Brazil's Religious Landscape Shifts: Catholics Decline, Evangelicals Rise in 2022 Census

Brazil's Religious Landscape Transformed: 2022 Census Reveals Shifting Faiths Brazil's religious landscape has undergone a dramatic shift, according to data released from the 2022 national census. The proportion of Brazilians identifying as Catholic has fallen to its lowest level since 1872, a significant drop from the near-universal dominance of the faith just 150 years prior. While still the largest religious group at 56.7%, the decline reflects a changing social and cultural environment. "The census shows a Brazil that is increasingly diverse," stated Paula Paiva, a G1 news anchor. "The numbers reflect a growing religious freedom, different from what we saw 150 years ago." The decline in Catholicism is mirrored by a rise in other faiths. Evangelical denominations have experienced a surge, now representing 26.9% of the population, a record high. The number of Brazilians declaring no religious affiliation also increased, reaching 9.3% of the population. However, the most striking change is the growth of Afro-Brazilian religions. Umbanda and Candomblé, which previously represented a small fraction of the population, have seen a dramatic threefold increase. Researchers suggest this reflects a growing sense of security and acceptance within Brazilian society. The census also reveals significant regional variations, with the Northeast remaining predominantly Catholic and the North largely Evangelical. The complete details of the census can be found on the G1 website.