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last mo.

Gallup Finds U.S. Religiosity at Record Low, Falling Below 50%

The decade-long slide narrows the distance from other wealthy nations, signaling a gap between Christian identity and daily religious practice.

The sun rises as the steeple of Emanuel AME Church stands behind an American flag flying at half-staff, taken in June 2015.
Pastor Adam Isbitsky addresses his few congregants during the Sunday service at the Second Congregational United Church of Christ in Beverly, Mass., on August 3, 2025. Photo: Jessica Rinaldi/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)
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Overview

  • Gallup reports 49% of U.S. adults say religion is important in daily life, down from 66% in 2015 for a 17-point decline among the steepest globally.
  • The United States no longer fits Gallup’s prior international patterns and is characterized by medium-high Christian identity with only middling religiosity.
  • The global share calling religion important has stayed near 81–83% as the U.S. figure moves closer to the OECD median of 36%.
  • Pew data show a record 29% religiously unaffiliated and 62% identifying as Christian, with younger cohorts—especially Gen Z women—driving disaffiliation.
  • Denominational reports and church consultants estimate roughly 15,000 U.S. church closures in 2025, far exceeding the number expected to open.