Overview
- A new Pew survey of 6,234 adults in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Peru reports Catholic identification down at least nine points since 2013–14, now roughly 46% to 67% of adults.
- Religiously unaffiliated adults have risen by seven points or more across all six countries and now account for about 12% to 33% of the population.
- In Argentina, Chile, Colombia and Mexico, the unaffiliated now outnumber Protestants.
- Protestant shares remain relatively steady across the region, with Brazil at 29% today versus 26% a decade ago.
- Despite affiliation shifts, belief in God remains near-universal and daily prayer is common, with many departures tied to clergy abuse scandals and disputes over abortion and LGBTQ+ rights.