Brazil, home to the world’s largest Catholic population 30 years ago, has seen a significant decline in its faith following. According to new data from the country’s national statistics institute (IBGE), Catholics now account for only 56.7% of the population, down from 82.9%. The number of evangelicals has risen from 9% to 26.9% over the past three decades.
The growth rate of evangelicals has slowed, but they are now a significant force in Brazilian society. Evangelical leaders have gained popularity through gospel music and television shows. In politics, evangelicals support far-right figures like former president Jair Bolsonaro and pose an additional challenge for leftist president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
The data also reveals that Black Brazilians are more likely to identify as evangelical than white Brazilians. The growth of Afro-Brazilian religions such as candomblé and umbanda has increased, despite historical persecution. Analysts attribute the rise in self-declared adherents to growing cultural awareness and a campaign against religious intolerance.
The decline of Catholicism is attributed to various factors, including changing societal values and increasing access to education. The data suggests that Catholics are not necessarily abandoning their faith, but rather identifying with other religions or no religion at all. This shift highlights the complexities of Brazil’s spiritual landscape and the need for greater understanding between different religious groups.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jun/06/brazil-catholics-evangelicals-religion-census