Brazil's Religious Shift: Evangelicals Slow, Catholics Decline, and a Rise in Religious Diversity

Brazil's Religious Landscape Shifts: Census Data Reveals Slowdown in Evangelical Growth and Decline in Catholicism Brazil's 2022 Census has revealed a significant shift in the country's religious landscape. For the first time since 1960, the growth rate of Evangelicals has slowed, increasing to 26.9% of the population compared to 21.7% in 2010. Simultaneously, the proportion of Catholics has decreased from 65% to 56.7%. Regional variations are striking. The North region shows the highest concentration of Evangelicals, with states like Acre, Rondônia, and Amazonas exceeding 40%. In contrast, states in the Northeast, such as Piauí, Sergipe, and Ceará, have the lowest percentage of Evangelicals. "This slowdown is a notable trend," explains demographer José Eustáquio Diniz Alves, whose projections previously estimated Evangelicals surpassing Catholics in 2032. "The new data pushes that projection further into the future." The video also highlights the growth of Afro-Brazilian religions and the higher-than-average education levels among their followers. The census paints a picture of a more religiously diverse Brazil, with a notable increase in those identifying as having no religion, particularly among younger generations. This complexity underscores the ongoing evolution of faith in the country.