 million-means the Church still holds massive sway over politics and education.
I suspect the next Pew wave will reveal whether Pentecostalism stabilizes or keeps expanding like a wildfire.
Whatever the outcome, it’s clear that Latin America’s religious landscape is becoming a bustling marketplace of beliefs, and everyone from policymakers to pastors will need to adapt quickly.
Prakhar Ojha
October 11, 2025 AT 01:40The surge of Pentecostal flaming‑torch churches is basically a cultural fireworks show, blasting out of the old‑school Catholic pews with a bang that makes the whole continent sit up and stare.
It’s not just about worship style; it’s a full‑blown rebellion against any institution that feels stale.
anjaly raveendran
October 11, 2025 AT 02:30Statistically, the decline from 84 % to 69 % Catholic affiliation represents a 15‑point drop, which translates to roughly 66 million fewer adherents across the surveyed nations.
This is corroborated by parallel surveys indicating increased youth disenchantment with clerical authority.
akshay sharma
October 11, 2025 AT 03:20While numbers tell a story, the underlying narrative is that many Latin Americans are gravitating toward churches that promise immediate, tangible benefits, a pattern that mirrors global trends in religious consumerism.
Unfortunately, this shift often sidelines the rich theological traditions of Catholicism, reducing it to a relic of the past.
harshit malhotra
October 11, 2025 AT 04:10It’s absolutely infuriating to see Western media gloss over the fact that these shifts are being driven by a loss of moral backbone in the Catholic hierarchy.
The scandals, the hypocrisy, the out‑of‑touch doctrines – they’ve all pushed people toward more “authentic” faith expressions.
And let’s not pretend that Pentecostalism is a flawless solution; it’s a new wave of dogma, just with louder music.
Still, the nationalist undertones in some of these movements can’t be ignored – they’re skillfully wrapping religious revival in patriotic fervor.
We need to ask: who really benefits when millions leave the Mother Church for megachurches that often double as political machines?
saurabh waghmare
October 11, 2025 AT 05:00From a broader perspective, these changes invite a re‑evaluation of how religion influences public policy in the region.
Policymakers ought to consider the growing political clout of evangelical blocs when drafting legislation on social issues.
At the same time, the Catholic Church’s sheer demographic weight still grants it a seat at the table in most national dialogues.
Balancing these forces will likely require more inter‑faith collaboration and a focus on common social goals.
Madhav Kumthekar
October 11, 2025 AT 05:50One practical implication is that school enrollment patterns may shift as Catholic families explore alternatives.
Parents might opt for Protestant or secular charter schools that align better with their evolving values.
This could spur the government to reassess funding models for private education.
It’s also a chance for educators to incorporate more inclusive curricula that respect both religious and non‑religious perspectives.
Deepanshu Aggarwal
October 11, 2025 AT 06:40Interesting data! 😊 The rise in Pentecostalism seems tied to community outreach programs that address immediate needs.
It’s a reminder that faith often fills gaps left by public services.
Let’s keep an eye on how these groups influence local politics.
🙌