Key facts
- Africa now has more Catholics than Europe, a historic first.
- Global Catholic population reached 1.422 billion by June 2024.
- Africa accounts for 20.3% of global Catholics, Europe 20.1%.
- The Americas remain the largest Catholic region with 47.7% of adherents.
- The number of priests worldwide increased to 407,421, the first rise in five years.
The Vatican has reported that for the first time, Africa has more Catholic adherents than Europe. The statistics, compiled by the Vatican's Fides news agency and released on Friday, show that 20.3% of the world's Catholics now live in Africa, compared to 20.1% in Europe. The total number of Catholics globally reached 1.422 billion by the end of June 2024, representing 17.8% of the world's population. The Americas continue to be the largest Catholic region, accounting for 47.7% of the global total. The growth in Africa contrasts with stagnation or decline in some European countries, reflecting broader demographic trends of a rapidly growing African population and an aging European one. The number of priests worldwide saw an increase for the first time in five years, reaching 407,421.