A quiet but significant shift is unfolding in Britain’s religious landscape. For the first time since the Reformation, Catholicism may soon eclipse Anglicanism as the largest Christian denomination in the country—thanks in large part to a wave of youthful conversions.
A new report from the Bible Society reveals that among Britons under 25, Catholics are outnumbering Anglicans nearly two to one. If the trend holds, Pentecostals could also leapfrog Anglicans, pushing the Church of England into third place.
Back in 2018, Anglicans made up 30% of regular churchgoers, while Catholics held just 22%. Fast forward to 2024, and the tables have turned—Catholics now account for 41% of regular worshippers, with Anglicans falling to 20%.
What’s driving the change? Young people, increasingly disenchanted with hollow, performative faith, appear to be embracing religion in a more serious and deliberate way. At the same time, the number of people attending church at least once a month is rising, even as general religiosity continues to decline.
In Northern Ireland, the Catholic majority became official in 2022, and the shift shows no signs of slowing. The Catholic Church in Britain also reports a post-COVID revival, though attendance hasn’t yet bounced back to pre-pandemic levels.
Across the Channel, France is seeing a similar upswing. This Lent, churches were packed for Ash Wednesday, with Millennials and Gen Z leading the charge. The French Bishops’ Conference anticipates a 45% jump in under-25 baptisms this Easter compared to last year—another sign of a generational reconnection with faith.
While infant baptisms continue to drop, the surge in adult and youth conversions suggests a more intentional and vibrant religious identity taking root. Some analysts suggest that public displays of religious devotion among Muslim immigrants—such as fasting during Ramadan—may be inspiring Christians to re-embrace their own traditions in response.
Others point to Anglicanism’s rapid lurch toward progressive ideology, which critics argue has alienated many traditional believers. Whatever the causes, one thing is clear: the next generation of British Christians is choosing its faith with purpose—and Catholicism is leading the charge.
