The Growing Share of Latinos who are Religiously Unaffiliated
The share of Latinos who are religiously unaffiliated continues to grow, according to a recent analysis of Pew Research Center surveys. While Catholics remain the largest religious group among Latinos in the United States, their share has steadily declined over the past decade. As of 2022, 43% of Hispanic adults identify as Catholic, down from 67% in 2010. On the other hand, the share of Latinos who are religiously unaffiliated has increased substantially, now standing at 30%, up from 10% in 2010.
The demographic forces shaping the nation’s Latino population have impacted these religious affiliation trends. Young people born in the U.S. have been driving Latino population growth since the 2000s, with about half of Latinos ages 18 to 29 now identifying as religiously unaffiliated. In contrast, older Latinos, especially those born outside the U.S., are more likely to be affiliated with a religion, with 52% of Latino immigrants identifying as Catholic.
Protestants are the second-largest faith group among Latinos, accounting for 21% of Hispanic adults, with evangelical Protestants making up 15% of the total. Evangelicalism is especially prevalent among Latinos with Central American origins, with about three-in-ten U.S. Latinos with Central American roots identifying as evangelical Protestants.
The analysis also found that religious commitment among Latinos varies across different religious groups. Hispanic evangelical Protestants express high levels of religious commitment, with nearly three-quarters saying religion is very important to them. On the other hand, the unaffiliated group, or religious “nones,” are less religious, with about three-quarters saying religion is not important in their lives.
Overall, the data shows a shifting religious landscape among Latinos in the U.S., with a growing share identifying as religiously unaffiliated and a decline in the share of Catholics. These trends reflect the changing demographics and religious affiliations within the Latino community.