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Defying all expectations of continued decline, new data reveals that Christianity is growing in England and Wales — led by young adults, especially young men, in a movement that has been dubbed the ‘Quiet Revival’.

Monthly church attendance in England and Wales has increased by over 50 per cent in just six years, according to a newly released report by the Bible Society UK.

The Quiet Revival report, drawing on nationally representative YouGov surveys from 2018 and 2024, reveals that 12 per cent of adults in England and Wales now attend church at least once a month — up from 8 per cent in 2018.

While the percentage shift may seem modest, it represents a striking increase in real terms: from 3.7 million to 5.8 million regular churchgoers over just six years, or a 50 per cent increase.

Significantly, the fastest growth has taken place among 18 to 24-year-olds. In 2018, only 4 per cent in this age group reported monthly church attendance. That figure has now quadrupled to 16 per cent.

Young men have led the surge. One in five men aged 18 to 24 — or 21 per cent of their entire cohort across England and Wales — now report regular church attendance.

“This isn’t just anecdote,” the report’s authors state. “For the first time, we can see robust data showing a spiritual shift — particularly among young adults.”

The study also reveals that today’s church in Britain looks markedly different from a generation ago. A third of churchgoers are now aged 18 to 34, while 32 per cent of attenders in this age group come from ethnic minority backgrounds.

And though Anglican attendance is declining, Catholic and Pentecostal congregations are growing.

A Generation Rediscovering Scripture and Prayer

This dramatic turnaround comes amid decades of declining affiliation with the church and widespread commentary that Britain had entered a post-Christian era.

Arguably, the most compelling insight from the report is that British Christianity is not only expanding in reach, but also deepening in conviction. Christian faith is increasingly being chosen rather than inherited, marking a shift from nominal Christianity to intentional belief and practice.

For instance, 27% of adults say they are Christian but don’t regularly go to church, compared to 32% in 2018. However, those who do attend are more likely to read the Bible regularly, pray, and express belief in a personal God.

Among churchgoers, 67 per cent read the Bible weekly outside of church services — up from 54 per cent in 2018. Young Christians are particularly engaged, with high rates of Bible reading, prayer, and curiosity about Scripture.

“These are not passive believers,” the report notes. “They are committed, spiritually active, and often vocal about their faith.”

Faith Linked to Wellbeing and Community Connection

The Quiet Revival report also identifies a strong link between churchgoing and improved mental health and social wellbeing — especially among young people.

Young adults aged 18 to 34 who attend church report significantly higher life satisfaction and lower rates of anxiety and depression than their non-churchgoing peers. Female churchgoers in this age group show a 21-point drop in reports of frequent anxiety or depression compared to their peers who do not attend.

Churchgoers also report stronger connections to their communities. Among 18 to 34-year-old male attenders, 68 per cent say they feel close to people in their local area, compared to just 27 per cent of non-churchgoing men the same age.

Moreover, the report highlights that church attendance is not only benefiting individuals — it is also transforming local communities.

Churchgoers are significantly more likely than others to engage in social action. They are more likely to donate to foodbanks, volunteer, support environmental initiatives, and financially give to charities.

Likewise, 79 per cent of churchgoers say they feel it is important to “make a difference in the world”, compared to just 53 per cent of non-religious respondents.

A Renewed Interest in Christianity Across the West

Even outside the church, the study finds increased openness to Christianity in Britain.

Among non-churchgoing 18 to 24-year-olds, 34 per cent say they would attend church if invited by a friend or family member. Over half would welcome prayer from a Christian friend, and nearly one in five are interested in learning more about the Bible.

The researchers suggested that this revival may be linked to a changing public tone around Christianity. While older generations may have associated faith with social pressure or institutionalism, young adults are encountering it as a source of hope, meaning, and belonging.

Christianity is now being seen — at least by some — as a viable response to loneliness, anxiety, and a society searching for purpose.

“Having a Christian faith is again being normalised and is arguably even culturally attractive,” the report concludes.

The latest news from Britain correlates closely with similar findings in the United States.

After decades of decline, Christianity’s retreat in America has stabilised, with a surprising resurgence among young conservative men, according to major Pew survey showing Christian identity holding steady since 2019.

Cultural commentators have linked this trend to a growing disillusionment with progressive ideologies, which driving young people — especially Gen Z — toward faith and conservative values in search of truth, order, and moral clarity.

Read more about the Quiet Revival here.

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Image courtesy of Unsplash.