The ‘Quiet Revival’: How Gen Z Is Reversing the Church Decline in the UK

For decades, the story of Christianity in the United Kingdom followed a predictable arc—declining church attendance, rising secularism and increasingly empty pews. The 2021 census confirmed a historic shift, with fewer than half of people in England and Wales identifying as Christian for the first time.

But new data from the Bible Society challenges the assumption that Christianity is on an irreversible downward slope. According to The Quiet Revival, a nationally representative study conducted with YouGov, monthly church attendance has risen from 8% in 2018 to 12% in 2024. That’s an increase of 56%—from 3.7 million to 5.8 million adults—and the growth is being driven largely by Gen Z.

Among 18- to 24-year-olds, monthly church attendance has quadrupled in six years—from 4% in 2018 to 16% in 2024. Young men in particular are leading the shift: 21% now attend church regularly, up from just 4%. That makes them more likely to attend than any age group besides seniors.

The rise appears to be more than a short-term anomaly. One-third of churchgoers are now under 35, compared to just 14% in 2018. The churchgoing population is also more diverse than it was six years ago. Among 18- to 54-year-olds, 32% of regular attenders are from ethnic minority backgrounds. Denominationally, the landscape is shifting as well: Anglican affiliation among young adults is declining, while Catholic and Pentecostal representation is growing.

These trends are mirrored by increased engagement with spiritual practices. Sixty-seven percent of churchgoers read the Bible weekly, up from 54% in 2018. Forty percent of 18- to 24-year-olds say they pray monthly, and more than a third say they’re interested in learning more about the Bible. This group also reports higher levels of belief in God and a stronger emotional connection to their faith than other generations.

Mental health may also be a factor. The report found that young churchgoers report higher levels of life satisfaction and lower rates of anxiety than their non-churchgoing peers. Among 18- to 34-year-old women, 63% of non-churchgoers say they frequently feel anxious or depressed. Among churchgoers in the same group, that figure drops to 42%. Churchgoers also report feeling more connected to their local communities and are more likely to volunteer, donate to charities and participate in civic life.

However, the report also highlights gaps. While interest in Scripture is growing, one-third of young churchgoers say they lack confidence in interpreting the Bible or talking about it with others. Many report that media and cultural narratives challenge their faith and that they find parts of the Bible difficult to reconcile. At the same time, those who identify as Christian but don’t attend church or engage with spiritual practices report lower well-being than both active Christians and those with no religion.

The Quiet Revival isn’t centered on a particular denomination, movement or leader. The data shows broad-based growth across traditions and demographics. What’s clear is that Gen Z is engaging with faith in new ways—and in greater numbers than most expected. In one of the most secular regions of the world, a generational shift is quietly taking shape.


Title: The ‘Quiet Revival’: How Gen Z Is Reversing the Church Decline in the UK
URL: https://relevantmagazine.com/faith/the-quiet-revival-how-gen-z-is-reversing-the-church-decline-in-the-uk/
Source: REL ::: RELEVANT
Source URL: http://www.relevantmagazine.com/rss/relevantmagazine.xml
Date: May 15, 2025 at 03:31PM
Feedly Board(s): Religion